Key information
The upcoming expansion Evercold is poised to change the narrative approach regarding traveling companions in Final Fantasy XIV, as the second part of the main scenario quest abandons two specific companions in the Fourth. The author speculates on who might join the journey to ensure a full party, noting that potential companions have already been partially ruled out.
Alphinaud and Estinien currently serve as companions, an intentional echo described as a smart narrative choice. The author suggests no other characters have changed as much over intervening years, allowing the traveling situation to reflect those alterations.
Unlike previous expansions such as Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail, which heavily featured the Scions as regular Trust companions and main party members, Evercold breaks that streak. The author notes that interactions with other realms entail fatal risks like stopped hearts, meaning companions will likely be split across multiple ships with one or two NPCs per ship.
The author suggests that Evercold may maintain permanent separation for characters like Estinien and Alphinaud to create narrative stickiness and personal emotional resonance, diverging from previous expansions where the Scions routinely regrouped.
