Endwalker Spoilers ahead!
A shorter act this time - we hung out on the moon with the Loporrits!
It's definitely a much calmer, more relaxed arc compared to everything that's happened so far. Definitely very necessary given oh my god we just killed Zodiark and that means The Final Days are coming.
There isn't really that much to talk about with this one, honestly. It's not a bad or lacking arc, it's just... the calm before the storm. We have no idea what the Final Days will mean for modern Etheirys and that is horrifying. This brief respite is very important to give us some breathing room before everything truly goes to hell.
We do get some really important plot and characterization from the Loporrits though. They are an intriguing mix of depressing humor. They're clearly quite silly and adorable, but the more time you spend with them, the more you and they realize just how out of their depths they are for preparing the evacuation plan. Sure, the moon may be largely ready, but accommodating the people of Etheirys when the ONLY contact they've had is with the god damn Forum?!
It's hysterical... but it's heart breaking. They just want to do the best they can to make us comfortable and ensure that we're safe. But they just do not have the right information, no one thought to make sure we were all on the same page.
A friend in the cohost FFXIV Discord server pointed out that it's very much like how "gifted children" seem to be quite competent, but once they're out in the world lacking the skills they need cause the school system failed them... they flounder. I can relate to that.
Urianger is immediately in love with the Loporrits. It's fantastic. Very autistic. Love him.
Speaking of, Urianger completely failing to hide that the Loporrits want him to do a little scheming. And the whole conversation with him, how much he hates that fate keeps dragging him back into the lies and deceit. This guy has been typecast, he knows it, he HATES it.
I was shocked to realize he was in fact threatening to use fae magick to steal Puddingway's name.
It was overall a chill arc to be sure, but... the Loporrits still fall into the fear and despair that is so prevalent in Endwalker.
It is... really good and important that this arc establishes. If we fail to stop the Final Days, there is a backup plan. It's not guaranteed to be successful, but we can escape the planet and hopefully hide from whatever is causing the Final Days.
We're still going to fight like hell, but if we fail, not all is lost.
Next time, the arc that I remembered a few weeks ago which inspired this NG+ playthrough. I am aiming to finish the quest At World's End by 2023-10-20. Prepare for TEARS.