We have been far, far too long without our Antecedent.
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0:00 – Introduction
0:47 – QUEST: “As It Once Was”
17:56 – QUEST: “The Word of the Mother”
24:45 – DUNGEON: The Antitower
34:44 – QUEST: “The Word of the Mother” (continued)
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Edited by Daniel Floyd
♫ “Pray Return” by Chris Logsdon
https://lnkfi.re/pray-return
#PlayFrame #FFXIV #FinalFantasyXIV #Heavensward
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17:41 Read the description of the Sesame Cookie for a fun Sesame reference.
not knowing it's an FF4 reference, i thought the Calcabrina dolls were referencing Alphinaud and Alisae's outfits, for whatever weird reason
Giving the demo a whirl and I can’t help appreciate the work done in the beginnings of this game——so much walking…
Okay, what does Thancred not having magic actually mean for the plot? Because I was under the impression that he wouldn't be able to teleport around and fast travel without it, but that doesn't seem to be the case – or at least it's not brought up that it took him and Krile a good few days to travel to the old fortress. Hmm.
Also, that Calcobrina fight intro was exactly like the one in FFIV! That's very cool (and creepy)!
I have no idea what bits to comment on bc like. 99% of my thoughts are spoilery fueled either seriously or jokes that will only make sense to those caught up on MSQ dndvahdjfns
Well now.
That was an unexpected plot beat – and one whose ramifications are going to be felt for some time yet, I'm sure. But the most noteworthy one to me is this: that for all his initial arrogance, for all his prior utterly self-assured smarm, Alphinaud always deferred to Minfilia's decisions in ARR and the patches. He attempted to convince her or anticipate her decisions at times (sometimes by the 'easier to beg forgivess than ask permission' mechanism), but I can't think of a time when he defied her express directive. For all his overweening pride, she led and he followed, or implemented, or facilitated as the situation demanded.
Moreover, while Alphinaud's been forced (through main-story HW) to assume leadership, it seems pretty clear from his actions in this episode that he's been gearing up to hand that position back upon Minfilia's return.
Only… now it seems clear that that isn't an option – and from his response to it, and for all the reasons highlighted above, it doesn't seem like Alphinaud has any interest in further filling the leadership role either.
Which all invites the question – if not him, then who?
Great channel. Keep up. Happy you’re enjoying Elden ring as well! ♥️🥰
13:19 Quick explanation- Aenor and Clemence are sisters. Aenor… hm how to put this… really likes both Hoary and Ocher and Clemence is embarrassed by her sister's… forwardness.
13:51 I love Isildaure and Homei's friendship. So wholesome
14:53 And these two (Bluomwyda and Aergmhus) are a couple. The things you can learn from reading (Encyclopedia Eorzea in this case)
27:50 There are multiple musical references in this dungeon. Some frogs will sing "the lovers, the dreamers" seeming to reference the song Rainbow Connection famously sung by Kermit the Frog. And "it's not easy being…" could be a reference to It's Not Easy Being Green also sung by Kermit.
30:25 And Ziggy is possibly a reference to Ziggy Stardust (I litteraly know nothing but the name and has something to do with David Bowie)
My thought on the dungeon's last boss is that it was meant to discourage people. And Motoya has the sort of wicked streak to make haunted dolls.
29:08 ziggy stardust!! ROFL
Wow, that was unexpected. Minfilia really got the short end, huh? Personally, I'd rather have some sweet hollywood blindness or to become pristinely ungifted than have my entire being hollowed out and used as kindling so a ginormous dumb crystal could assume a temporary avatar, but that's just me. To each, their own.
Aenor Cockburne is the best background Scion! She knows what she wants!
Also, I'm always so impressed with how you manage to keep yourself from accidentally hinting at things to come! It would be so hard for me to keep my trap shut if I were doing this!
To be honest, I was kind of disappointed for what they ended up doing with Minfilia here. I found she was one of the weaker characters in ARR as most of her interactions were just briefing or exposition. Also sending all the others out while she stayed at base most of the time. Didn't help that I think her's was one of the weaker performances (not blaming the VA, the direction was probably not there). So when the Scions started showing up again with new VAs, deeper personalities (other than Y'Shtola imo, though I'm told she gets better later) and the like I was intrigued what they would do with Minfilia. Then I found out they just kind of refridgerator'd her. It just feels like they could've done so much more with her. Maybe if I had played 1.0 it would've felt more substantial? I'm told her role was much larger in that.
Clemence is Aenor's younger sister, if that helps. She's busy being embarrassed by her sister here.
I would like to mention one of my favorite facts about this dungeon (That is obvious if you are a Bowie fan) During either a live letter or independant interview (I cant remember which), it was mentioned that Ziggy is a reference to the (at the time) recently departed David Bowie, featuring adds named Stardust. This makes them Ziggy's Stardust, referencing one of David Bowie's songs (Ziggy Stardust). The boss was always intended to appear, the name and its adds were changed as an homage.
My reaction too the end of Antitower:
we are the threshold kids
Hey, fun fact- since they cover going to the castrum in Mor Dhona, the entirety of Operation: Archon was updated in the 6.1 duty support overhaul.
Spoilers for the 6.1 reimagining of base ARR's end game;
– Cape Westwind as a Duty was replaced by an Instance, and it is much better than before to the point that I want it to be a Duty again. It's even more challenging than normal, including the final segment where Rhitahtyn fetters you and tries to take you down with him in a blaze of fire, turning himself into a DPS check.
– Castrum Meridianum is much less annoying and much more streamlined, reimagined as a 4-man dungeon. Livia sas Junius is possibly my favorite dungeon boss in ARR now (it was originally Halatali (Hard))
– The Praetorium has also been streamlined, and split into 3: a 4-man dungeon, a trial (The Porta Decumana) and an instance. As Livia is my favorite ARR boss now, Porta Decumana is now my favorite ARR trial.
– Porta Decumana is a really fun fight, with cues from its Ultimate. You fight a powered-up Ultima Weapon, who uses Earth, Wind, and Fire aether from its respective primals. You even get an LB3 at the end, and it's really, really thematic if the Summoner pops it.
– The instance in particular is a fight against Lahabrea. That fight? Throw everything you know about the previous one away, because Lahabrea became a genuine threat with actual mechanics. He even temporarily kills your character off, causing Hydaelyn to use the last of her power in order to revive you.
Overall, the reimagining of Operation: Archon is quite fun! I highly suggest playing through New Game+ for veterans (you can blitz through if you're past 70), and for new players to look forward to it.
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Additional comment: I didn't grow up with Final Fantasy 4 and have been sitting on its Pixel Remaster, but I do like the Calcabrina fight. I do understand why Calcabrina's so creepy though. Dolls that look like that are absolutely quite horrifying.
Love "Down the Up Staircase", it's one of my favorite tracks from the game.
That…. damn that got serious….. just….. Okay, I get why people say the ARR story isn't that good given this level of storytelling…
Poor Thancred trying to be low key about his aether being cut off from his control, and Matoya just says it as if it’s common knowledge. At least that’s the impression I got – that she saw that, rather than generally commenting on how magic isn’t his preferred tool.
is this the first mention of the reflections? I can't remember…
I like how this episode really highlights that, for all Alphinaud has grown over the past expansion, he is still so, so, so naiive.
– i keep forgetting Thancred's Papa NieR cosplay… also i guess Swimming in the Lifestream will do wonders for your flirt addiction
– well that is a good reason to always visit Motoya
– honestly Inverted castles should return as an architectural style
– 3:27 well Alphanaud, considering the title of today's episode, i have news for you
– well, the good news is that we found Minfillia, the bad news is that she's with us in Spirit… literally, the ???? news is that now we can brag to be friends with the God of Light
– oh, that confirms there's a Multiverse, possibly of Madness!
Calcabrina is even creepier than in FFIV, and that's a feat.
This…just got complicated.
Hmm hmm hmm… who will take it harder, Thancred or F'lhaminn?
And Y'shtola keeps cementing herself as my favourite, though when she said that she knew about the sacrifice from the beginning, I was kinda expecting her to cite… some past event. She's certainly proved the willingness of "whatever it takes", that's for sure.
"Ziggy Stardust" classic
Not going to lie, turning one of her most ardent followers into a hollow vessel for her will sure seems like something an evil god would do.
Just feels all sorts of icky to have Minfilia's body be puppeted by her god like that.
I assumed Thancred had an eye covering because had lost his eye in battle or something. It seemed perfectly ok to me when he was disguised though. Why does he wear it?
Hey Dan, little tip: If you want to talk to an NPC and make sure you get the right one, click on their name not their body. And move the camera a bit first if the name you want is overlapping any other names. That will guarantee you get the right one!