(aka "how can I make this post about supporting someone else's stuff also a bit about me?")
I am an avid FF14 player, possessed of complicated thoughts about the game but my general feeling is that I have fun playing it and I mostly like the stories it tells. Five year or so on from release, I think it's tempting to say people overhype Shadowbringers (THE BEST FF STORY EVER!!) but speaking as someone who covered the release moment there's little else I can compare it to in terms of how electrified the community was. it really was a special moment. There's something about that particular story that grasped at people and I don't think that that was just a "right time, right place" thing and I don't think that Shadowbringers' quality has faded over the years. it's a good story. genuinely.
As a journalist, I think it is important to maintain a distance from the things you love. I liked FF14 quite a bit but it wasn't perfect. Having some critical space from "the world I explore with friends I cherish" and "the corporately produced MMO" was important and I still think some folks don't always achieve it. This meant that among other things I really avoided too much immersion in wider fandom stuff. Not a lot of art or fan fiction or anything like that. To enter that space felt like crossing a line somehow. even if that probably wasn't true.
I've finally crossed the line a bit and allowed myself (so many years removed from my old job) to be a bit of a fangirl. fic and art and blushing a bit at my favorite cat boys. Part of this started when a little webcomic crossed my feed. it's called Fragments, telling a romance between the main character (this WoL is a sassy elf named Vivi) and G'raha Tia, who I've decided I kinda think is the best dude ever.
I've really enjoyed it and the way the author has remixed and reimagined the Shadowbringers story. The art is nice, the character beats are good, and the dialogue flows well. In talking with the creator, I get the sense they sometimes feel that writing is not their forte and that surprised me. there's a lot of heart here and some very deliberate panel work. there's intention, and it's on the page. reading this even helped give me a jolt to think about my own approach in my writing..
cohost is going away and so that might make it seem odd to do a little promo like this but I don't think that matters. I'm a older now and I've found a lot of joy from using what platforms I do have (which honestly remain modest compared to many of my peers) to share things I like. before cohost goes away, this is one of the things i want to share. it might bring a smile to your face, and it might help the author yeah?
You can read Fragments here, and support the creator at their Patreon, if you end up liking it. there's a bit of a publication pause as they deal with some IRL stuff but that just means you'll have time to catch up.
