Hydaelyn Role-Players

A lot of folks have been dissatisfied with how the Warrior of Light/Derplander seems to be... basically a patsy. He goes where he's told, does what he is bid, and stands around as the plot basically unfurls around him with his hand in it being little more than beating up whatever baddy he is directed at.

From that, there has been talk of how one's actual character would have reacted - what they would have done in this or that situation during the whole of the Main Story Quest. From straight up ignoring Minfilia to doing more than just stand around and watch as the events of the last patch's multi-hour cutscenes unfurled... it has been a talking point whenever the WoL's hand in things is brought up.

So, I have a - hopefully fun - little thought experiment.

What one thing could your character feasibly do (a.k.a. something they both might and would be able to do - no outlandish stuff like throwing reins on Ifrit and sending him stampeding through Ul'dah, for example, unless you could somehow reasonably present how your character would manage such a thing) if they were in the Warrior of Light's place that would most derail the story as it has been presented? And, furthermore, what would you think would happen/change in the MSQ because of it?

Would your character's simple decision to not join the Scions result in the Primals never being taken down, leading to them having too much power gathered by the time Ultima Weapon shows up, resulting in the Eorzean Alliance having to band together to throw hundreds of very temper-able soldiers under the bus to stop them rather than what would have been Operation Archon? Feel free to go full Butterfly Effect on this, folks. It's all in good fun.

Imagine a Garlean with the Echo and Hydaelyn's Blessing.

A Garlean that might still be loyal to the Empire.

WoL woulda teamed up with Gaius van Baelsar like he should've and saved the world.

Spoilers, obviously. Up to 2.55.

"So, let me get this straight, love. You've got some idea that primals can't wave their hands, go 'boogaboogabooga', and enslave me, like they do everyone else, and that somehow makes me the most qualified person you can find to be your front man, when you are surrounded by apparently competent people who DO have some experience fighting the things. You expect me to lead these people, and the best use you can think for me is to, what, go run errands for this and that Grand Company and random military outpost, and run myself ragged? And all this came because Miounne has taken a shine to me? What do YOU do while all this is going on?"

"........"

"That's what it looked like. Sorry, love. Get back to me when you can tell the difference between bards, heroes and errand boys."

Nathan whistles his way back from Horizon, meaning to have a good word with Miounne about this nonsense she's trying to get him into, and shaking his head occasionally. However, whichever one of you DOES fall for Minfilia's little offer, he'll be glad to sing of your deeds.

(Joseph Campbell calls it "Refusing the Call". SE could stand to read his stuff)

"Nanamo called me to meet her in the palace?"

/looks at poison vial Momodi told him to hold on to.

". . . . " /throws vial out the window. "Only an idiot brings something like that near a palace."

"My eyes are up here," said Merlwyb to the Highlander.

"The First and the Earth send it's regards."

*Rolls up sleeves, reveals extensive tattoos of titan and Kobold order markings*


And that's when the screaming began.

"Pissin' buggers can come 'ere to Toll if they want t'celebrate. Shite, this is neutral ground, where better? Twelve Above. Tired o' haulin' arse t'Ul'dah every time they want a feast or a ceremony."

Alternatively,

"Oi, Alphinaud, somethin's rotten 'n' smells o' dead orobon with them Braves. Clean house, eh?"

<buzz, buzz>
Minfilia: "Hello? Ember?"
*The sound of Ember nomming noisily on something. Her lips occasionally smack as she chews*
Minfilia: "Ember, where are you? Everyone is here and and ready to rid Eorzea of another primal threat."
Ember: "Food!"
Minfilia: "Ember?"
Silence.
Minfilia: "Ember? Ember! .....Goddammit."

(06-02-2015, 10:30 AM)Aaron Wrote: [ -> ]"Nanamo called me to meet her in the palace?"

/looks at poison vial Momodi told him to hold on to.

". . . . " /throws vial out the window. "Only an idiot brings something like that near a palace."

Sadly that was only a convenient aid to the plot. No one actually believes the Syndicate's frame job, and they probably could have gotten to work for its purposes without that single piece of info.

And personally? When Iceheart somehow survived turning into Shiva*, I'd have tried to stop or restrain her and tell her to cut the cryptic bullshit and tell me what was going on here if she didn't want me to finish her on the spot.

Unless the Scions need a dancer...

Evangeline rolls over and embraces the other Elezen, nuzzling against the back of her neck. "Shhh... Ysayle, you can assault Ishgard another morning."

The white haired Elezen sighs, and relaxes in the embrace of another, "Why is it with you I feel this icy heart of mine is melting." She rolls over as well, and caresses Evangelines cheek, as she moves in for a kiss, "When did love become more important than vengeance..."

Evangeline yawns awake, blinking her eyes, "Oh, that dream again." She blushes slightly as she relives it, "Hmmmm... someday."


(/fangirl)

I haven't really considered the sweeping consequences, but it basically goes majorly off the rails when Leviathan shows up.

I got another one.

"Minfilia. . . why are you standing in one spot with this Ascian like two feet from you? If anything throw /me/ the staff and don't jus--- annnnnd he took her."

She probably would of taken over the Scions due to how useless Minfilia (She HATES useless people) is and probably made everyone else do the stupid errand boy work while she figured out how to get rid of the Ascians efficiently. You know, magey stuff.