Is Ysht'ola dying?

[Sobius]

Given how the other 1.0 Archons are getting knocked off, or dramatically altered, I was thinking about some of the dialogue from the CS' in Heavensward (which I cannot remember all of at this time). I seem to remember Matoya remarking something to the effect that Ysht'ola had done a number to herself when she escaped into the Aetherstream just prior to the release of Heavensward.

Any thoughts?

[Canadane]

Do.. do you mean Y'shtola?

[Sobius]

Do.. do you mean Y'shtola?

Sorry, wrong use of an apostrophe... Yes! Y'shtola!

[SilverObi]

Think this has been discussed before, but yeah I believed it was said that she was using up her own aether to see?

[Berethos]

Think this has been discussed before, but yeah I believed it was said that she was using up her own aether to see?

Something like that.

They sort of describe it in two different ways in the English version - the first time they seem to suggest that she is shortening her life by using her aether to see aether around her, which would suggest that she is slowly draining her life away. The second time it's mentioned seems to suggest that she needs to be careful as she could push herself too hard and that would take her past a sort of break point (the way a Thaumaturge might draw too much aether from themselves if not careful) but that so long as she doesn't cross that line she will be fine.

Which, in story-telling terms, often means she will find herself in a situation where she may feel like she needs to cross that line to achieve some other goal. Chekhov's Aether in this case, I suppose.

[Kuzonoha]

My thoughts?

This thread makes me sad That said, I do believe she is gradually dying or something of that extent... She must live!

[Yamimarik]

She "isn't" dying per-say... it's more along the lines of, she's shortening her lifespan by using her eyes to see aetheric properties easier. We don't know by how much this shortens her lifespan much less any other detrimental effects it might have on her. Matoya seems concerned obviously, but it didn't seem to be something that was a here and now urgency concern.

Also, more has been said here: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...ters-mortality

[Canadane]

Aye, Marik has the right of it. Matoya wasn't ready to start any emergency treatment on her. It's more like she's slowly straining herself, rather than outright killing herself.

[Khalithar]

Matoya wasn't ready to start any emergency treatment on her. It's more like she's slowly straining herself, rather than outright killing herself.

Basically this is my interpretation of it also. Also, if you do some of the side quests you learn that Matoya considers Y'shtola very dear to her and Matoya holds a genuine deep motherly affection for Y'shtola. If she were actually rapidly dying, there's no way Matoya wouldn't actively be doing something about it. Although if Matoya was there if we "buried" Y'shtola (assuming she dies in the main story at all in SB) that would be one hell of a heartbreaking moment! The Matoya side quests in her cave give you a lot more context about their relationship and ends on a fairly bittersweet note that's worth checking out if you haven't already done it.

[Lucke]

I know SE likes to do a "Game of Thrones" and kill people off, but I don't think we'll lose Y'shtola for awhile. My reasoning is since she's more or less the icon of XIV (moreso than even Derplander). Whenever XIV is involved, Y'shtola represents it - like in Dissidia.