Aetherflow Media - Winter 2020 Issue by aetherflow.media

WINTER 2020

CO N T ENTS 4

Letter from the Editors

Memoirs of a Traveler

46 56

140 168 192

206

Interview: Alex Moukala Curiosities of Cosplay Glamourous Joy of the Culinarian Fan Art Feature Photography 101 Unpacking Unreliable Narration Fashion Focus Interview: Banri Oda & Natsuko Ishikawa Staying in Character: A Guide to RP

Aetherflow Winter 2020

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y readers, cannot express how excited we all are to be back to creating the high content you have come to enjoy after our hiatus! What better time

me back than the holidays? Despite all of the unknown and craziness

nding this year, we sincerely hope that you have a happy holiday

n. Remember to take some time and reflect on what you’re thankful

well as anything and everything positive from this year and let’s make

wesome! Here at Aetherflow, we’re so thankful for the wonderful and

ng support from our readers. You truly make doing what we do even

than you realize. So to you, dearest reader, thank you from the bottom

hearts!

red throughout this issue you’ll find plenty of excitement! From ng interviews, fun glamours, informative lore, and so much more,

certainly in for a treat this holiday season! We hope that you’re able

something within these pages that sparks joy and look forward to our

ssues to come.

our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

a, Arya, Lolae, Vederah & Nana

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TEXT AND INTERVIEW BY A'ONISYA DEHF | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ALEX MOUKALA | LAYOUT BY ESE'AL ARELIUS

Note to note Interview: Alex Moukala

What drew your musical interest to focus on strong thematic tracks in video game music? Was that an interest that started when you were young, or did it develop later when you started learning music production yourself? AM: It definitely started when I was young, specifically when I was six and played FF7 for the first time. The music stuck with me for reasons I couldn’t understand, and ever since my childhood Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts were the spark that kindled the huge fire which is my passion for music these days. When you were learning music production, did you see yourself producing the kind of music you are today? Or were you interested in other genres as well? AM: In the beginning, I didn’t think it would be possible for me to write the genre of music I’m doing now unless I went to a conservatory for many years, which I didn’t want to do. I wanted to start making music right away and figure it out on the fly, so I started from the most accessible genre I knew of the ones I liked: EDM. All the tracks I wrote ended up sounding like soundtracks rather than club bangers, however, so then I then inevitably transitioned to my true love, which is soundtrack music. My interests don’t stop there though. I still love EDM, as well as funk, rock, metal, jazz. and ambient music. I kinda like to do a bit of everything, but since I see music as a job more than just a hobby, I can’t always give myself the freedom to experiment with anything that comes to mind and I have to think strategically instead. If I could though, I’d try literally everything. 16

I read in an interview that Zircon, Varien and SeamlessR on Youtube inspired you to pursue music production on your own, particularly using FL Studio, even with little previous music experience. How did you keep yourself motivated to continually grind and learn music production in the years before you made it professionally in the industry? AM: Great question! When I failed to find inspiration or support in the people in my life, I would find it in non-fictional books written by people I admired, biographies, or studies of people who did amazing things in life and made their dreams come true. Two of my favorite books in this matter are Mastery by Robert Greene and The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday. I would recommend anyone who’s chasing their dream in life to read those books multiple times, they’re like super foo your brain and soul!

What res music th you take further y

AM: Even d such as wr movie tra theory! Tr created in the standa many.

Personally tutorials a straight af online mu my idols them, and hours com

Given pursued and expe

sources did you use to learn heory and composition? Did e any classes or courses to your studies?

despite my professional successes riting music for Triple-A Hollywood ailers, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not truly great at music ruth is, music can be learned and n many different ways; knowing ard music theory is just one of the

y, I learned a lot through consuming and practicing everything I saw fter, reading articles, getting a few usic production courses, paying for private Skype lessons with d mostly, I spent thousands of mposing music.

to online courses to Youtube videos, what resource would be your first recommendation for someone who wants to get started learning music composition? AM: I actually have been running another YouTube channel since 2015 where I personally make tutorials to teach people how to compose professional orchestral music by ear. It's called "Alex Moukala Tutorials". It has a few playlists for whatever questions people have, the one I'd recommend to start with is this one. I'd also recommend Andrew Huang's "Learn Music Theory in Half an Hour" video. That guy is as great as he is hilarious--[a] great source to learn! Also Evenant is another great source for online courses; it's a website run by some of my best friends. The courses aren't free but they're so good!

the many avenues you d to improve your music skill erience, from private lessons

Teaching what I learned and inspiring people to chase their dreams is my one goal in life. 19

After that, get a DAW like Cubase / FL Studio / Studio One and sink in the fun of writing music that sounds fun to you, keep on studying [with] YouTube tutorials or courses and practice what you see. Eventually you'll write something that you're REALLY proud of. Could you see yourself stepping into a teaching role professionally in the future, or do you prefer to keep your tutorials as a side project? Was music mentorship always something you were interested in? AM: Considering that I’ve done close to a hundred private lessons for students, and that those tutorials made some careers possible, I think I’m already doing that professionally! Teaching what I learned and inspiring people to chase their dreams is my one goal in life; it was and still definitely is one of the things I like to do the most. I’m not sure if I would like to teach in a physical music school, however. Life is long, though, so who knows! :) For the first several months on your Youtube channel, you were pretty prolific with publishing orchestral covers of well-known video game themes, as well as some original works. What made you shift your focus to reaction videos on your main channel? AM: It’s a bit of a long story, but to make it short, I first started doing those as a fun experiment suggested by a friend of mine. After doing a few, I noticed how those videos were resonating with people, bringing a small community together while also educating them about the basics of music theory. This is because I’m doing them from a perspective of being a music composer myself and am teaching things other than just reacting, sometimes going as far as 20

remixing the songs to show how funky or cool they are. In that sense, I feel those videos also made a lot more people aware of my musical skills, so they’re also good from a professional standpoint, on top of everything else.I think as long as they’ll keep being fun for my audience and me, I’ll keep on doing those! It fills me with pride to help promote the work of the composers whose music I analyze, too. Your reaction videos sink their teeth into musical foundations that make songs really click for the listener. Did you make a conscious decision to dissect the musical theory behind the songs you react to, or does that deeper analysis come out naturally? AM: It depends. Quite a few times it comes out naturally, and even I am surprised at some of the things I notice when I sit down to listen to a song critically like that. For some other songs that I know by heart instead, like “Rules of Nature,” I make some mental notes of some of the stuff I want to talk about and then shoot the video! I’m a total nerd for music, though, so those are essentially my reactions whenever I listen to those tracks, be it that it’s the first or 200th time. What inspired you to compose a funk remix of “To the Edge”? Were you excited to bring the bass into the spotlight? AM: Bass is my favorite instrument, so when a bassline is really good I just notice that. I feel that Soken’s basslines in general are VERY funky, but the vocals or melodies often steal the show. In the case of “To The Edge,” I really wanted people to notice that.

In the uncut version of the reaction video (which is where the bass remix initially came from), I also planned to make an Epic Orchestral version and a Metal Version because that song is so universal, but due to the fact I wanted to release it ASAP, I only did a short funky remix. The rest is history! As a bass player, who are some of your influences? AM: Definitely Jamiroquai’s bass player, Shook, Chris Wolstenholme from Muse, Joe Dart from Vulfpeck, [and] Shoji Meguro. How has your experience with the FFXIV fandom been since you’ve been creating more FFXIV content in recent months? AM: I’m very surprised at how much more engagement and love FFXIV gets compared to other FF [game]s like, say, FFVII Remake. Maybe it’s because it’s a smaller community. There’s no outsiders in FFXIV; either you’re into it, or you’re not. And people who are into this game TRULY love every aspect about it to death. I feel that love whenever I make content about FFXIV, and it makes me happy to be part of this community. It may feel selfish, but I’m glad FFXIV has a barrier to entry. If it was too mainstream, maybe the wrong people would get invited to the community, leading it to lose its face. I like the smaller, more wholesome FFXIV gang we have. Tell us a bit about your experience playing FFXIV! When did you start, and what job do you main? Other than admiring the outstanding music, what is your favorite activity in-game? AM: I bought the dreaded FFXIV 1.0 back in 2010, but just could not get into it at all. When they announced ARR, I was hyped to try it again, and did since the very first beta 22

in 2013. I didn’t stop playing ever since, but I’m so busy all the time that I have to limit my FFXIV activities to merely keeping up with the main story like a casual player! Lack of time also led me to choose a class that was ideal for duty-finder waiting times: Warrior. My favorite classes, though, are Bard, Monk, and Red Mage. As for my favorite activity: I’d say it’s pondering endlessly about the psychology of the characters. Also exploring the beautiful worlds and locations in the game, sometimes indulging in-game photography. Your enjoyment of the characters and their motivations in the game doesn’t surprise me, given how much you emphasize the themes woven heavily in XIV’s story that are supported in its music (I’m thinking in particular of your video reacting to “Eden’s Refulgence,” where you focus on the interplay of Shiva and Ryne’s emotions: their sorrow, their desire, their conflict, which the players feel and experience through the vocals). I’m reminded also of your interview with Jason Charles Miller, where you talk a lot about the importance of music being a force of empathy and positivity. When you compose music, is that a perspective that drives your composition, and if so, was that perspective on how music can affect its listeners always important to you? AM: That's a good question; you're a great observer! And I have to say you hit the nail on the head. The one reason that got me started and that pushes me to make music, or teach people about music, is to affect the world positively. I think music is a language we all natively understand, and that we can all learn to speak. As such, it's the strongest language in the world to communicate

Music can be learned and created in many different ways; knowing the standard music theory is just one of the many. 23

Music is the strongest language in the world to communicate ideas, thoughts emotions and mostly a great tool to make people feel less alone and part of something bigger.

ideas, thoughts, emotions, and mostly a great tool to make people feel less alone and part of something bigger. I'm a person who reflects a lot, and in so doing I stumble upon beautiful truths I feel like I need to share with the world. So one day I chose to learn to speak the language, so that I may have a positive influence on the world at large by hiding empowering messages behind musical notes and enthusiasm. That is still the main drive for me today! Thanks for bringing that out of this interview. Your recent FFXIV videos are reactions to the latest Shadowbringers themes, but what are some other themes from previous expansions that stand out to you, and why? Do you think you ever might tackle reaction videos for these older themes? AM: Due to YouTube being YouTube, I have to be very strategic with what songs I choose to react to on my channel. However, if that wasn’t the case, there are plenty of older tracks I’d love to talk about. Tsukuyomi is one, Heavensward and Stormblood’s title tracks are others. I think one of my absolute favorite FFXIV tracks is the one that plays during the Omega vs. Shinryu cutscene. Soken incorporates all sorts of styles and genres in his music for FFXIV. What musical influence has he not borrowed from yet that you would love to see him inspired by for future XIV tracks? AM: Wow, that’s a great question. I don’t think we heard a drum & bass FFXIV track yet (kinda like “Worlds Collide” from FFXIII-2). Otherwise, I’d love to hear a nu-disco track (128BPM EDM music with a lot of dirty and funky bass). I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear some of that in [the] Pulse [album]! If we do, I hope they put some of those in the game.

If you could compose a theme for FFXIV, what sort of project would you love to be given? What kind of musical style would you like to bring to the table, or would you have to see what material you were working with first before answering that? AM: I consider myself quite a versatile composer, however, if I had to choose I’d definitely love to do a boss theme OR some upbeat remix like the “Amaurot Funk” I made, simply because I think my core strengths are either epic orchestral music or very rhythmic, yet melodic music. Alternatively, a theme for an epic game trailer would be great as I’m experienced with that professionally, having written trailer music for Triple-A movies in the past. Maybe I could do an emotional field track, then do an epic boss version of it and a remixed, high-energy version of it, too. That would be fun! Generally speaking, if I was asked to work on Final Fantasy (my dream project), I’d want to be sure I’m giving them my personal best. Make sure to follow Alex Moukala on his Youtube and social media channels to keep up with his latest videos and compositions! Twitter Profile Alex Moukala Music Alex Moukala Tutorials Alex Moukala EXTRA

Memoirs of a Traveler TEXT BY CAELI PISCIS | PHOTOS BY SOLL NAKAI | LAYOUT BY ARYA THORNE

You think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re buried in snow? I once passed through a place of endless winter en route to Dravania. Coerthas lies north of the Shroud, up a long mountain road. Most of my time was spent traversing (or, more accurately, sliding) across the icy ground with wind and sleet obstructing my view; the sun rarely shined. When I first arrived there, I trudged the path leading to the Holy See of Ishgard. It took me through the First Dicasterial Observatorium of Aetherial and Astrological Phenomena, (Which is really quite the mouthfulâ&#x20AC;Ś maybe we should just call it FDOAAP for short!) where the astrologians of Ishgard sought the wisdom of the stars to combat their long-time enemies: the Dravanians. Since the Dravanians live hundreds of years, Ishgardian astrologians believed they needed the stars to predict how actions would affect the war in the decades to come. However, as the chief Ishgardian astrologian, Forlemort, will be the first to tell you, this form of astrology is not to be confused with the astromancy studied by the Sharlayans.

While I was near the Observatorium, I met an elezen named Duvicauroix who challenged me to a snowball fight! On my first go, I missed him and hit the poor man standing near us. He laughed it off, but even when I searched for him I couldn’t find him within 30 fulms of our game after that point. After I was thoroughly exhausted from the fun, my new friend encouraged me to throw snowballs at a snowman outside of the settlement. This is when things got unusual. I took the advice I was given (as odd as it had been) and threw a well-packed snowball at the snowman. That’s when I heard the voice. “Is....throwing? Should I eat….? Maybe I eat.” I stared, frozen, at the snowmound with the top hat. He continued before I had a chance to respond. “No, I no eat dummy-dummy. Dummy-dummy throw like zero! Only become yummy-yummy if throw like hero.” It wasn’t until I threw a snowball to his satisfaction that he went to sleep, advising me not to worry about being called crazy (in a quick follow-up conversation with Duvicauroix before heading to Camp Dragonhead, I was indeed called crazy).

The day I travelled a day with better endless winter, I w brought warmth a de Fortemps. I he left in the camp. H I met a man there some men whose 30

d to Camp Dragonhead, it was cloudy. Finally, visibility! Yet, as to be expected in a land of was still shivering by the time I arrived. I was and food and drink by members of the House eard about their lost brother and the hole it had He seemed to have been well-liked by many. e who wanted revenge against wolf pups for e deaths were not righted. I obliged and when I

returned, he said something that truly stuck with me. “Honor is in how justly we treat others who serve the cause alongside us, in life and death.” He said, “Out of honor flows all that makes a man of a boy, a woman of a girl. Surely when we meet Halone in the afterlife, ‘tis honor She judges, not pride.” After making some preparations with the crafters in the area, it was with a reflective spirit that I continued my journey to Ishgard.

The Gates of Judgment loomed over my head as I approached the only entry to the Holy See of Ishgard. It was night and the snow had begun to quietly fall once more. I spoke with the guard Marcelain, who advised that should I be of wicked heart, I would be blown off the side of the Steps of Faith by an icy gust. While he continued to say that it was just a legend, I am not inclined to take my chances. I checked my motives and made my way across the Steps of Faith and into the Arc of the Worthy, the most heavily guarded place in the city. As much as I wanted to explore, I was on a schedule and needed to be on my way the next morning. (I would later return to the Holy See with a chance to explore, but that is a story for another time.) Cloud Nine within the Forgotten Knight provided my bed, and I was warm and comforted for the first time in days.

Late the next morning, I rented a flying black chocobo (who knew a flightless bird could learn to fly!) to take the path to the Western Highlands. I soon arrived at the airship landing at Falcon’s Nest. The region hadn’t always been covered in ice; in fact, I’ve heard that before the calamity, the area was lush and green. When the calamity brought the endless winter, the knights retreated. Now, the people of Falcon’s Nest worked to reclaim the land. I was hungry after my travels so I stopped in on Noirterel, the Elezen responsible for feeding the residents, to find a meal. There, I met a widow whose name I can’t recall now. She told me about how her husband’s grave was far to the north at the Gorgagne Mills and she was unable to make the journey to put flowers on his grave due to terrible back pain. I offered to do the task for her. It didn’t sound too difficult and it was plain by her teary eyes that she was desperate.

I left shortly after finishing my meal. Flowers in hand, I began to follow the winding, frozen river that made up the path to the north. Even through the falling snow, I could see the statue of a towering man. I had been told that this was Haldrath, the first of the Azure Dragoons and one of Ishgardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding fathers. Further along, I passed a ruined structure known as the Anvil before

I finally came to the Black Iron Bridge. The Anvil was a crumbling mess, but I did see a flame and a perso beside it. I made a mental note to visit on my return trip, if I were able. The intimidating looking bridge m up of iron and stone was hidden under the white of t snow that had built up. The walk across the bridge f like an eternity but once on the other side, I could jus

s on

made the felt st

barely make out the mills in the distance. The path was not at all straight and took far too long to traverse as a result. However, just as my fingers threatened frostbite, I found myself right in front of the Gorgagne Mills. The building and windmills were decorated with icicles and were in disrepair. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take long for me to find the neglected graveyard that I had come here to visit.

From the hill the gravesite stood on, I could see a ship stuck in the lake. From the folks back at Falconâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest, I had heard that the ship had been brought down river by some researcher only to be run aground during the Calamity. I only gazed on the ship for a moment, then searched for the grave. The text had worn from the toll of the elements, but I found it. I placed the flowers down and paid my respects. The snow once again began to fall and the cold was sinking into my bones.

It was time to go back to Fal picked up, reducing my abilit Somewhere along the way, I there was nothing but snow tried to find my way back to made my road here. My feet for a few momentsâ&#x20AC;Ś until th me and I found myself at the

lconâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest. The wind ty to see to nearly zero. I lost sight of the path and w underneath my feet. I the frozen river that had t hit ice and I was relieved he ground fell out beneath e bottom of a cliff.

I don’t know how long I sat there, dazed from the fall. Nothing seemed broken, however, and by the time I regained my bearings, the wind had relented some. I was glad to have my vision back as before me stood a fort so high I could barely see the top in this weather. I had taken the wrong road. I had known that the Coerthas Western Highlands were where the Ishgardians had held their ground against the Dravanians for a long time. What I hadn’t expected was to see the now abandoned Dusk Vigil, built into the mountain, towering over the icy lake below. Frozen in the lake were chains and harpoons as if stopped in time. It was breathtaking. As was the biting cold. I started to look for a place to find shelter from the blizzard before I too became a permanent frozen fixture of the area. A voice called out to me. At first, I thought it was just the sound of the wind until I saw several knights of Ishgard approaching me. The knights of the Convictory had taken to assisting travelers in their adventures through the Western Highlands since the end of the Dragonsong War. While the job was not as notable as dragon hunting, it paid well and didn’t likely result in being incinerated. They considered it a fair compromise. It had been by chance that they found me, and I took the moment to thank Halone for the loyalty her subjects possessed for their jobs. They agreed to escort me back to Falcon’s Nest. As we walked, they told me the story of the Dusk Vigil. Commanded by Ser Yuhelmeric, a knight of the house of Durendaire, the garrison was crippled by the sudden frost of the Calamity. Ser Yuhelmeric, ignoring the pleas of his followers, held steady in spite of the change in climate until frostbite, starvation, and mutiny claimed the lives of all the men stationed there. From their tone, I gathered that there was a more sinister side to the story, but I didn’t press the matter.

It was just past midnight when the snow let up and the clouds dispersed. I was so focused on shivering and trying to warm my bones, one of the knights needed to nudge me to gain my attention. Following his gaze, I looked up and saw one of the most beautiful things Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen in all my travels. Above me, the aurora borealis danced across the sky. Green and blue hues shined bright and were a welcome change to the mundane white clouds I had grown used to seeing. The men seemed rather pleased, apparently this was a rare phenomena. The mood of the group lifted under the lights and I was regaled with stories about things in the Western Highlands: a dragon captured by chain and ice, a pond called dragonspit known for its healing properties (I thought of the widow and her back painâ&#x20AC;Ś but I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about to venture further into the snow), a rock structure known as the dreaming dragon due to its shape, and a large dragon skeleton known as the Watcher. All sights that I told myself to one day venture to see (which I did manage to do when I eventually returned from Dravania).

All the talking made our all-night adventure go quickly. I was falling asleep on my feet, but the knights took care to keep me awake. Sleeping in the snow wouldn't serve anyone any good. The skies remained clear for the remainder of the night, and we were graced by the overhead lights for a long while. Dawn broke as we arrived at Falcon's Nest. The entire area was alight in reds and yellows, exposing the detail of all that lived in the highlands. It was quite the sight to see. I would find the widow later in the day, but at the immediate moment I thanked my escorts, and sought out a warm bed to finally get some rest. This wouldn't be my last visit to Coerthas, but it was the only time I would see the clear night sky or the sun rising over the mountains for a long time.

CURIOSITIES OF COSPLAY FIRAGAFOX

Text and interview by A'onisya Dehf Photos by J. Rose photography and firagafox Layout by Lolae Demort

When I’m preparing an interview for the next issue of Aetherflow, I tend to get lost scrolling through the Instagrams and Twitters and Facebooks of cosplayers. And these days, I think we could all use a little “getting lost” energy. Thankfully, Firagafox - known as Kali’iani Se’oriana on Siren - has a wonderful portfolio of costumes to get lost in. If you scroll through her work, you’re sure to find at least one character you recognize (and that’s excluding the obvious of Final Fantasy XIV!). And if you’re looking for someone who exudes joy for every character they cosplay, look no further than Firagafox. Her love for cosplaying as her favorite characters is infectious, and anyone looking for inspiration to cosplay their Warrior of Light shouldn’t miss out on this interview!

Tell us a little about yourself! How did you get your start cosplaying? I started casually cosplaying back around 2011 when a group of friends invited me to my first big convention. I mostly just thrifted some clothes together to match our group cosplay but it was so much fun it stuck! I started crafting my cosplays in 2013 and I’d hand sew fleece together (yikes!) until my older sister who was studying fashion design taught me how to use a sewing machine. My mom gave me her old Singer machine and it was all downhill from there! You've cosplayed from a wide variety of games and shows, from Fire Emblem to RWBY to Blazblue to Disney. What drives you to create certain costumes? Do you just embrace whatever character you're really enjoying at the time when the cosplay bug bites? Oh yes, I mostly consume video games and therefore cosplay video game characters, but I’ll make anything that grasps my attention - either due to the design or the character themselves. Usually the cosplays I make are my favorite characters and design takes a back seat to favoritism, but occasionally a design will make or break if I actually craft it, which is usually the case with Fire Emblem characters. I believe ARR Y'shtola was your first FFXIV cosplay back in 2016, so you've been involved in the FFXIV cosplay community for four years now! Was there any particular experience as Y'shtola that made you think, “I don't want to stop here, I want to keep cosplaying from this game”?

time and thought the game had a relatively small playerbase. Since Y’shtola was the designated XIV representative in Dissidia and Final Fantasy Theatrhythm, I wanted to start with her classic design. When I debuted her I actually ran into an Ardbert cosplayer in the classic Warrior outfit and I was like, “Wait, I could actually make in-game gear too.” Kamui Cosplay furthered this thought process with her SMN and MNK cosplays. I figured yes, okay, I can justify making these more elaborate costumes AND actually find other fans to talk about FFXIV with. I really love the shaping of your Y'shtola cosplay; the in-game outfit is rather baggy and bulky, but you obviously took great pains to shape the round sleeves and body of the outfit more realistically. How do you approach translating the designs of in-game outfits to real life? Square Enix is especially unkind in XIV when it comes to mysterious floating armor pieces and hidden embroidery on pockets that are covered up by a gratuitous robe, but I feel that there’s charm and challenge in that. With my cosplays I always sketch them out visually three to five times before I even start patterning because I want it to flow naturally when I start on making the costume. The proportions are the biggest part in translating these designs, and sometimes I have to change the shape or a seam placement at the very end of completion. It’s a huge trial and error process altogether!

Y’shtola is kind of my main driving point when it comes to FFXIV cosplays. When I made her ARR outfit, her HW design was already out! I hadn’t seen many other XIV cosplays or cosplayers at the 49

Although you started cosplaying FFXIV in 2016, you’ve been cosplaying earlier than that and with plenty of costumes in between! What are some skills you’ve picked up throughout the course of your cosplay career that have influenced how you approached your first FFXIV cosplay to your most recent one? Very early into cosplaying I was fortunate to have friends that had been crafting and sewing for years help me along the way; I definitely wouldn’t be where I was without them. I think the biggest thing I’ve used in almost every cosplay since Y’shtola is embellishment. The fabric for her tunic has the most subtle shaved white velvet design that added just the smallest amount of depth to an otherwise plain white outfit. With my most recent FFXIV, the Bonewicca set, I searched tirelessly for gold filigree pieces to use for all the small “armor” clasps. This extra touch makes the cosplay uniquely mine, without delving from the source material too much, and adds a bit of my personality into everything that I make.

explore both influences. So it’s like more traditional medium with sewing or more fantastical with the armor-making. I also have to ask about the plethora of wigs that complete each of your outfits. Even though many of your FFXIV cosplays are your Warrior of Light, most - if not all - of them have a different hairstyle, when of course it would be easier just to use the same wig and ears! When you’re designing a cosplay, are you consciously factoring in how the wig color and style will tie the outfit together, or do you just generally enjoy shaking it up? I have probably over fifty wigs in my possession, with three dedicated to FFXIV specifically. Sometimes I really like being my WoL, who has bright auburn hair, but her hair doesn’t necessarily match with some of the costumes I want to make. Usually, if the gear I’m making can be dyed, I choose what color I want the costume to be and then I design which wig I’d wear it with.

In your Lady's Yukata and Bonewicca sets, you mix in a few glamour pieces to match your character’s glamour in the game rather than making the entire matching outfit. Does that enable you to add a bit of your own personal touch to the cosplay?

For example, my Songbird Jacket was a cool pastel teal so I wore a white wig to compliment the costume. Choosing the color first also gives me an opportunity to look nothing like my miqo’te WoL and instead be an Elezen or even an Au Ra I just want to be everything!

I like how easy it is to see armor start taking shape right away; you can actually start seeing how it’s coming together quickly. And I love all the finishing touches you can give accessories to add that little graphical in-game touch to real life, whether that be through painting or using LED lights, which is usually my favorite.

Any future FFXIV cosplay plans?

Sewing lets you do interesting flourishes with historical references to pull back from. So you can start mixing and matching all of the in-game references with historical flourishes, and that gives you so much more creative freedom to 50

So many I can’t even think where to start! I wanted to make the starting gear for Hyur females next, it’s so cute and it’d be a comfy outfit to wear at a ren faire without too much hassle. I’ve never properly cosplayed my Au Ra, so I’d like to make maybe a seasonal outfit for her, Valentoine’s or even [the] Little Ladies Day dresses. Big build wise? I would have loved to make the Qitana Ravel gear for Fan Fest 2020, specifically as my Viera WoL, as the design is gorgeous with a lot of small details and most importantly, looks very comfy.

Tell us a bit about your character ingame! What is your main class, and what is your favorite way to spend your time in Eorzea? My main is a Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te named Kali’iani Se’oriana. Her father is a Helion Hrothgar which explains her more feral, brash nature. I main summoner and occasionally assist my FC as a white mage (or if I want faster queues) and while I used to raid with my static, I took a break from endgame prog recently to focus on running old content with my sproutling friends for fun. I play daily throughout the morning and afternoons, and can usually be found in Il Mheg. Thank you so much for taking the time to let myself and our Aetherflow readers peek behind the curtain into your workshop! Is there anywhere our readers could find you online if they’d like to see more of your work? I am predominantly active on Twitter, which is where you’ll find my WIP's but I do still make frequent updates to my Instagram and much less frequently, my Facebook. Feel free to donate to my ko-fiwhere 100% of donations go towards cosplay supplies entirely!

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TEXT, PHOTOS, AND LAYOUT BY ARYA THORNE

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse 2020 kinda sucked. This year was the kind of year where nothing really surprised me. First the fires in Australia were blazing out of control, then for a hot minute everyone was talking about World War 3, of course COVID-19 began to spread, launching quarantine orders for a majority of the world, and murder hornets were a thing for a second. So much has happened and we all needed a break. So when it came time to return to work and figure out what the hell kind of glams to put together for this issue, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse seemed just about perfect. Most people have heard of the Four Horsemen through their depiction in art, literature, video games, and TV shows. There are a few different names for them, but I will be focusing on the Four Horsemen in this order: Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. Now letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bring in this apocalypse.

Conquest Riding in on Gullfaxi is the first of our four horsemen, Conquest. There are many interpretations of Conquest, however most can agree that they wield a bow. So ranged classes, this is for you! Two of these pieces are BRD/MCH only so dancers will have to find an alternative. But from head to toe, we have Oschon’s Helm of Aiming in Dark Red Dye, the Serge Gambison of Aiming, Oschon’s Gauntlets of Aiming in Soot Black Dye, the Shire Conservator’s Hose, and the Gambler’s Boots in Ink Blue Dye. The bow I have chosen is the Sandteak Longbow since it picks up the red hues in the chest piece. For our less helmet versatile Viera and Hrothgar friends, the YoRHa Type-51 Hood of Aiming dyed Snow White is a good swap, and for dancers, the Tekko #55 are a solid option. The rich reds and blues in this set are complemented by the accents of gold, driving home the glory of conquest. This glam is form fitting and ready for movement in battle. There are so many intricate details and textures that it’s fit for both a fighter and a ruler.

War Now I know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking, this is going to be a warrior glam right? Not so. War is ready to carry on where his brother Conquest left off. They need to be stalwart, strong, and ready to outlast the rest. So tanks, this one is for all of you. Unlike Conquest, War is a bit more ragged but far from unpresentable. The deep charcoal and gold accents carried throughout this glam are greeted with a blood red accent in the details of the chest piece, perfect for showing off both the ruthlessness and ferocity of War. Charging into battle on Aithon, War is equipped with a Nightsteel Helm of Fending, the Bonewicca Protectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coat and Gauntlets, some Ala Mhigan Bottoms of Fending, and the Doman Iron Greaves of Fending. For those who cannot wear helmets, the Yasha Hachigane of Fending is a solid alternative. For this look I chose to go with the NeoIshgardian Greatsword, but for our other tank classes, Sparth is a great alternative for warrior, the Doman Iron Longsword works well for paladin, and the Neo-Ishgardian Manatrigger is a great swap for gunbreaker.

Famine Following the devastation of War, Famine takes great pleasure in the destruction of others. I know a few black mages who would definitely fit this category, but this glam works for all casters. Carried by Markab, Famine wears away at the souls left over by Warâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rampage. Clothed in a Beech Mask of Casting in Shale Brown, Woad Skywicceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fur and Breeches, and some Hemiskin Opentoed Boots of Casting. Pair this with a Scintillant Staff and it all comes together. I wanted to go with a bit more of a deteriorated look for Famine and keep to a muted color scheme of grey and brown with bone accents and some torn fabrics. Feel free to unleash destruction in this glam and take as many creatures out with you as possible.

Death The fourth and final horseman is Death. This was a tough one and the only one that has a Square Enix Store item: the Black Bosom Heart Reaper. This is a White Mage only item, however you can purchase it on additional classes. That being said, the rest of this glam works for all healers. Death rides Xanthos, reaping the rest of the poor souls that were not taken by Famine. After all, our healers do hold our lives in their hands. From top to bottom Death wears a Bonewicca Soother’s Mask, Bonewicca Soother’s Chestpiece dyed Jet Black, some Warg Fingerless Gloves of Healing, Warg Tights of Healing, and Thavnairian Babouches dyed Jet Black. The scythe and the skull shaped helmet really send home that this is someone you shouldn’t be messing with. This healer will not adjust to your antics and will sooner let your corpse rot on the floor than raise you to deal with your nonsense again. Now I know 2020 is almost over, and this was of course all done in jest, the apocalypse is not quite on the horizon (yet). I genuinely hope you are all hanging in there and that 2021 will be the year the world bounces back. Until then, stay safe and stay glamourous. XOXO

Arya Thorne

joy of the culinarian

warm starlight menu

The year 2020 has been a rather challenging one, and it is a miracle that we have made it this far. With the last days approaching, it truly is the best time to sit back and reflect on all that has transpired. What worked? What can we change? The strength to change can be found by relying on things we know and feel comfortable with. If we know there is a safety net behind us, it becomes easier to leap forward into the unknown. Of course, food as nourishment for the soul plays an important role â&#x20AC;&#x201C; otherwise I would end up with an entirely philosophical piece. With this in mind, I have put together a menu mainly consisting of comfort food, dishes to keep both your body and mind warm and prepare you for whatever is ahead of you. Let us work together to make 2021 a better year!

1. Cawl Cennin with Baguette 2. Rare Roast Beef with Peppered Popotoes 3. Princess Pudding

text and photos by tetemui temui

| layout and editing by lolae demort 75

1. baguette This rustic loaf of bread exudes the appetizing aroma of upland wheat.

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ingredients Bread flour (pref. T65) Fresh yeast Lukewarm water Pinch of salt

500 g 1/2 block 360 ml

4c 1.5 c

Serves: 8 Total time: 36 hours Baguette consists of a few very basic ingredients – namely flour, yeast, and water – yet it is the technique that makes the difference. Patience is key: This recipe does not require that much yeast since you are giving it enough time to work through the dough. The texture improves plus you can prepare the dough in the evening and bake the bread in the morning for breakfast!

Step 1 - Make the dough Mix the salt with flour. Dissolve the yeast in water. Slowly pour the yeast water into the flour and mix well, preferably using a mixer or spoon. You will want to reach a slightly sticky dough. Knead it well. The end result is both elastic and still slightly sticky. Step 2 - Leaven the dough Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 24 hours and up to 3 days. Step 3 - Bake the baguette Shape the dough into “flûtes” which is the typical long baguette form. Cut slits with a sharp knife or razor blade and preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F). We preheat the oven after shaping to help the dough reach room temperature. Bake the baguettes for approx. 20 minutes until golden brown. For a crust, place an oven-proof bowl with water at the bottom of the oven. 77

2. cawl cennin Soup made from leeks and onions sautĂŠed in butter and mixed with chicken stock.

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ingredients Large leeks Larget russet potatoes Large onions Gloves of garlic Chicken/vegetable stock Heavy cream or milk alternatives Olive oil Pinch of salt Pinch of pepper

4 1 1 1-2 750 ml

3Âźc

250 ml

Serves: 4-6 Total time: 30 min Leek and onion soup is actually a very cheap, but flavorful dish and is best served on cold winter days. You can either leave the vegetables chopped or you can puree them to create a smooth soup. By using vegetable stock, this dish can be easily turned into a vegan dish.

Step 1 - Fry the vegetables Wash and chop your vegetables into big chunks. For the potato, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to chop it into smaller pieces to cook through faster. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat and fry the garlic and vegetables until they smell nice and fragrant. Step 2 - Add the stock Add whichever stock you are using. Reduce the heat to medium and let the soup simmer until the potatoes are soft. Once cooked through, you can puree the soup or leave it as it is. Step 3 - Add some flair Add as much milk/cream/milk alternative as you want to create a creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot. 79

3. rare roast beef The finest quality dzo, seared lightly to add a note of smokiness to the still-bleeding meat's naturally savory flavor, and topped with a drizzle of salty au jus.

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ingredients Roast beef (pref. marbled) Olive oil Garlic powder (to taste) Salt (to taste) Onion powder (to taste) Thyme (to taste) Rosemary (to taste) Pepper (to taste) Flour (optional)

1.5kg

30 g

3.3 lb

2 tbsp

A meat thermometer is necessary to check temperature regularly.

Serves: 4 Total time: 3 hours Okay, it’s time to address the elephant in the room: I cannot cook beef. Be it steak, be it roast, or even stirfry… While they do somehow (magically) end up being really delicious and juicy, they are far from being as rosy-colored as served in fancy restaurants. So, while I sadly cannot present to you a fail-safe way to make deliciously soft and rare roast beef slices, my roast beef comes out equally tender and flavorful. The secret? Don’t trim away the fat! Serve with whatever cooked vegetables you like – in this case, I opted for a simple parsnip puree.

Step 1 - Prepare the meat Wash the beef and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub the roast with oil and the spices. Place in a greased baking dish. Step 2 - Bake in the oven Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Cook the roast beef in the oven for about 15 minutes, then reduce heat to approx. 170°C (340°F) and cook for about 2 hours. Check internal temperature regularly: It is medium when it reaches about 60° C (140°F). Immediately take out of the oven and let the roast rest for about 15 minutes before serving. Step 3 - Make a jus (optional) If you want to serve with a sauce, you can mix the roast drippings from the baking dish with flour and heat in a small pot over medium high heat until the sauce thickens. 81

4. peppered popotoes A pleasing plate of popotoes peppered and prepared to perfection, playing pleasurably on the palate.

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ingredients Large potatoes Vegetable oil Garlic powder (to taste) Salt (to taste) Pepper (to taste)

Serves: 4-6 Total time: 1 hour You can make this super easy dish either in the frying pan or take the (even) easier way out by using your oven to create flavorful potato chunks. This dish is also kid-friendly, since you can give them the chance to help you cook!

Step 1 - Prepare the potatoes Wash and cut the potatoes into bite-sized chunks or wedges (oven) or slice them thinly (frying pan). If you don’t like potato skin, you can peel the potatoes before cutting. Put potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Step 2 - Season the potatoes Drizzle some vegetable oil over the potatoes and add the spices. Thoroughly mix well with your hands until all pieces are evenly coated. Step 3 - Bake or fry the potatoes Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) if you are going to bake them. Spread them evenly out on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Bake for approx. 45-50 minutes until golden brown on the outside and soft on the inside. If you want to fry them, heat a heavy skillet over medium high to high heat and add the potato slices. Fry while flipping potato sides frequently. Please note: if you are using russet potatoes, they may most likely break once they soften, so you will need to be careful when flipping. 83

5. princess pudding A tasty Starlight Celebration dessert popular in Limsa Lominsa. This cake-like sweet is formed to resemble the legendary notorious monster, Princess Puddingâ&#x201D;&#x20AC;a terrible beast rumored to once have roamed the meadows of La Noscea.

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ingredients Chopped dried fruits (currant, prune, apricot, etc.) Tart apples (Granny Smith, Jonagold) Stout beer, cider or apple juice Rum or brandy Brown sugar Chopped nuts Ground almonds Suet or unsalted butter Panko or fresh breadcrumbs All-purpose flour Large eggs Grated lemon peel Ground cinnamon Ground nutmeg, anise, clove Ground black pepper Vanilla beans

420g

15 oz

1 100 ml 60 ml 100 g 200 g 100 g 100 g 80 g 70 g 3 1/2 lemon 5.5 g 1.5g 0.7 g 1

6.5 tbsp 4 tbsp 0,5 c 2/3 c 1c 3.5 oz 3/4 c 1/2 c

2 tsp 1/2 tsp 1/4 tsp

Step 1 - Soak your fruit overnight Chop your apple into small chunks. Put your chopped fruit together with the apple into a large bowl. Pour the alcohol/juice over it and mix well. Add the rum, if using. Stir in the sugar. Cover and let the fruit and sugar absorb the liquid overnight at room temperature. Step 2 - Mix in all dry ingredients Add the breadcrumbs, flour, and spices. Mix well. Scrape the contents of a vanilla bean pod and add to the fruit/flour mixture. Stir in the nuts and ground almonds. Cover and let it sit for at least 15 minutes or even 24 hours. Skip the soaking if only using juice. Step 3 - Mix in suet/butter and your eggs Suet is the hard fat found around the kidneys of beef or mutton. It usually can be purchased shredded and was the usual fat component in British pastries and puddings. I found it doesn’t really matter whether your fat is shredded or not, so you can actually just go ahead with room-temperature butter. Beat the eggs and add to your mixture. Stir in the fat of your choice until everything is well combined.

Serves: 8 Total time: 36 hours This bread-like pudding is best served warm with warm vanilla sauce or ice cream. You will not only need to soak your fruit overnight, you will also have to steam it for several hours. This recipe is therefore best when made about a week in advance to serving. The high alcohol content keeps it from spoiling. Because this dish contains alcohol, please be advised to not serve this dish to children or adults who are not allowed to consume alcohol for various reasons! You can substitute alcohol with equal parts of apple juice in this recipe, however, the pudding will only keep for a few days. Step 4 - Steam the pudding Lightly grease a pudding form with a lid (these are specially made for steaming). Put a piece of baking paper at the bottom to make it easier to remove the pudding once it’s done. Put the pudding dough inside and secure the lid. If your pudding form does not come with a lid, you can cover it with a piece of baking paper and aluminum foil, securing it with cooking strings. Fill a large pot that can hold the pudding form about 1/3 full with water. Put an inverted saucer plate inside and bring the water to a soft boil (medium heat). Put the pudding form inside and cover the pot with a lid. Steam the pudding for about 4 to 6 hours. It is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Once done, take out the form and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Turn upside down on a plate and peel off the baking paper. Step 5 - Store or serve If you want to store your pudding, let it completely cool down. Wrap tightly in plastic foil, then in aluminum foil. Store in a dark cool place for up to a month – only if it contains strong alcohols such as 100% rum or brandy. If you want to serve a cooled down pudding, you can gently steam it over hot water until warm. Serve with vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream. 85

ᄒan ᆃၰt ᆈeဃture s urfac ag e

INTERVIEW BY A’ONISYA DEHF | ARTWORK BY SURFACAGE | LAYOUT BY ARYA THORNE 86

Tell us a bit about yourself! My name is Surfi, I’m a healer main from Mateus, Crystal. IRL I’m a software developer in my late twenties! How did you first discover Final Fantasy XIV? I had actually tried FFXIV maybe two years ago, when Stormblood dropped, but lost interest for one reason or the other. I watched the Shadowbringers trailer for the first time last June, and a friend (and long-time player of FFXIV as well) of mine explained to me that the main character in the trailer was a player stand-in, and you could actually get the armor and weapon ingame! So basically the trailer was the reason why I finally got all the expansions. What compelled you to draw your reactions while you explored the story? FFXIV’s story is structured in such a way that it’s pretty easy to make up lore about your Warrior of Light while still remaining in-bounds of canon, and honestly the main story was so compelling at points that I just had to draw out how I thought it would play out with my own character. The NPCs play off each other very well too. Initially I was actually surprised that an MMORPG’s story had been given so much thought, but that’s Final Fantasy for you.

What draws you to expand on the more emotional and inner reflective aspects of FFXIV’s story in your comics (for example the DRK quests, the WoL’s friendships, the end of 5.0)? I think it’s because it’s my way of engaging with the FFXIV fandom, like some people discuss plot points or make theories, I contribute by making those kinds of comics. Some people echo the sentiments so I’m glad to make a way to visualize how other people’s characters feel. Did you expect such an enthusiastic response from the FFXIV community to your art and live-tweeting? Not really! I was wary of including OCs in an established fandom, but it turns out the FFXIV community is very receptive to original characters. What is your process for deciding what to draw, particularly for your FFXIV comics? Do you take some time thumbnailing them out before settling on exactly what you want, or do you just go for it when an idea strikes? If I get an idea, I will tend to focus on the script first before working out the thumbnails/panel layout.

Your FFXIV drawings range from hilarious meme-y drawings of NPCs to gut-punching angsty comics. Do the lighter drawings help add some levity to your heavier pieces? Yeah, it tends to go over better with the audience. Also it’s a bit more fun to do the lighter drawings mostly because I’m the person who finds them the funniest. Most of your FFXIV art is lineart with colors and cell shading, but you also have a wonderful painting style. Have you wanted to do a larger FFXIV painting, or do you see yourself sticking with your lined style? I’ve wanted to do a large-scale FFXIV painting for a long time, but I have so many ideas for comics that I always get sidetracked. But there’s one in the works! Do you have any plans for future pieces you would like to draw? Are there any characters or moments you’d like to tackle in the future that you haven’t gotten around to yet? There’s a lot of post-SHB stuff knocking about in my drafts. I was thinking about making a linear sort of storyline so there’s at least some continuity. I’ve also been looking into doing more stuff with the Doma/ Garlemald cast, so please look forward to it!

twitter.com/surfacage www.surfacage.net/

PHOTOGRA

TEXT, PHOTOS, AND LAYOUT BY ARYA THORNE

APHY So you want to get started with /gpose? Awesome! Before you start figuring out which pose makes your character look the best, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover some photography basics first. In this article you will learn how to frame the perfect shot, take stellar landscape, portrait, and action shots, understand depth of field, and learn basic lighting techniques! Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jump right in!

FRAMING THE SHOT

Anyone can take a picture; but a real photographer knows how to frame the shot. One of the most basic principles in photography is the Rule of Thirds. Imagine a 3x3 grid over every screenshot you take. There are four intersecting points. Notice how much more powerful a shot is if you line up your subject in one or two of those four points. There is much more visual interest in shot A than shot B. Also notice how shot B feels empty in the space behind the model. We naturally want to know what the model is looking at, so unless youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really intentional with how you frame the shot, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to show a bit of room on the side the model is facing.

Another concept to understand is visual weight. Visual weight doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have anything to do with how much your fat chocobo mount weighs. Visual weight is all about what we are drawn to in a photo. If there are too many visually heavy things in your image, it can appear cluttered or

busy. If you can balance the visual elements of a photo, it will be much more impactful. Visual weight helps to guide the viewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye around the photo. This keeps them looking at it longer while they study all the details and really take it in. This photo works well to show visual weight.

The subject of the photo is small, however the light coming from the initial focus of the photo, the big arches, points directly to our subject. This creates a kind of visual harmony between these two elements.

Now that you are vi frame the shot. Dec horizontal style sho photos with people vertically. Nature sh However, there are need to take a horiz people or subjects t starry sky in the bac vertical shot to sho you want the focus different styles unti

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isually balanced letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s figure out how to ciding whether to take a vertical or a ot can be difficult. Generally speaking, e or tall subjects should be taken hots are usually taken horizontally. always exceptions. Sometimes you zontal photo when you have a lot of to fit in a frame. A mountain with a ckground may be more powerful as a ow the height. It all comes down to what s of your photo to be. Experiment with il you find the one you think looks best.

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DEPTH OF FIELD

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Depth o mimics area of more c down s point to point is

For exa probab

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of Field (DoF) is a feature of /gpose that s real life photography. DoF defined, is the f a photo that is in focus. IRL, DoF is slightly complicated than it is in FFXIV. But letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run some basics. You always want your focal o be in focus. Depending on what your focal s, you will adjust your DoF.

everything is in focus. From the blades of grass, to the mountains, to the stars. However, if you are taking a portrait and want your character to be the focal point, then adjust your DoF. How much blur you want on the background is up to you. Now that you understand some photography basics, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get out into the wild and start shooting!

ample, if you are taking a landscape shot, you bly want DoF off in /gpose. This means that

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LANDSCAP PORTRAIT, & ACTION SHOTS

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FFXIV is an incredibly beautiful game. Sometimes it’s good to take a minute and look at the environment you are in. Study the way the stars move, notice the clouds, watch the sunrise, look at how the blades of grass move in the wind, and watch the lights change as the sun sets. Capture these stunning moments with landscape photography. Landscape Shots Picking a subject in a landscape shot is difficult because the environment is your subject. But keep in mind that there needs to be a focal point. Something to draw the viewer in. It can be wildflowers, the ocean, or a crystal. The rest of the environment should complement the focal point. Either by framing it or providing a minimal background so that your focal point is obvious to the viewer. Remember to be patient. In Eorzea, the day/ night cycle is much faster than real life, so that sunset you just missed will be back again sooner than you think. In the meantime, take some photos of the stars! Don’t be lazy. The reason people are attracted to certain landscape photos over others is because it’s something they’ve never seen before, or something they know but is captured in a totally new way! Keep the weather in mind. Sometimes you’ll have an amazing chance to take a photo in Kugane, but right when you frame your shot, the fog rolls in. It’s frustrating, but the Skywatchers scattered around Eorzea are invaluable resources and are there to help! If you don’t know, the Skywatchers predict the weather for any area requested. Use these predictions to plan around odd weather changes.

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Portrait Shots Portraits take the focus off the environment and instead focus on people. A portrait shot usually contains one person. This is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with your character. Fill the frame to minimize distractions. Make sure your character isn’t a floating head and keep the shoulders visible. Use the environment to bring focus to your character. Notice how the sun streams lead the viewer’s eye from the sun to the character and visa versa. Each race and gender have their own emote animations. Play around with them until you find one you’d like to photograph. Keep in mind that each race has their own way of emoting, Roegadyns, for example, have much more heavy and strong animations than Lalafells, who have small, cutesy animations. That doesn’t mean you can’t shoot a strong, serious portrait of your Lalafell. It just means that you have to work a little harder to get there. Finding a way to bring out your character’s personality is the essence of the portrait shot. As always, experiment!

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Action Shots The most dynamic and exciting type of shot to come out of FFXIV is the action shot. Each class has their own beautiful attack and limit break animations, as well as victory and battle stances. When you find one you’d like to capture, the next step is to find an environment that compliments the animation. A Dark Knight, for example, would look much more at home in Ishgard or a dark forest, than on a grassy hill surrounded by fluffy clouds and bright flowers. Part of taking a good action shot is knowing how to compliment your character’s current class. Know your class animations and their timing. The facial expressions your character makes as they’re casting Vercure are totally different than when they Fell Cleave. You won’t find a lot of ‘pretty’ Warrior animations, much like you won’t find many ‘savage’ Astrologian animations. Each class has a certain aesthetic, and capitalizing on that makes for stellar action shots. When framing your shot, experiment with angles other than perfectly vertical or horizontal. Keep in mind that anything under 10 degrees looks skewed. Keep it above that if you want to create more dynamic and exciting action shots.

This shot has too much going on in the ba to see the details in this area.

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ackground. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult

This shot shows a lot more of the action and is a lot clearer!

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LIGHTING

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Now that you have the poses down, your shot is set, and you are ready to shoot, consider what lighting would look best for the shot. In photography, there are two kinds of light. Natural and artificial. Natural light consists of sunlight, moonlight, fire, things like that. Whereas artificial light is set up and added in. Gpose gives you the option of 3 artificial lights, each with their own strengths and color settings. You don’t have to use these lights. But sometimes it’s nice to add a pop of color in, or fix the lighting on your character’s face. Each lighting type comes with their own pros and cons. Natural lighting is constantly moving and changing; but having sun streams or moonlight in your shot can make it far more dramatic. There are also two ideal lighting times during the day/night cycle. One you may have heard about, called the Golden Hour, is the period shortly after sunrise and right before sunset. It casts everything in a golden light and allows for some incredibly beautiful shots. The second, lesser known ideal lighting time is called the Blue Hour. This is the period right before sunrise and right after sunset. Everything is cast in a blue-violet light and causes the environment to look far more mystical. Keep these times in mind when adventuring around Eorzea.

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Artificial light is a it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change also place the ligh strength and colo are that firstly, wh change the lights light. This means what outcome yo set up. Secondly, constrained to 3 you make a swee house, or apartm a sizable chunk o get from it are wo making some pro saving up to mak means that you w sun or moon, you lights as you wish wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to set

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a lot easier to work with because e unless you want it to. You can hts where you wish and set the or of the lights. The cons to this hen you are outside, you have to s with the ever changing natural s you need a very clear idea of ou want in your head before you , there are only 3 lights. You are angles. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all you get. Unless et photo studio in your FC room, ment! This will probably cost you of gil, but the photos you can orth it. If you are serious about ofessional images, consider ke a studio! Having a studio also wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to compete with the u can have as many or as few h, and when you exit /gpose you t up your lights again.

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01 SPLIT

02 REMBRANDT

SPLIT LIGHTING

REMBRANDT LIGHTING

Light comes directly at 90° to the right or left of the subject’s face

0 LOO

Light from above subject at a higher angle than loop lighting (above 50°)

LOOP LIG

Light above the sub subjects face (a

Lighting angles are just as im Planning where to set your lig and feel of a shot. If you are in a moment to consider how th character’s face and body. Is behind them? Does that light they’re about to tell a ghost st them to look like? Do the shad eyes? Does their face look flat dark to see their smile? All the to ask yourself. Of course, eve So it’s good to keep these thin something that can be easy to always. That’s why it’s good t from the start.

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03 OP

GHTING

bject, angled to the about 25Â°-50Â°)

04 BUTTERFLY

BUTTERFLY LIGHTING

Light comes from directly in front and above the subjects face

05 FLAT

FLAT LIGHTING

Light faces directly onto the subject, matching the angle of the camera

mportant as lighting types. ghts can alter the mood n a studio or outside, take he shadows fall on your the sun right in their eyes? Or below them make it look like tory? Is that what you want dows of their hair cover their t or 2 dimensional? Is it too ese questions are important ery situation will be different. ngs in mind. Lighting is o fix in the edit, but not to understand lighting angles

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PRO TIPS

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Before you head into Eorzea with your new photography skills, I’ve compiled a list of protips to pass onto you: • Never settle for ‘good enough’. If it’s not a ‘Hell yes!’, it’s a no. • On average, I take about 20-30 photos of the same subject with different angles and lighting until I get that perfect shot. Trust me, there are a lot more photos in the trash bin than there are in my saved screenshots folder. • There is always room to experiment. Try something new at least once a session. • Turn off battle animations to get the pose without all the pretty lights! • If you don’t have access to Photoshop or Lightroom to edit your photos, there are tons of VERY powerful phone apps out there that you can use! Aviary, Snapseed, and others are usually free and give you similar tools that you would be using in Photoshop. • Ask questions! If you want to learn more about /gpose, join Aetherflow Media’s Discord! We have a fantastic group of people who are there to help and are such sweeties! Come say hi! And there you have it! Enjoy shooting! Remember that photography is an art form, which means that rules are meant to be learned, then broken. Just do so with good intentions.

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TEXT BY BOUNDING FOX | PHOTOS BY

Hello reader! My name is Croatoan, and I am a lore coverage writer for Aetherflow Media. For the past couple of years, I’ve been working on a series of articles covering various lore subjects, completing coverage on the Allagan Empire, the community voted Forbidden Isle Eureka, and lore writing on the context regarding the First. Throughout this time in preparation, I’ve asked the server for any requests for topics to cover in the lore focused articles and appreciate all the responses I’ve received! I enjoy being able to answer questions and help others understand the narrative context, so please feel free to use the #story_and_lore channel in the community Discord to your advantage.

LEVY BLOSSOM | LAYOUT BY ESE'AL ARELIUS

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In my previous articles, the style I had been aiming for was to replicate the lore book’s narrative method. Both that publication and the context we get from in-game follow a technique known as unreliable narration, where the details conveyed may not reflect the entire picture that took place. The writers explained this as a means to replicate how we, throughout human history, cannot document events as they happen accurately, but rather through the lens of perception, coloring the details to our preference and sharing stories that are often adjusted based on memories that change. However, in taking into account the community’s requests, many of the lore subjects of interest are difficult to write for using unreliable narration. Many of the questions I’ve received are about details that wouldn’t exist in presentday memory that a character would be able to use in a piece of writing. So for this particular release, I’ve decided to forego the in-game narration method via the characters and go over community requests in a review of information we’ve gotten from 2.0 to 5.3. As a note, the following content is spoilers for anyone who has not completed the bolded quest names and patch titles, so please be careful while reading!

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We should talk about th about Final Fantasy XIV build based on the order anything we learned in 5 Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start at where it all

PRE-SHADOWBRINGERS

Final Fantasy XIV: A Rea the fifth anniversary of This terrible disaster be desire to repurpose Da Louisoix sacrificed hims the realm intact, albeit state. The story follows a of speaking with the M as Hydaelyn. This abilit adventurer to resist the w known as primals, being cost of the planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life it

For the entirety of A R travels and fights thes in observation by the co Legion and the Ascian length of this narrative, n conflict comes to the p the Praetorium, Lahabre removal is necessary fo

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he information we’ve received V’s cosmology. This review will r of the details we received, so 5.0 won’t be mentioned just yet. began and build off of there.

alm Reborn opened its story on the Seventh Umbral Calamity. efell Eorzea due to a Garlean alamud to cleanse the land. self to rebuff this effort, leaving at a disrupted and wounded an adventurer who shows signs Mothercrystal, a being known ty, called the Echo, allows the whims of monstrous creatures gs summoned that exist at the tself.

Lahabrea’s removal at the end of the Ultimate Weapon spurs the Ascians to begin to move in earnest. Meeting Elidibus in 2.1, Nabriales in 2.5, and Igeoryhm in 3.0, each of these Ascians collaborate in their goals to bring Zodiark back. Once Nabriales is slain, however, the Ascians start to realize matters are much more complicated than before. It is implied prior to Nabriales’ dissolution nothing of the sort has taken place.

Realm Reborn, this adventurer se primals, the Echo’s power ooperation of the XIV Garlean n named Lahabrea. For the nothing of the more significant picture until the encounter in ea suggesting that Hydaelyn’s or the planet’s true restoration.

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Cos Patc Mot Dark and him wea wor pos lear the the the mar time

Mor this Surr sent Ixal were expo the refle all w that Firs

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smological details first started to expand around ch 3.2 Gears of Change, where the Word of the ther described an era before life where Light and k dwelt as one. The Darkness coveted power, d in response, Hydaelyn banished him and bound m to the moon. The result of this banishment akened the barrier between planes, and the rld was divided into thirteen realities, each ssessing a shard of Hydaelyn and Zodiark. We rn that Zodiark’s desire to become whole drives Ascians’ goals, their shared desire to tear down barriers surrounding the Source via the Ardor, Paragon word for the calamities. Each calamity rks a Rejoining, which has succeeded seven es and made the Darkness stronger.

re details of the “truth which lieth at the heart of s world” are further expanded in Patch 3.4 Soul render. During this time, the Warrior of Light is t to delay Garuda’s summoning by the angered due to the Warriors of Darkness, characters that re introduced back in Patch 3.1. The group leader ounds on Hydaelyn/Zodiark, the sundering, and shards, saying that he and his party is from the ection nearest to the Source. We learned that not worlds hold Light and Dark in equal measure and t the power of Light was more significant in the st. Their success against the Ascians resulted in a

flood, an event where Light began consuming their world. The Warrior of Darkness explains that this flood event happened previously on the Thirteenth, destroyed by the Dark, and became the void. The heroes’ goal from the First reflection is to hasten the Calamity, as the Ardor would break down the barriers between the planes and see the worlds rejoined. Later in the same patch during the quest Beneath a Star-filled Sky, the suggestion to read The Gerun Oracles reveals that only six worlds remain from the mentioned thirteen, that each Calamity that has taken place consumed a reflection as a result. From the reading, the Scions deduce that even as tragic as it sounds, Rejoining is preferable to Floods, like the one that had consumed the Thirteenth and was slowly consuming the First. During a Rejoining, the lives of the individuals of the world destroyed return to the Lifestream. A Flood denies that choice, binding all beings to a Void, unable to live or die. The Thirteenth, the name given to the world swallowed by the Dark, was expounded further in patch 3.5’s Warring Triad quest The Last Pillar to Fall by Unukalhai, who reveals himself to be a survivor of that world brought to the Source by Elidibus. I’ll expound on this further a little bit later into the article.

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The fight between Hydaelyn and Zodiark wove in between the events of the Dragonsong War of Ishgard and the conclusion of that arc that starts to spread the seeds of conflict, leading to the decision to liberate Ala Mhigo to protect Eorzea. For the larger part of the XIV narrative, the tensions within the city-states are seeded intentionally with the desire to incite the conditions necessary for a Calamity, which would cause another Rejoining. Lahabrea and Elidibus empowered Thordan, whereas Elidibus gave the power to the Griffin to summon Shinryu. The response to prevent Garlean

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aggression against the Eorzean Alliance g Mhigans and Domans their long-desire but not without cost, as the balance be and Dark has started to tilt dangerously of this tilt begins to reveal its effects quic observed a few times, both in the quest and Prelude in Violet of Patch 4.4.

To regain the balance, Elidibus makes h resurrecting Zenos to use against Ala Mh Warrior of Light, as well as calling Emet to the Source. Emperor Varis, in the rea the Ascians founded the Empire, then de

gains the Ala ed freedom, etween Light y. The result ckly and was Sisterly Act

his move by higo and the t-Selch back alization that escribes this

revelation in the Patch 4.5 quest Parley on the Front Lines, desiring to cause the Rejoinings to gain the power to end the Ascians once and for all. Panic and frustration from Varis convince the Emperor to continue the creation of Black Rose. Active efforts to fight back against this threat push the weaponâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eventual completion. The development of Black Rose initiates a new conflict when an unnamed voice begins to speak to the Warrior of Light, warning that fighting the Empire was the wrong way to go. Each time this voice manifested, the Scions start to collapse. Simultaneously, the Warrior of Light prepares to keep the Garleans from regaining access to Ala Mhigo, leading to the point that begins Shadowbringers, when the Crystal Exarch first makes contact with us.

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In the Main learn from Lightwarden nature. Using on all the de that the wo connection is a large am excess ene Source throu noticeable in patterns and extreme unt breaks the S

The breaking called the Re in all the alte the element amplifies the its potency a exist in histo

After EmetLightwarden Ascian to d Burden of K

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n Scenario Quest The Lightwardens, we the Crystal Exarch’s explanation of the n’s threat more about the thirteen reflections’ g this information, we gain a bit of a highlight etails hinted to in previous content. We learn orlds are physically separate, but retain a to each other and the Source. When there mount of a specific element in a shard, the ergy from that reflection trickles into the ugh diffusion. The influx of aether exerts a nfluence, manifesting in a change of weather d climate. This phenomenon becomes more til a single event triggers a disaster, which Source’s barrier between it and the shard.

one world before the great sundering. Emet-Selch’s recounting opposes Hydaelyn’s description of events, who mentions that the division took place before life. Zodiark averted a terrible calamity that threatened the entirety of existence, and Hydaelyn rose afterward as a result due to those who feared Zodiark. The two fought until Hydaelyn was victorious, where she then split his being and created the thirteen reflections. Both Zodiark and Hydaelyn are then called the eldest and most powerful of all primals, and Emet Selch reveals the Ascians as the natives of the world before the sundering.

g of this barrier draws the shard in the process ejoining. During this time, the Source draws ered aether. This sudden overabundance of t that caused the barrier’s weakening then e disaster that created the break, enhancing and effects. The amplified disasters are what ory as Umbral Calamities.

-Selch joins the party, the clearing of the n that hides near Qitana Ravel allows the describe more details to us. In the quest Knowledge, we learn here that there was

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Both Zodiark and Hydaelyn are then called the eldest and most powerful of all primals, and Emet Selch reveals the Ascians as the natives of the world before the sundering.

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Eme the thes that This orig own in o keep We l a di actin the

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et-Selch uses the map of the Ocular during quest Return to Eulmore to further cement se details, talking about the first disaster t threatened the entirety of the original world. s calamity warped the star’s laws, which the ginal inhabitants sought to imbue with its n will. Zodiark was born to set the world back order. Hydaelyn came into existence after to p Zodiark in check due to fear of his power. learn here that Hydaelyn’s creation serves as irect counterbalance to Zodiark, enervation ng as her power. Hydaelyn’s purpose created sundering, as this focus affects everything

that defines the target. Because Zodiark was the star’s will, dividing everything that composed him separated the entirety of the world. The divided beings of each world were nothing like the original inhabitants, so the three unsundered beings, Emet-Selch included in this number, made it a task to rejoin the worlds. Their first effort turned the Thirteenth into the Void. After the result of the Void, they discovered a connection between the Source and the shards, the flow of energy that maintains elemental balance. This connection is what they started to use to create the conditions that lead to each Calamity.

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THE ER THE FI

The unmar creation ma of a time w This time appointmen During this e that is reco Lifestream n

THE FIN

Reports of a sound ut circulating, one. This e Convocation summon Zo sacrifices hi The ritual to half of the su order, it take to restore th

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RA BEFORE INAL DAYS -

rked time before the warping of agicks, we learn from Emet-Selch where man and god were the same. is when Amaurotines gained an nt to the titles of the Convocation. era, we also learn the aetherial plane ognized in the modern era by the name is known as the Underworld.

NAL DAYS

monstrous beings formed from ttered from beneath the land are and nations are falling one by event reaches Amaurot, where the n dwells, and the members vote to odiark to restore the world. Elidibus imself and becomes Zodiarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart. o bring the primal forth requires oneurviving lives. After Zodiark restores es another half of the living members he planet to a living state.

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SUNDERING 13 Reflections cre remaining souls a

The excision divide embodied, which wa star. The Sundering c evenly 14 ways. Only this, the ancients tha of Lahabrea and Em Elidibus. These three the Convocation me raising those fragmen once members to ass the world to its whole this point they work in Selch inspiring the Elidibus motivating th Warriors of Light, and L summoning of primals First demonstrated, th Spoken’s grouping on similar appearance on that these appearanc Sundering and was on divided during Hydaely

POST-FINAL DAYS The remaining survivors, including the Convocation, debate how to restore their former allies’ lives, surrendered to bring the primal into existence. Elidibus returns, manifesting himself as an extension of the primal he became, to help the rising conflict. A faction of these survivors, lead by Venat, convenes under the ideal that depending on Zodiark was a temporary aid, and summons Hydaelyn to act as a check against the star’s original will. After the summoning, we learn of conflict between these two primals. The fight ends with the eventual excision of Zodiark to the moon.

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G HAPPENS eated, and all the are divided

ed all that Zodiark as the entirety of the causes all life to split y three people avoid at occupy the offices met-Selch alongside e work to reconstruct embers, finding and nted pieces that were sist them in restoring e state. We know from n similar ways, Emetgrowth of empires, he rise and legends of Lahabrea inspiring the s. As journeying to the he races that occupy n the Source exist in a n the First, suggesting ces existed before the ne of the many things yn’s victory.

THE FIRST REJOINING ATTEMPT Flood of Darkness The first act to rejoin the worlds took place on the Thirteenth. The Amaurotine to the office of Igeyorhm foresaw this effort, but Darkness’s power was more significant in this world, and the ascendancy it obtained had no release. The primals summoned here to drain this star’s life were captured with auracite by this realm’s heroes. However, the aether of these primals was absorbed by the users of the auracite, turning them into monsters. The hunger for the remaining aether of the world started a war between these corrupted beings. Lifeforce consumed eventually ended in a Flood of Darkness. This Flood destroyed all aether, leaving naught but emptiness. All souls here twisted into hideous forms, manifesting as voidsent on the Source in endless pacts. Only those blessed with the Echo retained themselves, and they sided with the Ascians, traveling to other Reflections to uphold balance as the Rejoinings took place.

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THE FIRST REJOINING SUCCESS Wind Ascension The Ascians discovered the connection between the Reflections and the Source after the Flood of Darkness siphoned all aether from the Thirteenth, and the Convocation changed course, working to raise the elemental imbalance of a Reflection and pushing events on the Source to break the weakened barrier resulting from the imbalance. Following the element wheel, Wind was the first chosen element to ascend, and the first Reflection selected appears to be the Fifth on the Ocular’s map. No writings or context exist yet for this world; however, we can learn a little bit about what happened on the Source during this time. There was a “Time of the Twelve,” an era of creation ruled by gods. Lewphon’s writing in the Five Ages mentions the peace in that time broken, and Chieftain Moglin describes living in a land that was torn apart by a storm, said the legend of his people implying the creation of the Sea of Clouds. The Twelveswood moogles also share a story that their people were descended from moogles leaving after gods started to fight amongst themselves. This conflict and the resulting wind-driven disaster connect to the understanding of the event used to break the Source’s barrier, resulting in the First Umbral Calamity and the Rejoining of the Fifth.

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THE FIRST UMBRAL ERA The time period marked as the First Umbral Era serves as the beginning of modern history on the Source. Society rebuilt from the result of the wind-aspected calamity, ushering the very first of the Astral Eras, civilization opening with developing the essentials of survival. This starts a pattern of falling to a significant disaster and rising to better conditions marked through the length of about 10,000 years. Each era of ruin titles as an Umbral Era, and the growth and prosperity that follows are labeled an Astral Era.

THE SECOND REJOINING Lightning Ascension The second aspect to obtain abnormal ascendancy was that of Lightning, being delivered to the Source by its connection to what appears to be the Twelfth. Nothing is known of this Reflection aside that it is the home of the sundered being occupying the title of Nabriales, and that it is the shard adjoining the void. Lightning imbalance poured into the Source. The conflict between the rising kingdoms and their subsequent stripping of the land for resources caused the heightened element to coalesce into a lightning storm calamity that forced people underground to survive. These survivors’ conditions were so bleak in their subterranean sanctuary that the art of magic was born from their fervent prayers.

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THE THIRD REJOINING Fire Ascension The Second Astral Era begins as those proficient in the magical arts that defended them underground rose to leadership positions. Theocracies formed led to the desire to seek the godsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favor, which encouraged rival religions to fight each other. During this time, the elemental balance altered was achieved on the Second Reflection, adjoined to the First before its dissolution. The fire aspectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ascension affected the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size on the Source, scathing the land and burning all vegetation. Based on paleontological evidence, the vast desert of Thanalan is suggested to have come into existence during this result.

THE FOURTH REJOINING Earth Ascension Blaming the gods for the Calamity of Fire, survivors then began to distance themselves from the concepts of religion and faith, forming societies dedicated to self-discovery and ingenuity. The Third Astral Era opens on the discoveries of these advancements, this era particularly noted as being the stage for the Allagan Empire. Meanwhile, the tilting of the realm perilously towards an imbalance of Earth aspected aether was achieved by Ascian tampering in the Third reflection. The disaster that broke the barrier was a massive continentspanning earthquake induced by Xande, who summoned the power of Dalamud into the Crystal Tower, breaking apart both the Allagan Empire and Bozja.

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THE FIFTH REJOINING Ice Ascension During this era after the great earthquake, survivors rose extremely distrustful of any form of higher learning, leading to a mass purging of all education methods. As a result, though most of the Third Astral and Fourth Umbral Calamity experience was documented heavily, the subsequent Fourth and Fifth Eras are very obscure and only retained in legends of people who thrived during that era, such as the Miqoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;te. This grants it the name The Forgotten Era. During this time, ice imbalance was achieved in the Sixth Reflection, manifesting the time known as the Age of Endless Frost on the Source.

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THE SIXTH REJOINING Water Ascension The magic created via prayer kept civilization through the frozen period caused by the Sixth joining the Source. Towns rebuilt by these fervent worshipers of the Twelve formed the roots that would build Amdapor, Mhach, and Nym’s infamous cities. These are sources of the white mage, black mage, and scholar traditions, respectively. During the conflict initiated by these nations known as the War of the Magi, the draining of the land’s aether caused the elementals to react and start a flood to cleanse the land. The imbalance of aether’s water aspects that took place on the Tenth allowed this flood to sweep the entirety of ancient Eorzea in the sixth Calamity to take place.

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THE SEVENTH REJOINING Darkness Ascension Survivors of this deluge cast out their trust in magic and reformed societies based on their need to survive. At this time is where we get the founding of the current nations of Eorzea. Following the understanding of aetherial manipulation, now with an infusion of all six elements from six Rejoinings, the Source would be more susceptible to pulls of elemental balance created by the polarities. In 1572, the events of the invasion of Garlemald would create the Astral themed event disaster of Bahamutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergence. Bahamut broke the weakened barrier created by an influx of Darkness aspected imbalance from the Seventh Reflection, absorbing yet another shard, but opening the game for the current story of the Warrior of Light 5 years later. 165

After eliminating Light’s presence on the First and removing the unsundered members of the Convocation from their missions to continue the Rejoining, it remains to be seen if any surviving Ascians shall choose to continue the task risen to the office for or decide to pursue different means. Without the unsundered, no more Ascians can occur, so the remaining offices must consider their new limitation. We’ve received about 80% of the ongoing story of Hydaelyn and Zodiark, so what remains is the results of the Garlean Empire’s fall to Zenos’ treachery and if they will stay as a continued asset in the affairs of the Bringers of Chaos or if the remaining members of the Convocation will seek another string to pull.

And there you have it! Hopefully, most of the questions can find answers in this piece, as I’ve been able to address many of what I’ve seen in the server!

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LATEST REQUEST Do the Twelve connect with the Convocation? A request to connect the members of the Convocation and the Twelve was made as a result of the similar themes of the seat of Azem to the themes of Azeyma the Warden and Azim of the Steppe. It can be said that the current mythos of the Twelve that we have access to definitely draws upon the results of stories told of forgotten events that are attached to the new information we’ve received about the founding civilizations after the Sundering. Even before Shadowbringers, we’ve seen connections of legends of the Twelve forming the basis for the stories of the primals we fight, such as Rhalgr being the possible basis for Ramuh and Leviathan sharing elements with the legend of the serpents of Swallowtail Roam created by Llymlaen. Forming strong connections between the current mythos with events or people of the past might prove difficult without further information. We’ve been told that Twelve worship is exclusively Eorzean, their worshippers attributed as far back as the civilization predating the Allagan Empire’s rise. As a result of the Calamities, however, much of the sources of these legends have been lost. Primary

forms of worship are mainly reconstructions based on oral tradition or superstition, but what would have been inspired by the direct result of a member of the Convocation or the party supporting Venat is hard to connect. We have that unreliable narration to thank. Additionally, the Allagans and, subsequently, their survivors were apt at using legend to conceal the actual purpose of technological implements scattered about the land. We see this from Heavenon-High as the ladder between man and the kami and the House of the Crooked Coin attributed to Nhaama. Both ancient relics with purpose, their legends serve to protect them. There’s no telling how much of the legendarium then is an active result of obscuring the truth from those in the past. It is true that what we know is inspired by what has happened before. I believe the extent of these inspirations will be referred to many more times as the narrative plays out, and we encounter new nations and peoples who might have more pieces of the original puzzle for us to find.

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FASHION

FOCUS Eorzeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most stylish individuals brought into focus. Interview, photos and layout by Lolae Demort

Arilina Winterwryn - Phoenix

How would you describe your

What do want your current style

personal style?

to say on your behalf?

Do you have a fashion pet-peeve? I'm not the biggest fan of the

For the most part my glamours

As some who is not the most

metallic dyes. Some people can

are made up of muted colours and

confident I sometimes have

make it work and create some

softer looking pieces, although, I

difficulties

wonderful

like to keep an open mind and try

Creating glamours that I feel

I don't seem to be one of those

out new things so my style can be

mirror what I want myself to be

people. Sometimes less is more!

pretty diverse sometimes.

allows me the freedom to explore

expressing

myself.

my identity more.

however,

If you could name or label your personal style in (max) 3 words,

When creating an outfit I aim to keep the class it's for in mind

As such, I would hope that my

and look to make something that

glamours say that I'm friendly,

seems both cute and functional!

gentle and fun!

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glamours,

what would it be called? Soft, natural, elegant.

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WEAPON: Solstice HEAD: Ronkan Visor of Healing BODY: Alexandrian Jacket of Healing (Soot Black) HANDS: Viera Armlets LEGS: Bridesmaid's Tights (Soot Black) FEET: Far Eastern Maiden's Boots (Soot Black) EARRINGS: Warg Earring of Healing LEFT RING: Eternity Ring RIGHT RING: Diaspore Ring of Healing 175

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WEAPON: Black Willow Greatbow (Lilac Purple) HEAD: Flower Crown (Lilac Purple) BODY: Augmented Choral Shirt (Lilac Purple) HANDS: Thavnairian Armlets (Lilac Purple) LEGS: Pagos Culottes (Snow White) FEET: Expeditioner's Thighboots (Snow White) EARRINGS: Peach Blossoms LEFT RING: Eternity Ring RIGHT RING: Palladium Ring of Aiming

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WEAPON: Ingrimm HEAD: Serpent Elite's Circlet BODY: Thaliak's Chestwrap of Healing (Adamantoise Green) HANDS: Boarskin Ringbands of Gales LEGS: Gryphonskin Pantalettes FEET: Eastern Lady's Crakows (Adamantoise Green) EARRINGS: Warg Earring of Healing LEFT RING: Eternity Ring RIGHT RING: Diaspore Ring of Healing

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INTERVIE - BANRI OD

NATSUKO

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DA & O ISHIKAWA If you've read the Spring 2020 issue, you'll surely remember we interviewed Hiroshi Minagawa, one of the many talented people bringing Eorzea to life. We'd like to continue shining a spotlight on the amazing team behind FFXIV, and that's exactly why we sat down with Banri Oda, World Lore Creator and one of the Main Scenario Writers, and Natsuko Ishikawa, lead scenario writer for FFXIV: Shadowbringers. They told us all about their biggest inspirations, the work they're most proud of and what it takes to create a world using just words. interview by bounding fox | images by square enix & caeli piscis | layout by lolae demort

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FFXIVのためにこれまでにお書きになったコンテンツについてお伺いします。ほとんどのプレーヤーが、あなたがクリスタルタワーのシリーズや、暗黒騎士ジョブの構想をお書きになったことを存じあげており、あなたのお仕事の話となるとこの2点が良く話題に上がります。これ以外で、FFXIVのためになされたお仕事の中で誇りに思っておられることは何でしょうか。 We would like to start with some of the content you previously have had a chance to write for FFXIV. Most players are familiar with your writing of the Crystal Tower series as well as the plot behind the Dark Knight job, and those two plots often come up in discussions in regards to your work. Are there any other contributions to FFXIV that you're really proud about that others might not mention? NI:『新生エオルゼア』では2.0メインクエストのクルザス中央高地編、双剣士のクラスクエスト、クリスタルタワーシリーズや、大迷宮バハムートシリーズを担当していました。『蒼天のイシュガルド』では暗黒騎士ジョブクエストや、いくつかのサブクエスト、パッチ3.2と3.4 のメインクエストなどを担当しています。『紅蓮のリベレーター』では4.0メインクエストの東方編と、次元の狭間オメガシリーズなど。そして『漆黒のヴィランズ』では5.0と5.3のメインストーリー全般を担当いたしました。それらの物語を通じて、オルシュファンに始まりエメトセルクに至るまで、たくさんの「旅先での出会い」を提供し続けてこられたことは、私自身にとっても大変幸福なことです。 NI: For FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn I worked on the 2.0 Coerthas Central Highlands main quests, the Rogue class quests, the Crystal Tower series and the Binding Coil of Bahamut series. For Heavensward I did the Dark Knight job quests, several side quests and the main scenario quests for patches 3.2 and 3.4. For Stormblood it was the eastern part of the 4.0 main scenario quests and the Interdimensional Rift - Omega series etc. Then for Shadowbringers I looked after the 5.0 and 5.3 main story in total. I am overjoyed to have been able to give players many memorable encounters on the road with these stories, from Haurchefant through to Emet-Selch. 194

FFXIV以外でご自身がなされたお仕事や、お手伝いになったお仕事ではいかがでしょうか。 MMO以外のために執筆なされたものなどをご紹介いただけますか。 How about any work that you have completed or helped with outside of Final Fantasy XIV? Do you have any work/fiction writing history outside of the MMO that you would like to share? BO: 自分は、旧FFXIVが吉田P/D体制になった直後に、チームに加入したのですが、それ以前は出版業界にいました。編集者、兼、ライターとして、多くのゲーム攻略本、設定資料集、アートブックなどを手掛けてきました。物語に関わる最初の仕事は、出版時代に携わったとあるアーケードゲームのショートストーリーです。このゲームの攻略本に収録したもので、当初予定していたシナリオライターが辞めてしまったため、ページを白紙にするわけにもいかず、編集者だった自分が代役として執筆したという経緯があったりします。 BO: I joined the FFXIV team immediately after the original version had moved under Mr. Yoshida’s control, but before then I was working in the publishing industry. I worked as a writer and editor on a large number of strategy guides, sourcebooks and art books for different games. The first work I ever did involving a narrative was a short story for a certain arcade game, that I wrote while I was still in publishing. I was editing the strategy guide for that game and there was some space that we needed to fill, but the original scenario writer had quit, so I had to step in and write something in his place.

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NI: FFXIVチームに入る前は、別の会社でRPGを作っていました。シナリオを制作する作業が一番多いものの、ゲームデザイナーとしてUIの仕様書を書いたり、街のマップを設計したり、スクリプトを打ったり、アートやサウンドを発注したり、ひたすらディレクターとプロデューサーの打ち合わせの議事録をとったり…… バトル以外なら何でもやってきました（バトルはほら、そこだけに命をかけている優秀なゲームデザイナーさんがたくさんいらっしゃいますからね！）近年はもっぱらシナリオ専業ですが、それらの経験は「ゲーム体験としての物語」を考えるのに大変役立っています。 NI: Before I joined the FFXIV team, I made RPGs for a different company. I mostly created the scenarios, but with the exception of the battles (There are many talented game designers who dedicate their lives into making nothing but battles!) I really did anything and everything needed for development, such as write up UI specification documents as a game designer, build the city maps, program scripts, order art and sound assets etc. Even feverishly type up the minutes of the meetings between directors and producers. In recent years I have focused solely on scenario writing, by my previous experiences come in very handy when thinking about the story as part of an overall gameplay experience.

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漆黒のヴィランズや、それ以外でFFXIVのためにお書きになったもの一番重要なインスピレーションは何でしたでしょうか。ご自身の執筆スタイルにとって影響を受けた本や尊敬している作家がおられますか。 What would you say would be your greatest inspiration for the writing of Shadowbringers and other content you've contributed to Final Fantasy XIV? Do you have any books you've read or writers you've looked up to that have encouraged the style of writing you employ today? BO: 様々な書物に影響を受けてきましたので、すべてを書ききることはできません。『漆黒のヴィランズ』に限った場合でも、わかりやすいところではトマス・モアの『ユートピア』など、さまざまな書物からインスピレーションを得ています。たとえば『聖書』も、影響を受けた一冊として挙げることができるかもしれません。母親がクリスチャンだったこともあり、幼い頃から聖書の物語には親しんできました。中学生の頃に、あまりに暇だったので「創世記」から「ヨハネの黙示録」までを通読したこともあります。そこで得た知識や感覚が、たとえば「罪喰い」の設定づくりなどに影響を与えていたのかもしれませんね。ちなみに、尊敬している作家についてですが、ゲームのシナリオという意味では松野泰己さんの名前を挙げずにはいられません。10代の多感な時期に、「伝説のオウガバトル」や「タクティクスオウガ」をプレイしてしまったので、こんな大人になってしまいました。

BO: I have been influenced by so many different books that it would be impossible to mention them all. Limiting the discussion to just Shadowbringers, I still took inspiration from many different books, but the most obvious would be things like Thomas More’s “Utopia”. I should probably also list the Christian bible as another book that I have drawn inspiration from. My mother was a Christian, and I was fond of the stories in the bible from a young age. When I was in secondary school, I had a lot of time on my hands, so I managed to read through many of the books of the bible from “Genesis” to “The book of Revelation”. The knowledge and feelings that I got from the bible may well have influenced the background of the Sin Eaters for example. Incidentally, in terms of writers and game scenario writers who I really respect, I could not leave without mentioning Mr. Yasumi Matsuno. The reason that I grew up to be the way I am is probably because I played many of his games, like Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre, when I was an impressionable teenager. NI: ゲーム！歴代FINAL FANTASYをはじめとした数々の作品から多大な影響を受けています……って話をすると、大体のインタビュアーさんが「そりゃあそうでしょうね」みたいなリアクションをなさるので、今日は違う回答をしたいと思います（笑）私は物語を考える際に、音楽から着想を得ることが一番多いです。その曲が何をテーマにした曲だとか、歌詞の中身がどんなものなのかはあまり気にせず、「自分がその音を聴いたときに沸いた感情を、シーンに置き換えていく」みたいなイメージでしょうか。ゲームシナリオは物語の決定に関わる要素が多いので（制作可能なリソースの量や、必ずボス戦は入れなければいけないとか）知識と計算から構成する部分がほとんどなのですが、その計算式を作っていくために、私には音楽が必要なのです。

NI: Games! I have been greatly influenced by many different games over the years, starting with successive episodes of the FINAL FANTASY series… However, I often get the reaction “I suppose you must have been” when I say this to most interviewers, so today I will give a different answer! When I think about writing stories, I most often get my ideas from music. I do something along the lines of not really giving much thought about what the overall theme of a song is or what the lyrics are saying, and just translate the initial images and impressions I get when I hear it into story scenes. For game scenarios, since there are many elements that are related to decisions about the story (such as the amount of resources that can be produced and the fact that a boss fight must be included etc.), most of the composition work is garnered through our knowledge and calculations. For me it is music that is a necessity, by enabling me to cultivate the ‘formula’ for such calculations. 197

暗黒騎士の物語は翻訳の違いによって地域や言語ごとに理解のされ方が違うということをプレーヤーは言っていますが、これは意図的にそうされたのでしょうか。光の戦士とは違う物語を作るためだったのでしょうか。もし意図的に計画されたものだとしたら、ストーリーを語るうえで翻訳の違いを利用しようとお考えになったインスピレーションはどこから得られたのでしょうか。 Players have recognized the Dark Knight story differs greatly between the various languages and regions and might misunderstand it's a difference in translation but as far as I understand that was on purpose; is that correct? To tell different stories of Warriors of Light? If so, what inspired using differences between the localizations as a narrative method? NI: 前提として、いわば原作者である日本語のシナリオライターたちは、翻訳されたテキストを監修していません。各言語の翻訳者が、その言語や文化圏において最も自然な形に訳してくれていることを信じて、お任せをしています（多言語で同時にアップデートを続けていくには、そうしないと間に合わないという事情もありますが！）辞書を見ていただくとわかるように、言葉をほかの言語に置き換えようとすると、大抵は複数の意味を内包している状態になります。その中から何を選ぶか、あるいは全体の流れをふまえてまったく別の言葉に置き換えるべきか、どうやったらこの感情を自分の文化圏に伝えられるか……と、翻訳者は頭を悩ませながら物語と向き合ってくれています。暗黒騎士に限らず、言語ごとの差異を指摘されることはありますが、それは担当の翻訳者が物語を解釈し、伝えようとした証です。そして私もまた、例えばコージ（マイケル・クリストファー・コージ・フォックス。ローカライズディレクター）の書いた「Shadowbringers」の英語の歌詞を日本語に訳す際には、自分の（より本編のシナリオに即した）解釈をもって言葉を選びます。それはともかく、ゲームをプレイする上で必要な情報、いわゆるシステムメッセージについては、言語ごとの差が出ないように連携していきたいですね！

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NI: As a rule, the writers of the original Japanese scenario do not check or edit the translated versions, and we trust the translators for the various different languages to make it as natural as possible for their language and regional culture (There is also the issue that we would not be able to continue updating all languages in parallel were we to do so!). You can get a sense of this if you look through a foreign language dictionary, but when you try to transfer words into another language, it is very often the case that those same words can encapsulate multiple different meanings. When the translators dig into the story and try to express the different emotions in it within the milieu of their own culture, they will think very hard about the best choices from all of those possible words, or may even consider that it would be best to re-write the overall intention and flow into different words completely. Players notice differences between the different language versions and it is not limited to the Dark Knight story, but I think it is proof that the assigned translators are interpreting the essence of the stories to properly transmit them to their audiences. For example, when I translated the lyrics to Koji’s (Michael Cristopher Koji Fox, Translation Direction & English Localization) English lyrics for Shadowbringers into Japanese, I chose the wording that best fit with my own interpretation (that fit better with the main scenario). Aside from that though, I would obviously like to coordinate the translations of the basic information needed to play the game, such as the various system messages etc., so there are no differences between languages.

2019年度のPAX Westで、コミュニティーでとても人気がある水晶公、エメトセルクはあなたがデザインしたものだと明らかにされました。特に水晶公は、オルシュファンとアイメリクと並んで人気があります。彼らをデザインした第一人者として、このような好意的な反応をどうお感じになりますか。アシエンという立場であるにも関わらず皮肉屋なエメトセルクのような性格やしぐさをデザインする際にどのようなインスピレーションがありましたか。 At PAX West 2019, we learned that the Crystal Exarch and Emet-Selch were primarily designed by yourself and these characters have definitely been a hit with the community, the Exarch especially taking a place alongside the fans in rank next to Haurchefant and Aymeric. As their primary designer, how does it feel to see such a positive response to these designs? What were some of the inspirations to these characters and their behaviors, for instance, Emet-Selch's sarcastic nature despite his status as an Ascian? NI: 彼らが愛されていることは、とても嬉しく、光栄に思っています！ただ、キャラクターについてのリアクションを頂けるころには、開発チームはもっと先の物語を開発しているので、評判が彼らの運命を左右することはほとんどありません（グッズを出してもらえたりはするので、声をあげていただけるのは大歓迎です！よろしくお願いします！）『漆黒のヴィランズ』の物語はパッチ5.3で完結しましたが、ハイデリンとゾディアークを巡る物語というくくりで見れば、現状はまだ通過点です。これからも彼らを、彼らの行いによって変わっていく世界ごと愛していただけたなら、何よりの幸いです。エメトセルクについては、『紅蓮のリベレーター』のラスボスだったゼノスとの対比をとっかかりにしました。ゼノスは見るからに屈強で美しく、武器を持って直接的な暴威として立ちはだかります。そして周りの話を聞きません！エメトセルクはそんな彼の次に来るボスとなるので、互いの存在感を打ち消さないためにも、反対の性質を持たせました。そうしてできた外殻に、心理面でのキャラ付けを加えていった結果、単に「ゼノスの反対」なだけではない人物になっていったと思っています。

NI: I am really happy and feel honoured to see that these characters are loved so much. However, by the time we get to hear fan reactions to our characters, the development team are already working on the story way in the future, so it is not common for that reaction to influence a character’s ultimate fate (We do have merchandise made though, so we always welcome fan reactions. Please keep them coming!). The story of Shadowbringers has concluded in patch 5.3, but in terms of the story surrounding Hydaelyn and Zodiark, it is still very much continuing. Nothing would make me happier than to see fans continue to love these characters and the world that is changed through their actions. Emet-Selch started out as a counterpoint to Zenos, the last boss from Stormblood. Zenos is powerful and beautiful in an obvious way; he carries weapons and embodies a very direct threat of violence. And he doesn’t listen to those around him! Emet-Selch is the next big boss after Zenos, so another reason to give them almost exact opposite personalities was to make sure that they both stand out as distinct. However, I feel that I have now managed to build the character into more than simply the antithesis of Zenos, by adding more to his personality and psychology on top of the basic shell that came from that initial concept. 199

ノルヴラントは、光の氾濫の後に残ったいくつかの国によって成立していることは分かっていますが、現時点では地図に載っていないほかの国、例えばランジート将軍の故郷であり、東洋を初めて反映している「Berube」などのことはゲーム内で言及されています。コンテンツを作る際に、開発やロア担当の開発メンバーなどは光の氾濫が起こる前の世界地図を見ることができるのでしょうか。 We know Norvrandt comprises of the few nations that remained after the onset of the Flood of Light, but throughout the story players can find mention of other nations now entirely removed from the map, such as Berube, Ran'jit's homeland, and a First reflection of the Far East. Did the development and writing teams have access to a pre-Flood era map while creating said content? BO: 第一世界の「全体像」を描いた地図があるかといえばNOです。一方で、「ノルヴラント」と「エオルゼア」が、よく似ているように、それ以外の地域も原初世界に似ていたはずです。ということで、参考になる原初世界の「雲が描かれていない」地図が存在しているのかと問われれば、YESとなります。 BO: If the question is “do we have a map of the whole of the First drawn up?”, the answer is no. On the other hand, in the same way that Norvrandt closely resembles Eorzea, the other regions of the First are doubtless close to their equivalents in the Source. So, if the question is “Is there a map of the Source without the clouds on that we use as a reference?”, then the answer to that is yes. そのような地図をプレーヤーは見ることができますか。例えば、「博物陳列館」などでみられるなどということはありませんか。 Is there a chance the players could see such a map? Maybe a loose turn up in the Cabinet of Curiosities? BO: 原初世界側の世界地図は、リターン・トゥ・イヴァリースの劇中でそうなったように、必要に応じて雲が晴れていくのではないでしょうか？ 200

BO: Do the clouds not clear away on the world map of the Source when it is necessary for them to do so, like they did in Return to Ivalice? ノルヴラントという社会はエオルゼアとは違う行動基準をもっています。例えば、エオルゼアの人々は過去に武力で敵と戦いましたが、ノルヴラントではドリームパウダーを使うなど、ストーリー内で異なる選択をしています。衝突や問題が発生したときにノルヴラントの人々がどのような反応をするのか、開発チームのなかで指針のようなものを決めているのでしょうか。 Norvrandt as a society stands apart from Eorzea by their decisions to act: like how they decided to use dream powder instead of fight their enemies directly like Eorzeans have chosen to do in the past in the face of enormous odds, among other choices they made during the story. Is there a sort of model for narrative on how Norvrandt would react to conflict and issues as compared to Eorzeans? BO: 土地の9割が消滅してしまい、人口も資源も残り少なくなっている世界と、そうではない世界では、当然、規範は違ってしかるべきだと思います。また、クリスタリウムの人々が「ドリームパウダー」という手段を使った背景には、彼らにとっての理想が「ユールモアと協力して罪喰いと戦う」ことであったという事情があります。武力で殲滅してしまっては、その道が完全に絶たれるわけですからね。このあたりは、開発チーム内で指針があるというよりは、石川が物語の必然性の中で選択したものだと理解しています。 BO: I imagine that the scale involved must naturally be very different when comparing a world where 90% of the land is destroyed and the population and resources available are also much reduced with one where this is not the case. Also, part of the background behind why the people of Crystarium chose to employ the dream powder is that their ideal solution was to collaborate with the people of Eulmore to fight the Sin eaters. If they wiped them out by force, this option would be completely gone. It is not so much that there is one direction within the development team for this, but my understanding is that it was decided on by Ms. Ishikawa due to the needs of the story.

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第八霊災が防がれる前に起きた７つの霊災は、様々な形で鏡像世界におけるエーテルがバランスを欠いたことにで起きたことを知りました。このため、エーテルが原初世界に還ったことで統合が起き、すべてが失われてきたと考えられます。しかし、アシエンはこれらの次元から来ていますし、第十三世界の闇の氾濫の生存者がいることもわかりました。原初世界に吸収された鏡像世界の遺物はどこかに残っているのでしょうか。もしくは、アシエンや超える力にを持つ人だけが唯一の生存者なのでしょうか。 We learn that the seven Calamities, prior to the Eighth Umbral that was averted, were in sync with the various aspects of aether that were tipped far out of balance on different Reflections. Due to this, all have been assumed lost in resulting Rejoinings, as aether returned to the Source. But, we know Ascians come from these shards, and that there are known survivors from the Flood of Darkness from the Thirteenth. Are there actually remnants of these Reflections absorbed by the Source anywhere or are Ascians and Echo-blessed individuals the only survivors? BO: 基本的には、「吸収された側」のすべてが、すでに消え去っています。ただし、何事にも例外はあるものです。アシエンなど何らかの手段で「次元の狭間」を超えて、原初世界や別の鏡像世界に渡ることができた者は、その数少ない例外ということになるでしょう。

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BO: As a rule, everything on the side which was absorbed has disappeared. However, there are always a few exceptions to any rule and some people. Those who have managed to somehow go beyond the Interdimensional Rift and travel to the Source and to other reflections of it such as the Ascians are the one of a few exceptions. アーモロートが明らかになる前のアシエンたちは歴史があり、人々には知られていない動機を持った神秘的な古代からの敵だとみられていました。しかし街や文明が明らかになり、彼らに対する考え方が一変しました。アーモロートの存在を知らなかった私たちが見逃していた彼らに関する言及が過去の拡張版にもありましたでしょうか。 Ascians prior to the revelation of Amaurot were seen as mysterious ancient villains with a history and motives removed from common knowledge. With the awareness of a city and civilization, this changes everything about our perception of them. Is there some content in previous expansions that talk about their past lives that we may have missed without knowing about the existence of Amaurot? BO: まだ物語が完結していない段階で、実はこれがという話を、製作者サイドがしてしまうのも、ちょっと違

うかなと思いますので……。ひとまず、過去の言及が気になったときには「つよくてニューゲーム」という手段もありますので、ぜひお時間があるときにでも挑戦してみてください。 BO: I don’t think it is really right for the creative team to talk about what exactly specific things meant at certain points in the story before it is all complete… If you are intrigued about things that were said in the past then we have the New Game + feature, so I suggest you go back and try that section again when you have time. NI: 物語が節目を迎えた時こそ、「つよくてニューゲーム」はおすすめです。読み終わった本を、結末を知った状態でまた頭から読むのって、楽しいですよね！ NI: When you reach a big juncture in the story I think it is the perfect time to use the New Game + feature and review it. After all, once you finish reading a book and know what happens, it is fun to go back and read again from the beginning! ガイウスがマスクを持っていたアシエンたちが誰なのか、知りえる機会が今後ありますでしょうか。 Will we get a chance to learn the identity of the Ascians that Gaius has masks for? BO: 誰の仮面なのかは、すでに設定が存在しています。語るべき時が来れば、語ることもあるかもしれませんね。

When you reach a big juncture in the story I think it is the perfect time to use the New Game + feature and review it.

BO: Who those masks are from has already been written, and it may well be revealed in future when the right time comes. NI: 転生組の場合は、倒されたあと、別の候補者がその座に着いている可能性もありますが……オリジナルの３人は最近忙しかったので、リクルートしてる暇がなかったかも。 NI: With the sundered, once one of them has been defeated, a new candidate may already have taken their place. However, the three unsundered have been quite busy of late, so they may not have had the time to go recruiting! 203

最後の質問になりますが、駆け出し中の作家たちへ何かアドバイスはありませんでしょうか。例えば、仕事をしている際のスランプの回避方法や、あなた方のようなポジションでお仕事するために準備しておくべきことなどがあれば教えてください。 Before we close the interview do you have any advice you can give for aspiring writers, like how one can avoid writer's block in professional writing or how they can prepare to work in a similar position such as yours? BO: 自分は、まったくゲーム開発者になるとは思っていない状況で、このチームに参加してしまった稀有な人間だったりします（「日本語が書ける人」という募集要項を見て、応募したところ採用されたのです！ゲーム開発の仕事ではなく、宣伝や運営の職種だと勘違いしていました！）。そして、半年後には前任者が退社してしまい、業界歴半年の状況で「FFXIVチーム唯一の世界設定担当者」となりました。その経験から言えることがあるとすれば、準備なんてなくても、周囲からの助けを借りることができれば、どうにかなるということです。自分ひとりで無理なことがあれば、とにかく誰かに相談してみましょう。ちなみに現在の業務で役に立っていることを、ひとつ挙げるとすると、それは「趣味で得ていた知識」です。ですから、それぞれが「この分野の知識や愛情ならば負けない！」と思うことを突き詰めていくと良いと思います。いつかその趣味で得た知識が役に立ち、困難への突破口になると思います。 BO: I am quite a rare case, in that I did not particularly want to become a games developer when I found myself a part of the team (I just applied to the advert asking for people who can write well in Japanese and was hired straight away! I kind of misunderstood that it was a game development job and actually thought that I would be doing marketing or operations!). Six months later the previous holder of my job left the company and I became the sole world lore creator for FFXIV, with only half a year of industry experience! If there is anything I can say from that, it is that even if you don’t have any experience, things will always work out if you can get help from the people around you. If there is something you cannot do alone then just go and consult with someone about it. Incidentally, something that is a big help to my current work 204

is the knowledge that I have acquired from my hobbies. I think everyone can benefit from finding that one field where they are confident they won’t lose to anyone in terms of knowledge and passion. The expertise you get from your hobbies will almost always come in handy some day and help you find your way out of tricky situations. NI: 準備を万全にしてから作品づくりに挑むのではなく、素手でもいいので挑戦を始めてください。そして、途切れることなく続けてみてください。そうすることでやっと、自分に必要な装備がわかると思います（それは知識かもしれないし、仲間かもしれないし、睡眠の質を上げる枕かもしれません！）作っている途中で不安になることもあるでしょう。そんなときに私たちがすべきことは、SNSで自分の感性がいかに独特で異質なのかを語ることではなく、「今回はまあ、ダメだと思ってるんだけどね」と得意げに弁解することでもありません。少しでも良くなるように頭をひねり、手を尽くすことです。大抵の場合、それでも不安は消え去りませんが、一緒に作ってくれている仲間の前では、決して動揺しないこと。動揺すると、周りも自分もさらに不安になって、検討すべきだった助言をはねのけてしまったり、無用な衝突を生んだりします。「大丈夫！これおもしろいよ！」と、自分も他人も元気に騙しながら、完成にむけて走っていきましょう。結局のところ、それが、作品の良いところを輝かせるための一番の方法だと思っています。とはいえ途中で、もうどうしようもなく押しつぶされそうな夜が訪れてしまったら……私も世界のどこかでほとんど毎晩うちひしがれていますので、澄んだ朝が来るのを一緒に待ちましょう！

NI: Don’t wait to until you are fully prepared start writing something, just jump straight in and start, even if you are metaphorically unarmed. Then just keep working away at it continuously. If you approach writing like that, you will soon work out what “equipment” it is that you need on your journey (That could be more knowledge about something, it could be comrades to help you, or it could even just be a better pillow to improve your sleep!) You will also feel uncertain at times, and what you should not do at those times is go onto social media and talk about how unique and different your feelings are, or to say something like “Well, I think it is a bit of a failure this time…” and try to explain away the situation with fake bravado. No, what you should do is to wrack your brains for anything you can find to improve your work and do everything available to you. In most cases that will not do anything to dispel the unease, but you absolutely must not waver before your comrades who are creating alongside you. If you do waver, it will only make you and everyone around you more uncertain and will just affect the process negatively. You may end up pushing away advice that you should really be considering or creating unnecessary friction. Instead, just try to stay positive and believe what you are making is good, as you push yourself to finish. I think that is the best way to make what is special about your work shine through. Having said that though, if you do find yourself having nights where it is all too much and the pressure is getting on top of you, just remember that I am also somewhere on this planet battling the nightly doubt and shadows in the same way, so let’s push on to see the clear light of day together!

A massive thank you goes out to Square Enix for making this interview possible.

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Staying Charac TEXT BY FAE MORRIGAN | PHOTOS BY CAELI PISCIS | LAYOUT BY ARYA THORNE

”Hear. Feel. Think.“ From the moment we begin our journey, we are placed into the role of a wandering adventurer destined for greatness as Hydaelyn’s champion — the Warrior of Light. Our tale begins no differently than any other, just another looking to make a few gil here and there through dreaded fetch quests of marmot meat and killing some almighty ladybugs. Slowly, our journey grows and flourishes into magnificent battles against the Garlean Empire and ferocious Primals of the beast tribes.The story and world within XIV is extravagant and the developers have certainly put their all into weaving together a tale that will go down as one of the best in the history of MMORPGs. But what if your character’s story was different? This is what we like to call “roleplay”; the act of pretending to be another person or character within a space that can be either an alternative reality or, in our case, a video game. For many folks in the XIV community, roleplay (later it will be referred to as “RP” or “RPing”) is something to do between larger content patches or to wind down

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after a long day of raiding; others might even just use the game simply as their RP oyster if they aren’t terribly interested in the game’s content. Roleplay has become especially prevalent in certain datacenters and even the developers have gone out of their way to add housing tags, plenty of new housing items, fashion accessories (for virtual photographers as well), and actively encourage us to build stories within their universe. As someone who has actively been RPing within XIV for several years now and currently runs an RP-focused Free Company on Mateus, I would like to pass on my knowledge to you — as I’m assuming you’re here to learn or simply have an ounce of curiosity towards this corner of the community. I would like to put a disclaimer out there right now that I am, by no means, a total expert on RP and am still learning myself as MSQ, characters, and lore tends to evolve over time. Things are constantly changing and everyone experiences their own stories in various ways, but allow me to give you tips, tricks, and boost your confidence to expand your horizons!

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Let’s start with basic terminology: IC OOC HOOKS WU

“In-character” or currently in RPing mode. This is where one throws on the RP tag through the party menu and will be responding to others as if they are their character. “Out of Character” or simply hanging out in the overworld, not currently participating in or looking for roleplay. “RP hooks” or things that others can use to better interact with your character or topics that they would be interested in. Can also be used for things they dislike talking about. “Walk-ups Welcome!” This means that if one has the RP tag up, they are open to others in-character to simply come over and interact with them without prompting.

“Tells” or using private DMs in-game for RP. Some people don’t like RPing openly for all to read and/or prefer RPing with only one other at any given time.

“Dark RP.” This means that one is interested in darker themes. Please use/ interact at your own discretion.

“Mature RP.” This means that the person is interested in more mature themes. Please use/interact with at your own discretion.

Now that you know some of the terms, let’s move forward with the most fun (in my opinion) aspect of roleplaying: character creation!

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When you begin to create your character (whether you create an alt or perhaps ‘re-work’ your main WoL), you should consider a few things in advance before jumping straight into the RP scene:

Backstory, Personality, Strengths/ Weaknesses, and Goals Once you’ve come up with a cohesive mix of these three, it’ll make your life a million times easier to interact with other roleplayers throuwghout Hydaelyn! Your character’s backstory is where I like to start with all of my roleplay characters. Although, this is much easier said than done and I know that everyone who roleplays struggles with this upon the creation of a new character. Luckily for you, I have a few tips that make this process less painful. First ask yourself where you see your character hail from; this can be your favorite city in-game or perhaps even one of the areas you find to be the more enjoyable places for you to simply run around. Now, go to that area if you’re not already there! Go speak with the NPCs littering that area, fight a couple of the mobs (if applicable), and just immerse yourself in the local culture. Don’t be afraid to learn about the area and then apply that to your character’s story! I’ll use an example below using the Forgotten Springs in Thanalan: “U’maya is one of many of the U tribe that call the Forgotten Springs her home. She is something of a local hero as she often saves travelers and merchants that wander to their hometown from drakes and other ravenous creatures. To outsiders, she’s called ‘U’maya the EverWatching’.”

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Here’s a few of my favorite (and silly) questions to ask people when they are struggling to come up with their character’s personality: How would they react to being stuck in a long line at Starbucks and they absolutely need coffee and they’re going to be late for work? (Temperament) Would your character go to a crowded bar and make new friends or would they find a table at the back to be by themselves/with a few friends? (Friendliness) A food fight starts in the cafeteria/restaurant and your character is in the middle of the fray; would they be the ones to have started it, would they join in, or how else would they respond? (Situational Response)

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Next, let’s move on to their strengths and weaknesses, because you can’t have one without the other. If your character is to be a powerful mage or healer, perhaps they wouldn’t make for the best person to get a piggyback ride from. If your character is a battle-hardened warrior, perhaps they never spent much time reading historical tomes. Granted, you can always choose to have them be strong and smart or a buff mage, but I like to follow the rule of “for everything they’re really good at , I’ll give them one thing they’re really bad at”. This allows for more compelling roleplay with friends or new people — it also makes them feel more balanced to other players. No one likes a Gary Stu or Mary Sue!

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The last thing, but certainly not least, to consider is your character’s goals. What is something that they want to accomplish in their lifetime? Perhaps they want to get back at the noble that sent their family into a state of poverty? Maybe they want to earn gil to open up a bakery filled to the brim with more pastries and cakes than even a sugarphile could imagine? Much like you and me, setting up goals for your character to work toward will give them more drive to push forward and attempt to prevail despite the odds. When you interact with others in-character (also referred to as “ICly”), it never hurts for your character to mention it if it’s applicable to their character’s personality. In the same vein, please don’t hesitate to have your character ask the same of those they are forming bonds with! Give a little to get a little, right? Now that you have an idea about what roleplaying is in Final Fantasy XIV and hopefully have begun thinking about your own character as more than just the Warrior of Light — you are free to venture forth into Hydaelyn and throw open the gates of endless opportunity! In the next edition of Aetherflow Media, I’ll be giving tips and tricks on finding RP and helping you to unveil the mystery of whether an RP Free Company is right for you! If you have any questions, comments, concerns — please feel free to contact me whether it be in-game or through the Aetherflow Media Discord. I am always happy to offer assistance. May you ever walk in the light of the crystal!

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