#ffxiv: fragments

[nights-at-crystarium]

✧✦✧ “Fragments” - episode 65 ✧✦✧

Warrior of Word.

New reader? episode list on tumblr | tapas | webtoon Read 4 more episodes: patreon | kofi

[elderspawnling]

Why is it that the comics i like the most are fancomics of gay ships and they're why specific characters are burrowed in my brain so deep

I have to WORK

I am at WORK

I am NOT WORKING

[miyeyu]

happy late birthday to @nights-at-crystarium's vivien rell!

[koukouture]

I will forever think about this now because yeah this applies to an astounding amount of characters in ffxiv whom you could see their friendship with WoL as more of a convenience and how they use WoL as a tool. I think Aymeric is obviously guilty of it (bc of the above image) but I also think to some extent the Crystal Exarch is guilty of this (yeah ik it's not for HIS benefit but he still did kinda use WoL and he would not have taken it well if WoL stopped being a hero)

So many characters that are "friends" with WoL kind of only see them for what they can do. I think to some extent even the Scions are like that. Actually come to think of it, the Scions are the most egregious case of this because WoL is their champion. After we killed Ifrit that solidified WoL as something to be used and thrown at any danger that came at the world.

A lot of characters The Exarch included only know WoL as the hero. For what they can do for everyone else and it makes me insaaaannnneee. Likes yes OBVIOUSLY Exarch/G'raha admires the WoL as a hero and sure he got to know us for a time- but he just thinks that we are the hero from the books. WoL is inspiring; they give people hope and they give people the strength to push on but that's all he knows them for. Listen, I'm still on post Shadowbringers, but so far Exarch has done nothing but sing our praises as hero and yeah I'm sure he has good intentions but it's still a little dehumanizing that to him that's all WoL is. Everyone is free to make their WoL's relationships with the other characters whatever the hell they want ofc, but I kinda read a lot of the characters this way just because it's so easy to water down one person for only cherry picked parts of their whole personality. Celebrities are the best example of this but we also to this to the people around us every single day.

I think Aymeric and WoL's relationship has also sort of been put into question with this moment (for me at least) because now I'm thinking "Oh my god, Aymeric did extend his friendship to WoL for either his own gain or for that of Ishgard's" and it's not a rag on him I love Aymeric but he is a politician. I don't doubt he admires WoL for all they've done for Ishgard, but I also don't think that if Aymeric hadn't pushed us we wouldn't have ended the Dragonsong war. I wouldn't say he manipulated us, but he didn't exactly have any qualms about making us battle on the Steps of Faith for Ishgard- yk, the closed off nation that's pretty hostile to outsiders- despite not knowing us for super long at that point. He thought that we could get it done and was like "Sure. You can fight for my country" and yeah I think Alphinaud's handling of the whole thing was also to blame- but Aymeric being okay with letting an outsider deal with things that should be handled by the Temple Knights is kinda sus to me now lmao. Like you are in charge of Ishgard's military shouldn't YOU have dealt with this???? Okay lol.

Listen, obviously I still love Aymeric and Exarch/G'raha but I think the potential that they only see WoL for their deeds is great and would make for an interesting hurdle to get over in a relationship. Actually, you can literally just slap this onto almost any character you want to ship with your WoL and it will be an interesting point of tension. The possibility that they only love WoL for being the hero and not in spite of it.

Anyways I need to thibk about this more bc I just finished the little Elidibus plot of Shadowbringers which is sort of about how heroes are remembered and how history can easily twisted and/or forgotten so uh yeah. I have lots of thoughts and I am very normal.

[wol-taleal-desharn]

The pair made their way down the road a ways, Taleal just a pace or two behind the robed man. Once they were out of sight of Lyna and the gate, Taleal stepped ahead of the Exarch, whirling on him with a dagger at his throat with blinding speed.

"We will go no further."

The Exarch stood statue still as she spoke.

"You will tell me what you have done with the Scions, now. And you will tell me what has become of G'raha Tia."

The Exarch stared at her much too calmly, not even flinching at the blade that pressed against his throat.

"Of the Scions, I am more than happy to help, and will do so. But who is this other you ask of?"

If looks could kill, the Exarch would have died from her glare alone.

"He would have been in that Tower you have laid claim to."

"There is - was - no one by that name, I am afraid. Now," he reached up with the crystallized hand, moving the dagger away from his throat. "If you would but sheath your daggers - and pray, your temper - I will explain all that I am able, if you would but follow me?" The Exarch tilted his head, hooded gaze momentairily drawn by the strung beads in her hair.

Taleal narrowed her eyes, letting him move the dagger away. At last, after some moments, she put the blades away, nodding curtly.

"Very well. This story had best be a good one."

"I shall strive not to disappoint."

This meeting was not what he had thought it would be. What he had hoped it would be.

But she is here, and that is what matters. He thought to himself, biting back a sigh.

[fatedroses]

I offer unsundered Meteor and a bit of the strange giant winged man that likes to follow him around.

As per his namesake I plan on incorporating a lot of it into the ancient design, (besides the fact that I purposefully, visually, swapped how some of Dionysus and Apollo's traits are generally depicted). The majority of it is foresight and prophetic vision (and perhaps a bit of apollo's general misfortune), his past inspired by Ardbert to have grown up primarily as a farmer/rancher, the bardic inspirations and maybe a bit more the more I flesh him out.

[meteorea]

“ so  many  worlds  out  there.  you'd  need  a  thousand  lifetimes  to  see  them  all  -  more. ” / this hurts extra bad bc their meeting is after shb, aka where sarastus remembers her past as azem :(

. @sarastuss

the  darkness  of  the  night  sky  looms  so  closely  it  feels  like  it's  making  eye  contact  ,  but  the  stars  keep  it  from  seeming  too  daunting  .  not  that  any  of  it  truly  matters  ,  anyway  .  they're  here  .  they  exist  here  .  what  they  see  beyond   .   .   .   it  matters  to  someone  ,  so  it  matters  in  the  grand  scheme  of  things  ,  but  it  doesn't  change  anything  for  him  ,  for  them  .  it's  hard  to  justify  caring  for  such  notions  ,  despite  the  fact  that  his  heart  is  pulled  to  ,  and  that  his  mind  repels  its  tides  .  logic  over  feeling  ;  it's  easier  that  way  .  always  has  been  .

still  ,  when  he  looks  up  ,  his  dearest  companion  at  his  side  ,  thinks  of  all  the  people  ,  all  the  hurt  ,  all  of  her  experiences  ,  and  poorly  strung  together  conglomeration  of  his  own  memories  ,  it's  hard  to  deny  the  existential  weight  that  far  surpasses  the  confines  of  the  vastness  of  the  lurking  midnight  .  he's  been  silent  thus  far  ,  opting  to  feel  the  comfort  of  his  torso  against  his  thighs  ,  leaned  purposefully  against  his  knees  .  he  oft  prefers  silence  ,  and  thinks  he  needn't  offer  a  response  if  he  doesn't  have  one  .  needless  conversations  are  a  waste  of  time  and  energy  ,  dishonest  in  their  own  fictitious  creation  .  still  ,  again  ,  he  proves  himself  a  walking  contradiction  ,  because  the  feeling  of  melancholic  nostalgia  in  the  air  forces  an  answer  from  his  throat  with  a  measured  pull  . 

❛  'n  we  just  have  . . . this one .   ❜   he  concurs  with  a  response  otherwise  obvious and lacking eloquence ,  but  his  shame  is  brief  and  stealthy  ,  unrecognizable  to  anyone  but  him  .  gaze  shifts  to  the  square  ends  of  his  boots  and  he  frowns  .  ❛  a  thousand  lifetimes  sounds  miserable  .   ❜   

[chocolutty]

Happy one year of Fragments!!!

If you haven’t seen it please do read it, it’s a charming comic made by @nights-at-crystarium and by god is Vivi gorgeous for no reason whatsoever I’m not simping you are-

[genderdotcom]

a lot of red vs blue songs sound like they could be in a ffxiv normal raid series. much to think about

[sebille]

I think about Emet-selch seeing his son Lucius and actually loving that boy and feeling a sense of hope for the first time in thousands of years only for it to be ripped away as Lucius died like 10 times a day

[nights-at-crystarium]

✧✦✧ "Fragments" - episode 60 ✧✦✧

Journal.

New reader? episode list on tumblr | webtoon Read 4 more episodes: patreon | kofi

[aethernoise]

Beyond Word or Measure |Ch7: Theirs

“Is this truly happening?” Aymeric wondered aloud, only half-jokingly, "Are you truly here?"

Alyx’s response was said with a smile but tinged with a distant trepidation. “Feels a bit too good to be true, doesn’t it?”

1062 Words, Rated M. 🌟 Read it here! 🌟 

(art is by @/peachiqiqi)

[the-imperial-nuisance]

Disco Elysium but Harry du Bois is a DRK WoL

[koukouture]

Okay listennnn-

I love G'raha. I really do. He is such a well written character and I love him to bits- both the silly little guy side of him and the wizened old soul side of him.

But I just- I can't bring myself to ship him with my WoL. On paper it makes sense- bro did all manner of interdimensional and time travel because he believed she was the only one who could save everyone, AND he was willing to sacrifice himself TWICE. He's also with the Scions so it means that he'll always be around her and Elysia won't have to sacrifice her adventures to have a life with him. He's just so understanding and kind too- why wouldn't they be good together?

Because he can't handle her freak.

Okay I'm mostly joking- but genuinely I just don't think they would mesh well. Outside of shared goals and love of adventure- they just don't really have anything in common? I know opposites attract and whatnot but there needs to be some common ground and idk Elysia is just so messy. G'raha isn't some clueless soft UwU baby I know- but I don't really like them together either even if they sound like they fit together.

I can't really put my finger on it, but they just kind of occupy two different worlds? Elysia is highkey a bad person and NOT good at being vulnerable and G'raha is the opposite of that. I've seen WoL's with similar personalities as Elysia make it work but I just... I'd feel bad for G'raha if I put him with her lmao.

Which is sad because the drama of G'raha and Elysia missing each other even though they're right there is so fun!!! But maybe it's because he's too obvious a choice I don't really vibe with him? I think he does start seeing her just as herself and not the WoL after Shadowbringers and ESPECIALLY after Endwalker and I think that's a part of it tbh. G'raha realizes who Elysia really is and realizes that they won't really fit together. Kinda sad but that's just how it feels.

It's not that Elysia is super averse to being with him either? They're just forever out of each other's reach because there ARE better options for them both. (also highkey grappling with the fact that Elysia might be better off with a girl LMAO-)

Anyways, G'raha kissers you may try to convince me because I really do love him it's just none of my OCs would 😭

[valka]

attending guest: ~ 「alcarich」 ✧ #OCLunarFestival2024

part 2: alca in complementary dark blue & gold hanfu note: historical accuracy not included.

[fourfoldfires]

If one needs wings, one need simply make them.