Tales from the Storm Discussion

[Theodric]

Well, I enjoyed the story. I'm just a little confused as to why Hien is in the header - and arguably equal in terms of plot importance as Lyse - but wasn't given a story to flesh him out further? Oh well. Hopefully he won't be neglected in the patches to come.

[TinyRedLeaf]

I think she may actually have the Echo.

That's also my hunch. But, without further proof, it's hard to say for sure.

For me, the greatest insight from the entire Azim Steppes is the fundamental nature of myth. Humans have always been story-telling creatures; likewise the mortals of Eorzea/Hydaelyn.

It is from stories that we derive meaning and purpose, the way Magnai is driven to search for his "moon", because he believes it's his destiny, as described in myth and tradition.

But stories change, be it on purpose or by accident.

The xaela may be one people, but witness how each tribe has split away from a single creation myth, to develop wildly varying myths — and widely different worldviews — of their own.

And sometimes, a myth becomes reality, a primal, an eikon, or a mortal hero. And they in turn inspire myths of their own, and something new is born with each cycle.

I really loved how the Azim Steppes made me go full-blown philosophical. It's always wonderful when a story inspires me to think beyond.

[FJerome]

I also liked the framing of the story as a campfire tale, though I wish it'd been clearer about who was telling the tale. The only hint comes in the first image, which appears to be of the Mol village. I missed that, at first, and thought these were Oronir telling the tale. This made their snickers and mockery of Magnai a bit shocking for me on the first read-through. I'll admit that I was a bit disappointed to realize that it was probably the Mol telling the story; it would have been interesting if Magnai's own people thought him as much a twit as we do!

I actually thought it might have been the Buduga. As the Oronir's allies they'd know all the details of what happened but being an entirely male tribe with apparently zero interest in women probably also find the Oronir fixation on epic destined heterosexual romance to be hilariously entertaining.

[Grayve]

I highly enjoyed the story. And didn't even notice the tense changing issue. But I suck at grammar. I do wonder how marriages among the tribes work. One of the Mol sidequests is about getting a bride some items to make a good impression on her new hubby from another clan, so I was assuming it's not frowned upon. And one hunter met his bride on the hunt, in that story, so they don't have to marry outside the clan.

[YianKutku]

On the one hand, I really liked the framing of a campfire tale. It's a basic and simplistic variety of it, but I assume there are issues with keeping to house style and length. The effort itself is commendable, and the execution passable. Good enough.

On the other hand, I really don't like Magnai and Sadu, albeit in the proper "I don't like them" way instead of the deadlier "I don't like how they're written". Magnai is a jerk, and I don't like Ore-sama characters like Sadu. So this story didn't grab my attention as much as the one about the Scions' Day Out did.

Magnai comes across in this story as one of those... I'm not sure what the proper term is. Obsessive? He hears about the story of Azim and Nhaama, and immediately assumes that real life must be as epic as the story, or it doesn't "count". So the stories his brothers have about meeting their own loved ones are too pale and thin for the saga unfolding in his head. He has a firm idea of what he wants his Nhaama to be, and how he's supposed to meet her. And he is not going to accept anything less.

I suppose we as readers/players are supposed to be yelling in our heads at Magnai for how dense he's being.

As for the Magnai/Sadu pairing, I don't actually think it will work out. It might, if both Magnai and Sadu put their egos aside and talk to each other like grown-ups, but if they did so, they wouldn't be Magnai and Sadu. So any attempt to pair the two together is doomed from the start.

[LystAP]

On the one hand, I really liked the framing of a campfire tale. It's a basic and simplistic variety of it, but I assume there are issues with keeping to house style and length. The effort itself is commendable, and the execution passable. Good enough.

On the other hand, I really don't like Magnai and Sadu, albeit in the proper "I don't like them" way instead of the deadlier "I don't like how they're written". Magnai is a jerk, and I don't like Ore-sama characters like Sadu. So this story didn't grab my attention as much as the one about the Scions' Day Out did.

Also, the Dotharl don't seem to be all that willing to marry out. They're a tribe that massacres others on a whim, supposedly. And the only way to be a Dotharl is to be born one.

[FJerome]

I suppose we as readers/players are supposed to be yelling in our heads at Magnai for how dense he's being.

I'd think so, giving the audience in the story-framing is also rolling their eyes. I'm not super-enthusiastic about the "they hate each other so they'll obviously hook up" trope but I'll give it more of a pass if the Xaela also think this is incredibly stupid.

That's also my hunch. But, without further proof, it's hard to say for sure.

For me, the greatest insight from the entire Azim Steppes is the fundamental nature of myth. Humans have always been story-telling creatures; likewise the mortals of Eorzea/Hydaelyn

While we're still (sorta) on this topic there's a couple of other interesting little parallels I may or may not be reading too much into.

1) The repeated significance of "tears". The Xaela are meant to be the tears of Nhaama and meanwhile over in Eorzea Lake Silvertear is a critically important location to Hydaelyn.

2) The way that this sun/moon split is echoed with the Miqo'te and their Keepers and Seekers, giving the impression that whatever is going on is a very ancient and primal story.

[Khalithar]

I really enjoyed the story and the way it was written between Sadu/Magnai. Personally I want to see him succeed in finding his lady, Magnai is far and above my favorite character that they added in the xpac and the Oronir tribe are badass. Seeing that story nearly made me want to swap to an Oronir Xaela character which (if you know how much I love Elezen and think they're the greatest race in the game, period) says a lot.

Something about the Oronir's smug egotistical patronizing superiority complex really rubs me the right way for some reason and no I'm not kidding.

[CrispyCrab]

Anyone can told me more about Khaa/Khaat stuff
I don't realize what it could be
Maybe I missed the meaning of these word
But if someone could help me I'd be thankful

[Mholito]

Anyone can told me more about Khaa/Khaat stuff
I don't realize what it could be
Maybe I missed the meaning of these word
But if someone could help me I'd be thankful

If we go by the fishing log, it seems like Khaa is an oasis or small lake, Khaal is a river river and Khaat is a large lake.