A question arises based on the Dragonsong trailer

Question's in the pic.
http://i.imgur.com/loDuxR9.png

You'll probably find out in the MSQ for HW :D

Yes...but he's so...intriguing.
He doesn't look like anything we've seen before, AND he's hanging out with the notoriously xenophobic Garleans. THE EMPEROR of the xenophobic Garleans. This guy...i think he might be cool.
Or a prisoner. Empy prolly just wants his horns for a hat.

The place you meet with the emperor is a camp in the sea of cloud ( the place you see in the benchmark )that seems to be where friendly vanu vanu lives, that must be why the metting is there, it's a neutral ground, that guy might not be related to the empire at all.

Does anyone else notice that the circled character in question looks absolutely huge when compared to the Garlean soldier that appears to be standing the same distance away? It could be a trick of the perspective, but still.....

Anyhow, my guess is that it's a member of one of the new beast tribes they mentioned would be introduced. I don't know that much on the matter, but I remember hearing that at least two new tribes were going to be available in the same way the Ixal, Kobold, ect are now.....

For all we know, Varis Zos Galvus may have completely different ideals/visions compared to his grandfather, Solus Zos Galvus.
So he may (or not) be more "accepting" of what the Garlean Empire refer to as "beastmen".

Or it could be that they're in neutral ground for negotiating something with us...

definitely not a possible playable race thats for sure

letting conscripts that close to the emperor..... you'd think he would have his own personal army of primus and judges

I'm wondering why the center dude who's name i can never remember looks like Golbez from ffiv

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...idiaRender.PNG

Same reason Gaius looks like this dude
http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...ia_Garland.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KaedrianLiang

letting conscripts that close to the emperor..... you'd think he would have his own personal army of primus and judges

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The previous emperor was a elitist genocidal prick. Varis was a high ranking officer in the relatively diverse Garlean legions before he was emperor; there's probably a good reason why he won the civil war. Imagine if he turns out to be a reasonable authority figure that we still can't join because of story.

There was, he was the best placed during the power struggle in Garlemald following Solus's death called the War of Succession, being that he was supreme commander of the Imperial military. Needless to say, it was a war which Varis ultimately won.

And if you're hoping that Varis turns out to be far more neutral or willing to accept peaceful terms with Eorzea, all signs point to this being sadly misguided. Specifically the main scenario quest where he was first introduced:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by main scenario quest "The Tendrils of Intrigue'

Kan-E-Senna: "Change has come to the Garlean Empire, and we must discuss the implications."
Merlwyb: "The rumours are true then? The War of Succession has ended?"
Kan-E-Senna: "It is. A new emperor reigns in Garlemald."
Alphinaud: "Who?!"
Kan-E-Senna: "The birth and all-too-rapid expansion of the Garlean Empire is commonly attributed to the strategic brilliance of Solus soz Galvus, yet he did not rule alone. Several members of the royal household also distinguished themselves during his reign."
Kan-E-Senna: "Nevertheless, it was the eldest son who stood to inherit the throne-until his most untimely passing."
Raubahn: "I thought us fortunate when I learned that the emperor had died without naming a successor."
Alphinaud: "Would that the Garlean Empire had died with him."
Raubahn: "T'was the grandson and his uncle who had the strongest claims, was it not?"
Kan-E-Senna: "Indeed. Yet claims count for little without the power to assert them. High Legatus Varis yae Galvus is a respected military leader-not so, his uncle."
Merlwyb: "So, young Varis has torn the crown from his uncle's grasp, and taken his place at the head of the Empire."
Kan-E-Senna: "Given the troubled nature of his succession, the new emperor will require time to seal his grip on power. Yet have no doubt but that he shall, for there are none left with the strength to oppose him."
Raubahn: "Since the success of Operation Archon, the remnants of the XIVth Legion and the forces occupying Ala Mhigo have done naught but fortify their positions."
Raubahn: "But you can be sure they'll be ready to march on us again, if their emperor gives the word."
Merlwyb: "When, not if. They say this Varis was so set upon Eorzean annexation that he spoke out against the Meteor Project."
Kan-E-Senna: "Plainly, the new emperor's intentions are of great concern to us all."
Kan-E-Senna: "I propose we set aside the Carteneau dispute for the present and discuss what measures the Alliance might take to prepare for a resumption of hostilities with Garlemald."

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That's pretty conclusive right there that Varis is not a benign ruler content to withdraw from his empire's many conquered territories and just leave Eorzea alone. That scene in the Dragonsong video though seems more accidental rather than a planned meeting on neutral ground - Alphinaud's jaw clearly drops aghast when he realizes he's face to face with the Garlean Emperor. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LystAP

The previous emperor was a elitist genocidal prick. Varis was a high ranking officer in the relatively diverse Garlean legions before he was emperor; there's probably a good reason why he won the civil war. Imagine if he turns out to be a reasonable authority figure that we still can't join because of story.

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He won't be. Even if he's reasonable compared to his gramps, he STILL wants to stick Eorzea under the boot of the Garlean empire, which makes him our enemy.
Even if he IS reasonable, he's not Eorzean, and the Garleans are still jerks.

Disgusting vermin submitting to it's pitiless master. Nothing much to decipher there.

I'm assuming he's a friendlier leader of a Vanu Vanu off set. He shows up in the Benchmark interacting with the adventurers as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kyuven

Question's in the pic.
http://i.imgur.com/loDuxR9.png

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An owl, one of the new beastmen

http://assets.vg247.com/current//201...eavensward.jpg

The heavensward site was updated with the new primals and their beastmen tribes.

It's not a question of WHAT he is now, it's a question of WHO he is. He looks different from the other Vanu Vanu

He is my long lost uncle.

Obviously some kind of Vanu leader, or otherwise important Vanu character. That's about the only reason for a character model to actually be unique when compared to others.

Oh damn, yeah! I was noticing that guy earlier.

Like everyone's like, Emperor of Garlemald here, show some respect. But Owlbearman is just kinda sitting around like, "What, this guy's important? Oh eh whatevs."

He's the Shadow Chancellor of Garlemald.

Dont be surprise if we found out good beastmen guys before any beastrie quests, The sylphs were good and peacefull. So from what im seeing there must be some good Vannu Vannu, that ones should be their leader

Yeah, before they summon their Primal beastmen are generally regarded as neutral towards the spoken races at the very least - it's only when the Ascians visit them (as the 'Paragons' from beastmen legend), and instruct them in how to summon their Primal do they change and become hostile, on account of the Primal tempering them into mindless thralls.

No doubt this is the same with the vanu vanu - the race will only just be starting to summon Bismark and so it should lead to a similar situation like the sylphs (a political schism in their society between those wanting to stick to their 'old' ways who are more benign towards the spoken races, and those who have been tempered by Bismark, and are thus more hostile and violent). But I guess we'll find out soon enough. ;)

I have a feeling he will be like Gessho (The friendly Yagudo NPC in FFXI) In fact I have a feeling that this expansion (the entirety of the 3.xx expansions) will have a very "Chains of Promathia" like feel to it. Which I am pretty excited about to say the least!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kyuven

He won't be. Even if he's reasonable compared to his gramps, he STILL wants to stick Eorzea under the boot of the Garlean empire, which makes him our enemy.
Even if he IS reasonable, he's not Eorzean, and the Garleans are still jerks.

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The Warrior of Light is not a citizen of Eorzea so The Garlean Empeorer Varis isn't our enemy. We were used by Eorzea to help fight the Garlean empire then when we were no longer needed we got cast aside. In Heavensward we are looking for a way to end the conflict between the Dravonia Dragons and the Holy See of Ishgard since we believe the Ascians are pulling the strings.