Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

Together for Starlight: A FFXIV NPC x NPC Exchange @together4starlight.bsky.social · 24d

Sign ups close on Monday! If you haven’t yet, go fill out the form! ✨

Together for Starlight: A FFXIV NPC x NPC Exchange @together4starlight.bsky.social · Sep 2

Together for Starlight is an FFXIV NPC x NPC gift exchange for authors and artists, with gifting happening over the Starlight season in December!

Sign ups open TODAY! More info and links below!

6 5

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

And with censorship discussions unfortunately front and center, we'd like to emphasize that this event will not be restricting stories based on content and ships.

This means all NPC/NPC and NPC/Meteor ships are invited to participate.

FAQ: Are there any restrictions for ships or story content?

We WILL NOT be restricting stories based on content. Much like AO3, we only ask that you tag your works properly for anything that might be triggering.

Within our event discord, all contributors will need to keep NSFW discussions limited to NSFW channels.

During matching, artists will be allowed to mark which stories/themes/triggers/ships they are uncomfortable engaging with and will NOT be matched with them.

6 16

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

✨Owl @ Kupocon:Pom Voyage 🔜✨ @owlboxes.bsky.social · Sep 15

Just a reminder that sign ups close in ONE WEEK! If you haven't filled out your wishlist yet, what are you waiting for? ✨

Together for Starlight: A FFXIV NPC x NPC Exchange @together4starlight.bsky.social · Sep 2

Together for Starlight is an FFXIV NPC x NPC gift exchange for authors and artists, with gifting happening over the Starlight season in December!

Sign ups open TODAY! More info and links below!

10 3

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 13

Thank you for all the wonderful ideas so far! Find some NPC fic inspiration below or submit your own!

airtable.com/appYLFN9IaEn...

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 9

Have too many FFXIV NPC fic ideas to hold onto but want to help inspire others?

The Side Quest "ReQUEST" prompt suggestion box is now open for submission!

Share ideas and stories you want to see of your favorite NPCs--you never know who you might inspire!

🗳️ side-request.straw.page

Submission box announcement graphic for "Side Quest" A FFXIV NPC Mini Bang. It is styled after the golden border FFXIV quest log graphic in game. The quest title is "Making a ReQUEST" and the suggested level is 69 (nice)

3 3

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

✨Owl @ Kupocon:Pom Voyage 🔜✨ @owlboxes.bsky.social · Sep 11

Reminder that sign ups are open, and everyone is automatically accepted! Come join us for a fun NPC X NPC gift exchange! ✨

Together for Starlight: A FFXIV NPC x NPC Exchange @together4starlight.bsky.social · Sep 2

Together for Starlight is an FFXIV NPC x NPC gift exchange for authors and artists, with gifting happening over the Starlight season in December!

Sign ups open TODAY! More info and links below!

4 2

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 9

Have too many FFXIV NPC fic ideas to hold onto but want to help inspire others?

The Side Quest "ReQUEST" prompt suggestion box is now open for submission!

Share ideas and stories you want to see of your favorite NPCs--you never know who you might inspire!

🗳️ side-request.straw.page

2 25 38

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 10

Yes! Both platonic and romantic relationships are allowed :D

1

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 9

Absolutely! Any and all NPC ideas are welcome :D

1

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 9

Have too many FFXIV NPC fic ideas to hold onto but want to help inspire others?

The Side Quest "ReQUEST" prompt suggestion box is now open for submission!

Share ideas and stories you want to see of your favorite NPCs--you never know who you might inspire!

🗳️ side-request.straw.page

2 25 38

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

Together for Starlight: A FFXIV NPC x NPC Exchange @together4starlight.bsky.social · Sep 2

Together for Starlight is an FFXIV NPC x NPC gift exchange for authors and artists, with gifting happening over the Starlight season in December!

Sign ups open TODAY! More info and links below!

3 31 32

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

Start 2026 off with a (mini) Bang!

Side Quest is a FFXIV NPC-centered Mini Bang that will commence in January 2026—but you’ll be able to sign up as early as Saturday, December 6th, 2025!

1 39 44

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

And with censorship discussions unfortunately front and center, we'd like to emphasize that this event will not be restricting stories based on content and ships.

This means all NPC/NPC and NPC/Meteor ships are invited to participate.

6 16

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

Since this event is focused on FFXIV NPCs, custom Azems, WOLs, and ships featuring them should not be the main focus of any work. They are more than welcome to be mentioned in passing or as background characters though!

FAQ: Are stories/ships featuring WOLs allowed in this event?

Outside of Meteor, no.

Since this event is meant to highlight FFXIV’s NPCs, we will not be hosting stories focused around custom WOLs and Azems or ships featuring them.

Custom WOLs, Azems, and their ships may be mentioned in passing but should not be the main ship or focus of a story.

1 4

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

During the event, we’ll be asking participating authors to write a story around 5k+ words and for artists to complete at least one piece of artwork.

It should go without saying, but both AI-generated artwork and writing will not be permitted. W

Writing Requirements:

All Writers must have an Archive of Our Own (Ao3) Account by the time of their posting.

One previously unpublished FFXIV work focused on NPCs or Meteor

Minimum Word Count: Around 5k

No LLM/AI-assisted or generated writing.

Requirements for Artists

At least one completed (non-sketch) piece of artwork that is digital or hand-drawn

No AI-generated images

1 1 5

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

The current working schedule is as follows.

We are trying to keep things flexible and will restructure the posting period if our teams note that they need more time during check-ins to complete their work.

1 2 6

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

This mini bang’s theme is going to be focused on FFXIV NPCS! Works can either be SFW/NSFW, have a canon or AU setting, and all NPC/NPC and NPC/Meteor ships are welcome to participate—including polyships.

Side Quest is a Mini Bang for creating works centered on FFXIV's NPCs (and/or Meteor!)

Works can either be SFW or NSFW, have a canon or AU setting, and ALL NPC/NPC and NPC/Meteor ships are welcome to participate--including poly ships.

1 1 6

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Sep 2

Start 2026 off with a (mini) Bang!

Side Quest is a FFXIV NPC-centered Mini Bang that will commence in January 2026—but you’ll be able to sign up as early as Saturday, December 6th, 2025!

1 39 44

Reposted by SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG

✨Owl @ Kupocon:Pom Voyage 🔜✨ @owlboxes.bsky.social · Aug 23

Hellooo fellow FFXIV NPC X NPC shippers! I’m looking to run a holiday gift exchange this year!

We’re currently gauging interest - please take a sec to fill out the interest check if it’s something you might want to participate in!

forms.gle/ZfyAciCyJNzM...

FFXIV NPC X NPC Holiday Exchange!

This form is an interest check to see if people would be interested in participating in an exchange, aiming to swap gifts toward the end of December 2025! For this event, you’ll be assigned to creat...

forms.gle

5 29 40

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Jul 30

In just a little over a week, we have received a little over 50 responses! Thank you to all who expressed interest in making this event happen, and I'm pleased to say we'll be moving forward this project!

I'll be working to put together some more information soon 💖

7 12

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Jul 26

All that being said, ALL NPC ships (and NPC/Meteor ships) are welcome to participate in this event.

1 6

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Jul 26

Within our event discord, all contributors will need to keep NSFW discussions limited to NSFW channels.

During matching, artists will be allowed to mark which stories/themes/triggers/ships they are uncomfortable engaging with and will not be matched with them.

1 1 6

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Jul 26

With all the censorship discussions that are unfortunately front and center right now, it’s a good time as any to emphasize that this event WILL NOT be restricting stories based on content.

Much like AO3, we only ask that you tag your works properly for any content that might be triggering.

1 5 17

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Jul 24

There are also events called Reverse Big Bangs, where artists anonymously submit artwork to be matched with authors, who will then write a fic based around their piece.

Either way, both events bring authors and artists together to collaborate and celebrate one another and their fandom. /3

2

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Jul 24

Both fanworks are then posted in tandem to promote one another!

A Mini Bang follows these same rules but has a smaller minimum word count/illustration requirement to participate. 2/

1 2

SIDE QUEST: FFXIV NPC MINI BANG @xivnpcbang.bsky.social · Jul 24

A Big Bang is a collaborative event where writers and artists work together to create works inspired by a ship or fandom theme.

Writers anonymously submit a summary of their work to be matched with an artist, who will then read and illustrate a scene or two of their choosing from their story. 1/

Starry background with text in white that reads : What is a Fandom Big Bang?

1 4 5