Lilies on the grave... (HW-spoiler ahead!)

[Ayuhra]

Can we just.

Sacrifice our Light and bring him back?

And then, to keep drama intense and the story going, Hydaelyn says "Again? You're on your own this time, buddy."

And we go "Well we have Haurchefant alive again. Just because we have no Light, what's the worst can happen? Oh, the ASCIANS? Huh, yeah, I didn't think this through...."

No, huh? No to all of that? Bad idea? Aight.

[Heavensword]

Why is it that the first idiot that comes to mind is his younger half brother?

Or Francel in a fit of desperation.

Or the Warrior of Light.

Or... the numerous Role-Players who already created a perfect replica of Haurchy and are walking around in Ishgard. Still very salty about how SE changed the color scheme for Haubergeon armors....

[Ayuhra]

Or... the numerous Role-Players who already created a perfect replica of Haurchy and are walking around in Ishgard. Still very salty about how SE changed the color scheme for Haubergeon armors....

I saw one of you bastids sitting in HIS chair at Dragonhead once. I had to do a double take.

[MilesSaintboroguh]

A primal version wouldn't be the real Haurchefant anyway, though?

Not the point. Whether he is brought back "in spirit" or "for reals", bringing someone back from the dead for drama is extremely lazy storytelling. Death of a character shouldn't be made so lightly (I'm looking at YOU, Nanamo!). I'm afraid I must quote Frozen and tell everyone to let it go.

[Ayuhra]

Not the point. Whether he is brought back "in spirit" or "for reals", bringing someone back from the dead for drama is extremely lazy storytelling. Death of a character shouldn't be made so lightly (I'm looking at YOU, Nanamo!). I'm afraid I must quote Frozen and tell everyone to let it go.

I agree to a point. A death done well in a story can be poignant.

Whether we agree (as a playerbase, not you and I) that Haurchefant SHOULD be dead or not is moot the way I see it. The fact that he grew on us so intensely and that it hurt so much to lose him SHOWS that this was a death done well. That's why I say if (IF) we got him back it would have to be through equally dramatic and plot relevant means not some aside cutscene telling us he's fine (Nanamo). This death had true emotional impact (though no plot relevant impact at least not yet).

However...

I dislike it when stories use character deaths as a shorthand for drama and I worry Heavensward is going there. War stories always have a lot of death but if people just keep dropping it becomes hard to care about anyone. Why care if they're just going to die? It's like watching a teen horror flick and everyone just becomes a number in the death count. I like the characters in this game so I hope they find ways to keep the story intense without continuing to kill people off. I'm already starting to side eye Yugiri. I want to like her but I have a creeping feeling she's next.

[MilesSaintboroguh]

We really don't have a lot of interaction with Yugiri so I'm not terribly worried. Haurchefant was introduced sometime in the 2.X storyline and he had time to develop as a character where he stuck up for the Warrior of Light and had their backs through the thick and thin and even in the darkest hour. His sudden death trying to protect the WOL made the scene all the more tragic because of how well we got to know him and it made the WOL want to bring justice to Thordon and his Heavens Ward knights for killing him. That's why his death works so well and that's why I'd be livid if they brought him back in any form just to tease the heartstrings of the audience for the heck of it. His story is finished.

[FJerome]

That's why his death works so well and that's why I'd be livid if they brought him back in any form just to tease the heartstrings of the audience for the heck of it. His story is finished.

When a character is this beloved both in-world and by the fandom and there's at least three different ways in canon to "bring him back wrong" (the ever-popular Primal option, Edda-brand Necromancy and whatever Amon did to resurrect Xande) it just seems weird that the game wouldn't at least deal with the fact it's an option? I don't feel his story is quite finished until they wrap up that loose end.

The resurrection attempt doesn't even need to actually happen, we can foil in time, but I would like to see it addressed.

[Vayanne]

After passing that quest, I finally feel safe enough to read and post here.

I just wanted to say I also support the idea and prefer the German version. I also envy Ayuhra in a good way for translating it better than I:

Well as we know when Haurchefant lays dying in the English version he says "You...you are unharmed? F-Forgive me... I could not bear the thought of...of... Oh, do not look at me so. A smile better suits a hero..."

In German it's "Odd…We’re finally so close, and yet ...I can hardly feel you… Now, don’t be sad… It doesn’t suit you…my hero…"

It gives the impression that he's been longing to be close to you but hasn't been until that moment. And that moment IS the very first time we see the Warrior of Light touching someone. Touch is usually a big no in this game due to the insane size differences between playable races.

Could anyone post the translation of the French and Japanese versions?

[FJerome]

I just wanted to say I also support the idea and prefer the German version.

My main problem with the German version is it implies an unconsummated relationship; we spent two weeks living at Camp Dragonhead, more or less, and we've known forever that he's in love with the WoL. If your character was up for it and didn't immediately jump him in the first empty hallway what the hell were they doing with their time?!

I prefer the vagueness of the English version, which was also more neutral for people whose characters would have no romantic interest in him (bonded characters, characters who are only into women, characters who aren't into anyone, etc.)

[MilesSaintboroguh]

When a character is this beloved both in-world and by the fandom and there's at least three different ways in canon to "bring him back wrong" (the ever-popular Primal option, Edda-brand Necromancy and whatever Amon did to resurrect Xande) it just seems weird that the game wouldn't at least deal with the fact it's an option? I don't feel his story is quite finished until they wrap up that loose end.

The resurrection attempt doesn't even need to actually happen, we can foil in time, but I would like to see it addressed.

The story probably isn't dealing with it right now because we had bigger issues to take care of, such as the Dragonsong War and the empire. I'm sure there will be a mention of mr. popular's passing in the next batches of stories, but I just don't see what purpose bringing him back will fill.