Companions: Are they Dead?

[Squintina]

They all ate magic greens and became chocobos.

[Risvertasashi]

They all ate magic greens and became chocobos.

In terms of gameplay functionality... yeah, they're chocos now. And what chocos don't cover, squadrons will probably take the rest of.

[Kaldaka]

In terms of gameplay functionality... yeah, they're chocos now. And what chocos don't cover, squadrons will probably take the rest of.

They only appeared idley in the waking sand, during cutscenes and instanced fights. They made it so that the warrior of light wasn't alone (because we'd all be dead without those companions if memory serves right).
Companions never had the Echo either (again, if memory serves) so they could be just a random npc anywhere in the world. It'd just be nice to set them to rest of they're dead, or reunion if they're not.
Like the Orphans christmas event :') I cried irl, seeing he was alright, alive and well.

[Kerwin]

I do miss my little buddy. What he lacked in height he made up with heart. I'll remember him. Hope he is well.

[Riardon]

Don't know about those but I would like to see more functionality on Retainers and Squadrons. I would like to have my retainers sitting at my house's couch waiting for me or appear randomly on battles for a little buff or heal (like Angelo in FFVIII). I would like more interaction with Squadrons and Retainers. Retainers are kinda forgotten.

[Zsolen]

Only 3.0 here... this is a million times better than a chocobo! Sorry Saint (but not sorry). I remember having people like this in SWTOR.

Edit: I don't roleplay but this could help them out as well.

[Kazgrel]

My chocobo is quite alive, k thx.

Actual npc companions that may have some sort of side stories to explore could be cool.

[Emstidor]

If I recall correctly, data mining shows that some of the Path Companion models are used for various NPCs around Eorzea, so canonically those probably just left the Scions after the calamity and are doing their own thing.

The other unused ones are probably implied to have died during Bahamut's attack.

Also the reason 1.0 adventurers needed a path companion was because you could do the MSQ quests (what few there were) as a DoL or DoH, so your NPC buddy was there to fight the monsters that you as a fisher or a culinarian could not. Path companion and the Parley system were bandaids for what was a unique--if dumb in hindsight-- concept.

[Emstidor]

Unfortunately the guy who did the actual appearance data-mining had a big public meltdown on reddit and pulled all his stuff so I can't verify it anymore, but I 100% remember that he found at least a couple of matches.

[Zumi]

I don't think they ever said what happened to path companions in 2.0 we may never find out.