The Skydeep Cenote Theme "Lost in the Deep" - FFXIV OST

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[@tatsurose]

The fact that the fabled City of Gold, a utopia land of eternal life and beauty, is hidden behind a mass grave of children conceived to save their civilization is so profoundly upsetting

[@trustytrest]

It's as upsetting as it is thematically fitting, given how utopias tend to be in this game.

[@ElZamo92]

Well… SPOILERS….. That “utopia” was just another mass grave…

[@ViniciusGso]

@@ElZamo92 Living Memories was just a big and decorated mausoleum

[@RayonNXA]

And the fact that your comment doesn’t even cover the upsetting truth of said Utopia says a lot about how deeply dark it all is.

[@guilhermecardoso2365]

Almost as if it was foreshadowing for the true nature of the "golden city", maybe 🤔🤔🤔

[@Sakura1kitsune]

I think the song that plays here is one of my personal favorites from the expansion so far. It also fits the theming of the dungeon really well.

[@bloodyninja2411]

Because of the sadness

[@MissLilianae]

Starts as a dungeon theme Becomes a defining moment theme.

[@izzieskye5699]

I just love when they mix their lore into the music. ❤ This tune became so empowering and emotional.

[@lisamueller7026]

Walking up to the very last boss seeing the golden pyramid amongst all the muted purples brought me to tears.

[@yamchayaku]

I know that moment you're talking about too

[@genecron]

"Of course you knew..."

[@itsOasus]

​@@genecron 😭😭😭😭

[@Guran.M]

Depressing as all hell when you realize that a Mass Grave is hiding another Mass Grave... WHAT THE FUCK SQUARE?!?

[@DarkNova50]

Remember when Dawntrail was being marketed as the "fun beach episode" expansion?

[@RichterfanReborn89]

Should any of this be a surprise? We've been given warcrimes , genocide and more handed out like it was candy for how many expansions now ? Or as Yoshi-p would say ; Making the mother of all omelettes here jack , can't fret over every Eugenics program...😂😂😂

[@TerminallyNerdy]

.... I DID NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT HOLY SHIT.

[@Kreality]

One for babies and another one for adults. It is really depressing for a self-proclaimed vacation expansion.

[@machinaexcarne]

That's Final Fantasy to you. Things are bound to get existential at some point. And they will become even more existential and fundamental. And I sure as all hells am ready for it.

[@Clawthorne]

This. This is the theme of Dawntrail. Not the end credits smile song. Not the boat trailer song. This. A theme of mystery, discovery and fabled beauty. But with undertones of deep sorrow, loneliness, and being lost. _"If we are 'blessed', it is only because we yet live."_

[@CaliMisfit]

Agreed 100%. This song is what comes to mind whenever I think of Dawntrail

[@DieHardDarkKnight]

"What an expac, huh?" "Captain, it's only the level 95 dungeon"

[@cherrydragon3120]

I was the very same. The music, the final boss of the dungeon and the visuals.... i was like: "BRUH this is like.... halfway!? What the fuck is going on in this expansion!! This is AWSOME

[@writershard5065]

I just love how I was like "Damn that was a cute expansion, I enjoyed it" and then "Oh wait this is only Zone 3"

[@BunnychanFarabee]

@@cherrydragon3120 This track really does have that "final dungeon" feel.

[@dimitriosgladio059]

@@BunnychanFarabeeyeah it kinda does, I guess it is the final dungeon for the first arc in Dawntrail too

[@Megabigfox]

But...we are almost done with the rite of succession, and we found the golden city.

[@DuskEalain]

I will never forget sending my FFXIV buddies one simple DM: "I was not prepared for the dead baby cave."

[@xcetrax]

Dead baby jail*

[@FrozenSolid90]

It is rather typical FFXIV to just suddenly dump "Dead Baby Cave" on the players. Though that doesn't make it hit any less harder.

[@scrumdrew9482]

i like to call it the DBD, Dead Baby Dungeon

[@TheBonkleFox]

When i went to the new world I didn't expect to be hit with the themes of eugenics, genocide, and euthanasia.

[@Lyu-Phy]

FFXIV is not holding back with very dark topics and I like it.

[@LastMinWin]

I can't stop thinking about the mamool ja mother in Tuliyolal tossing her kid into the air and catching them and just how much that means for them. that simple joy of family.

[@kyronmckinney]

And I'm uncontrollably crying again

[@koko-hh2bq]

To think those poor babies were being killed back in the tribe just because they weren't "blessed siblings" is genuinely upsetting lore for me

[@LastMinWin]

@@koko-hh2bq it wasn't that they were being killed, it was that only one out of 100 blessed siblings ever hatch live, and survive. most die in the egg. so they take those eggs with unhatched children to the watery grave.

[@pll3827]

@@LastMinWin Yeah, and the reason why they buried all of them there was to prevent their souls from turning into vengeful spirits since the place is 'blessed' somewhat. Considering you still fight some undead near the start, it wasn't wholly successful.

[@LastMinWin]

@@pll3827 itreallywasnt u_U;; the situation for the mamool ja was genuinely desperate.

[@Darksaviour]

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TO BE A FUN SUMMER VACATION. No one said anything about a cave full of dead babies!

[@TheDarkFable]

One thing I want to note is as I went through this dungeon, after we got past the dead baby cave into the Yok Hoy quarry, I took notice that the gear we were getting was recolours of the Ronka set from Shadowbringers and that a lot of the enemies were from the Qitana Ravel. I thought it was just a neat coincidence then I did the Tender Valley.....these world designers are sneaky

[@dreamllusion8390]

Also, this is the second map where we can hear a woman singing in a day theme. Ppl didn't LA HEE to this... Add the ppl we meet at Twine (in shb) and these in Sheshenewezi springs were certainly not there randomly as well. I am starting to think Norvrandt had some bits of the "new world" in it.

[@Lyu-Phy]

The funny part about that is, that it's actually the other way around lorewise, Qitana Ravel is a " split copy" of the sources Tender Valley and Skydeep Cenote, as the Source is the origin. Which makes it just more awesome and the worldbuilding connects. It could be that we may encounter a few more of these similarities in the future, so I am intrigued.

[@TheDarkFable]

@@Lyu-Phy well that depends which is older I guess

[@dreamllusion8390]

@@TheDarkFable the source has to be older than it's reflection.... but woth time distortion, the other way around is also possible

[@woljay9362]

“parallel worlds” Also I forgot their name but there was a Milala that said they came from a place(Conde Petie) where it was custom to greet with “Lali-ho!” and they weren’t from Kholusia.

[@JCTheAllStar]

"It's been three years since my brother left us..." I can imagine a lot of us probably figured out the Head of Reason was gone, but was I the only one who hoped he was still alive and would finally talk to us when the contest was over?

[@drummermg131]

Gosh, this song did play during that, didn’t it…. That had me actually crying a little for w/e reason. Felt like finding out a dear friend had suddenly passed.

[@Valvadrix]

I suspected after so many consecutive scenes of him being "asleep", but had some hope as well.

[@drummermg131]

@@Valvadrix I hardly ever pick up on stuff others say they knew was coming or had long suspected, so it def hit me. 😅

[@neoshinsei4073]

man, I was in total shock. I can't imagine what it must feel like... this is even worst than loosing a twin. It's litteraly a part of himself. Having your dead brother near you CONSTANTLY may be some next level torture. Gulool Ja Ja is such a chad

[@drummermg131]

@@neoshinsei4073 right???? That part!!!

[@SuperSnivMatt]

This theme being a somewhat reoccurring track in MSQ is great but god it really puts in mind how insane the Blessed Siblings being selectively bred in a hope of just surviving, nonetheless being exceptional above the already exceptional. Individuals can’t marry their loves as they have to marry for the sake of blending tribes, try for children, birth, and they die for countless times. And if one lives, they just get put through a trial by fire because they didn’t die before their first breaths just to hopefully prove their ancestor’s points. It’s so much more than “that sucks for those dead babies” it effected everyone so much

[@BunnychanFarabee]

Honestly, I never expected FFXIV to ever tackle something as fucked up as eugenics, let alone in the "vacation" expansion.

[@trustytrest]

@@BunnychanFarabee It's even worse since back in ARR, the Mamool Ja were treated as jokes for their culture's huge focus on breeding. Then we learn their culture is that way here and it saps the humor out of a lot of those old scenes.

[@joshuayung5158]

​@@BunnychanFarabeestormblood handled the topic of collaborators, occupation, and cultural erasure more deeply than most historical and wartorn settings. Its definitely within their capability to go hard on uncomfortable subjects with a lot of grey morality.

[@YoukoZuki]

There is also a side quest after the final feat, in which you helped a father nearly lost his mind in grief after realizing their babies were sacrificed for nothing.

[@MistaHoward]

It's a shame that none of this is given a focus in the MSQ, we spend about 20 minutes on it, it's brushed under the rug in a ridiculous way, then off to the next theme park attraction for Wuk Lamat.

[@hewholaughsoutload]

Ah yes, when Dawntrail became Traumatrail. This dungeon was an experience

[@OsyrisCorleone]

“Who am I.. What is my path.. Why was I born..”

[@MonosEx]

Not many realise that Zoral Ja finally expresses what was really corroding him from inside in that fleeting moment of weakness, it's so pitiful even Wuk Lamat has to bring him back to reality to fight like he wanted

[@ZeronesZG]

People compare Zoraal Ja to Zenos, but he is kinda a deconstruction. Zenos was someone disregarded both throne and the expectations of the garleans, whilest Zoraal Ja dies haunted by expectations he simply couldn't ever live up to. Succeed the dawn servant, except the dawn servant was never a singular person. It was always a role made for and best served by two individuals. But because of his obsession to fufill what he sees as his purpose, he has to do it alone. He doesn't take his advisor's advice or make a proper ally of Sphene. In the end, he is resolve without any reason to be.

[@gloss975]

songs perfect because it’s so mysterious and it transitions well into the futuristic and sci fi looking setting we don’t know about yet

[@debatinghealer]

When this plays in the cutscene after the succession when gulool ja ja tells everyone something and the strings come in it fits so fucking well

[@OuchXXI]

This part was pretty heavy in the story, up until this point it was all Wuk shenanigans and then they pull a heavy gut punch with just how bad things have been for the mamool ja people. When you see all those canisters in the opening cinematic and that haunting melody hits, this place sticks with you, long after it's over.

[@cherrydragon3120]

Not to mentione that the dungeon itself is fucking beautifull too. The empty, haunting halls of forgotten ruins. The entrance area to the golden City. Its such a damn good duty. By far one of my favorites in the game

[@ItsPawsitivity]

It makes me so nauseous and heartbroken every time I run this dungeon 😭 it’s awful what the Mamool Ja had to go through, and it feels so solemn. I suppose that’s the intent, but damn 😢

[@miss_kas]

I was so glad I chose to do this with NPCs the first time because my eyes watered so much in the first part that I couldn't see properly

[@ItsPawsitivity]

@@miss_kas I ran it with friends the first time and we all just kinda stopped and gasped at the same time 😭 I knew it was a tomb but the amount of urns and the realization was heavy

[@Kortexx611]

The melody that kicks in at 1:08 has to be one of Soken's best. This song is fucking incredible, this dungeon was a huge highlight of the expac for me.

[@terrancenightingale1749]

It sounds like a lullaby for children never born.

[@VForceWave]

I really wish this was the motif for dawntrail and not that annoying one we got. Takes me out of whatever song the game is playing when I hear "tAkE a BiTE!!!11" this song is mindblowing and is incredibly catchy.

[@Zephhi]

@@VForceWaveKinda true tbh

[@fleurila]

It’s literally one of this game‘s leitmotifs reused - again. Slightly altered, of course. Soken does this in nearly every piece he creates for this game. Not sure why, it gets boring after a while.

[@VForceWave]

@@Zephhi I feel like this expansion's start could've been the best X.0 ever with what they had, but for some ungodly reason they invested into exclusively the worst parts possible. The skeleton of a 10/10 is here but oh my god the final product story-wise, character-wise, and theme-wise (phase 2 of trial 3 is a terrible song) its all just downright rotten The content itself is peak though, best ever

[@Xehnas]

I loved when they used this right as we see Zoraal Ja out of his mind barely holding in all the souls he has devoured in a mad attempt to succeed his father. I really think we needed a Villian like him, ultimately one who was short sighted beyond comparison. Gaius, Thordan, Zenos, Emet and even Metieon resolved to do grand yet horrible and understandable things. Zarool Ja could have at any time stopped his decent into madness. He could have sought more help in the contest, he could have had more trust worthy allies, he could have accepted his loss to Lamat, he could have tried to walk a new path, not based in conquest, he could have used his half of power to rule Alexandria to force Sphen to listen to talks about a peaceful resolution. At every moment his pride and short-sightedness cost him. I hope this doesn't become a running trend for villains, but honestly it was a refreshing villain for the lot we faced. And honestly Sphene felt more like a consequence of his choices rather than a true villain, like Eren's mother said.

[@narius_jaden215]

A running trend? I feel like you're worrying too much, sir :P XIV has had a stable of amazing and diverse villainous mentalities xP. Sure, the ones you listed had grand ambitions, but I'd say they were all sufficiently different enough in many ways. I'm very excited for the future of XIV.

[@Xehnas]

@@narius_jaden215 Im not really worried about it, just saying I wouldn't want that to become the new norm. And yes I love all the villians motive up till now and it gave great range. The reason I am saying Zarool Ja was a nice counterpoint to that is that he was so incredibly short-sighted and basically was his own worst enemy the entire way through his story.

[@AirDur]

Knowing there's thousands of childs resting here gave me chill. I felt not comfortable during this dungeon and this feeling will surely persist. This music is borh gracious and terrifying.

[@pokemondude45]

1:33 when this part dropped during the time Zoraal Ja was already losing his senses after absorbing the souls, and the camera pan to Wuk giving him this look of pity, just not being able to bear seeing how far her brother had fallen. That part really hit hard.

[@MonosEx]

it pains me that most people don't realise what's actually happening in the scene and are only mocking Wuk Lamat for "pointing the obvious" when she's trying to bring back Zoraal Ja to reality for their fight

[@tanhongyi7180]

Tfw you realized Koana's stoic facade, and Wuk Lamat's tough pretense in the early part of Dawntrail MSQ was because they looked up to Zoraal Ja's strength throughout their childhood, not knowing their beloved big brother was struggling with identity crisis his whole life. Who knows if Zoraal Ja might have turned out differently if he had a scion to mentor him properly.

[@CaliMisfit]

@@tanhongyi7180wow

[@aaronwoods-lee7700]

This piece is masterfully done. All the pain and sadness that revolves around this place is beautifully displayed in this works. The tone, the tempo, the key, and the way it is performed as a whole is absolute perfection.

[@bellgems4091]

The sad sombal of what happen to here combine with the theme of mysterious nature, as we go further down discovering what there. It amazing how they presented this dungeon.

[@Rondart]

The tragedy of multitudes sacrificed in a fantasy eugenics program, remnants of an old race digging through something, ending in a very definitely futuristic setting, set to a melancholic reprise of the main theme and that haunting vocals. FFXIV is learning from NieR a whole lot and I am liking it. I hate it, but I like it.

[@MaggieBer]

the use of that music after the dungeon, in one of the cutscene, crushed me (still does...and its been hours!!!)

[@MegaMustafa1234]

i know which one sadly

[@zeblith]

And all it took in that scene was one word, "would". The second I heard that I started sobbing. 😭

[@MaggieBer]

@@zeblith i swear i just hear the song and tears come up (and its been days, now!!) and they also used it later before one of the trial and i really felt bad for that boss .. like omg let me help them!!

[@loreofmetal5604]

where was this again?

[@MaggieBer]

@@loreofmetal5604 " 3 years " is as far as i willl say to avoid spoilers :)

[@Haminmypocket]

1:08 is a lullaby for those below 1:35 is the requiem from those left above

[@Moshrocaffxiv]

"Of course you knew..." I had already guessed by this point in the story, but I liked Gulool Ja Ja so much that I was still holding out hope. I really would have loved to meet the Head of Reason, even just once.

[@MegaDarkness5000]

The fact they gave him a voice for past cutsceans to keep it a secret during the lead up was a smart choice

[@ChrisBabaganoosh]

The official song of "holy shit that is a LOT of dead babies."

[@kyleb7047]

Just did this dungeon. Incredible OST. Another favorite for me 😁 Final boss was wild though, wow.

[@paragon359]

Holy fuck I did not expect it and I loved it to bits

[@kyleb7047]

@paragon359 Yeah, easily one of my favorites this expansion. It reminds me somewhat of Amaurot.

[@zeehero7280]

@@paragon359 it also smash you to bits so feeling must be mutual

[@Krysta1Rose]

On the note of the final boss. The use of Titan Maximum's skeleton from E4S was actually genius. I love huge bosses

[@kalina5076]

I LOVE E4S!!!!!!!

[@shinmaxrebo1177]

Rhys Darby you have failed to mention the dead baby dungeon in the Turalism itinerary

[@stormwings3236]

If I have a cents for a horrible pot related revelation I would got 2 cents, which is weird because it happened twice IN A WEEK

[@fleeplayTV]

Add 3 cents when you realize the small pots sound like children

[@jangouni1619]

Mushoku?

[@stinkmeaner19]

​@@jangouni1619elden ring

[@sharkgirling]

this weirds fleshs guy

[@ArtForSwans]

I didn't think anything could make me go "dude, what the fuck?" after the horrific transformation sequences of Shadowbringers but this part of the story did it.

[@TheLeopardLynx]

Hearing it play in a cutscene after the dungeon hurt me so, so bad. Even hearing it now has me emotional all over again, fuck lol. Definitely my favorite dungeon theme in this expansion (so far).

[@sennaka]

I now know what you mean. That *did* hurt, didn't expect that...!

[@Alissandre_Iskander]

That dungeon with this song... I was glad I did this with the trust system. I had to stop a couple times.... this dungeon messed me up.

[@ChibiNinjaVT]

When you stop to think about the amount of pain that happened over some vain dream of blessed siblings. All those pots are DEAD CHILDREN, not to mention the agony the women must have gone through to keep churning out babies in the hopes that JUST ONE of them would be blessed...

[@SoranPryde]

Bakool Ja Ja was an arsehole in the 1st half of the story, but when you get to this part, you realise that underneath all that bravado and nastiness is a child in pain. Pain from knowing that he was "produced" to be a living god for his people and that dozens if not hundreds of his siblings died in infancy as the "failures". Survivor's guilt in other words.

[@ChibiNinjaVT]

@@SoranPryde For real, I choked up when Wuk Lamat asked him what he wanted and he just said through pained words "I want it to END."

[@jacobkern2060]

​@@SoranPryde From what they said, for every one of them that made it to birth, a hundred twins don't.

[@cherrydragon3120]

Bakool ja ja was indeed such an asshole i wanted to end him so badly. 😮‍💨 i feel a bit guilty for wanting that now knowing his story. Dude had so much pressure on him, so much hopes and dreams to fullfill, so much sacrifice to "justify" and he failed. Even after all the nasty things he did.

[@dumbsterdives]

​@@ChibiNinjaVTi just got through this part today. his voice actor killed it in that scene, i could feel the pain in every word.

[@gwenpomidor7492]

My fave music so far of Dawntrail. So beautiful and so sad! That opening shot of the dungeon punched me in the throat

[@sennaka]

Absolute same. We'd been told what was down there but to actually see it was shocking and sad.

[@Naoto-kun1085]

One of my favorites by far!

[@arxzcm]

The entire Mamook arc was so unsettling and depressing. Even now that I've finished the MSQ, whenever I go back to the Mamook, I'm just filled with sadness.

[@H0ttabych]

At least, they can grow Sharlayan grass now. I bet some of that must be really good stuff.

[@jeremykrueger7071]

It's amazing how simply changing a established theme to a minor key changes the whole mood. Simple but affective

[@0shawhat]

What was the established theme? Also didn't know this song is in a minor key!! Makes sense now thematically

[@MaxLebled]

@@0shawhat nearly every dungeon is a rearrangement of the region theme it's located in (or vice versa, there's a possibility to speculate Lakeland's day theme might have switched places with The Grand Cosmos dungeon, see the initial Lakeland reveal video). So "Lost in the Deep" is just a rearrangement of "Emerald under Sapphire"

[@0shawhat]

@@MaxLebled Yeah I realized that after my comment sljdjdksjd my brain is experiencing early signs of dementia

[@vitorlourencolemosdasilva21]

The song of a mass grave that hides another mass grave. The song of a man that lost his brother and need to pass his torch to others The song of a lost man who desperately seeks to validate his own existence

[@stiriann]

this dungeon and the reveal about the blessed siblings in general was truly the highlight of the entire msq. incredible

[@HalvoPlays]

let me tell you, when i saw there was gonna be another cave crawl dungeon in the trailer i said something along the lines of "i want to like cave dungeons but they're so one tone. i really hope they spice it up." hoo boy... the story... the atmosphere and the music. I still can't put into words how it made me feel the first time but good god. hell of a mid-way dungeon i'd say lol

[@jjc101]

Running up that incline after the second boss was such an awe inspiring scene. With duty support NPC's the timing was just right that the music managed to crecendo right as the pyramid came into view and it was amazing.

[@MissLilianae]

​@@jjc1017:30 in the video has a similar feel.

[@cherrydragon3120]

First time i went in here i had my jaw drop to the floor. The feels, emotion, music and visuals are just amazing.

[@ZiriO]

@@HalvoPlays you really had to go and invoke the monkey's paw, didn't you

[@HalvoPlays]

@@ZiriO lol yeah

[@KooriGraywolf]

This dungeon's lore puts a whole new perspective on the two-headed Mamool Ja boss in Wanderer's Palace (Hard). He even gets a brief mention during the Mamook section of the MSQ

[@drummermg131]

So, so many emotions while listening to this song. It just goes so many places and hits so many notes (metaphorically). As others have mentioned, it truly addresses two big revelations found in this dungeon: the countless urns and the entrance to the golden city.

[@Loispealz34]

Okay so... This whole temple gave me ronkan vibes unlike anything else. Which is kinda neat. Also the later reveals imply that our adventure in the first took place in the first's equivalent of Tural. Even more neat. And the fact that the Mamool 'ja have been, for centuries, enduring selective breeding practices just to get a singular 2 headed mamool'jaa for hundreds of dead children is heart-breaking. No wonder so many of them sell themselves as mercenaries across the Salt. That kind of existence is hell. And the fact that the solution is as simple as "Use seeds that will grow in this otherwise inhospitable, but fertile environment". This whole area solidified how much Tural needs leaders like Koana and Wuk Lamatt. Also it made me like Bakol ja ja

[@GbrBy]

The thing about the first is wildly incorrect. Lakeland is where mor dhona is, Il Mheg is where Coerthas is, Kholusia is where La Noscea is, Ahm Araeng is where Thanalsn is and Rak’Tika is where the Black Shroud is. Point being Shadowbringers zones 1-5 are the Firsts equivalent of the ARR regions with Il Mheg being the only difference in that it isn’t snowy

[@cherrydragon3120]

Dude the qitana ravel gear from the shop, the ronkan armor from the dungeon, the ronkan golems... the inca/aztec architecture.... I knew instantly this was related somehow to the ronkan empire in the first. I just didnt really exactly know how. But damn i knew there was NO coincidence that so much was the same.

[@cherrydragon3120]

​@@GbrByyou can even see it somewhat on the world map. The shape of eulmore and kholusia on the map is similar to vylbrand/la noscea

[@TheNatix26]

@@GbrBy Not a real difference, back then, in 1.0, Coerthas wasn't snowy, and the north part of Il Mheg really look like Coerthas 1.0

[@SoranPryde]

​@@GbrBy actually later on in Shaaloani, you encounter the Source's equivalent of the trolley boys in the First

[@natebroadus8474]

Dawntrail has been my favorite expansion for music, and I never thought I'd say that after Endwalker and Shadowbringers.

[@bladewolf39]

Soken absolutely knocked it out of the park with this expansion. He and the other composers definitely took a lot more creative liberties with this expac and Im loving each track.

[@zamboozle3741]

ah yes, the traditional expac level 95 "emotional trauma" dungeon

[@NiyaKouya]

What do you mean? For HW the trauma/PTSD dungeon was lv57...

[@Everlarke]

From Shadowbringers onward, technically

[@FrozenSolid90]

After the story around Mamook, I kind of wished we could bring Bakool with us for the rest of the expansion.

[@HCSR2]

Paradise will never be purchased by the willful infliction of suffering.

[@Aschentei]

My fav dungeon so far, they are COOKING on the music

[@ForgiveMyMadness]

This music has me in a chokehold. You can hear vibes of music from The Tempest here, it feels ancient and mystical, horrifically sad, but hopeful at the same time. Absolutely beautiful. Easily my favourite so far (not completed msq yet).

[@Dracoape]

Didn't expect this to bring me to tears, but it came damn close. This theme is full of anguish and mystery. And it wouldn't have hit nearly so hard without all the buildup. I've heard a lot of complaints about how slow the first part of the MSQ is. But I think it needed to be. It introduced us to a brand new continent, and a wide variety of people, and it needed to take the time for us to sit with them, learn about all the wonderful things there are here, laugh and celebrate. Because that makes the gut punch of this section hurt so much more. Because we've seen how so many cultures in tural grew from their hardships. The Hanu made a fun festival. The Pelu have cute animals and booze. The moblins are great patrons of art, the Yok Huy have found peace, and the X'braal found new culinary common ground. So when the mamool ja are revealed to be bitter eugenicists, it stings, because you know it could be better. You come crashing down. Suddenly the journey isn't a fun romp, Tural isn't such a perfect place, Bakool Ja Ja isn't just a childish bully, your whole world gets turned upside down. That sense of confusion, sadness, maybe even anger, it all leads to the mystery of the golden city. A powerful moment, a powerful theme, and it, and the nonstop ride that comes after a brief yeehaw stop, could not have happened without the solid foundation that had already been lain by the "slow" early parts. By knowing Tural, you want it to be better when confronted by this ugliness, instead of ignoring it or being repelled by it. The story is good, actually.

[@Qhaine]

Excellent and personally for me, this was one of the top three best tracks of the entire album. Very fitting, has a haunting sadness to the vibes and brings home the sheer gravity of the place-- the way the camera shows you the vases at the very beginning hits like a truck-- I remember whispering to myself "My dear God-- so so so many"

[@NiyaKouya]

Yup... The CS before the dungeon that revealed the story behind blessed siblings already mentioned that it has been hundreds per generation, but seeing that one pool already being filled with tons of urns... I was on voice chat with friends and could only say something like "THAT many in there, and there's several other pools..."

[@Grayald]

This instantly became one of my favorite pieces of music in the game. Enchanting. Haunting. Mysterious.

[@lisamueller7026]

It reminds me of a dark lullaby.

[@xenorayy]

This dungeon is my favourite this expansion, one of the most beautiful tracks and that walk up the corridor to reveal the golden city in the distance, I was in pure awe and filled with excitement.

[@Akamehameha]

exact same

[@dadigg4820]

Same to me man, at that time where we walked up stairs and saw the golden gate gives me chills

[@cherrydragon3120]

Me too. My jaw was open half the time. It was so good. 😊😊

[@Sol_00007]

I got Xenoblade 2 vibes the first time I ran this dungeon. Definitely my favorite dungeon in this game.

[@dimitriosgladio059]

Glad I wasn’t the only one, definitely would feel right at home in Xenoblade 2

[@MarakamiSG]

I love how unapologetically Xenoblade this expansion has been. I love it.

[@donimmortal7692]

This is not in Turalism Guide...

[@Kreynor81]

Wasn’t expecting to find some of the best DT comments in the comment section of KZbin. Must be the power of music bringing together people touched by it.

[@dendenpower8618]

Hearing this theme for the first time tonight and for the events that followed... The impact it has, the serenity of it, it's absolutely perfect.

[@Rhonndel]

My saddest moment this expansion was actually when Bakool Ja Ja lost the fight and then was actually cast out by his father. Especially knowing it was not only his pride that driven him, but a lot of fkin expectations. Hope to see my boy more during the expansion.

[@YoukoZuki]

Survivial's guilt + extreme expectation from his people + being revered as a god-like being in his culture create a inflated-ego Bakool Ja Ja who is reckless and willing to do everything to get the end results, even though he would've likely had no problem to overcome feats in a normal and fair way, like some NPCs telling you, considering he has both strength and wisdom. When he lost to Wuk, someone who he deemed to the the least-threatening contender, he finally faced a reality check. Everything about him was about him winning: winning so that his dead siblings' death won't be in vain, winning so that he can bring his people to outside of the seemingly inhospitable forest, winning so that there will be no more blessed siblings. Then he failed. The shock made him bawling and running like a baby. When he faced his father and told him his failure, you would expect him getting angry and attacking his father for insulting him. Nope, he just quietly accepted being kicked out and left. When he was brooding in the Skydeep entrance, his mother revealed that he cried among his dead siblings everytime something bad happened. You no longer saw a haughty and scheming cartoonish villain. It was just Bakool Ja Ja being himself, when the shackle of having to win at all cost was no longer on his shoulder. He even realizes his actions were wrong and didn't expect forgiveness, and threw away his pride if there was any left to asked Wuk to help his people. Because even after everything horrible he did, he did for his people's future. It is not an excuse for him to do those horrible things against other Claimants, but it shows that he has an another side which you can sympathize with.

[@trustytrest]

@@YoukoZuki Funny how they gave a lot of the same traits to Zoraal Ja as well, dialed up to 11 with his rampage over everything.

[@Zero-ds9ws]

@@trustytrest It's funny, Zoraal Ja has the worst traits of all the other claimants combined, exacerbated because of the weight of expectation and surrounding himself with yes men.

[@MarkusZawodowiec]

This songs hits harder, once you know whats in there

[@Megabigfox]

Tiny ja in those jars.

[@MarkusZawodowiec]

@@Megabigfox Tiny Ja forever

[@Lyn685]

So mysterious. A fitting theme for the path to the golden city

[@abdyorozco4092]

The sound track to a monument of sin, of pain and ironically of hope for more for the mamool ja no matter the toll.

[@nguyenvulieuthanh]

Bruh this is support to be a kino summer vacation, why there are dead children here T.T

[@marhee]

I'm crying everytime this plays it's so beautiful

[@ShanaAbee]

And there they was... everyone that said " enjoy ypur vacation addon LOL" GO! GO ON I DARE YOU! play this story and say it again!

[@Khalith]

Once I reached this dungeon and heard the music, I was finally all in on the xpac. I was pretty bored until this moment.

[@Fantasygod930]

Damn this dungeon was dark and mysterious being a grave site to a bunch of unborn kids hiding The golden city or as I'd like to call it final fantasy xiv El Dorado Still did the people that built this place knew the golden city was here they just didn't know what to interpret it or they were too scared to go even deeper? Probably both

[@gackybass]

They say they didn't ever go all the way in. Presumably they encountered the defenses and decided it was best not to proceed or something like that.

[@EternalBladeX]

​@@gackybass With that thing at the end of the dungeon, I do not blame them for not going deeper.

[@cherrydragon3120]

​@@EternalBladeX i think they never went past the 2nd boss area. All those statues coming to life would be horrifying for the mamool ja. The place screams haunted and GO AWAY. I don't blame them for never going there. Also there are a buncha doors that only open after the golems are defeated. Given they're still there and the doors closed. Safe to assume not many got past the defenders

[@283leis]

reaching the last third of this dungeon was this expansion's Zodiark moment. "WAIT WHAT?! We're here already?!"

[@Zero-ds9ws]

'What do you mean it's the level 83 trial?' 'What do you mean it's the level 95 dungeon?'

[@283leis]

@@Zero-ds9ws i literally thought this would be the 99 dungeon.

[@sennaka]

This has to be my favorite piece. It's so lovely. Ethereal yet....so somber. My WHM regrets disturbing the ones at rest there.

[@ArtyMartyD]

You can hear bits of Qitana Ravel in this. And Ronkan design themes throughout the dungeon... Interesting

[@voistar5387]

Just did this dungeon, liked the song before this moment, but damn. That final section of the dungeon's visuals combined with this song was just breathtaking. And the cutscene with the "reveal" afterwards was also so atmospheric with this in the background.

[@seboulol]

1:35 That part is so beautiful, best track of the expansion!

[@vykyr]

Thank you for posting this, I needed this song. Something about it hit me and I just had to sit for a minute in the dungeon and listen to it.

[@jjc101]

I love Yak T'el. I love its environments. I love its people. I love it's musical theme and I especially love this dungeon variant of it. It's so sad and magestic which makes sense as you first play through but coming back to it after the end of the MSQ hits emotionally on another level.

[@cherrydragon3120]

Man i shud finish the MSQ then... now i am curious AF

[@pointemass]

There's something about having to pass through the graveyard of unborn children to reach the golden city only to find out that it's the simulacra of those who should have been put to rest a long, long time ago... It hits in such a distinct way from our visit to the First or even the Thirteenth.

[@NymphsOrisons]

Came here because I need this music pumped into my veins daily....

[@zanagi]

1:33 best part in the game is when this part of the music comes out

[@toddhicken8730]

1:35 at this point is when I came out of the stairway after the 2nd boss and saw the massive gold gateway. Talk about perfect timing!

[@uvi-]

Same on this video at 7:28 c:

[@frei757]

Running throught this dungeon for the first time as a tank... and make everyone wait 3 whole minutes before pulling the last pack because of the SHOCK of seeing the city. Damn. This game is pure gold ! and get me started on the music !

[@edeonsaint9938]

This dungeon should be named Xibalbá to be perfect.

[@Michael-qk7cs]

Miquiztlioztotl would be more apt considering all of the Aztec influences. I agree, though. It would've hit much harder.

[@alexmetaverse]

@@Michael-qk7cs yak tel is mostly mayan however. With cenotes and xibruc pibil and all of thay

[@cherrydragon3120]

What does it mean tho

[@edeonsaint9938]

@@cherrydragon3120 Maya underworld. It means something like "Place of fright".

[@Michael-qk7cs]

​@@alexmetaverseI see. Good to know!

[@LightKeyDarkBlade]

This music is very different from the usual but it's very fitting. I like this approach of using very different music styles for the dungeons. Though there's no way I can correctly guess who arranged this. I think it's either Saya Yasaki or Daiki Ishikawa.

[@kathleentwidle3519]

Stunning piece of music too. When I got to this dungeon in almost immediately became my favorite. And know that no dungeon has contested The Burn for me in a very long time. But here we are. Skydeep Cenote contesting 1st place for me musically

[@SoloStreamArchive]

spoilers for later dawntrail When I first played through this dungeon I immediatly took note that some of the enemies here share the same design as the enemeies from the Ronka dungeon in Shadowbringers. And after beating the whole expac, it makes me wonder if there was another gate they used to go to the first.

[@TheDarkFable]

You should do the Tender Valley Dungeon and keep in mind all the ruins in the new world are Yok Hoy origin (except the Alexandria stuff)

[@KillerViper8]

I'm not gonna lie when this theme hit, I immediately got Amarout vibes, and from a lore standpoint, that's not a good thing. However, music wise, it was a great thing. 😭 this dungeon is what clued me in on what was about to happen.

[@trimack]

Listening to this piece while bakool jaja bears his soul to you sold it for me. 10/10 face turn.

[@RandomGhostDragon]

They could have went the horror route for this. But they didnt. They instead encapsulated just how *disturbing* this mass children grave is in such a *beautiful* way. The song sounds like a *lullaby* sometimes, and i dont know whether i should be depressed, or horrified. Say what you want about dawntrail, but this one dungeon saves me most of it.

[@Katana314]

There was such a great path available to tie in the horrific moments of this part of the story to its ultimate conclusion, but in the end no one really touches on it. Maybe you could say that's on players to draw those parallels, but I still might've liked to see it. Basically, something like Bakool Ja Ja saying to *SPOILER*: "Please. Don't make the same mistakes my people did. We too, thought there was no way out."

[@Riftimmortal]

In a word, Haunting. Simultaneously beautiful and horrific.

[@amisusu]

I fell in love with this song. gosh its listening to it, such sadness and sorrow. sigh

[@RoyalCrustle]

Gotta be my favorite theme from the expansion so far. Beautiful but haunting.

[@cherrydragon3120]

I fricking love it

[@youngphoenix647]

ahh yet again ffxiv got me hooked on another beautiful song 10/10

[@Max58183]

What a dungeon theme. I was so surprised and amazed when I was running it for the 1st time. How the dungeon transitioned from a children graveyard to Yok Huy long abandoned quarry and, at last, to an alien-like technology with purple/golden glow. The dungeon was the first time Dawntrail story took a REALLY serious turn after the somewhat relaxing (from WoL perspective, at least) 90-95 level adventure. And the music nails it just right. And when, later in the story, we discover more information about people behind said super advanced technology, it make the said melody even more somber. Damn...

[@lunacarolinerosewood-crow5760]

The music makes me think of the Sending from FFX and it makes me wish we had that animation so we could do something similar in here...

[@madinalley1666]

I've had this song stuck in my head on and off ever since the first time I heard it, thank you for so diligently uploading the OST for us all.

[@cherrydragon3120]

I had that too. I've been humming it alot

[@xenodee027]

Im loving DT they're really on point with the music as always ❤

[@beskarsilver]

I finished this dungeon last night at 2am with trusts, going down to find the the supposed location of the City. What an atmospheric journey with this music playing in the background. Soon as i heard this, I needed to obtain the music scroll .. and it dropped!

[@cherrydragon3120]

I neeed it ):

[@ShanaAbee]

I cried so Hard when i was on that part of the Story.. I needed to pause for a moment because i couldnt See shit through these tears

[@Intrepimid]

This song just has that deeply haunting melancholy tone that works so well given the lore. They nailed it.

[@NumPad]

So who had “Dead Baby Cave” on their summer vacation bingo card?

[@CheezVT]

"Wow! That thing with the dead Blessed Siblings, not even hatched and shoved into a jar is really depressing and dark!" Yeah it sure is. "......y'wanna know how many didnt make it?" Uhh, I really don't! "Well, dont look down in the water, stupid!"

[@lisamueller7026]

I literally could not heal the last boss due to the tears rolling down my face. This music is perfection.

[@cherrydragon3120]

You need better teammates that dont need as much healing then so you can continue to feel emotions 😊

[@zodzecht]

Ultima Thule got me bad enough, the places and themes in dawntrail had me bawling on more than one occasion, I dunno how much more my fragile heart can take

[@rikki-anquiapon8225]

Anybody else reminded of "Gentle Madman" from Persona 5 Royal with the piano intro at 0:07 ?