Some side NPCs in Final Fantasy XIV are written so compellingly that even the main characters of the story can learn from them. Our author Irina Moritz has listed her top 5 here.
In many games, there are these special side characters that only appear briefly in the story. They show up in a specific section and often disappear again once they have played their part.
But this brief appearance leaves such a strong impression that players often feel closer to them than to many main characters in the game. Final Fantasy XIV is full of such NPCs, and here are 5 of my favorites.
Warning: Spoilers for the story of FFXIV follow.
Riol Forrest
Who is this? We first encounter Riol during the widely popular quest line that leads to the battle against Titan. He is a former member of the army of heroes who defeated Titan several years ago.
Riol has specialized in infiltration and gathering information. He was the one who found the path into the winding shafts of the goblins that leads to Titan’s summoning location. Years later, he passes this knowledge on to us so that we can face the Primals.
Later in the story, we persuade Riol to join the Crystal Blades. He takes command of one of the troops and uses his skills for the good of Eorzea.
Why is Riol great? Riol had his big moment for me just before the end of “A Realm Reborn” in patches 2.4 and 2.5. He was almost the only one of the members of the alliance who had the crazy idea that Ilbert and Yuyuhase might be traitors.
Even Thancred, who is usually clever, had no idea and was surprised when the guards surrounded him during the conference. Not to mention Alphinaud.
For me, Riol was the star during these patches, even though he plays a small role in the story. When I returned to the Rising Stones for the first time during the Heavensward story, my first question was, “Where is Riol?”
I needed to know that he was okay and had managed to escape. I was glad to see him briefly again in Shadowbringers.
Hilda Ware
Who is this? In the story of Heavensward, we learn about Hilda as the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman from Ishgard and his maid. Hilda’s father rejected her mother and never recognized his daughter.
Growing up in poverty and surrounded by lawlessness and oppression, Hilda stepped up to lead the resistance that fought against the tyranny of the Ishgard authorities in the background. We seek her out to ask for help when it becomes clear who the true cause of the war between Ishgard and the dragons was.
Later in the story, Hilda founds a militia that primarily protects the poor people of Ishgard.
Why is Hilda great? Characters like Hilda have always held a special place for me. She is a young woman who has experienced a lot of suffering in her life but did not let it break her.
Despite her experiences with nobles and the clergy, she agreed to work with Aymeric to improve the lives of the poor people. However, she is not some kind-hearted Mother Teresa figure, but knows how to stand her ground, even if it means using violence if necessary.
While the main characters of FFXIV tend to ramble and often express themselves in a refined manner, Hilda does not mince her words. She calls things by their names and has some truly biting remarks up her sleeve.
With that, she has earned enough bonus points for me to wish she would appear more frequently in the story.
Fray Myste
Who is this? We first find Fray in the dirty cold alleys of Ishgard. His seemingly dead body has been discarded in the mists and left to the looters. As a Dark Knight, he didn’t deserve a proper burial.
As we approach the corpse, the Dark Knight’s soulstone reacts, and we feel dizzy. Once the dizziness subsides, the supposedly dead body suddenly stands next to us and introduces himself as Fray.
He explains that he barely survived the fight in the arena of Halone and offers to enlighten us about the secrets of the Dark Knights. But then we hear a cry for help, and the story takes its course.
Why is Fray great? Fray is cleverly written. At first, he seems like a pretty normal mentor NPC who guides you through the job quests, but with each quest, you begin to realize that something isn’t quite right with him.
The way he talks, how he speaks of events he shouldn’t know about, his concern for the player character. It’s clear that he isn’t a normal human, but what is he then?
This question tormented me so much that I sprinted through the leveling process of the Dark Knight. I grinded my butt off in the dungeons to find out what was going on with Fray more quickly. And the job quests did not disappoint.
But it wasn’t just the mystery that made Fray interesting. He articulated things that were on my tongue. He expressed the frustration I often felt. He is an NPC with whom players can identify, and that’s great.
Asahi sas Brutus
Who is this? We first encounter Asahi sas Brutus during the story of Stormblood. He comes to Doma in the role of an ambassador to negotiate the exchange of prisoners of war. He is the stepbrother of Yotsuyu, who has made a political career in the capital of Garlemald.
On his journey through Doma, he is horrified by the suffering of the villagers and the destruction his stepsister wrought during her reign. He swears that he will use all his political influence to make amends.
He seems to care a lot about the wellbeing of Doma, his homeland. However, as soon as he is left alone with us, he shows his true face as a fanatical follower of Zenos.
Why is Asahi great? He isn’t. He is disgusting. I have rarely encountered such a despicable NPC, and that is the point. His appearance as a villain is short but highly effective.
As soon as he finished his very first line in the cutscene, I wanted to ram my axe into his face immediately. No antagonist in FFXIV had achieved that until then. Everything about him is perfectly designed to be a slimy, repugnant, and unpleasant character.
Consequently, one of the most satisfying moments in the entire six-year-long story of FFXIV was when his stepsister Yotsuyu impaled him with her swords. I celebrated that woman so much, it was like confetti flying everywhere. I am sure that was exactly the goal of the developers, which is why Asahi is an excellent bad side villain.
The Chais
Who are they? The couple Chai Nuzz and Dulia Chai are introduced to players during the main story of the Shadowbringers expansion. They live with many other wealthy snobs in the city of Eulmore in extravagant luxury.
We arrive in the city together with Alphinaud, who gets employed by the Chais as a painter, and initially get a picture of them that is anything but flattering. They are spoiled and indifferent to the suffering of others.
Alphinaud is supposed to paint a portrait of them after they had their previous painter thrown off the walls of the city into the sea.
Why are the Chais great? The Chais were a great surprise for me. I had firmly expected that I would find them to be annoying characters at best. At first glance, they seemed like the usual “disposable villains” that are only there briefly to create conflict but possess no great personality themselves.
However, they turned out to be a truly lovable couple. While Nuzz is a serious and stubborn character, Dulia is easily excited and somewhat naive. When we left Eulmore, Dulia ran after us, and my heart melted.
The most important thing is that their relationship comes across well in the story. You can tell it was a love marriage and not one made for calculation, as is often the case with very wealthy people. No wonder, that a cosplayer couple depicting the Chais at a Chinese gaming convention was celebrated by fans.
Do you have little side NPCs that you love more than main characters? Which ones are they?
