Revelations from Patch 5.3

Yeah, Hythlodeaus didn't act like Hades acted as Solus, as far as we know. And this is the first I've heard of someone saying his performance as Solus was inspired by anyone in-universe beyond himself. Pretty sure his "performance" was just him with a cynical, devil may care attitude cus he couldn't get attached. Especially after his son died. After that, it took on a cruel edge.

Let's take this a step further. Hythlodeus....what is he was Azem, in the same way Hades was Emet-Selch? Azem is just a title. What if Hythlodeus is our unsundered self? Why else would Emet-selch put so much care (and over-attentiveness to detail) in recreating him? ("I may have gotten a bit carried away.") He recreated us. He wanted us to remember. It is also why he recognized the color of our soul (and Ardbert by association). It also explains why he had our stone.....the one created for us by Emet-Selch.

I mean, wouldn't this be possible?

I mean possible? Perhaps but I don't think so, you'd hardly refer to yourself as your "New old friend" He implies in our first meetings that we and he and Emet were friends and his gender also unlike when referring to our unsundered self doesn't change, unlike us and when speaking about Azem, Hythlodeus is male regardless as if you're female or male.

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Originally Posted by WarzonePrez

Let's take this a step further. Hythlodeus....what is he was Azem, in the same way Hades was Emet-Selch? Azem is just a title. What if Hythlodeus is our unsundered self? Why else would Emet-selch put so much care (and over-attentiveness to detail) in recreating him? ("I may have gotten a bit carried away.") He recreated us. He wanted us to remember. It is also why he recognized the color of our soul (and Ardbert by association). It also explains why he had our stone.....the one created for us by Emet-Selch.

I mean, wouldn't this be possible?

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That was a popular theory when 5.0 dropped, but devs have confirmed its not the case in the 2019 Gamescom Panel they did. We aren't Hytlodaeus:

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Originally Posted by Anonymoose

3. Are there any cleverly hidden hints in-game about the identity of our original soul, beyond the Hythlodaeus conversation and the moment Emet-Selch sees us, that players should be on the lookout for? I do love seeing the community investigate the lore together.

Oda: There may be some hints hidden here and there, but as of this moment I don't think I should say anything more.

Yoshi: From the journey beyond the Stormblood scenario line, the hints are here and there, but as for things before that I don't want to take away the fun from everyone so I will let you speculate and find your own answers! But I will tell you one thing: We've seen theories online that the Warrior of Light may be Hythlodaeus himself...I will tell you that this, at least, is not the case.

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Also, two Tales from the Shadows short stories show Hythlodaeus being a separate character from Azem. :)

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Originally Posted by WarzonePrez

Let's take this a step further. Hythlodeus....what is he was Azem, in the same way Hades was Emet-Selch? Azem is just a title. What if Hythlodeus is our unsundered self? Why else would Emet-selch put so much care (and over-attentiveness to detail) in recreating him? ("I may have gotten a bit carried away.") He recreated us. He wanted us to remember. It is also why he recognized the color of our soul (and Ardbert by association). It also explains why he had our stone.....the one created for us by Emet-Selch.

I mean, wouldn't this be possible?

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"As a matter of fact, yes. Have you informed a certain someone of your appointment?"

"Hardly necessary. The memorandum will see to it, if the gossips in the street haven’t already. News pertaining to the Fourteen is wont to spread quickly."

"Were you to ask my opinion, I would tell you such a momentous message warrants a personal delivery. Shall I ascertain our friend’s whereabouts? It will take but a moment."

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As everyone knew, concepts were stored in the Bureau of the Architect, and not all could be readily removed for personal use. The chief of the bureau, however, could grant access as he pleased.

Who else indeed. I pictured my friend cheerfully sending Azem off to battle without a second thought.

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Hythlodeus was one of Emet's closest friends, and he was also close with Azem. That he was recreated to be more like his old self (and entrusted to pass things on to us) in comparison to random passerby #2388 was due to Emet being the one unsundered clinging to his memories.

Interesting. I remember the first quote, but I had not seen the second quote. I thought I had gone over all the text in the MSQ discussion between Hythlodeus and the WoL. Was this part of a side quest?

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Originally Posted by WarzonePrez

Interesting. I remember the first quote, but I had not seen the second quote. I thought I had gone over all the text in the MSQ discussion between Hythlodeus and the WoL. Was this part of a side quest?

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A lot of this comes from Tales from the Shadows, which are the little stories that tend to be released with the Rising event.

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Originally Posted by Vulcwen

A lot of this comes from Tales from the Shadows, which are the little stories that tend to be released with the Rising event.

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This. I believe they released one story where Emet and Hythlodeus talk about what Azem is doing. Clearly establishing that all 3 are separate people.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WarzonePrez

Interesting. I remember the first quote, but I had not seen the second quote. I thought I had gone over all the text in the MSQ discussion between Hythlodeus and the WoL. Was this part of a side quest?

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the first quote is from the story Through His Eyes. The other is from Ere Our Curtain Falls. Both of which as everyone else has said are from Tales from the Shadows side stories found here

https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes.../sidestory_04/

That link is to the Through His Eyes Story.

I just finished 3.0 again, and decided to watch the cutscene following our victory over Thoradin. Might want to watch it again. Before his body dissoves int aether, he reverts back into the Archbishop. He looks up at you while wondering how even with the power of Nidhogg's Right Eye and a millennium of prayer behind him, you still defeated him. He looked at you, and your form darkened.....shadowed in the same manner as the ascians whenever they are shown in post-story cutscenes back then. To which he exclaims the following :

"Who....what are you?"

He recognized us as an Ascian. I want to say this was clever foreshadowing by the writers.

Thoughts?