Cleretic, FFXIV Lore Dork 🏳️⚧️
@cleretic.bsky.social
FFXIV lore and story dork, political tragic. She/her, trans woman! Check out #ffxivlorevids for most of my FFXIV lore and story videos!
Discord: https://discord.gg/gB6hJSpj5j
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cleretic
Discord: https://discord.gg/gB6hJSpj5j
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cleretic
Pinned
Final Fantasy XIV's story may have just made its biggest mistake.
YouTube video by Cleretic
youtu.be
New FFXIV video day! Let's talk about that big reveal in 7.3, everything it could mean...
And all the reasons it's a terrible idea they shouldn't have done. And how even if there's good ways to take this, it might have already done the worst damage it could.
youtu.be/G49MkQpQkf8
#ffxivlorevids
And all the reasons it's a terrible idea they shouldn't have done. And how even if there's good ways to take this, it might have already done the worst damage it could.
youtu.be/G49MkQpQkf8
#ffxivlorevids
The recent spate of rating FFXIV expansions was a great show of how I respect people for having weirdo tastes, because they're undeniably their own.
Someone's favorite is Shadowbringers? That could just be groupthink. But you call Heavensward the worst? Oh, you've THOUGHT about this, tell me more!
Someone's favorite is Shadowbringers? That could just be groupthink. But you call Heavensward the worst? Oh, you've THOUGHT about this, tell me more!
November 27, 2025 at 1:39 AM
The recent spate of rating FFXIV expansions was a great show of how I respect people for having weirdo tastes, because they're undeniably their own.
Someone's favorite is Shadowbringers? That could just be groupthink. But you call Heavensward the worst? Oh, you've THOUGHT about this, tell me more!
Someone's favorite is Shadowbringers? That could just be groupthink. But you call Heavensward the worst? Oh, you've THOUGHT about this, tell me more!
I'm genuinely curious on this one! I've always had a voice in mind for Ein, but it's never been a deliberate or stated thing, so I'm curious where other people's minds go.
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 AM
I'm genuinely curious on this one! I've always had a voice in mind for Ein, but it's never been a deliberate or stated thing, so I'm curious where other people's minds go.
After all those nonsense graphs claiming otherwise for Dawntrail, it's great (but doesn't feel it) to get validation series-wide.
Final Fantasy needs women talking more! (And we all need to know that Lightning Returns is great.)
Final Fantasy needs women talking more! (And we all need to know that Lightning Returns is great.)
The proportion of female to male dialogue in Final Fantasy. #advx25
November 22, 2025 at 11:03 PM
After all those nonsense graphs claiming otherwise for Dawntrail, it's great (but doesn't feel it) to get validation series-wide.
Final Fantasy needs women talking more! (And we all need to know that Lightning Returns is great.)
Final Fantasy needs women talking more! (And we all need to know that Lightning Returns is great.)
A management sim where you play as a contractor with a criminal record, grappling with the difficult reality of managing a business without proper legal recognition while trying to build outdoor additions to well-off people's suburban homes.
Coming soon to Steam Early Access: Roguelike Deckbuilder.
Coming soon to Steam Early Access: Roguelike Deckbuilder.
November 22, 2025 at 8:23 AM
A management sim where you play as a contractor with a criminal record, grappling with the difficult reality of managing a business without proper legal recognition while trying to build outdoor additions to well-off people's suburban homes.
Coming soon to Steam Early Access: Roguelike Deckbuilder.
Coming soon to Steam Early Access: Roguelike Deckbuilder.
This has just made me realize that a good Silent Hill isn't a horror game. It's an ANXIETY game.
It's not about scaring you directly, at least not often. It's about giving you just enough to worry about that you fill the silence and emptiness with the horrors yourself.
It's not about scaring you directly, at least not often. It's about giving you just enough to worry about that you fill the silence and emptiness with the horrors yourself.
"Silent Hill is terrifying" Silent Hill is only scary if you haven't done the inner work allowing yourself to sit comfortably with silence or if you are somehow afraid of being hunted by a man with a giant sword who also happens to have a pyramid for a head. Otherwise, it's not scary. It's regular.
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
This has just made me realize that a good Silent Hill isn't a horror game. It's an ANXIETY game.
It's not about scaring you directly, at least not often. It's about giving you just enough to worry about that you fill the silence and emptiness with the horrors yourself.
It's not about scaring you directly, at least not often. It's about giving you just enough to worry about that you fill the silence and emptiness with the horrors yourself.
Clair Obscur does something I hate in media, which is treating 'lying' as some cruel and unforgivable sin.
It's just not. Lying is only bad if paired with something else, and that 'something else' is the bad part. The fact someone lied is, itself, fucking nothing.
But people still act like it is.
It's just not. Lying is only bad if paired with something else, and that 'something else' is the bad part. The fact someone lied is, itself, fucking nothing.
But people still act like it is.
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Clair Obscur does something I hate in media, which is treating 'lying' as some cruel and unforgivable sin.
It's just not. Lying is only bad if paired with something else, and that 'something else' is the bad part. The fact someone lied is, itself, fucking nothing.
But people still act like it is.
It's just not. Lying is only bad if paired with something else, and that 'something else' is the bad part. The fact someone lied is, itself, fucking nothing.
But people still act like it is.
This is a great overall explanation of why I hate Clair Obscur, and the only thing I would add is that it's not confined to the ending.
The entire game is about this, it just changes up which woman is wrong and which man is right to yell at her.
The entire game is about this, it just changes up which woman is wrong and which man is right to yell at her.
with the game awards coming up i wanna remind everyone that the message Clair Obscur sends at the end is that women can not be trusted to make decisions and that it is the duty of the men in their lives to take their agency away for their own good
Clair Obscur, or The Problem With Binary Choices | Ela Bambust
Get more from Ela Bambust on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:09 AM
This is a great overall explanation of why I hate Clair Obscur, and the only thing I would add is that it's not confined to the ending.
The entire game is about this, it just changes up which woman is wrong and which man is right to yell at her.
The entire game is about this, it just changes up which woman is wrong and which man is right to yell at her.
Finished Pokemon Legends Z-A!
Weirdly, Z-A feels less like a game of its own, and more like a very big DLC for a game that doesn't exist. Hard to describe.
It is the better of the two games released this year that put 'fuck up the Eiffel Tower' high on their list of priorities, though.
Weirdly, Z-A feels less like a game of its own, and more like a very big DLC for a game that doesn't exist. Hard to describe.
It is the better of the two games released this year that put 'fuck up the Eiffel Tower' high on their list of priorities, though.
November 18, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Finished Pokemon Legends Z-A!
Weirdly, Z-A feels less like a game of its own, and more like a very big DLC for a game that doesn't exist. Hard to describe.
It is the better of the two games released this year that put 'fuck up the Eiffel Tower' high on their list of priorities, though.
Weirdly, Z-A feels less like a game of its own, and more like a very big DLC for a game that doesn't exist. Hard to describe.
It is the better of the two games released this year that put 'fuck up the Eiffel Tower' high on their list of priorities, though.
I've always said the Game Awards is meaningless favoritism built to congratulate whoever Geoff Keighley wants to cozy up to. And this year has maybe the most obvious example.
Literally half the nominees for Best Performance are THE SAME GAME. You can't tell me this nomination process isn't fucked.
Literally half the nominees for Best Performance are THE SAME GAME. You can't tell me this nomination process isn't fucked.
November 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I've always said the Game Awards is meaningless favoritism built to congratulate whoever Geoff Keighley wants to cozy up to. And this year has maybe the most obvious example.
Literally half the nominees for Best Performance are THE SAME GAME. You can't tell me this nomination process isn't fucked.
Literally half the nominees for Best Performance are THE SAME GAME. You can't tell me this nomination process isn't fucked.
A repost for the later crowd!
If you're not inclined to click through without more context: here are some of the favorite cards we talked about.
I will continue to argue that this set treated Yotsuyu better than Stormblood itself did, with just one single card.
If you're not inclined to click through without more context: here are some of the favorite cards we talked about.
I will continue to argue that this set treated Yotsuyu better than Stormblood itself did, with just one single card.
November 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
A repost for the later crowd!
If you're not inclined to click through without more context: here are some of the favorite cards we talked about.
I will continue to argue that this set treated Yotsuyu better than Stormblood itself did, with just one single card.
If you're not inclined to click through without more context: here are some of the favorite cards we talked about.
I will continue to argue that this set treated Yotsuyu better than Stormblood itself did, with just one single card.
Reposted by Cleretic, FFXIV Lore Dork 🏳️⚧️
Hey friends!! Look at this cool video! We had a lot of fun with this one!
New #FFXIV (ish) video day! I sat down with @vivisangry.bsky.social, to talk about the best flavor wins (and losses) of the FF MtG set!
It turns out, some of these cards are MUCH better fits for their contents than you'd have ever thought.
youtu.be/MEqoltolfOc
#ffxivlorevids
It turns out, some of these cards are MUCH better fits for their contents than you'd have ever thought.
youtu.be/MEqoltolfOc
#ffxivlorevids
The best flavor wins (and worst losses) in the Final Fantasy MtG set!
YouTube video by Cleretic
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Hey friends!! Look at this cool video! We had a lot of fun with this one!
New #FFXIV (ish) video day! I sat down with @vivisangry.bsky.social, to talk about the best flavor wins (and losses) of the FF MtG set!
It turns out, some of these cards are MUCH better fits for their contents than you'd have ever thought.
youtu.be/MEqoltolfOc
#ffxivlorevids
It turns out, some of these cards are MUCH better fits for their contents than you'd have ever thought.
youtu.be/MEqoltolfOc
#ffxivlorevids
The best flavor wins (and worst losses) in the Final Fantasy MtG set!
YouTube video by Cleretic
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
New #FFXIV (ish) video day! I sat down with @vivisangry.bsky.social, to talk about the best flavor wins (and losses) of the FF MtG set!
It turns out, some of these cards are MUCH better fits for their contents than you'd have ever thought.
youtu.be/MEqoltolfOc
#ffxivlorevids
It turns out, some of these cards are MUCH better fits for their contents than you'd have ever thought.
youtu.be/MEqoltolfOc
#ffxivlorevids
You'd get a scene that's both a completely logical AND satisfying payoff to both Ein's stated field of expertise and her personal character journey!
...She will not be in it, because it's instead given to G'raha Tia so he can make Shadowbringers references.
...She will not be in it, because it's instead given to G'raha Tia so he can make Shadowbringers references.
#wolqotd
So... how badly would SE write your OC(s) if they were a canon part of the next expac?
[credit to @masaxiv.bsky.social for the idea]
So... how badly would SE write your OC(s) if they were a canon part of the next expac?
[credit to @masaxiv.bsky.social for the idea]
November 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM
You'd get a scene that's both a completely logical AND satisfying payoff to both Ein's stated field of expertise and her personal character journey!
...She will not be in it, because it's instead given to G'raha Tia so he can make Shadowbringers references.
...She will not be in it, because it's instead given to G'raha Tia so he can make Shadowbringers references.
My new theory about the DDoS-er is that it's someone who, for some reason, really hates deep dungeons.
Not only is this one happening while Pilgrim's Traverse is still new, remember that the last wave of them came around in the post-6.55 lull, when people are trying stuff they wouldn't normally.
Not only is this one happening while Pilgrim's Traverse is still new, remember that the last wave of them came around in the post-6.55 lull, when people are trying stuff they wouldn't normally.
November 12, 2025 at 11:38 PM
My new theory about the DDoS-er is that it's someone who, for some reason, really hates deep dungeons.
Not only is this one happening while Pilgrim's Traverse is still new, remember that the last wave of them came around in the post-6.55 lull, when people are trying stuff they wouldn't normally.
Not only is this one happening while Pilgrim's Traverse is still new, remember that the last wave of them came around in the post-6.55 lull, when people are trying stuff they wouldn't normally.
The last thing I did in FFXIV before the DDoS was answer someone's question about what new jobs are in the next expansion with 'Chemist', and you know what, I think that's the best way that could've gone down.
I'm not explaining it, they're not learning how, we're just leaving it on 'Chemist'.
I'm not explaining it, they're not learning how, we're just leaving it on 'Chemist'.
November 12, 2025 at 6:13 AM
The last thing I did in FFXIV before the DDoS was answer someone's question about what new jobs are in the next expansion with 'Chemist', and you know what, I think that's the best way that could've gone down.
I'm not explaining it, they're not learning how, we're just leaving it on 'Chemist'.
I'm not explaining it, they're not learning how, we're just leaving it on 'Chemist'.
It's Ein, alchemist and primal researcher! While I'm off making elaborate videos about the lore of a deep dungeon, she's off telling people how exactly Necron works and that, no, you SHOULDN'T drink that.
(She's also due for some updated glam shots come 7.4, I don't do those often.)
(She's also due for some updated glam shots come 7.4, I don't do those often.)
November 12, 2025 at 1:08 AM
It's Ein, alchemist and primal researcher! While I'm off making elaborate videos about the lore of a deep dungeon, she's off telling people how exactly Necron works and that, no, you SHOULDN'T drink that.
(She's also due for some updated glam shots come 7.4, I don't do those often.)
(She's also due for some updated glam shots come 7.4, I don't do those often.)
Reposted by Cleretic, FFXIV Lore Dork 🏳️⚧️
We sat down with Toshiyuki Itahana, the character designer of Sphene, for a chat on how the Queen of Alexandria came to life in FFXIV! 🎨✨
Check out the interview and concept art on the Square Enix blog! 🎤 sqex.to/4nQYO
Check out the interview and concept art on the Square Enix blog! 🎤 sqex.to/4nQYO
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
We sat down with Toshiyuki Itahana, the character designer of Sphene, for a chat on how the Queen of Alexandria came to life in FFXIV! 🎨✨
Check out the interview and concept art on the Square Enix blog! 🎤 sqex.to/4nQYO
Check out the interview and concept art on the Square Enix blog! 🎤 sqex.to/4nQYO
Ein doesn't just play, she uses a primal-themed Plus/Same deck that people REALLY hate going up against.
She might have a card of herself, she's probably famous enough to be, like, a two-star. But the question of where those cards even come from is WAY too weird for me to hold to that headcanon.
She might have a card of herself, she's probably famous enough to be, like, a two-star. But the question of where those cards even come from is WAY too weird for me to hold to that headcanon.
let's talk triple triad!
is your OC a casual player? are they a pro? a card collector? do they carry a deck on them at all times, just in case? or do they not care in the slightest about it?
#wolqotd
is your OC a casual player? are they a pro? a card collector? do they carry a deck on them at all times, just in case? or do they not care in the slightest about it?
#wolqotd
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Ein doesn't just play, she uses a primal-themed Plus/Same deck that people REALLY hate going up against.
She might have a card of herself, she's probably famous enough to be, like, a two-star. But the question of where those cards even come from is WAY too weird for me to hold to that headcanon.
She might have a card of herself, she's probably famous enough to be, like, a two-star. But the question of where those cards even come from is WAY too weird for me to hold to that headcanon.
Reposted by Cleretic, FFXIV Lore Dork 🏳️⚧️
It's all "I want WOL to get hurt more" until it happens in a way that's cool and interesting and actually questions/confronts WOL's agency, then it's an affront to the MSQ and "unsafe" for players. See also: the 4.0 scripted Zenos fights, In from the Cold, literally anything to do with Ilberd,
November 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
It's all "I want WOL to get hurt more" until it happens in a way that's cool and interesting and actually questions/confronts WOL's agency, then it's an affront to the MSQ and "unsafe" for players. See also: the 4.0 scripted Zenos fights, In from the Cold, literally anything to do with Ilberd,
Slightly rewrite the English version of the Y'shtola and Matoya conversation so it becomes clearer that no, Y'shtola's NOT killing herself to see, Matoya's just doing a 'parent worried the kid's riding a motorcycle' thing.
It's the one wide FFXIV misconception that I'm pretty sure we can fix!
It's the one wide FFXIV misconception that I'm pretty sure we can fix!
#wolqotd #wolquestion
You have been granted one (1) minor boon from Yoshi-P: you can add, subtract, or change something about FFXIV in a *minor* way, no restructuring entire systems or expac stories, nothing that changes the course of the narrative. What do you choose?
You have been granted one (1) minor boon from Yoshi-P: you can add, subtract, or change something about FFXIV in a *minor* way, no restructuring entire systems or expac stories, nothing that changes the course of the narrative. What do you choose?
November 9, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Slightly rewrite the English version of the Y'shtola and Matoya conversation so it becomes clearer that no, Y'shtola's NOT killing herself to see, Matoya's just doing a 'parent worried the kid's riding a motorcycle' thing.
It's the one wide FFXIV misconception that I'm pretty sure we can fix!
It's the one wide FFXIV misconception that I'm pretty sure we can fix!
Reposted by Cleretic, FFXIV Lore Dork 🏳️⚧️
It's Bunlith: The Witch Upstairs
📅 EPISODE 1 NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON KICKSTARTER!
Watch Now!! 📺
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bun...
📅 EPISODE 1 NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON KICKSTARTER!
Watch Now!! 📺
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bun...
November 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It's Bunlith: The Witch Upstairs
📅 EPISODE 1 NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON KICKSTARTER!
Watch Now!! 📺
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bun...
📅 EPISODE 1 NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON KICKSTARTER!
Watch Now!! 📺
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bun...
I started some indistinct time during 3.5 or 3.55. I wasn't really keeping abreast of content currency or anything, I don't think I even knew I WAS up to date for a while, but I was definitely doing Dun Scaith when it was current.
#wolqotd As a player, what was the first patch you were caught up for?
November 8, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I started some indistinct time during 3.5 or 3.55. I wasn't really keeping abreast of content currency or anything, I don't think I even knew I WAS up to date for a while, but I was definitely doing Dun Scaith when it was current.
You know what, maybe I just DON'T do solo deep dungeon attempts for a few days until these server crashes resolve.
November 6, 2025 at 5:13 AM
You know what, maybe I just DON'T do solo deep dungeon attempts for a few days until these server crashes resolve.
The funniest part about this to me is that it's from July 2021. That's late Shadowbringers, which is broadly thought to be one of the easiest eras of the game.
This person would've burst into flames on contact with Dawntrail.
This person would've burst into flames on contact with Dawntrail.
November 6, 2025 at 1:24 AM
The funniest part about this to me is that it's from July 2021. That's late Shadowbringers, which is broadly thought to be one of the easiest eras of the game.
This person would've burst into flames on contact with Dawntrail.
This person would've burst into flames on contact with Dawntrail.
Ein has a lot of inspirations over the years, but I think the biggest one is Doctor Who.
More stories should have a character whose main skill is just being aggressively CLEVER at the problem in front of them, and Ein has always been my attempt to bring that into an RP space.
More stories should have a character whose main skill is just being aggressively CLEVER at the problem in front of them, and Ein has always been my attempt to bring that into an RP space.
#wolqotd #wolquestion
What is one piece of media (literature, music, film, game, etc.) that inspired the creation, story, and continued influence of your WOL/OC?
What is one piece of media (literature, music, film, game, etc.) that inspired the creation, story, and continued influence of your WOL/OC?
November 5, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Ein has a lot of inspirations over the years, but I think the biggest one is Doctor Who.
More stories should have a character whose main skill is just being aggressively CLEVER at the problem in front of them, and Ein has always been my attempt to bring that into an RP space.
More stories should have a character whose main skill is just being aggressively CLEVER at the problem in front of them, and Ein has always been my attempt to bring that into an RP space.