[Do not read ahead if you have not finished the Shadowbringers Main Scenario Quests]
[Also, this is just a random fluffy shoutout to the devs]
Can we talk about G'raha Tia?
Yes, that miqo'te fanboy who dotes on everything we do.
The light in my darkness. The hope in my despair.
Many will think that this is an exaggeration, and that's probably true to most. All I can say with clarity is that I was in a very dark place in my life when Shadowbringers first came out. I know that Tia is a fictional character, but his hope and faith in me (us) was a lifeline. The inspiring unity of the Crystarium and the unwavering resolve of the heroes we have been surrounded with have become an anthem of hope in my life. I will never forget Tia's words in the last cutscene of the ShB MSQ. That [though he cannot go back home] we have given him the courage to try.
After I finished Shadowbringers, I closed the laptop and cried for about an hour. I tried to figure out why this character and his words had resonated with me so deeply. Though I may never have the exact answer, this is the closest I've come to making sense of it:
Right now we live in a broken world, and our individual lives within that world can sometimes become too overwhelming. G'raha Tia accepted the reality of the Source and the First, then decided to do something about it. He said that he admired our courage, but I admire his. He worked hard for years with the remnants of civilization, then fused with the Tower and worked hard for another CENTURY to ensure not only that everything would be ready for the Warrior of Light, but that the people of the Crystarium would have a safe place to go. He led the people. Protected them from the Sin Eaters. Raised Lyna into a badass woman of awesomeness. Then he was willing to sacrifice everything (his life, his legacy, his good name, the last of the Allaghan line) for the sake of saving the Warrior of Light. Just because he had hope. Just because he had faith in his fellow man. Just because he had the courage to keep going in the face of every thinkable adversity.
I will repeat myself: I know that he is a fictional character, but fictional characters inspire me far more than any real person ever has. These games - these works of art - are what inspire me.
After I finished Shadowbringers, I had resolve. I felt ready to keep going. I felt like I had repaired my gear, stocked up on some potions, became well-fed, and was ready to face the next dungeon of life. I began to challenge myself to become the kind of person that G'raha Tia would believe in. Then I began to challenge myself to be the kind of person that real people would want to believe in. Then I began to believe in myself.
I am in a much better place now. I still have bad days, but I have much healthier habits to turn to. I am working harder than ever to be the person that I want to be.
Because he gave me the courage to try.
Continue reading...
[Also, this is just a random fluffy shoutout to the devs]
Can we talk about G'raha Tia?
Yes, that miqo'te fanboy who dotes on everything we do.
The light in my darkness. The hope in my despair.
Many will think that this is an exaggeration, and that's probably true to most. All I can say with clarity is that I was in a very dark place in my life when Shadowbringers first came out. I know that Tia is a fictional character, but his hope and faith in me (us) was a lifeline. The inspiring unity of the Crystarium and the unwavering resolve of the heroes we have been surrounded with have become an anthem of hope in my life. I will never forget Tia's words in the last cutscene of the ShB MSQ. That [though he cannot go back home] we have given him the courage to try.
After I finished Shadowbringers, I closed the laptop and cried for about an hour. I tried to figure out why this character and his words had resonated with me so deeply. Though I may never have the exact answer, this is the closest I've come to making sense of it:
Right now we live in a broken world, and our individual lives within that world can sometimes become too overwhelming. G'raha Tia accepted the reality of the Source and the First, then decided to do something about it. He said that he admired our courage, but I admire his. He worked hard for years with the remnants of civilization, then fused with the Tower and worked hard for another CENTURY to ensure not only that everything would be ready for the Warrior of Light, but that the people of the Crystarium would have a safe place to go. He led the people. Protected them from the Sin Eaters. Raised Lyna into a badass woman of awesomeness. Then he was willing to sacrifice everything (his life, his legacy, his good name, the last of the Allaghan line) for the sake of saving the Warrior of Light. Just because he had hope. Just because he had faith in his fellow man. Just because he had the courage to keep going in the face of every thinkable adversity.
I will repeat myself: I know that he is a fictional character, but fictional characters inspire me far more than any real person ever has. These games - these works of art - are what inspire me.
After I finished Shadowbringers, I had resolve. I felt ready to keep going. I felt like I had repaired my gear, stocked up on some potions, became well-fed, and was ready to face the next dungeon of life. I began to challenge myself to become the kind of person that G'raha Tia would believe in. Then I began to challenge myself to be the kind of person that real people would want to believe in. Then I began to believe in myself.
I am in a much better place now. I still have bad days, but I have much healthier habits to turn to. I am working harder than ever to be the person that I want to be.
Because he gave me the courage to try.
Continue reading...