Sundering stuff established in the Q&A

[Lyth]

Just as a side note, Emet does mention getting married while in Solus' body in 'Through His Eyes'. He seems to have briefly formed an attachment to a son of his that passed away from a childhood illness, but he by and large sees even his own Garlean family as 'malformed creatures'.

...

Humans themselves vary in their ability to empathize with others, true. It's still critically important, however, which is why there are societal standards in place. You can air the same views that Emet did about murder being simply 'a matter of opinion' out in a public space if you like, but you'll encounter censure fairly quickly. One of the hallmarks of antisocial personality types is a demonstrated lack of empathy for others. People in positions of power can, perhaps unsurprisingly, demonstrate some of those personality traits as well.

As you rightly pointed out, the Amaurotians are very much focused on abstract concepts, why is why empathy frequently takes a backseat to logic and blind utilitarianism in their reasoning. Part of it is also due to the fact that, similar the Greek deities that are their namesakes, they're used to wielding power however suits their own personal preferences. It's just interesting to observe the difference in their thinking.

[Brinne]

As you rightly pointed out, the Amaurotians are very much focused on abstract concepts, why is why empathy frequently takes a backseat to logic and blind utilitarianism in their reasoning. Part of it is also due to the fact that, similar the Greek deities that are their namesakes, they're used to wielding power however suits their own personal preferences. It's just interesting to observe the difference in their thinking.

No, not "Amaurotians." Venat. Specifically Venat. Almost every other Ancient character we meet actually specifically contrasts her in this regard. Hythlodaeus does not extol the abstract concept of "friendship" and claim the purpose of his life is furthering it, his thinking is grounded in his love of his two specific, concrete, real friends, Azem and Emet-Selch. Elidibus focuses on "duty" while still lacking his memories, but it's revealed as that is fixed - and foreshadowed when confusedly talking about him swearing to "someone" - that his true core of motivation stems from love of, again, specific people whom he wanted to see smile and be happy, his friends and brothers on the Convocation. Emet-Selch is very specifically driven by a far more "human" and grounded love and duty toward his people in Amaurot, as opposed to Venat's love for "mankind," and the need to protect/save them, like the DRK he is. As he's on the brink of defeat, he cries out about the emotional reasons why he cannot yield. As Ishikawa said, however, his downfall was his kindness - kindness that caused that caused him to empathize with the Sundered even though he very very very much did not want to, and it was counter-productive to his goals. Kindness that resulted in his becoming so twisted with exhaustion and self-loathing and cognitive dissonance over what he nonetheless believed he "had" to do that, deep down, he sought a way out, as his past self quickly identified and was repulsed by.

Venat is the one who stands out as so vehemently expressing, and forcefully acting, upon her love of "mankind" and "the world," and yet no specific person exists whom you can pin down as the target of this love. There is no individual person she wouldn't sacrifice in the name of for her love of "mankind." Close, yet so distant. Akin to a force of nature, as her protege said, when describing her - you know, as these traits about her stand out, within the context of Amaurotine society, to the point of being unusual and worth noting, even by her own student.

[Mortex]

The short story hints he wasn’t quite broken at that point yet. It hints that his whole having a child there was his way of giving the sundered a chance. But when he saw just how fragile the sundered beings are after his son dies of illness(which is something that never existed in the ancient world, thanks Venat!) It basically cemented his resolve to strive forward towards the rejoinings.

Ah cool. But wait did we ever had a information if you could heal congenital diseases in the world of final fantasy 14 ? Like the man can warp matter and space as we saw in amaurot so I don’t think it’s not out of the question too change the body aether properties and safe him. I mean it wouldn’t change his soul aether in anyway.

[KizuyaKatogami]

Ah cool. But wait did we ever had a information if you could heal congenital diseases in the world of final fantasy 14 ? Like the man can warp matter and space as we saw in amaurot so I don’t think it’s not out of the question too change the body aether properties and safe him. I mean it wouldn’t change his soul aether in anyway.

You have to keep in mind it was something foreign to him. He probably wouldn’t even know where to start despite how smart he is. It’s a completely new phenomenon.

[EaraGrace]

And I hate to be the one to point this out but yes, if you disagree with an important premise in the story, a premise that’ll inform character actions and decisions, then you aren’t going to like the story.

[KizuyaKatogami]

And I hate to be the one to point this out but yes, if you disagree with an important premise in the story, a premise that’ll inform character actions and decisions, then you aren’t going to like the story.

If only the story itself didn’t contradict said premises and themes just to make specific characters look good or to keep them alive

[tokinokanatae]

Not only did she know about the Rejoinings when she left Emet-Selch alive, her plan hinged upon his actions and she tried to allow him a second chance to live because she felt bad about the part he was manipulated into playing. To say that Venat has basically no issues with sacrificing lives, whether directly or by proxy, is about as text as it can be at this point. If you find that abhorrent, then you find Venat herself abhorrent.

[Lauront]

She did remind her of her favourite dog, after all.

[Kozh]

And yet for someone uninterested in the individual she weeps and cries for them, as individuals.

Why would you use song lyrics that aren't even confirmed to be sung by hydaelyn except for Answers? Unless I missed an interview or official confirmation from the devs, and if that's the case I apologize.

I'm pretty sure Dragonsong is sung by either hraesvelgr, tiamat, or vidofnir. Or at least by on of the dragon, considering that the lyric said "children of the land".

Revolutions is harder to interpret, but the grounded feeling I get from the lyrics made me think it's sung by the revolution army.

As for tomorrow and tomorrow, I believe it's either sung by minfilia and the souls lost due to flood of light or Ironworks of 8UC timeline. We might even say that the second verse is sung by the Ancients. The "storm who weeps" most likely talks about hydaelyn.

[MikkoAkure]

Why would you use song lyrics that aren't even confirmed to be sung by hydaelyn except for Answers? Unless I missed an interview or official confirmation from the devs, and if that's the case I apologize.

I'm pretty sure Dragonsong is sung by either hraesvelgr, tiamat, or vidofnir. Or at least by on of the dragon, considering that the lyric said "children of the land".

Revolutions is harder to interpret, but the grounded feeling I get from the lyrics made me think it's sung by the revolution army.

As for tomorrow and tomorrow, I believe it's either sung by minfilia and the souls lost due to flood of light or Ironworks of 8UC timeline. We might even say that the second verse is sung by the Ancients. The "storm who weeps" most likely talks about hydaelyn.

At Pax 2015, Koji Fox said that Dragonsong was sung by Hydaelyn.

Both Answers and Dragonsong are from Hydaelyn’s perspective, Koji confirms. In Answers, the wandering races are lamenting their existence and how life is so hard, while Hydaelyn is explaining that suffering leads you to understand who you are and what role you will play. This is contrasted in Dragonsong, where Hyadelyn doesn’t understand why her children have let the circumstances of the Dragonsong War become what they have. The contents of the songs in the game are, indeed, canon, so keep speculating based on the lyrics – some do have deeper meaning.

Revolutions is sung by the same singer in the same way as the other 2 so I wouldn't be surprised if that was also Hydaelyn.

I don't believe Tomorrow and Tomorrow is Hydaelyn, however.