Thread: Revelations from Patch 5.5 (Part 2)

Originally Posted by Vyrerus

MSQ Anger (But not like because it's bad or anything)

Fourchenault needs a swift kick in the ass. A solid punch to the face. A knee to the gut. His entire demeanor and expression is contemptible to me, and by the time he disowned his children that was barely a consideration in the vitriol stew that was brewing in my beating breast. That man is no father, though they may call him such. And if he is a reflection of the other 98 members of the Forum, then they are no better. I really hope they let us have a little more than, "words" with him, by the end of Endwalker. I have never hated a character so totally, and never so immediately.

Pretty much my exact reaction.

MSQ Thoughts:

So, the argument Dad makes for disowning the twins: He basically calls them warmongers, claiming they seek conflict as a solution to situations that could be solved by more "enlightened" and peaceful means. Now, you could, theoretically and with great stretching, accuse Alisaie of this. I'd argue against it, but she *is* at least more aggressive than she is passive. But Alphinaud? When it comes to the boy, the accusation is completely irrational on the face of it.

I see 3 real options here.

Option 1: Dad is a jackass, and he (and Sharlayan) is inflicted with plot-induced stupidity. I say this b/c the argument he makes for disowning the twins is irrational and stupid, and he should know that but apparently doesn't. I think this option is possible, but less likely given the quality of writing we've seen lately.

Option 2: Dad does love his kids, but he is choosing duty/loyalty to his nation over his personal feelings. This would explain a bit how he could enter the meeting and speak so warmly to them at the start, but then flip to give everyone present whiplash with the disowning over irrational straw-man accusations. (Admittedly, this can be considered a subset of Option 1.)

Option 3: Dad is attempting to protect the kids, and/or prevent them from being used against him, by keeping them from coming back to/having anything to do with Sharlayan. Its extreme, but if its not safe for them there, and he can't just TELL them that for some reason, the disownment plan is a possible solution. Possible thinking being: if they're disowned, they'll think there's nothing back home for them and won't try to come back. This also explains how he could have greeted them so warmly, talking about their mother and being happy they're healthy etc., while also knowing the whole time he was going to disown them in that meeting. Also explains the irrationality of his accusations; it didn't matter if they made sense, as long as they gave him the excuse he needed for the outcome he wanted.

Also, as Lauront said, we have this:


Regardless of what ends up being true, I do hope for a (Punch him.) option at some point. He upset my kids. /cracks knucles