Radio Free Hydaelyn

[ARR] Episode 19: A Lack of Trust & Diamond Dust

Ooh, I feel a chill coming on, listeners... that's right, it's time for patch 2.4 "Dreams of Ice", and we've got like 3 entire plot threads to resolve in the lead-up to Heavensward: something fishy is going on in Ul'dah, the heretics are harrying Ishgard, and the Scions are searching for a way to take care of the Ascians once and for all... Can the game pull it off? Only one way to find out!

[ARR] Episode 18: A Beacon of Hope

Hello, dear listeners, and welcome back! After our short hiatus, we've come back to touch on something a little different: the Crystal Tower alliance raid series. It's the only raid series required to progress the MSQ, and as we'll learn together, that's for very good reason. Get ready for the waterworks, by the way, because Oh My God.

[ARR] Episode 17 - Riot Cop Simulator

Welcome back dear listeners to yet another episode here where we explore patch 2.3, Defenders of Eorzea, in which uh. Um. Things suck a bit. We hit a real low point in the storyline of Ul'dah, but don't worry! There's also an electric grandpa and some cute kids to take our minds off it. Somewhat. In the spoiler zone we uh. We continue to talk about the Ul'dah situation, unfortunately (but only briefly, this podcast is already 2 hours long, we can't afford to get too deep in the weeds on this one just yet).

[ARR] Episode 16 - Roiling Seas and Refugees

Greetings, brave adventurers! We've tackled foes mighty and numerous, but today our heroes will face one of their greatest challenges to date... the absolutely abysmal politics of Ul'dah. Also a giant fish? There's a big fish. In the spoiler zone, we talk about how some other starting cities handle their politics a bit better, and some interesting implications of Minfilia's opinions on the nature of the echo.

[ARR] Episode 15- An Emissary’s Interruption

We are finally back from our hiatus to begin digging through the Post ARR quests, beginning with Patch 2.1; A Realm Awoken. The Scions struggle to deal with the consequences of their newfound fame, and attempt to find a path that will let them keep their neutrality. We learn more about Minfilia's past, for whatever that's worth. The Moogles make their presence known in quite a bombastic manner. Finally, a mysterious white robed Ascian shows up and shakes up everything we thought we knew about the Paragons.
 
This episode covers all the MSQ content from patch 2.1, including the Trial Thornmarch (Hard).

February Updates and Announcements

We're back from our hiatus, but before we get back to adventuring in Eorzea we've got some fun new plans to share with you all! Patreon updates, changes for Radio Free Hydaelyn, and a brand new project. Keep an eye out for more updates from us in the future!

[ARR] Episode 14- Eorzean Job Fair

While we've finished A Realm Reborn proper, our journey is far from over. After all, there are more stories to be told than just the grand tale of Eorzea and its Champion. Every hero needs a weapon, be it their fists or their mind, and we will take you through our experiences with Monk, Scholar, and Summoner this week on Radio Free Hydaelyn!

[ARR] Episode 13- Operation Archon

The stage is set for a grand finale. This week we're covering the explosive ending of A Realm Reborn, which has gone through some pretty drastic changes recently. We discuss how the idea of an Expansion Finale has become solidified over the years compared to the first one, reminisce about the days of old, work out our feelings about the new changes, and of course quote some all time "great" dialogue from the English dub. Not much else to say other than strap in, because this is a hefty one.
 
This episode covers level 46-50 of the A Realm Reborn MSQ, from the quest "The Black Wolf's Ultimatum" to "The Ultimate Weapon." It also covers the Level 50 Dungeons "Castrum Meridianum" and "The Praetorium", as well as the Level 50 Trial "The Porta Decumana".

[ARR] Episode 12- Heart of Darkness

With Gaius van Baelsar's secret weapon revealed, all of Eorzea trembles in fear. The Black Wolf has sent an Ultimatum to every leader in the Alliance; Kneel or Die. With the Scions of the Seventh Dawn believed dead, most believe struggle is hopeless. But all is not lost. As 2.0 tumbles towards its conclusion, we cover the twists and turns of breaking the Scions out of Castrum Centri, and how here at the end of A Realm Reborn the game is finally beginning to resemble what it will become.
This episode covers levels 44-46 of the A Realm Reborn MSQ, from "Reclamation" to "Escape from Castrum Centri".

[ARR] Episode 11- Lady of the Vortex

With their dealings in Ishgard done, its time for our heroes to journey into the Howling Eye and face the cruelest and most powerful of all Primals...right after some quick maintenance work. But even after defeating Garuda, the Realm is still in peril as Gaius van Baelsar makes his big move. This week we discuss the tiresome repetition of fetch quests in ARR, Cid's compelling character work, the writers still feeling out certain aspects of the plot, and how Garuda exemplifies the difference between early and current writing about the Myriad tribes. Also, ever wondered how the commission process for the Ultima Weapon went? Well listen and found out!
 
This episode covers levels 41-44 of the A Realm Reborn MSQ, from "Into the Eye of the Storm" to "Lady of the Vortex", including the level 44 Trial "The Howling Eye".