Some followers weren’t tremendous pleased with the period of time that Remaining Fantasy XIV spent on our little journey by means of the Void with Zero and such, however I really feel like that claims much more in regards to the folks in query than the story itself – and I favor it immensely in comparison with the Warriors of Darkness arc that this was clearly studying from. When you’ve forgotten that one, the primary patch of Heavensward launched these characters, then they have been fully irrelevant for the subsequent two patches, after which they got here again solely to be offed after which completely forgotten for a whole subsequent growth. Not exactly elegant storytelling, that.

Because it stands, the whole lot of Endwalker’s patches kind their very own remoted story, a prelude to a future growth that strikes the “we have to discuss in regards to the Void” subtheme from the realm of sidequests into the primary quest. That is all properly and good, however that additionally raises one other query in regards to the plot that… properly… hasn’t occurred but. It’s all superb to have this prelude, however when is the precise plot going to kick off?

It’s vital to notice that whereas the journey to the First was undoubtedly targeted on fixing the First and the Mild imbalance, this was not truly the primary factor that linked it again to the plot. The Scions and the WoL weren’t heading there as a result of the First wasn’t in a great place; they have been heading there as a result of it was the one solution to stop what would have been a Calamity in any other case. That tied in to discovering out what the Ascians have been truly as much as and just about shutting it down completely, which led to…

Effectively, you know – you have been there. Otherwise you’re simply studying this column since you just like the phrases I’ve to put in writing, wherein case all I can say is thanks for popping out; sorry this one gained’t make lots of sense to you however you’re most likely used to that now. Staying hydrated, I hope!

In contrast, even when the Ascians have been nonetheless round, there’s good purpose to bear in mind that they wouldn’t be utilizing the Thirteenth to set off a Calamity anyhow. That complete portion of the plan bought tousled. And it wouldn’t matter anyway, since Zodiark may be very gone proper now. In different phrases, that specific ingredient just isn’t going to tie into something any longer. We’re not going to have one other growth the place a cat makes grabby-hands at us to avert a darkish alternate future timeline.

So why go to the Thirteenth apart from making an attempt to make things better?

As I see it, there are two potential issues that may deliver us again to the Void, and I see each of them linking us by means of Dawntrail. Let’s discuss in regards to the extra magnanimous one first, and that’s having the means to begin fixing the reflection’s imbalance in some style.

Whereas Zero confirmed that it’s doable for Mild to nonetheless exist there, it’s additionally very clear that she didn’t make things better completely; she is clearly dedicated to fixing her world, and he or she needs to work with Durante to make that occur. Precisely how she’s going to do any of that’s, in fact, fully up within the air in the intervening time. She doesn’t even have a plan; she has a hope. That’s good, since as she factors out, the issues with the Thirteenth weren’t nearly aether but additionally about tradition, and fixing issues means fixing how the entire place works past simply infusing it with energy.

But it surely does should be fastened there, too, similar to how the First wanted each. And as of this level of the storyline, we don’t even have the technique of doing that. That’s to not say that anybody’s purpose in Dawntrail is at this level explicitly about discovering the technique of doing that, however bear in mind the outdated JRPG rule: No matter your objectives truly are, carrying out them will contain following the sport’s important plot, and every part will very naturally tie collectively. So it’s actually doable that we’ll simply discover the mandatory plot mechanics mendacity round in Tural or someplace.

The inverse, in fact, is that no matter the brand new larger-scope villains are established to be will need to use the Void for one thing particular. Actually the swirling violet power proven on each a number of the dungeon paintings and the Eliminator a minimum of has some aesthetic symmetry with what we’ve seen of the Void traditionally, however that’s simply hypothesis based mostly on little or no data. And at this level we don’t actually have any thought who shall be our larger-scope villains; we’ve bought a minimum of 4 Ascians unaccounted for, nevertheless it’s unlikely they’re going to be a significant main-quest goal shifting ahead simply because… , we already did that. We’ve squeezed all of the blood there may be out of that stone, full cease.

Does that imply that there are not any extra larger-scope villains? Oh, heck no.

However the level of this column was to not merely set up that we’ve different issues to cope with however to invest about after we’ll be making this complete prologue repay. And I clearly don’t know with full certainty after we’ll be heading again, however I do really feel a minimum of fairly assured that it gained’t be by means of Dawntrail. Certainly, I’ve a sense that Dawntrail goes to have a much more acquainted patch storytelling construction, the place there’s a full arc with one apparent remaining plot thread by means of 7.1 to 7.3 that wraps up then, adopted by foreshadowing for the subsequent growth.

I additionally don’t suppose the subsequent growth will go there, both. Sure, a part of that’s as a result of I think our subsequent growth will ship us to both Meracydia or the remainder of Ilsabard (extra doubtless the previous), but additionally it’d simply usually be too quickly to return to cosmic multiversal stuff. And to be fairly trustworthy, I think about by that time there shall be loads of motives for us to as soon as once more cope with the Void.

From there… properly, I believe there’s truly a reasonably respectable probability that we’ll be going again to the Void to function one other main finale for the sport’s storylines simply due to time. Yoshida has joke about what number of extra expansions he thinks he’ll be capable to preserve working by means of, however by the point we get to 9.0, it’ll be 2028 on the absolute minimal. By that time, there’s positive to be lots of technological debt and stress to begin shifting on.

In fact, nothing is ever sure. However I think about that it’ll be a pair expansions after which we’ll be again into the weeds of crossing worlds as soon as once more. As for precisely what we’re doing there… that a lot stays to be seen. Generally it’s enjoyable to simply be alongside for the journey other than simply speculating.

Suggestions, as at all times, is welcome within the feedback beneath or by way of mail to eliot@massivelyop.com. Subsequent week, I need to discuss one thing far sooner than I ought to, particularly by diving into the as-yet-unnamed subsequent restricted job. What may it’s? And maybe extra importantly, whose shirts will it’s stealing?

The Nymian civilization hosted an immense quantity of information and studying, however a lot of it has been misplaced to the folks of Eorzea. That doesn’t cease Eliot Lefebvre from scrutinizing Remaining Fantasy XIV every week in Knowledge of Nym, internet hosting guides, dialogue, and opinions with out a lot as a hint of rancor.

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