If The Shoebill Fits

In this episode, Chadd and Sean head down to Archive Of Our Own to peruse the best, brightest, and newest Final Fantasy XIV fanfics, and what they mean for FFXIV as a property, and the kind of community this game has cultivated. Other topics include Dianetics, the Onceler, First Sergeant Gyoarrest, and Chadd's idea for a Mass Effect Ending That Will Make Everyone Upset.  Want to read some of...

In this, the conclusion to our epic two-part look at the Dark Knight class-quests, Sean and Chadd break down the story beats of the back half of the saga, including moments widely despised that you might think better of on a second viewing, and deeper cuts than Sidurgu gave Ystride. Other topics include Ishikawa's golf etiquette, M'Jaques Tia'rrida, and Ludonarrative dissonance.  Wa...

In this episode, Sean and Chadd take a look at the very apex of FFXIV storytelling, the story that made Heavensward head and shoulders above not just A Realm Reborn, but also competing MMO's, and the story that redefined who your Warrior of Light will become: the Dark Knight Class Quests. Even if you're wearing the Garo tank armor with a claymore and bemoaning everyone else getting a Bla...

I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING. In this episode of the premiere FFXIV: Sadwalker lore podcast, Sean and Chadd work through the tears to give you their three saddest moments in the award-winning MMO. The ones we leave off might surprise you, but, again, that's just because we are conclusively not crying. Other topics include the crossover between Steven Universe and Three-Body Problem...

In this DOUBLE-LENGTH episode of the premiere FFXIV Endwalker lore podcast, Chadd and Sean go completely bananas on all the lore and storytelling of 6.1-Newfound Adventure, breaking down not just the implications of the Alliance raid and dungeon, but the countless small changes to the 1-50 main story quest and systems. Other topics include Sean being unable to pronounce Meracydia or Byregot, G&apo...

Another guest episode! This time, Ganthor is on, and giving his calls on Endwalker. You heard that right: he just cleared Seat of Sacrifice, allowing us to talk about predictions for Endwalker, the Ascians, and the shape of the plot leading up to the present day from the perspective of someone in the past! Topics include some heavy folklore, speculation on the connections between Primals and Dynam...

Riko's back, with all the ups and downs, highs and lows, f-words and bullshits from Nomura's second best work (the first being the Kingdom Hearts 1 Trailer aired during Toonami), Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Sean and Chadd (featuring Riko from Devil May Cry!) also cover the ashes of 6.0, Zenos shipping, and conclude a heap of calls about Pandemonium, Myths of the Realm, an...

In this episode of the premiere FFXIV Lore Podcast, Chadd and Sean pick apart the three faces of WoL, and the nature of reincarnation in storytelling. Other topics include Castlevania, Old Yeller, and Azem's terrible D&D game. Also, our first correction, so that's cool.  We have a discord! https://discord.gg/x6paJyTx  Want to get a mention on the show correcting us? Email us at shoeb...

In this episode of the HORRIFYING FFXIV lore podcast, Chadd and Sean look at the unquiet dead of FFXIV, and the heady concepts they bring to the occult table. Topics include Hauntology and a handful of things that aren't Hauntology, but we promise, FFXIV has about as many ghosts as a Fatal Frame game. Wait a second, Fatal Frame: XIV? Quick, we've got to get a spiritualist in here to see...

In this episode of the premiere FFXIV Lore podcast, Chadd and Sean take a look at the specifics of how the Garlean military relates to itself, ideas of imperial power, and the increased use of weapons of mass destruction by an increasingly desperate Garlemald. Don't worry, if you haven't heard the previous one, this will still make sense, assuming you're a huge FFXIV dork.   We have...

In this episode, Chadd and Sean flex their terrible Latin throat muscles to convey enough Roman historical and archeological information to inform you, dear listener, on what Romanness is doing in the context of Final Fantasy XIV. Other topics include Imperialism, Postcolonialism, and the simulated nature of of popular depictions of Ah! Rome!  We have a discord!  https://discord.gg/dtmydTFV   We h...

In this episode, Chadd and Sean break down 'Diegesis,' a squirrelly and academic concept in media that plays a huge role in Final Fantasy XIV's narrative. Other topics include inside baseball on MMO writing, why Hades loses to a Plant, and how often to feed your writing staff.  We have a discord! Join https://discord.gg/KX7KnnyR  We have an email address! Send complaints to shoebill...

In this episode, Sean and Chadd invite Riko (Triple Legend) to explain to them the narrative and mechanical conventions of FF XIV's hardest content: Ultimate Raids. Topics include cool enrages, mechanical abstractions, and the experience of attacking content way after the production date, as well as secrets you'll only hear from people who've actually cleared (not Sean and Chadd). I...

In this episode, Sean and Chadd look at the most Catholic city in the history of fantasy: Ishgard. Topics include Paladins, Lutheranism, and Tarot Cards. This episode also gets kinda specific about a certain other MMO and what it does badly, so if you'd like some shittalk with your Jesus, we got that too.   Want to explain to us why we're wrong about infidels, heretics, and the excommuni...

In this episode, Chadd charges his way through all of the flawed masterpiece, Final Fantasy IV, replete with hovercrafts, airships, and lunar expeditions, with occasional interruptions by Sean. Who could have guessed that Endwalker was fifty percent Harvey by volume?   Namingway: Hey There, Would You Like To Change Your Name? If Not, You Can Contact Us At shoebillcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Sean and Chadd express their appreciation for not only the writers of FFXIV, but also the irreplicable admiral, and her powerful grasp on both economics and human organization. We also discus how Alphinaud is The Police, and how Garuda is really oversold compared to Leviathan, who may or may not be our favorite primal that doesn't hit us with swords. Confused? Email us at sho...

In this, the 4th episode of the premiere FF XIV lore podcast, Chadd and Sean talk about Endwalker as a complete experience from top to bottom, from Emet-Selch to Hythlodaeus.  Wait-- Nevermind.  It is two hours long though, so be warned! Complaints and Accusations? Direct them to shoebillcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we cover the War of the Magi, the 6th Umbral Calamity, and the narrative stakes of the three great city-states who unleashed the great flood.  Have an idea for an episode? Want to call us terrible names? Email us at shoebillcast@gmail.com

In this, the second episode of If the Shoebill Fits, we talk about the literary influences of Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker, including Three Body Problem, The Ripley Scroll, and Blood Meridian. Contact us at shoebillcast@gmail.com

In this, the pilot episode of the premiere Final Fantasy 14 Lore Podcast, Sean and Chadd talk about everyone's least favorite unleasher of Ultima: Lahabrea. Contact us at shoebillcast@gmail.com