Revelations from Patch 5.5 (Part 2)

**YianKutku** · 06-04-2021 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by KizuyaKatogami

I just find it funny how people assume the worst from someone we’ve seen for 5 minutes tops lmao. Have we learned nothing from things like ARR and HW.

Personally I've learned from ARR and HW that the writers will try to create "sympathetic" backstories and motivations for characters, but only after trying to show them in the worst light possible, and then kind of ignoring how the later "revelations" of their motivations make the earlier terrible actions even more problematic in hindsight. Simply because the characterization had to serve different purposes at different points in time.

I still haven't forgiven Ysayle for massacring that shipment caravan of crystals for Revenant's Toll. I would have forgiven her if she's apologized about it, but she never did, and I can only assume it's because the writers themselves forgot that she did that.

In Fourchenault's case, it's probably because no matter what his motivations, it still doesn't excuse his actions. Currently every potentially sympathetic reading of his possible motivations lead to the conclusion that Fourchenault is either very stupid, or still a jerk for choosing this method anyway. My expectation is that if Fourchenault is revealed to have the twins' best interests at heart, the writers will again conveniently forget that he chose to use this method, instead of any other.

**Theodric** · 06-04-2021 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by YianKutku

problematic

That word again, eh? Well, I suppose it's all a matter of perspective ultimately. Much like humans in the real world, realistic characters in fictional settings are complex and hypocritical.

Personally I don't need a character to grovel in apology for their past actions in order to find them relatable, interesting or sympathetic. I'm also inclined to think that there's plenty of threads present in advance to suggest that a character is worthy of a second look instead of being immediately branded 'unforgivable' and 'unhinged'.

I'm reminded of Yotsuyu and how many here claimed she had zero redeeming qualities or reason for doing what she did only for 4.3 to further highlight already present elements of her backstory and suddenly the tune changed quite drastically.

I suspect we'll see a similar situation come into play with Fourchenault.

**RyuDragnier** · 06-04-2021 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by KizuyaKatogami

I just find it funny how people assume the worst from someone we’ve seen for 5 minutes tops lmao. Have we learned nothing from things like ARR and HW.

*looks at Yuyuhase, Laurentius, Archbishop, Vauthry, etc*
We've had this before and it was obvious before. Yes we've had people who turn out to be more than we suspected, but we've also had people who were EXACTLY what we expected.

**Tensaihime** · 06-04-2021 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by KizuyaKatogami

I just find it funny how people assume the worst from someone we’ve seen for 5 minutes tops lmao. Have we learned nothing from things like ARR and HW.

What I got from the end of ARR was trust issues, to the point where I spent some time expecting a cutscene of Haurchefant hurting the WoL -part of why I hated the road trip was because for a while I was waiting for Estinien and Ysayle to each try to kill me again. Most of the new characters I’ve encountered since then, I have fallen into the habit of regarding with suspicion until I’ve seen/known enough of them to believe they’re okay. That way, when, say, Asahi really does turn out to be the worst ambassador ever, or Emet goes after me/my friends, I’m not shocked, just ready to finally throw hands. And when the Fortemps family really does like me, or Kai-Shirr and the Chais turn out to be pretty cool, I get a pleasant surprise. Heck, I still don’t trust Hancock!

Endwalker may give me a good reason or three to think better of 4ChanAlt, but until I get those reasons, he and his mysterious doomsday contingency plan get the side-eye.

**Alleluia** · 06-04-2021 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by EdwinLi

Well they can also go for a darker path for Fourchenault being he did this because he fully intends to let them die in the Final Days because he deems them not worth being saved and to be part of the new world Sharlayan plans to create using the Sharlayan Ark due to what he deemed too corrupted by outside influence.

Thus setting Fouschenault up as someone who was never redeemable because he strongly believes in Sharlayan's beliefs and plans to make Sharlayan the rulers of a new world order after the Final Days and will sacrifice even his own family to see it through. Even to a point we may have to fight him with Alphinaud and Alisaie aiding WoL resulting in WoL having to kill him infront of the twins because he refuse to back down.

Still wouldn't explain the initial warm reception if he felt that way, though. You'd think the disdain would either come thru outright, or at least prevent him from anything other than detached neutrality when he sees them.

I could see this, though I hope this isn't the way its going, for the twins' sake. Aymeric really had enough daddy issues to cover our quota till next story season, imo.

Speaking of family ties; Do we know if Urianger has any relatives? It'd also be awesome if we could meet some of Moenbryda's family. She was name dropped a few patches ago, I think, so she's not been forgotten. I still take her minion out occasionally, so I think it'd be very cool to meet relatives and hear more about her.

**dynus** · 06-07-2021 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by BlitzAceRush

My issue with it being a "I'm trying to keep you out of harm's way!" is, all he's done is make them want to go straight there, so unless it's a reverse play and he's actually really evil and wants them to come running, or trick them into coming home so he can keep them there, his plan doesn't seem very thought out. 9 times out of 10 the "I've no time/ability to explain, let me do something shocking and out of character without explanation, don't try to figure out why and stay out of it." does not work.

Hmm... I'm hoping it's tricking them into coming home and keeping them there, or getting them the incentive to come home and solve the problems he can't, but not holding my breath.

**Fenral** · 06-07-2021 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by dynus

Hmm... I'm hoping it's tricking them into coming home and keeping them there, or getting them the incentive to come home and solve the problems he can't, but not holding my breath.

I wonder if it could be a neutrality thing. Like, disowning them makes them not Sharlayan citizens in some capacity, enabling them to act more freely with regards to [Unintroduced Plot Point X], without diplomatic backlash of some kind. Though in the short term, we can probably expect another gag about how Alphinaud doesn't understand money.

I'm reaching maybe, but that's all we can do for the next six months.

**Cilia** · 06-07-2021 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Fenral

I wonder if it could be a neutrality thing. Like, disowning them makes them not Sharlayan citizens in some capacity, enabling them to act more freely with regards to [Unintroduced Plot Point X], without diplomatic backlash of some kind. Though in the short term, we can probably expect another gag about how Alphinaud doesn't understand money.

I'm reaching maybe, but that's all we can do for the next six months.

Personally I'm operating on the assumption Sharlayan knows something and Fourchenault doesn't want his kids using the prestige that comes with their name to find out.

**Fenral** · 06-07-2021 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Cilia

Personally I'm operating on the assumption Sharlayan knows something and Fourchenault doesn't want his kids using the prestige that comes with their name to find out.

That would be the solution with fewest assumptions, certainly. It already seems to be keeping them from coming and going freely, if Alphi's current Rising Stones lines are anything to go by. Not sure how much the Leveilleur name matters outside of Sharlayan, though, so we may not be able to grasp the full implications until our obligatory Aethernet tour of Old Sharlayan.

I do like the 5D chess potential, though.

**Alleluia** · 06-04-2021 06:52 AM

Well, I'm not sure anyone here is claiming it was a good plan.

Thread: Revelations from Patch 5.5 (Part 2)

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