Character disconnect and disappointing Player Agency in Dawntrail's MSQ [Spoilers]

[RabendaShin]

This post will contain spoilers for the Dawntrail MSQ.

I am about to finish my Dawntrail MSQ experience, and am reflecting upon the story told. There will be paraphrasing, so do correct me if I am absolutely incorrect in what I remember from the story.

An MMORPG needs to railroad the player character for plot reasons or mechanical ones, but in previous story experiences it all seemed relatively natural. There were always good reasons to do the things we needed to do, even if we didn't agree with them. We were also able to voice that disagreement, albeit in limited means.
FFXIV has never been a game about meaningful choices (we are mere actors in a grand play), yet somehow this is the first time playing where I feel an absolute disconnect with my character and the choices presented for her to take.

The time this disconnect hit me hardest was when Wuk Lamat asked me to refer to her as "lamaty'i", a term of endearment reserved for family. I had not particularly enjoyed much of my time glued to the third promise, so I opted to respond with the usually delightful "..." option expecting at least a somewhat snide comment. Instead, one of the Scions, a character I care for and trust, informs Wuk my character is "at a loss for words" for being asked this.

Once I reached the point where the capital is invaded by the futuristic army, I thought to myself: how did my character willingly get here? She caused a huge conflict on the other side of the world, just because G'raha told her to 'go have an adventure'. She was told not to mingle in local politics, but immediately gets rushed by a future ruler who claims her as a champion. Before that ruler gets to ascend the throne, we are even told by Gulool Ja Ja that had the claimaints been deemed unworthy, he would not forego his position.

Had my character opted not to support Wuk Lamat in her claim for the throne, what would have changed?

• The four claimants would have done their trials, and then Gulool Ja Ja would probably have decided none of them were fit to rule.
• Most of the people we helped in the trials all were more than able to fix their own problems, they didn't need us present to fix their fields, find them workers, or cook their local dish. Even if they needed actual help, I am certain Koana could have helped.
• There would have been harsh consequences for Bakool Ja Ja's antics.
• Zoraal Ja would have thrown a tantrum, but he wouldn't have had a cheat death device, nor would Yyasulani have been destroyed.

We would still have figured out the location and status of the golden city and Krile's parents, because we would have accompanied Krile on her own adventure to Tural.

The story beat that hurts me most though, is that poor Erenville would still have been able to travel home. Maybe he would have even spoken to his mother.
The final scenes we got seem to just exist for cheap tears.

[Ath192]

This post will contain spoilers for the Dawntrail MSQ.

The time this disconnect hit me hardest was when Wuk Lamat asked me to refer to her as "lamaty'i", a term of endearment reserved for family. I had not particularly enjoyed much of my time glued to the third promise, so I opted to respond with the usually delightful "..." option expecting at least a somewhat snide comment. Instead, one of the Scions, a character I care for and trust, informs Wuk my character is "at a loss for words" for being asked this.

100% I never hated my inability to control my character's feelings towards someone this badly. I never would have supported Wuk Lamat in her bid to become a leader of a nation. Never. But what's worse is my dialogue options didn't always have an option to protest in any way.

So I get the disconnect. I hated every moment of being the WoL that agreed to help Wuk Lamat against my will. And to have the only outlet taken from me, the snarky responses in dialogue options was even more annoying.

To me the worst offense was Wuk Lamat barging in the final fight, it absolutely ruined the moment. In fact, while I was upset with the MSQ, right at that moment, when Wuk Lamat came in from nowhere to attack Sphene, was when I decided I would leave a bad online review of this expansion. I never felt so much contempt for a character in this game before.

[mouse_marple]

This post will contain spoilers for the Dawntrail MSQ.
Had my character opted not to support Wuk Lamat in her claim for the throne, what would have changed?

• The four claimants would have done their trials, and then Gulool Ja Ja would probably have decided none of them were fit to rule.
• Most of the people we helped in the trials all were more than able to fix their own problems, they didn't need us present to fix their fields, find them workers, or cook their local dish. Even if they needed actual help, I am certain Koana could have helped.
• There would have been harsh consequences for Bakool Ja Ja's antics.
• Zoraal Ja would have thrown a tantrum, but he wouldn't have had a cheat death device, nor would Yyasulani have been destroyed.

.

You have articulated this very well. I don't like that our WOL was dragged into this despite there being several moments (even in 6.55) where we are offered a false choice to back out of this. I had not considered just how catastrophic our involvement with Wuk Lamat's bid for the throne was for Tural (and specifically Erenville) until you framed it this way. I agree that this would have been so much better if it was an adventure with Krile to find the lost city.

[Ayalu]

As i mentioned in other Threads the enjoyment of a lot of the expansion seems to hinge on how much one enjoys Lamatis Character and the tropes she embodies.
I myself very much liked her and saw in her the probably best Ruler in a Fantasy Context with her having a good heart and all that. Koana was the logical choice from RL perspective but he has the flaw that went against the moral of the entire story.
And with where he ended up Tural has the best of both so to speak.

[mouse_marple]

To me the worst offense was Wuk Lamat barging in the final fight, it absolutely ruined the moment. In fact, while I was upset with the MSQ, right at that moment, when Wuk Lamat came in from nowhere to attack Sphene, was when I decided I would leave a bad online review of this expansion. I never felt so much contempt for a character in this game before.

Think of having to see this cutscene every time this trial comes up in roulette. They really need to change it.

[Voidmage]

They really took a step back with the dialogue choices this time.
I still remember telling Alphinaud that the Ala Mhigo war was not my fight. We still took part in it but at least he was shocked from our words.
How about being snarky to Emet in Elpis or our dialogue choices to Zenos at the end?
Nothing of it changed the story but it gave me the option to define the personality of my character.

Here I have no choice but to root for Wuk Lamat, nod and smile.
Heck to me it seemed that even our face was more emotionless then normal. It was just normal look, determined look, smiling look.
Nothing like in the Hildibrandt quests.
For giving the face more bones to work with they really mastered the ability to do nothing with that.

Also in 6.55 G'raha Tia said we could see that as an adventure and then decide how to continue but it was all just Railroad to make Wuk Lamat King of the jungle

[Connor]

As i mentioned in other Threads the enjoyment of a lot of the expansion seems to hinge on how much one enjoys Lamatis Character and the tropes she embodies.
I myself very much liked her and saw in her the probably best Ruler in a Fantasy Context with her having a good heart and all that. Koana was the logical choice from RL perspective but he has the flaw that went against the moral of the entire story.
And with where he ended up Tural has the best of both so to speak.

Honestly I wasn’t as annoyed at Wuk Lamat once I realized she’s basically stylised after the ‘happy-go-lucky heart of gold but young, naive and immature’ Final Fantasy protagonist stereotype. Like Bartz, Zidane, Tidus or Vaan.

Obviously though, those protagonists through their games have more aspect to them than just their stereotype

Bartz dad disappeared then his mum died like right after, Zidane is a literal alien, Tidus is an imaginary friend, Vaan has his brother’s death hanging over him and the fact he has no right to be anywhere near the events of the game lol

One of Dawntrail’s biggest weaknesses is that they didn’t do enough to actually develop Wuk into a fully realized character beyond that stereotypical depiction. Meaning that when it is utilised, it doesn’t feel ‘earned’ at all; there’s no logical reason for her to be so unnaturally optimistic and confident when she’s been essentially princess in a castle her whole life. Like, she never stops to question whether her ‘way’ is always going to be the ‘right’ way, Everyone just assumes it is and goes along with it lol. Surely self-reflection is just as important to any ruler as love for their people is? Yet we see essentially none from Wuk Lamat the entire story

[Raikai]

You know what would be nice?

If the pre-storyline started at 6.4, allowing us to meet both Wuk Lamat and Koana looking for their helping hands. Then in the beginning of the expansion we actually get to choose which one we'll pledge our help to, and Krile follows whichever we help. I honestly feel that the Void storyline dragged longer than needed.

In the end (as it is), both of them get to be Dawnservants. The WoL bonds with both of them... So having a branching MSQ would do nothing towards the outcome of the story.

This, of course, would be more production work, because they'd have to not only create distinct narratives, but also "what if" situations for the 2 dungeons. But it would certainly make the overlook of this story better, as well as giving incentive for people to replay it in NG+. Imagine if you get a special achievement + reward for replaying the other side of the story.

Of course, this doesn't excuse many things that would need to be addressed, like Wuk Lamat's character and spotlight hoarder, as well as the boring technical aspect of the quests (fetch, gather intel, etc).

[Gortys]

The time this disconnect hit me hardest was when Wuk Lamat asked me to refer to her as "lamaty'i", a term of endearment reserved for family. I had not particularly enjoyed much of my time glued to the third promise, so I opted to respond with the usually delightful "..." option expecting at least a somewhat snide comment. Instead, one of the Scions, a character I care for and trust, informs Wuk my character is "at a loss for words" for being asked this.

Had my character opted not to support Wuk Lamat in her claim for the throne, what would have changed?

For me when Wuk Lamat said we would be friends forever? I assumed she was going to die before end game. That's a very FF thing to do.

I don't think the WoL should have supported any candidate. I thought we would be like Azem and travel, observe, adventure. Our story would have intersected somehow with all the claimants whether positive or negative. I think after Wuk Lamat won (because that was not going to change) we would then have agreed to travel with her. I'm okay with that.

I feel Koana was done dirty near the end. The guy who is thought to not be suitable because he wants to add tech to their culture is somehow not good enough to go to tech city (Soln 9, etc). While I understand they want to show Wuk Lamat's growth, growth is also knowing that your voice of reason knows more about certain subjects and consulting them or allowing them to lead.

[Aurumis]

Agree 100%. I was so angry when Koana told me that Wuk Lamat wanted my character as her consultant and to be by her side like WTF let me tell them NO, something!! Koana leaves and that's it, I can't even say I don't want to.

There's been some answers that you can make to her in disagreement, but they always push your answer to something you didn't selected or want to. Having time with the characters is normal because they are in the story and to know them, but that was too much. We really didn't develop a bond with her, it's not even natural. We didn't do shit in the MSQ to become friends with her, neither the scions. Having Alphinaud, Alisaie and Krile suddenly calling her Lamati'y was so absurd. They haven't bond, the story doesn't give you time for it because it's always the WoL following Wuk Lamat around doing the stupid. She is never with the scions, whenever your team split, she is alone with you mostly. Wuk Lamat friends with who? This is so artificial. Fuck you Wuk Lamat.