Our Cult Adventure | FFXIV Shadowbringers

[@daasnahk5058]

Please be wary of spoilers hosts do read comments

[@Amovetv]

Help our fabulous mods and reduce their work load!

[@elaine_of_shalott6587]

I think the way they refuse to make everyone in Eulmore actively evil makes you think about it more deeply. I'm never going to be a Vauthry, but could I find myself being a Chai and not noticing that my comfort is built on the pain of others?

[@nekopunchi9793]

Seriously, Mrs. Chai is that sweet next door neighbor who sadly see a house on fire and thinks they are just having a lovely barbecue.

[@toychristopher]

I mean if you live in any modern country we all basically are ignoring that the products we buy and out comfort our built by the suffering of others to a certain degree.

[@Biffbifflin]

The USA is basically Eulmore

[@seekittycat]

As someone who worked in a factory that feeds into Walmart as a child and who's family earned enough to emigrate to a first world country this is exactly how it's like. Lovely people who don't know better and it's easy for them to just not think about it.

[@Churee]

Garret and Kyle in the intro looking like full drunk art college students at 3 am looking for a kebab place before throwing up. 10/10.

[@Geallach83]

Commenting on the "Why are we not healing this person and just watching them die?", the revised version of THAT Heavensward scene now includes Alphinaud doing his best to heal but then explaining why it doesn't work. So that's a nice touch. I think there's another scene too in SB during the attack on Rhalgr's Reach where Krile calls on you to help her heal Y'shtola if you are playing a healer.

[@TheShinblast]

OH WHAAAAT? DAMN I NEED TO RERUN THAT

[@selpharessecret3899]

Oh and the same knight gives you a heal debuff in the boss fight if I remember correctly.

[@Shaltinanwenor]

@@selpharessecret3899 With something like "there's nothing you could have done" in the tooltip, if memory serves way to twist the knife

[@starofaetherius]

@@selpharessecret3899 he does and he always targets a healer with that attack i think, so a few people have to stand between him and the target. Iirc the debuff only lands on the person who gets hit first.

[@duskblade1119]

@@starofaetherius And if anyone dies to the attack it's an automatic party wipe.

[@AnimatronicBadgerlord]

You can't sum up the entirety of Eulmore in 1 Minute! GG: "Hold my grapes"

[@thatguydownthestreat]

28:24 Nihilism is just "nothing matters anymore" what youre thinking of is an offshoot of Nihilism, Hedonism. Hedonism is "nothing matters, so I will enjoy myself, even if it comes at a cost to myself or others."

[@rossker123]

also to add onto the art thing, Mr.Chai complains at first at alphinaud that his painting is *too* realistic, and that he wanted something more beautified- he thought his wife would hate something so real, but in the end she loves the realistic representation of her and her husband above all the fake stuff.

[@lethargicwizard]

This was part of what makes her character so refreshing to see. She knows who she is, and wants to be seen for who she is, not how others think she should be. And it's nice to see a fat character in a video game that isn't the butt of jokes.

[@Tioko]

Yeah, Dulia is very genuine. Very childish, but very, very genuine in her childishness. You can’t not like her. And it’s the genuine-ness of the painting that tugs at her heartstrings. Likewise, the fakeness is why she didn’t like the previous ones.

[@elixwhitetail]

@@lethargicwizard Bingo bingo bingo. When I first met the Chais, I was like, oh here we go, they're _literal_ fat cats, come on FFXIV I thought you were better than this. And boy was I quickly proven very wrong.

[@sleepysera]

@@elixwhitetail Fat cats are very beloved in the XIV fandom in general though ;) One of the most popular minions, mounts and now even glamour set and furniture. No surprise that a fat cat NPC is well-liked 🤭

[@jacobkern2060]

@@sleepysera Even if the minion and mount descriptions are cursed

[@RothAnim]

For what it's worth the "boiled frog" story is a misrepresentation of a study where scientists selectively destroyed parts of the frog's brains first. Frogs that hadn't been pithed first will jump out of heating water. This actually makes the analogy MORE relevant here... ;)

[@taldir5228]

I love the feel of the introduction to the first. Everywhere you turn things feel... wrong... The atmosphere is perfect. Also Dulia is love Dulia is life.

[@DarkKnightofAnime]

I recently went through Shadowbringers again in NG+ and Eulmore is somehow even creepier and more unsettling than I remember upon my first play through

[@MirroredDreamscape]

The sheer _listlessness_ of the music in Kholusia and Eulmore can sell you on the wrongness of the atmosphere through music alone, the theming of the zones overall in Shadowbringers is super top-notch

[@ieyasumei4339]

@@DarkKnightofAnime Cause you already have the foreknowledge of what's going on. Seeing the same scenes again with what you now know, makes it feel worse. We had a feeling of what "Ascension" meant, but didn't fully understand til after. So seeing the scene with the singing lady is made worse because you know what's going to happen to her

[@Daecoth]

Dulia is wholesome and loving ❤️

[@Amovetv]

@@MirroredDreamscape Kholusia's music is absolutely unnerving and scattered. Very interested to hear how it changes as events play out.

[@rjwojo1]

SSS TIER INTRO GUYS!!!! Keep it up ❤

[@adjwindu70]

Completely agree. That opening had me cracking up

[@UncleFenris]

You can even see Eulmore's values in its aetheryte -- since the First's aether is jacked up and on its last leg, a lot of aetherytes have a portion that is dead and greyed out. Eulmore covers this up with pleasant draperies, literally hiding the decay under an aesthetically pleasing veneer.

[@Amovetv]

Oooo cool observation!

[@krise99391]

But... Paint guy and Kai-shirr are the opposite of each other. Painter guy got booted out and wants nothing to do with it, Kai-shirr desperately wanted it and got screwed

[@Amovetv]

Kyle here. The sandwich of tension both stories build is really solid, but I can also understand that Garrett was eager to get inside the city and see for himself. Now I'm interested to see if the game can hook him with the magic/reflection lore it's laying down.

[@Ironysandwich]

I'm sure paint guy started as a bright-eyed hopeful. Their story is pretty much the same, they both succeeded in their dream of getting into Eulmore only to discover it a nightmare, both having the distinction of being one of the, apparently quite rare, examples of people who made it out...I was going to say alive, but apparently people don't often make it out dead either. The difference between them is primarily that you meet them on opposite ends of their journey.

[@evrfreez]

From a thematic standpoint, they ARE the same person.. just at different points on the same journey. Painter guy showed what Kai-shirr would end up as, a sort of thematic spoiler that might make us worry about whether we did the right thing by sending Kai-shirr in. It's the sort of thing that might play out over quite some time, but since the story pace is quick and concise, we see that journey reach its end in one sitting.

[@jasongarrett768]

I may not have the same issue of mixing Kai-shirr and Tristan(?) up but the notion of him getting thrown out the window as soon as he walks in is pretty amusing. I understand why most folks go meet Alisaie first, but I’m glad I picked Alphinaud because the slow burn creepiness throughout the Eulmore intro leads so nicely to Ahm Areng’s full blown horror show ending. It works either way, but you get a different vibe depending on the order.

[@dientimuri3956]

Having Ahm Araeng's horror show ending right before the attack on Holminster Switch also feels like they are closer together. I chose Alphinaud first explicitly because Kholusia mirrors La Noscea in location, but the slow burn intro with him worked really well.

[@medekhgui]

I think doing alisaie first helps build the mystery better. Here are these horrific, grotesque monsters. Their evil and brutal and will rip you apart... But now you see some beautiful, even sexy sin eaters who are calm and relaxed. What differentiates these sin eaters from the others. I was pretty stoked with the answer.

[@Mandorain]

Considering Alisaie mental state when she got called to the first I think its wild for the WOL to be like "awww I talk too her later shes fiiiiiine."

[@elixwhitetail]

I did Alphi first and I think it's a great choice. Alphi's path is a slow burn that ratchets up the suspense and creepiness until you see fatty and the true horror of Eulmore is revealed. Then you go to a hospice with Alisaie and experience WELCOME TO SHADOWBRINGERS and then it's straight into Holminster Switch on the momentum from Alisaie's devastation.

[@drakelx]

I feel like, in reference to pre-Gatetown Kholusia, as usual, is pretty important for setting the scene. I found that it amps up the WTF feeling in Gatetown, seeing as to how impoverished people are outside.

[@RothAnim]

I did Alphinaud's quest line first. I have no regrets, because it really ratcheted up the slow burn of horror. I'd assumed that "Ascension" was transforming people into Sin Eaters. Then I got to Alisae, and saw what that process would have been like.

[@dec222]

"It didn't stay in the Beehive." hahahaha god I love you guys. Another banger of a video!

[@SuperBrainSandwich]

The reason that you don't often see healing in cutscenes is because all healing magic does in this game is to speed up the body's natural healing ability. If a wound or disease would be lethal without medicine or serious medical aid (i.e. surgery), healing magics won't do anything.

[@davelzdr]

Love the ending! That me trying to explain a videogame story to my wife, lol. Great video as always.

[@lordpanther2407]

These videos are a treasure each Wednesday

[@Keira_Blackstone]

literally burst out laughing when Kyle wandered into frame wearing an ascot. A+ opening.

[@aaronlefebre5060]

The one thing I loved about Shadowbringers is that npcs that showed up in cutscenes, even if they weren't given a name, tended to end up being important in some way to the overall story. You got to see a part of that with Tesleen, and now you're seeing more of this with Kai-Shirr and others in Eulmore. Other people's stories were also important, not just yours and the Scions, and that made Shadowbringers feel a lot more fleshed out and full to me. It was fantastic writing on Ishikawa's part to make the world feel more real.

[@razriga]

I'm totally down for an Art Stream with Garret! Drawing, painting (both digital and traditional), wine tasting and chill. That would be awesome!

[@sweetpanic705]

I love the clips with random media references throughout the videos! But to reference 1995 “Pride & Prejudice”!? Consider me a member for life😮❤🎉 Also, adore the ending! We appreciate your persistence, Kyle😂

[@evrfreez]

Garrett slowly sliding out of frame made me lose it XD

[@sweetpanic705]

@@evrfreez Same! 🤣🤣

[@SpideyCU]

I felt bad for Kyle, I thought he was doing a good job! I know it's all in jest but still. :D

[@sweetpanic705]

@@SpideyCU Agreed! I felt a little bad for him too. Pros/cons of having friends/partners with different interests! A lot of times it generates the conversations and interactions that are invigorating when you are in them and also entertaining to watch🙌. Sometimes, you want to go deeper and the other person is trying but clearly not as invested. And it’s great to see that happen without hard feelings❤️. I’m sure Kyle has offstream lore friends who will happily dig as deep as he wishes to go😆💪 Thank you if you are still reading. I don’t usually write long KZbin comments🥸🫣

[@moojo777]

I think this is the hardest I've ever died during the first minute of any video! Good show old chaps! Also on a side note, I never thought of Alphinaud of being a pet to Mrs Chia, but rather a woman with a high maternal personality that never got to have children of her own, being presented with a patron who is so young that her maternal side just went into overdrive, and she is just so damn loveable for it!

[@moira4707]

Jongleurs is French for jugglers. It *might* have a different meaning in olde English, but I don't know for sure

[@Rhoen13]

I freaking adored this hahaha, and I love that you pointed out some of the things I and so many people thought of back then: Like healing! I mained Scholar but I believe the lore behind healing was locked more behind white mage than any other and they finally addressed it for anyone who wasn't in the know: healing speeds up your natural ability to heal but it can't create miracles. Some illnesses and injuries are too advanced for your body to fix alone even with a boost, which is why a certain companion gets it-organs have been destroyed and a wound large enough that it can't be closed on its own has formed. (irl example, tons of wounds require surgery because our bodies just can't pull the wound together if its too large) Even at lvl 90, the only way you could save them is if you could replace EVERYTHING that that attack vaporized...and only a miracle beyond anyone anywhere could. Eulmore and Gatetown freaked me out at first, specially why they wont go to the Crystarium to start over. But it hit me when you get thrown out-the world has ended already! The heroes they revered caused it, with the very same blessing of light that we cherish, and the folks here were "unlucky" enough to be left with the wreckage. At this point, we're just a nobody not lucky enough to have the golden ticket or the sense to try and get one...now if they had something new to look forward too... And the power of art! It makes the world beautiful, worth living in, and worth fighting for. A world where art was drowned out by whats practical and efficient would be so fucking lifeless...

[@specialnewb9821]

Frog thing is a myth but it's still a good analogy. What I like about Eulmore is there are a lot of people in the real world who are perfectly fine or nice, but support or are indifferent to or ignorant of hideous policies. But it all enables it equally.

[@RockR277]

Ya know I hadn't heard the phrase "canary in a coalmine" before I originally did ShB, but now that I know what it means, that dude calling the singer his "canary" feels real odd.

[@xantaplays]

Am I the only one that found it funny that a Astrologian main had trouble.. with a card game?

[@luxtrigo1900]

You guys deserve more subs honestly!

[@JohnnyRaven69]

I mean, much more!! These guys are AWESOME!!!!

[@DJToMyHits]

I cannot remember the last time I laughed this hard at an intro. Now to continue watching.

[@k.varbanova]

One small comment - the cut scene after the Vault was edited to include healing, also. They are working on giving the results context.

[@Asmodean1111]

I'll be honest, first time through this part of Shadowbringers back at it's release, I had also gone with the sister first so when I got here I didn't even notice the face on Big V's chest. Not even my friends even noticed it til later in the story. It was just such as shellshock time back then.

[@alibutterfly82]

It's interesting that you describe the people of Eulmore as wanting to maintain their Innocence. That's... a very apt observation about the situation in Eulmore, on several levels. You may want to revisit that statement later in the expansion.

[@iantaakalla8180]

I see what you did there with the sneaky capitalization thing.

[@Kuraerisu]

Vauthry (and Eulmore as a whole) reference FF7 heavily. Vauthry's full title in JP is "Don Vauthry" rather than Lord in a reference to Wall Market's Don Corneo, and Eulmore's whole structure is reminscent of Midgar.

[@Tioko]

Oooh. Didn’t he also have a similar hairstyle? And also, the Beehive is a straight up FFVII reference. I think it was called Honey Bee Inn?

[@chaossquall]

Oh man, that cut at the end was magnifique!

[@seekittycat]

"The butt bread is people" I can never unthink this ever again everytime I play this part 😂😂

[@clericneokun]

Man. That stream was amazing. I had a feeling crazy stuff would happen once you reach the Beehive but I didn't expect the whole stream to completely derail at that point. I was absolutely laughing my ass off when you guys were looking for a vacant table and the only one left had a half-naked lalafel dancing on top of it.

[@inkuing838]

14/10 that must be my most favorite intro on the internet😂

[@clangauss4155]

My favorite way to end my late night shift every Wednesday. Good work, as always.

[@AngelaRichter65]

It's so fun watching you guys go through this. Thanks for this video. Also, you solved my problem with the allure of Cat bois. Thank you.

[@lotus_rouge]

Another total banger, lads! There's not a lot of "content" on youtube I like watching, but always look forward to some good old discussion and theorizing from you guys. Also the editing just keeps getting better, it shows you guys put a lot of effort into these

[@michaeltoy1813]

baiting me at the end there you sneaky you.

[@Tioko]

28:18 “They’re also embroiled in isolation and… innocence that they have” OH MY GOD SOMETHING JUST CLICKED IN MY BRAIN. I wondered about that boss for a long time. NOW IT MAKES SENSE. I’d never make that connection if I didn’t watch this.

[@jengogonar]

15:44 on its prime: beehive = empty lots of people being AFK in the aetherite plaza. If it was crowded when you want it is because, well, people like to put a show for your show. :)

[@Kramdaddy]

The Reflection stuff is important and will be on the test, so make sure Garrett studies.

[@NaohMkS]

The analogy for the merging between the source and the reflections is a bit mixed. What happens is that the source has a certain link with its reflections even when they are effectively different planets/dimensions. So what the ascians do is to cause a calamity (not necessarily exactly the same) of the same element in the source and in a reflection and the sheer amount spilling aether breaks the wall between Both places and, like two droplets of water, the reflection rushes into the source, merging into its original "place".

[@missteriouskitty]

Listen I know I'm a year late watching this but I've been binging your bromance through FFXIV and that opening SLAYED ME lmfao. Well done!

[@IronSalamander8]

Great video as always, the intro was great fun. You guys are getting into some good stuff. I'm looking forward to you getting through ShB and onto EW as they're both excellent, and we can discuss stuff without spoiling anything!

[@GreatSakuya]

binging these videos at work is just the best thing I could ask for. Amazing content like always !

[@NakuruKouChannel]

the intro, the content, the ending... the title cards!! the editing!!! everything is so stellar this week!

[@Lordoftheapes79]

The sleight of hand in this scene is spectacular. They actually tell you exactly what's going on, but literally EVERYONE misses it. I only caught it watching videos like this one 😜

[@laxxboy20]

Me: dry, crusty Spongebob Your content: the water 😆

[@Jettison42]

Well this is the perfect intro. Also, Garrett rocking the New Found Glory tee takes me right back to high school.

[@Spookybluelights]

I mean, Eulomore has a strip club so it's more of a Red Flag District

[@silmerien6]

The intro!! 😂😂😂😂 I thought for a sec that you guys were drunk 😂😅

[@streetshopkid]

I really enjoyed the intro bit this week. You guys looked like you were having so much fun with it haha

[@Meatallic]

I can smell the "ohh deary me" leaking from you guys in the intro 🤣

[@ThemisElidibun]

XD About died when I saw myself dancing at the Beehive! Great video guys, thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[@michaeltoy1813]

that intro tho xD

[@Howlflame]

I was getting an RP alt through ShB and when that guy in Gatetown asks what tricks you can do, I almost choked laughing. Because I play that alt as an "escort" and having Alphinaud defend her was HILARIOUS. Very much "Oh sweet summer child, you don't know where I get my gil, do you?"

[@Tioko]

Sounds like an awesome experience X))) I’m playing an alt for my fanfic, and it’s so fascinating to try and look at the world through his eyes as a character instead of mine as my main WoL self-insert.

[@jessicaguarneri8460]

WHAT THE FUCK i have done the Eulmore intro SO many times and never noticed Solus just chilling there in the background

[@lucasm4790]

As for the twins talking about the beauty of people I interpreted as them scouting for both jobs and for people to join the Beehive, this way they have people who work regular jobs and people who "service others"

[@Tioko]

I think beauty is an added bonus, and between two candidates they’d pick the prettier one. I mean, you want to see pleasant things when looking at your servants.

[@Lordoftheapes79]

You didn't play pre-Heavensward. Ishgard had loomed over Coerthas since the beginning of 1.0. That's 4-5 years of those pointy gothic spires taunting us, teasing us...

[@AVarghul]

Defenestration is an Eulmorean's favorite sport.

[@meriwidget3474]

10/10 intro! NAILED IT :) Your editing is top notch!

[@patyos2]

I love your analysis of every single moment of FF14 expansions

[@philxu5479]

The first day Garret was in New Mexico, missed him The second day Garret was in New Mexico, missed missed him The third day Garret was in New Mexico, missed missed missed him ...

[@KotRFFXIV]

Can't wait to see your next few MSQ streams!

[@lightofthelives]

Omg the fact that you guys dressed for the occasion adds so much to this 🤣 love these vids

[@Seraphinanoire]

and now this is the BEST intro youve done so far xD

[@unloyal4847]

the Chais are one of my favorite side character npcs that I ended up buying the SHB artbook just to get their minion, I love their growth as a couple and as people of the first.

[@yaninaayalaherrera8956]

Even if you are not a stremer, there is almost always RPing and making innapropiate sounds at the showers in Eulmore lol

[@Daecoth]

It's an Herbal Essence commercial!

[@ponderingForever]

23:32 - ...Westminster Abbey?

[@tabbisteele6201]

Lol Garrett at the end that was great

[@distortish]

As someone who also went to art school I completely agree with the figure drawing sentiment

[@mikelemmer3473]

I wonder if the way Dulai-Chai dotes over Alphinaud hints that the Chais lost a kid somewhere along the line.

[@MoonlightCharizard]

Jongleur is the french word for juggler :) Amazing episode btw. I'm not a huge commenter, just a good lurker ahaha but i'm really enjoying all of this

[@chancecarlile2899]

Only a few minutes into this one so far but I feel the need to point out two things. 1) cat man and art man don’t have similar problems in fact they have the exact opposite issue, one wants in and the other got flung out after already being inside. 2) that shot from the cutscene is deceptive yes but not for their being less than is shown it purely a perspective of the shot, if you were to line up that shot in game they’d be almost identical. Ok rant over lol back to the video!

[@stonerpatchdummy]

Love that intro! Keep up the good work!

[@snakkupakku]

I know everyone jumps to telling new players to go do Alisaie's side of the quests first for the Shadowbringers welcome reaction, but I always try to push people to do Alphinaud's first. If you're doing Alisaie's side of things first you get that heavy shock and it's on your mind the whole time you do Alphinaud's side which pales in comparison; not to mention the follow-up with Alisaie's side of things comes AFTER you complete both. Alphinaud's quest done first feels like a much better build-up.

[@maceofbass9295]

Lmao amazing, you two. These videos are always the perfect kickoff to my Wednesday mornings, cheers Edit: To be honest, Alphi's introduction is one of the few areas of the ShB story that just doesn't grab me. The last 25% in Eulmore is better, but everything about Alisaie's half of the intro is much more interesting (imo).

[@Spookybluelights]

That intro was a fever dream and I'm here for it

[@sunnyeevee]

the intro had me ROLLING 😭 y'all are too funny

[@windsgrace688]

From what I can remember, Eulmore was very active during Shadowbringers because it was the hub city but I didn't really see much activity in the bee club other than people doing quests/weeklies. Then again, I'm not a part of the RP community and don't watch streams so take it with a grain of salt I guess. Those clips in the video were 100% the most active I've seen it ever. Also, I believe Eulmore might have had several instanced versions of it to combat congestion but don't remember for certain.

[@Golden122]

The boiling frogs analogy has been proven false. Its been tested the frogs will get out as soon as the water becomes uncomfortable.

[@Kurotowa]

More precisely, the original boiling frogs experiment was done with lobotomized frogs. Why? Because the Victorians hadn't finished inventing the scientific method. Or research ethics.

[@arathain2]

Specifically, the frogs used in that particular experiment were pithed- lobotomised, basically. Not really surprising they didn't react.

[@Bardic_Knowledge]

I saw Vauthry and immediately went "Baron Harkonnen?"

[@OutlawWalker]

God, mighty max, that makes me feel my age a bit

[@Gassy555]

I think if the people of gate town did storm the gates singing Do you Hear the People Sing, I’d be ok with it.

[@Bongaboi151]

Nice intro. Love the immersion.

[@Wuffskers]

Dulia-Chai is such a lovely character

[@BlumenCT]

Considering how far you are in msq right now, it might be worth mentioning the surprise you can see in the crowd during the Vauthry trial.

[@wolfair]

that outro though 😎

[@zypher8677]

Loved the opening to this video. Very well done. XD

[@tibowmew]

That intro was everything!

[@ivrie__]

Canonically, the WoL went to Kholusia first and I think the devs made the right choice; the slower pacing of kholusia where you get more world building of the First and the eeriness of the circus-like Eulmore where everything seems just a little off (“ascension”…?) building to the visceral imagery of Tesleen, to the climax and conclusion of Holminster Switch.

[@darkedge221]

Need more spillage of drinks during babyman tantrum but otherwise 10/10 intro.

[@Benhutchison1978]

I think Devs had to assume that most would choose Alisaie path first. The plot is more impactful that way around.

[@elixwhitetail]

I disagree; Alphi's a slow ride up the ascent of a roller coaster, and then Alisaie leading right into Holminster Switch is an unbroken fling down the other side at breakneck speed. Seeing the absolute horror that sin eaters can inflict only _after_ seeing them lounging with Vauthry also drives the horror home further because you and Alphi calmly walked right into the (literal) lion's den and only after you get out do you realize exactly what you risked.

[@CplVeers]

I saw Vauthry and immediately thought of NORG from FF8. NORG DEMANDS MORE PIES! lol

[@keagian8115]

Had to give a like from just the intro alone.