What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

[Kyohei]

Imagine the WoL learning all they do about Zodiark and Meteion and, instead of sharing that knowledge with the Alliance leaders they just lock themselves in the Rising Stones because they don't want to cause a panic. It's dumb, right?

The writers have given us this official reasoning for her actions and inaction and I'm sure they thought that this was a solid resolution. But the reason I continue to question their story choices is that based on what they themselves have shown me in their story up until this point, it makes no sense whatsoever. This is only my opinion but at the end of the day, they are asking me to roll over and accept that this logically preventable event is now to be completely unpreventable just because of one person's subjective opinion. That there is no other way it could have been resolved. In this world where really, almost anything is possible.

Very much this and the rest above. One thing though, I'm not entirely sure they themselves think it's that solid given how hard it was for Yoshida to answer and how cornered he felt during the LL..to the point of saying we shouldn't look at the story that much. That might just be how it appeared to me though.

[PawPaw]

Very much this and the rest above. One thing though, I'm not entirely sure they themselves think it's that solid given how hard it was for Yoshida to answer and how cornered he felt during the LL..to the point of saying we shouldn't look at the story that much. That might just be how it appeared to me though.

Yeah, I got that impression as well. I also wonder if they had some plan to wrap up any of these questions we have somehow with the raids in the interim patches but I admit I'm having to reach quite a bit to see how it could happen. I'm just baffled.

[Kyohei]

Yeah, I got that impression as well. I also wonder if they had some plan to wrap up any of these questions we have somehow with the raids in the interim patches but I admit I'm having to reach quite a bit to see how it could happen. I'm just baffled.

I'd like to give them benefice of doubt but it's very hard. The only thing hope from the raids now is down to "wish they'll voice Themis at least". No expectation of more of the story unravelled or questions answered, or inconsistencies patched up.

[BrokentoothMarch]

How is this still in debate? Objectively speaking, Venat kept critical information that sent the Ancients to certain damnation due to a judgment made on such an egregious show of narcissism that I wouldn't be surprised to find out she goes home everyday to her perfect lover: A mirror.

Whether the ancients could do anything with the information is irrelevant. Whether they ever had enough time or power to stop the Song is irrelevant. Whether they would grow into something flourishing or into the Plenty is completely irrelevant. The point remains Venat condemned her people on a whim and the ultimate price she had to pay was being a goddess. Oh wow. Woe is her. How I pity her divine existence.

[PawPaw]

due to a judgment made on such an egregious show of narcissism that I wouldn't be surprised to find out she goes home everyday to her perfect lover: A mirror.

Oh man, this made me genuinely belly laugh, thank you

[BrokentoothMarch]

Oh man, this made me genuinely belly laugh, thank you

Only half-jest, no less. I don't think I can stress enough how everything we've seen in Venat borders on resembling a clinical narcissist or, if I were to stay in my lane, a prodigal coward. This entire story was simply a fetishization of pain and suffering with someone mentioning an analogy I agree with in saying it's as if "An aristocrat listfully thinking about the charm of what a peasant endeavors." A story about pain by people who don't know what pain is. And I'm to understand the one who made themselves into the divine protector of a now-wartorn world rife with calamity and viciousness from what we know of how beast tribes are treated and things like the Dragonsong War is the ultimate do-gooder that simply wants people to feel pain because pain builds character. Also people call her the Mother Crystal?

I was already beaten enough by my real mother, thank you. I don't need a virtual one chipping in.

Harrowing look into my personal life aside, this really is all I extracted from the expansion and with pretty potent bile growing in me. To worship what's adjacent to abuse and is just flat out treason? Bah, I'll leave well enough alone. It's definitely something I could get carried away from. I'll maintain that EW simply feels like it was written by people who are completely disconnected with those who have truly felt what it's like to be trampled underfoot while.. well.. idealizing said trampling (but it's okay because if you kill everyone who thinks you're wrong or happen to be favored by the right people, you'll be justified and nothing can hurt you. Right, Heidi/Scions?). I really hope 6.1 onwards is better.

[Kyohei]

Only half-jest, no less. I don't think I can stress enough how everything we've seen in Venat borders on resembling a clinical narcissist or, if I were to stay in my lane, a prodigal coward. This entire story was simply a fetishization of pain and suffering with someone mentioning an analogy I agree with in saying it's as if "An aristocrat listfully thinking about the charm of what a peasant endeavors." A story about pain by people who don't know what pain is. And I'm to understand the one who made themselves into the divine protector of a now-wartorn world rife with calamity and viciousness from what we know of how beast tribes are treated and things like the Dragonsong War is the ultimate do-gooder that simply wants people to feel pain because pain builds character. Also people call her the Mother Crystal?

I was already beaten enough by my real mother, thank you. I don't need a virtual one chipping in.

Harrowing look into my personal life aside, this really is all I extracted from the expansion and with pretty potent bile growing in me. To worship what's adjacent to abuse and is just flat out treason? Bah, I'll leave well enough alone. It's definitely something I could get carried away from. I'll maintain that EW simply feels like it was written by people who are completely disconnected with those who have truly felt what it's like to be trampled underfoot while.. well.. idealizing said trampling (but it's okay because if you kill everyone who thinks you're wrong or happen to be favored by the right people, you'll be justified and nothing can hurt you. Right, Heidi/Scions?). I really hope 6.1 onwards is better.

You forgot to mention the real world's name was lost in favour to calling it hers: "Hydaelyn"

[BrokentoothMarch]

You forgot to mention the real world's name was lost in favour to calling it hers: "Hydaelyn"

I ALMOST FORGOT THAT PART. THE COMPARISONS WRITE THEMSELVES!

[Skyborne]

Only half-jest, no less. I don't think I can stress enough how everything we've seen in Venat borders on resembling a clinical narcissist or, if I were to stay in my lane, a prodigal coward. This entire story was simply a fetishization of pain and suffering with someone mentioning an analogy I agree with in saying it's as if "An aristocrat listfully thinking about the charm of what a peasant endeavors." A story about pain by people who don't know what pain is. And I'm to understand the one who made themselves into the divine protector of a now-wartorn world rife with calamity and viciousness from what we know of how beast tribes are treated and things like the Dragonsong War is the ultimate do-gooder that simply wants people to feel pain because pain builds character. Also people call her the Mother Crystal?

I was already beaten enough by my real mother, thank you. I don't need a virtual one chipping in.

Harrowing look into my personal life aside, this really is all I extracted from the expansion and with pretty potent bile growing in me. To worship what's adjacent to abuse and is just flat out treason? Bah, I'll leave well enough alone. It's definitely something I could get carried away from. I'll maintain that EW simply feels like it was written by people who are completely disconnected with those who have truly felt what it's like to be trampled underfoot while.. well.. idealizing said trampling (but it's okay because if you kill everyone who thinks you're wrong or happen to be favored by the right people, you'll be justified and nothing can hurt you. Right, Heidi/Scions?). I really hope 6.1 onwards is better.

I still think, ~3 months later, that FF9 did the theme of 'life is worth living even if death is inevitable' in a much less out-of-touch and hamfisted way. That one black mage wondering why his friend just stopped moving one day? Infinitely more feels than most of Endwalker. And I don't remember them shoving it in our faces that the Terrans were all bad and terrible and silly for wanting to live.

Anyway, just funposting until I reach 69 -- then my purpose shall be fulfilled and I will carelessly toss my forum life away.

[KageTokage]

I'm still left feeling like the core issue is that they felt insistent on incorporating time travel into the plot mostly for fanservice reasons, but due to the fact that such would've ended up forming a causal loop by necessity thanks to XIV's pre-established time travel logic, they dug themselves into a narrative pitfall that they couldn't get out of without leaving the deep thinkers with questions.

As it stands, there's still no actual explanation why we're even able to keep returning to Elpis whenever we want after it was made to sound as though our time there was limited.