DRK as Warrior of Light - What is your reasoning

[ADVSS]

The DRK quest to 50 made me really want to watch Fight Club. IDK why

[PogueX]

I guess it's how they use that darkness. I was always one to believe that DRK'S in FF are anti-hero's who use darkness as a tool to defeat evil, if you look at Cecil Harvey (probably the most famous DRK in the FF series) from FF4 he needed the holy sword in order to succeed against evil so he had to become a paladin, so in some ways the FF series acknowledges that darkness can not defeat evil, that only holy light can defeat evil. Not to play devil's advocate

[TinyRedLeaf]

What a coincidence that this thread pops up just after I finished my Drk50 quest.

The DRK quest to 50 made me really want to watch Fight Club.

I'm not surprised.

Tyler Durden is to the "everyman" what Fray is to the Warrior of Light: the Ubermensch shorn of the social morals that hold him back from achieving his full potential.

So I've been thinking about the DRK being the WoL and it seems a bit contradictory... I still struggle a bit with reconciling the fact that we draw power from the abyss while we are the WoL. So I was curious as to how others saw that fact and what their conclusions are.

I also think that the abyss that Sidurgu refers to is not the same as the Void from where the Ascians come from, so that helps. It's more of a metaphorical thing, almost in the Nietzschean sense.

As Cilia explained, the "darkside" is not evil per se, nor is the Void itself. It's the pain, suffering and resentment that the WoL has suppressed within himself, in a heroic act of self-sacrifice. It's also a reference to the WoL's repressed desire to be free from the burden of being the people's champion — an unspoken wish to be rid of obligations to others, and focus instead on his own goals.

These are deep-seated emotions that have been bottled up inside for so long, that once they find an outlet, they explode with ferocious force. That, at least, is how I interpret the "darkside" in the context of FFXIV.

In a way, the "darkside" is similar to the "inner beast" that warriors tap for their powers. It's all about channelling the WoL's less genteel emotions.

I don't RP or anything, but I like my characters to be consistent with in-game lore, so I'm looking forward to any insight you might provide.

Now that I've finally unlocked Drk50, I can easily see why the Drk30 to 50 storyline has been so popular with many players. I also wouldn't be surprised if it's in fact S-E's response to feedback that the WoL is too much of a goody two-shoes. So, from a lore perspective, the Dark Knight is definitely a godsend to role-players who long to take on the persona of a "flawed" hero.

From a broader perspective, the Dark Knight's quest line is probably the closest one in tone to the overall Heavensward story, where major characters like Ysayle, Estinien and Alphinaud have had to grapple with their inner demons. Being a dark knight, then, also allows the WoL to live out his own demons.

I don't think it's a coincidence, for example, that there's a growing awareness among other characters, of just how much the WoL is taken for granted. It's become an inside joke of sorts that the WoL would stoically shoulder any responsibilty, no matter how menial or onerous. Well, by role-playing as a dark knight, you don't have to be a Gary Stu or Mary Sue any more! You have a valid, in-game reason to go Fight Club on any person who pisses you off!

Eorzeans have more reasons now to fear soap!

[Lambdafish]

I think it makes perfect sense actually, and is one of the most relevant quests to the WoL in the game. When you first become a dark knight you are already the WoL and the events of 2.55 have already happened. The DRK questline shows weakness in the WoL emotionally (in a very fight club manner, as others have said). The WoL begins questioning if those around them really appreciate them and if it is all worth it, and in the end they reconcile the darkness and use it to enhance their strength, and use it for good.

[LalafellDown]

Magic in general is evil sorcery so WHM and SCH are in the same category as using evil. Oh and SMN too conjuring up minions and AST some Star Zodiac stuff

the only non magic class is DRG(before 3.0). Maybe that's why the DRG is hated by the world because he doesn't use magic to fight the primal's and gets laughed at as the lolDRG when he's the first to die. He doesn't have magic to protect him just his spear and armor a true Eorzean hero.

[Alacran]

Many of the above, have made excellent points already, but I have always felt it's somewhat easier than all that. We all have someone/ something we would do anything for, a reason we would gladly put our hands into flames knowing full well we will burn, but we'll make sure that thing is safe, protected. Our morals and ideals need not be explained or understood by anyone else, we don't do what we do for accolades or fame. By the use of our power we can root out evil, the vile and false, our beginning quest fairly screams this fact. Our final guest (or was level 58?) also alludes to this, we are not evil, we are reactionary, when harm and hurt come to those we protect we engage with extreme prejudice and will use even damned magicks to see it done.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlackKnight

[Cilia]

The question wasn't why, but how. Dark / Void magic like the kind we use is often assumed to be evil because it's calling on the power of Zodiark or the Void (Hell).

DRK's power doesn't come from either. Rather, it comes from their shadow, embodied by "Fray" in the 30-50 line. Accepting that shadow, both its good and bad points, is the key to mastering the power of "darkness" - hence why I consider the "dark arts" not so much dark as it is wielding your own heart as a weapon.

[Kallera]

Power depends on who uses it. The Abyss is what is used for the darker emotons and guiding purpose the DRK uses to fuel their techniques.

From a roleplay perspective, I welcome the contradiction. When you are famous and an adventurer, you can feel quite fettered in what you want and can do. A lack of agency when even the gods pin their ambitions and hopes on you, or rather, your role as "The Warrior of Light".
DRK, then , is not only Kallera's outlet, but something to call her own; to do right not out of lofty destiny or patriotism, but from desire and passion. To fight as herself, for herself.
But that's how I see it as my character. I'm sure there are other ways to view DRK from a roleplay perspective.

[Zohar_Lahar]

For me, the fact I executed the Archbishop after he declared himself God King seemed like all the justification a Warrior of Light needs to be the Dark Knight.

[Tanathya]

Dark Knight is all about sacrifice to help the others. In the rest of the franchise that is even more tangible, since you literally sacrifice HP to kill your enemies faster.