Question Regarding 6.1 and a Scion (SPOILERS! FOR 6.1)

[CarnageTheory]

So during the MSQ you go to the forbidden library with Y'shtola. You read about Voidsent and the Atomos. And maybe I missed it earlier, but..?

How can Y'sthola read the tome? Isn't she, well, more or less, blind? I know she can read and see Aether, but it's a pretty well-known fact she can't see, physically. Like, when that part in Shadowbringers happens and she can't tell who we are, because she only knows us by our aether.

So what's the deal?

[MoofiaBossVal]

In ShB she was able to see the Hydaelyn mural painted inside the cave. Also, the health issues were never brought up again. So it seems like she has regular sight but can also see people's aether, at no cost to herself.

The lesson is that we should try casting flow and getting lost in the aetherial sea too, so we can emerge with super sight!

[Elesh]

So during the MSQ you go to the forbidden library with Y'shtola. You read about Voidsent and the Atomos. And maybe I missed it earlier, but..?

How can Y'sthola read the tome? Isn't she, well, more or less, blind? I know she can read and see Aether, but it's a pretty well-known fact she can't see, physically. Like, when that part in Shadowbringers happens and she can't tell who we are, because she only knows us by our aether.

So what's the deal?

I believe the impication is that all things are comprised of, to a greater or lesser extent, aether(which is also how she's able to walk and not fall off cliffs, see the gaps in stairs, etc.). And she is 'reading' by recognizing the differences between the ink and the page.

[TheMightyMollusk]

Essentially, she can see with her aethersight, but she's near-sighted. She can only make out details close up. Remember in Shadowbringers, after defeating the Lightwarden in Rak'tika, she has to ask Urianger to describe the night sky for her.

As for her seeing us by our aether when we first met up, that was foreshadowing for the built-up Light we'd been absorbing. Imagine seeing someone standing in front of a spotlight and not being able to make out their face until you get close.

[Rokke]

She's blind when the story needs her to be.

[hydralus]

It's anime/superhero blindness. In that it's not really a debilitating weakness but always makes someone better than a person who isn't blind.

[Gelesto]

If you look at any of the ink in game (alchemist crafts etc) they have increased aetheric conductivity and as she is able to see aether she can read these words. also aetheric ink is also used as the explanation for armour items that have tattoos attached.

[Schwarzwind]

I also seem to recollect that Y'shtola has to use her own life aether in order to give her the ability to see, which shortens her lifespan. That was the reason Matoya scolded her at some point.

[TheMightyMollusk]

I also seem to recollect that Y'shtola has to use her own life aether in order to give her the ability to see, which shortens her lifespan. That was the reason Matoya scolded her at some point.

It was mentioned, but since the game's time bubble hasn't significantly progressed, it hasn't mattered yet.

[Raikai]

So during the MSQ you go to the forbidden library with Y'shtola. You read about Voidsent and the Atomos. And maybe I missed it earlier, but..?

How can Y'sthola read the tome? Isn't she, well, more or less, blind? I know she can read and see Aether, but it's a pretty well-known fact she can't see, physically. Like, when that part in Shadowbringers happens and she can't tell who we are, because she only knows us by our aether.

So what's the deal?

Everything is made of aether. The paper and the ink have different aetherical densities and compositions, so that's probably why she can discern letter shapes on a paper page with her aethersight.