We have been invited to a meeting of representatives of all the Alliance nations and the beast tribes.
(Wow, I wish the game would give me a better word to use, feels like a slur to call them "beasts". Also, though I realize them being 3d models would make this difficult, they should really be offered a seat at the table - literally - to make this feel like we actually respect them as equals. Having them stand at one end feels... not right.)
And the meeting is fine and dandy, and we agree to form The Grand Company of Eorzea, and Kan-E-Senna asks Alphinaud to write up a report covering his experiences with the Crystal Braves and and and none of that matters because THIS BASTARD showed up!!
I have slain gods who had committed lesser crimes than the words you just said to your children.
I don't care about the Final Days anymore; Zenos and Fandaniel can go bring about the end of the world and dance in the ashes for all I care. THIS bastard is my new target. I will make you eat those words Fourchenault Leveilleur. You should be ashamed of yourself, and as Hydaelyn is my witness I will make sure you are.
*mutters darkly*
You have a clearer head than I, G'raha, I don't remember what he said besides his being an insufferable git. If the Forum wanted to distract me, that was a masterful way to do it. I'm still fuming.
Oh dear. Looks like Fandaniel is leading a force to Carteneau. I wonder if Zenos will be accompanying him?
But before we can leave on the airship, Fordola meets us and insists we must come with her.
Oh Arenvald, I am so sorry. Is it your legs or your back? I'm sorry. How rude of me. I am glad to see you alive.
Arenvald can fight no longer, so he looks to Alphinaud to carry on where he cannot. Alphinaud doesn't feel like much of a hero, nor is he sure that he is the right person for the job, but Arenvald gives him a pep-talk and we go.
Arenvald is obviously feeling very depressed about the loss he's suffered, but I am glad he has Fordola there for support (Ship it? Ship it). And I am glad it seems that, while he might no longer be able to wield a sword, he's not out of the fight just yet. I am... potentially hopeful we might see some good disability representation through him? It's already refreshing to see the idea that being disabled makes you useless so clearly and strongly rebutted.
Aaaaaaa! Who are you making me fight as this time!?
Okay but I want those little figures. Please. Let me buy the whole set and put them on my desk.
We gotta defend the aetheric confluence. This was painful. I am unskilled with these fights. Especially the one where I had to be Urianger. PAIN.
(Fuck yes Ravana. My favorite primal!)
Please no, Fandaniel. I don't need another homoerotic violence friendship. There is only room in my heart for one muderboyfriend.
We won the day, and, while we could not save them all, we saved some. And that will have to be enough.
I think this is hope.
Yesss thank you game for appreciating my desire to make that man pay.
Omg omg is that a scythe!? Is Zenos a Reaper now? Haha sweet.
Um. What's that spiky edifice behind you there? Also, I just noticed there appear to be ruins of buildings everywhere?
Oh yeah. That's gotta be the main tower that Thancred and Urianger espied in Garlemald. Or the final boss' lair. Possibly both. Spooky fucking thing, regardless.
Opposite of hope?
Ooooo!
I kinda adore you, Zenos. You crazy bastard. I think you've fallen for me and don't know what to do with that, so express it the way you express everything else: violence!
We have assessed the aetheric currents, and determined that the towers are being fueled by drawing upon the lands' aether directly. We must inform our allies of this.
But then...
Hydaelyn?
Hydaelyn!?!? After all this time, what brings you to speak with me? To send an avatar of yourself here?
Oh shit. That's not good. Can you be a little more specific?
Oh dear.
Aaand nobody else saw the glowing lady.
Oooh and now the spooky moon is over us too.
And with that. I believe I have reached the end of Shadowbringers. The greatest expansion so far. I don't feel prepared to sum up an experience as profound as this was. Fantastic game. I am eager to get playing Endwalker.
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FFXIV Write 2023 :: Day 1
Prompt :: Envoy
Characters :: Nomin tal Kheeriin, Kan-E-Senna
Word Count :: 867
FFXIV Write 2023 Master List
“I have written a letter to my counterparts in the Eorzean Alliance.” Kan-E-Senna produced an envelope from her robes before walking forward and handing it off to Nomin. Tentatively, the auri took it and gazed down at it for a long moment. Her mind was flooded with questions and overall doubt -- so much so that it was hard to pay attention to the rest of what the Elder Seedseer had to say.
This moment felt entirely so surreal.
Traveling the Steppe as merely a wanderer, to finding her way to Kugane, Nomin had really only come to Eorzea to put greater distance between herself and the Steppe for the safety of her people. To think that she had made enough waves since having been in Gridania that afforded her a private audience with the Elder Seedseer after her collapse at the ceremony was surprising to have said the very least.
“... Nor are we any closer to learning the fate of the Warriors of Light.” Hearing Kan-E-Senna mention the Warriors of Light made Nomin look up from the missive in her hands. Her thoughts had finally cleared enough to remember where she was. The Elder Seedseer herself had her full attention on Nomin. That was enough to make the auri stand a little straighter and at attention.
“Yet so long as we live, never must we give up hope. We owe this to those who laid down their lives that we might behold another dawn. In remembrance of them, a memorial service will soon be held upon the anniversary of the Battle of Carteneau. This missive bears the details of that service.”
Again, Nomin looked down at the envelope. There was this burgeoning sense of doubt and dread at the prospect of being trusted with something so…important. Especially as someone who had not even been in Eorzea all that long. Was she really the correct choice for something like this? To approach those in the Eorzean Alliance as a representative of Gridania and the Elder Seedseer herself?
“You graciously accepted the part of Emissary in the recent ceremony. Should you be so willing, I would now make you my envoy, and have you bear my message to our allies.” The Elder Seedseer’s words only made that stone of self-doubt sink deeper into the pits of Nomin’s stomach.
The people of Gridania had made it clear several times that they did not seem to appreciate Nomin’s presence. For a mercy -- a very, very miniscule mercy -- the Gridanians’ disdain seemed to extend to all outsiders, rather than just her as an au ra. Still, it stung and made Nomin reluctant for a lot. Though she pressed on, and continued doing what she could aside from participating in Timbermaster Beatin’s lessons for the Carpenters’ Guild.
“I…” Nomin started, taking a breath to both calm herself and give her a moment for her mind to formulate a coherent string of words. “Am I really the correct choice for this, Elder Seedseer? I…I just feel like maybe someone that is from Gridania or the Black Shroud as a whole may prove more…acceptable.”
Kan-E-Senna approached Nomin, a warm expression on her face.
“Your dedication to the people of Gridania rouses fond memories in me, and I would choose no other for the role,” Kan-E-Senna reassured. “In the time that you have been here, you’ve selflessly given yourself to the needs of the people, regardless of the task ahead. So please, will you do me this favor?”
“If you’re certain… Then I shall do my best not to disappoint.” Nomin gave a shallow nod at the end of her statement.
“Humbly, I thank you. As you are no doubt aware, our partners in the Eorzean Alliance lie some considerable distance away. Nor are Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa close to one another. Yet fear not, for I have no intention of subjecting you, mine own newly anointed envoy, to a journey which would take weeks by land.”
Kan-E-Senna motioned for one of her guards to step forward. An elezen woman with tight, brown braids against her head gave a Serpent Salute before producing a pass for Nomin to take. When Nomin held it in her own hands, her mouth fell slightly agape. She could only stare at the pass in disbelief.
“I mean for you to travel by air. Receive of me this airship pass. With it, you may make use of the skyways that connect the three city-states of the Alliance.”
There had been more to Nomin’s audience with Kan-E-Senna, though she had left the Stillglade Fane still feeling that sense of doubt and uncertainty. The fact that it had been revealed that the Elder Seedseer did not make her decision alone in granting Nomin trust left the auri woman with even more questions. Who else had been keeping tabs on her? Was it Mother Miounne? Had it been someone else entirely? Maybe she would have never found out.
Nomin leaned against the airship railing, her attention on the world below as they flew past.
She took in a breath, closing her eyes as she did so.
Was it truly right of her to have accepted this task?
Nomin supposed that only time would tell.
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