Journey of a Manqo'te

Alphinaud and Alisaie

Krile, who woke up one day from a coma to find that she was alone in the world. Who lost her home, her colleagues, her friends, the legacy of her grandfather, all in an instant. Who found out that the gift that she'd cursed for half her life saved her, and no one else. Who thought that maybe, at least her childhood friend and her dearest friend, both in distant Eorzea, might be safe and alive. Who received nothing but silence from either of them. And found out one day, months later, years later, that neither of them were ever coming back.

Krile, who continued on more alone in the world than ever before with nothing but a smile.

(Krile, who we didn't even get to see take a moment to hear about or process the fact that G'raha shut himself in a tower to sleep maybe forever without so much as a goodbye.)

and yeah i know the answer is that ARR isn't really a character-driven story to the same degree the later parts of the game are. but let's think watsonian rather than doylist for a moment.

How did they feel about moving to the Rising Stones, less than a malm from the castrum? Did Minfilia look out across the landscape of Mor Dhona and cringe when she saw the castrum's metal towers? Did Papalymo, seeing Baelsar's Wall looming over the forest, feel a twinge of anxiety? Did Urianger, upon arriving in Garlemald, keep his gaze to the snow and focus on his breathing? Does Tataru, keeping watch over the Rising Stones, step out into the cold mountain air and remember that day, whether she wants to or not? Do they confide in anyone about this, or do they keep it locked away and try to forget?

Champion of Eorzea, blessed by the Mothercrystal. You've bested tyrannical warlords, fearsome dragons, and god-like beings. You've liberated nations, aided in their restorations. You rub shoulders with their leaders and the common folk alike. With every victory, every adventure, every grand feat, your legend grows. Everyone knows your name. Everyone knows what you've done. Everyone knows what you're capable of doing.

'It's the blessing of Hydaelyn,' they say; 'the power of the Echo,' 'the unwavering soul of Azem'. Only the Warrior of Light could do what you do, only someone destined to usher change and defend the very star from destruction. Allies and enemies alike agree; there is nobody like the Warrior of Light.

But that's where they're wrong. You may be special, or chosen, or destined... but you don't feel that at all. All you feel is the pedestal you never asked to be put on. The perceived gap between you and them is staggering. They think you untouchable; so far removed from human you must be a god, or something greater. You aren't a person to them any more. You're a symbol. An idea. A concept. Intangible.

Yrsa's ARR experience

I didn't share with tumblr about their LONG ASS SLOW BURN because it was also driving me insane on twitter. So basically its:

your last ally in all the city-states is an elf who would unironically lick the sweat from your armpits in front of the entire congregation. he begs his dad to let you couch surf. one of his brothers admits to your face that he wished you would die

two members of the swiss guard arrest your children so you punch them in the neck until the judge says you're free to go. the pope personally calls you to apologize for the trouble

ilberd tries and fails to hotbox you to death

a hot elf wife takes you on vacation to a nest full of cool bugs

anytime there's a serious moment estinien challenges the tone of the scene by pulling a giant novelty eyeball out of his pants which is played 100% straight every single time. not a single soul questions this or reacts in surprise

On their way to Eorzean Costco

Discord shenanigans that turned canon 😅

shirtless kitt (pants on tho dont worry) with fishing rod below cut in case y'all at work

alphinaud's heavensward and stormblood outfit has these lapel things and these glove things

y'shtola's heavensward and stormblood outfit has this gem on the collar

alisaie's heavensward and stormblood outfit has this red pin on the lapel and a red gem accent on the belt

lyse's early stormblood outfit has a smaller red gem on the blue gem necklace

and g'raha's outfit has smaller red gems on his big necklace.

i think these might be in reference to the post-arr quest Ancient Ways, Timeless Wants, where Tataru gets a bunch of "blood pearls" with the intention to make everyone charms with them. they're red pearls! these accents don't really look to be made of pearl, but... idk, it feels like a reference.

anyway, the outfits which were explicitly designed by Tataru (not counting the ones that were constructed by her but designed by someone else, like the stuff Y'shtola, Urianger, and Thancred have been wearing since Shadowbringers) that do not have these accents are pretty much just the ones intended for the WoL — neither the Scion Adventurer attire, the Scion Traveler attire, nor the Wayfarer's attire have red gem accents — but when presenting the WoL the Scion Adventurer set, Tataru does mention sewing the blood pearl charm into the lining, so it is explicitly in there, for the Adventurer attire at least.