Reaper Job Action "Communio" (question and feedback)

[mouse_marple]

Hello, thank you so much for offering a place for feedback on localization/translation. This post concerns the potentially offensive connotations of the "communio" term for a reaper job action This is something that I have for a bit and I'm hoping some direct dev feedback (or maybe some info from other players) would resolve my concerns. In any case, I'm sure no direct offense was intended.

I noticed RPR has a job action called Communio. I come from a Chrsitian background so it immediately made me think of "Communion". I know the words are different, but it likely makes many players think of the Christian concept of "Communion" as well. This would not be the first time an FFXIV job has a Christian/Catholic reference. PLD and WHM are loaded with such references (Confiteror, Plenary Indulgence) and that's fine (there may be more jobs that do as well). My issue is with the word appearing in the reaper context.

Reaper has dark/occult type themes for most of its actions (not surprising given the job history). For "communio" to appear among the reaper job actions involving a summoned voidsent is problematic. Connecting a concept like Christian "communion" to voidsent summoning/use could be seen as blasphemous/offensive by Christian players. I certainly don't think it was the intent to offend anyone which is part of why I'm seeking clarification.

Given the job has a Garlean background, however, I thought the real inspiration for the word "communio" might be from the Latin infinitive commūnīre which means "to strengthen or to fortify."

Thank you for listening and for any responses that explain the action name further.

[Connor]

The definition of ‘communion’ is not limited to the Christian sacrament. It can also mean generally ‘to share’. Further, to ‘commune’ generally refers to ‘an intimate conversation or connection’.

As an example, if you were somehow abducted by aliens and they for some reason wanted to engage you in deep conversation and maybe a nice dinner, at that point the person could reasonably be considered ‘in communion with aliens’. Alternatively, imagine a spooky psychic doing a seance. Many would refer to this as ‘communing with the dead’

Basically the use of ‘communion’ in regards of to Reaper is simply a reference to the fact you’re contacting the ‘reaper avatar’ thing. It isn’t related to the Christian sacrament or understanding of the definition, so I don’t think it would be any more problematic than the many other things going on in FFXIV that could be considered sacrilege if misunderstood

[mouse_marple]

Thanks for responding. I generally agree with this and figure it was the inspiration for it (like your "communing with the dead") example. Something I forgot to mention in the initial post is that Reaper also has several actions/effects relating to the concept of sacrifice (circle of sacrifice, stacks of immortal sacrifice etc) which make it relate a little more closely to the Christian sacrament for me. I do appreciate the feedback--hadn't seen it discussed so it's nice to see a balanced take on it.