The Emperor (A Dragonsong Spoiler)

So a specific part of Dragonsong caught my interest being the part where the Trailer shows that the WoL will be meeting the Emperor in the new 3.0 area directly. Everything else I already guessed and expect would happen.

Anyone want to guess why the new leader of a major antagonist empire would go to this length and meet the WoL directly?

Also before anyone else can I've already considered this...
http://media.tumblr.com/6a7f761503d1...zf51qz4rgp.gif

or that some issues in Garlean Empire has forced him to take this action

or SE is pulling the "new Leader of a long Antagonist turns out to be a Protagonist and tried to change the Garlean Empire but failed and now on the run by a new Antagonist that want to keep the old Garlean Empire World Domination idea" Plot.

Given that the Garlean Empire is almost entirely based on the Gestahlian Empire from FFVI it wouldn't surprise me in the least if their emperor was headed for the Floating Continent in an attempt to take control of the Warring Triad. If that were the case then Ishgard and Dravania might have cause to make peace and deal with a bigger threat in the interests of mutual survival.

You should watch Ethys Asher's lore recap video it gives really good information what is possible to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtu2VdRSu5k

Side Note: I consider him our own personal final fantasy Morgan Freeman with lore.:p

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

or SE is pulling the "new Leader of a long Antagonist turns out to be a Protagonist and tried to change the Garlean Empire but failed and now on the run by a new Antagonist that want to keep the old Garlean Empire World Domination idea" Plot.

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This is pretty much guaranteed not to happen, since during the cutscene where it was revealed a new emperor for the Garlean Empire had been chosen, they talked specifically about how this would be bad for Eorzea, as he was so intent on conquering it and forcing it to be a part of the Empire that he was outspoken against the whole plan that the empire had in 1.0.....

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Originally Posted by Gamer3427

This is pretty much guaranteed not to happen, since during the cutscene where it was revealed a new emperor for the Garlean Empire had been chosen, they talked specifically about how this would be bad for Eorzea, as he was so intent on conquering it and forcing it to be a part of the Empire that he was outspoken against the whole plan that the empire had in 1.0.....

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^This. It was mentioned earlier in the story that Varius is hellbent on conquering Eorzea (effectively making him Gaius Mk II), and actually seized the throne from his uncle who had more a direct claim than he did. Vairus's reign is not going to be peaceful at all, and the Eorzean citystates are well aware that a renewal of hostilities with the Empire is not a question of if, but when, and specifically, how soon.

The

political turmoil in Ul'dah and the fall from grace of the Scions and the Warrior of Light really could not have come at a worse time, as it's obvious the Alliance simply is not in any position to defend against a renewed Garlean assault at this time.

Also it's clear in the Dragonsong trailer that the meeting between Varius and the Warrior of Light was not even expected or planned - Alphinaud clearly is surprised to see Varius there (judging by his mouth agape ;)) meaning they probably went there for some other reason. Either way, it should go without saying we will find out soon enough. ;)

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Originally Posted by Alberel

Given that the Garlean Empire is almost entirely based on the Gestahlian Empire from FFVI it wouldn't surprise me in the least if their emperor was headed for the Floating Continent in an attempt to take control of the Warring Triad. If that were the case then Ishgard and Dravania might have cause to make peace and deal with a bigger threat in the interests of mutual survival.

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For that to happen Ishgard must first be free from the Ascian's control. If anything so far we have been given hints Ishgard may turn on the WoL in 3.0 due to one of the Dungeons revealed to be either a Assault on Ishgard or a Escape from Ishgard.

I won't be surprised if that Trial Scene in the Trailer is the WoL being Trialled as a Enemy of Ishgard due to speaking with Midy.

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Originally Posted by Alberel

Given that the Garlean Empire is almost entirely based on the Gestahlian Empire from FFVI it wouldn't surprise me in the least if their emperor was headed for the Floating Continent in an attempt to take control of the Warring Triad. If that were the case then Ishgard and Dravania might have cause to make peace and deal with a bigger threat in the interests of mutual survival.

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Or he's going to make peace with Eorzea and the Warrior of Light.. except you know his crazy Clown Legatus has different ideas..

Anyone else remember that New Years poem?

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To naught by the Ivory Spear shall ebon mail yield,
Yet Her point remains ever trained upon scales of black.
Peer deep into the dust which swirls in our wakes
And know the bloody dance of light and dark to be everlasting.

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Ivory Spear = Ishgard, obviously. Scales of black = Nidhogg. Ebon mail is really shaping up to be Garlemald, as I speculated at the time.

Varis was introduced as a reminder that they'll eventually continue their invasion. Ul'dah has effectively weakened the Eorzean Alliance, setting up a prime time for Varis to start his invasion. We end the Dragonsong War and get Ishgard to rejoin the Eorzean Alliance or else Varis will just crush everyone easily.

Funny you should mention that, for if you go to Revenant's Toll and speak to the Wandering Minstrel in Seventh Heaven (don't worry about the

Brass Blade guarding the entrance to the Rising Stones, he tells you that you have nothing to fear from him, but that he naturally is forbidden to let anyone inside

), it triggers a cutscene where Yoshi-P's alter ego actually interprets that very poem:

(Edit, I was wrong. It's not that prophecy he interprets, but the previous years's one:

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Originally Posted by the Wandering Minstrel

"Lances of light herald the Dawn."
"Beckoning shadows deeper still."
"Splendor dances with shades"
"Unsheathed, a rime-kissed blade"
"Spills crimson o'er fields of white."
"Archon Louisoix warned us that shadows would accompany the coming of dawn."
"In answer to ascendent light, darkness will gather in opposition... or so I interpret his words."
"What a 'rime-kissed blade' signifies, I cannot yet fathom. But I have heard that roses of blood are blooming in the white fields of Coerthas, in ever greater profusion."
"The Twelve keep and defend you <character's name>. What tales you'll have when we next meet!"

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So back to square one I guess. :p

No joke, I am highly intrigued by that scene. Particularly the fact that both groups are visibly armed, yet we're not immediately trying to kill each other. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of character the Emperor turns out to be. The FF series has delivered some truly memorable villains (both of the honorable opponent type and the terrifying psycho type) and XIV already stands high in the ranking.

Emperor: I am your father.
WoL: ?!

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Originally Posted by Neri

Emperor: I am your father.
WoL: *stoic nod*

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ftfy

/10char

maybe he will actually assist the warrior of light with a decent airship to defeat Bismark (eorzean ones are barely fit for combat at this stage)? while he will obviously try to conquer eorzea in time he desires to get rid of the primals as much as we do, so perhaps it's a temporary truce to destroy bismark?

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Originally Posted by VargasVermillion

maybe he will actually assist the warrior of light with a decent airship to defeat Bismark (eorzean ones are barely fit for combat at this stage)? while he will obviously try to conquer eorzea in time he desires to get rid of the primals as much as we do, so perhaps it's a temporary truce to destroy bismark?

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If the garleans learn that those with the echo can turn themself into primals (like Iceheart), it will be not only the beastmen he will kill.

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Originally Posted by Felis

If the garleans learn that those with the echo can turn themself into primals (like Iceheart), it will be not only the beastmen he will kill.

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Doesn't have to know that yet, they already hate people with the echo as it is. It likely won't be the case but considering the beastmen in the background I imagine it would be around bismarks arc, garleans offering airship support to remove a primal isn't as crazy as it may sound as a desire for primal defeat is the one thing eorzea and garlemald have in common.

I'm actually not surprised that we are meeting Emperor Varis (must....not.....make.....game of thrones.....jokes). He is the freshly elected monarch of a neighbouring empire. I anticipated a diplomatic meeting to happen sooner or later. What surprised me is that he is meeting with our little group and not saaay Merlwyb or the Elder Seedseer. At least we have Cid with us. That sure won't be awkward.

I'm hoping he's practical enough to realize that the person who slaughtered 3-4 of his generals, defeated 6 primals, and defeated a weapon designed to kill said primals is probably someone you'd want to negotiate with and give a wide berth.
If he's hellbent on conquering and subjugating Eorzea, and if he opposed the Meteor project, then there are more effective methods that brute force at his disposal, especially since he's shown evidence so far of being the type of ruler to manipulate outcomes in his favor.
It's also in his best interest to either ensure the Dragonsong war continues (thus distracting the Ishgardian troops) or ends in the Dravanians' favor (as said dragons, to his knowledge, made no promises with any Eorzeans for support against the Garleans, while at least one Ishgardian House has at this time). Plus while his generals didn't manage to take out the Eorzeans, Gaius/Nael's ships DID manage to, as far as he knows, take out the grand daddy of all dragons.
It's really quite intriguing to consider which route he'll take, and even moreso to wonder just how much he knows of or is involved with the Ascians.

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Originally Posted by Balipu

I'm actually not surprised that we are meeting Emperor Varis (must....not.....make.....game of thrones.....jokes). He is the freshly elected monarch of a neighbouring empire. I anticipated a diplomatic meeting to happen sooner or later. What surprised me is that he is meeting with our little group and not saaay Merlwyb or the Elder Seedseer. At least we have Cid with us. That sure won't be awkward.

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Maybe it's because he knows who to actually talk to when it comes to power matters in Eorzea, "fallen" or not.

...

I still need to get those "Gaius Was Right" shirts printed.

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Originally Posted by RaideDuku

Maybe it's because he knows who to actually talk to when it comes to power matters in Eorzea, "fallen" or not.

...

I still need to get those "Gaius Was Right" shirts printed.

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He could just be saying, "Do you see why Eorzea needs conquering?"
Yea, maybe we should've listened to Gaius.

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Originally Posted by jomoru

Or he's going to make peace with Eorzea and the Warrior of Light.. except you know his crazy Clown Legatus has different ideas..

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I laughed irl.

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Originally Posted by kyuven

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I won't be surprised if SE pulls the "Ascians are behind everything" reasoning again. After all Ishgard constant war with the Dragons seems to be caused by the Ascians from behind the scenes and I won't be surprised if it Ishgard was the ones who started everything in the Dragon Wars considering the words said in DragonSong hints of a distorted truth in Ishgard's history.

DragonSong lyrics
Children of the land do you hear
Echoes of truths that once rang clear
Two souls intertwined
One true love they did find
Bringing land and heavens near
But flames that burn full bright, soon fell dark
Memories dimmed by shadowed hearts
In the waxing gloom did wane the lover's moon
Watching as their worlds drift apart
One soul's cry
A passion dwelling within
Sacrifice, a final plea to her kin
Yet this bond of hope, by treachery was broke
Scattering her words to the wind
Swelling over long,
seas of blood, are a song
And death an afterthought
To those who fight for naught
A throne, lying empty
A reign, incomplete
Alone, for eternity
A pain, without cease
Children of the land, answer this
Why must you turn to empty bliss
Tell me why break trust, why turn the past to dust
Seeking solace in the abyss
Tell me why create, a circle none can break
Why must you let go, the life you were bestowed
This I fear I'll never know
Never know

As for the Emperor...

There are other ways to conqurer a civilization than through military force. For example, slow intergration of Garlean culture into their society until the old society's culture is completely replaced by the Garlean Culture as one method.

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Anyone want to guess why the new leader of a major antagonist empire would go to this length and meet the WoL directly?

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It's in his interests? From his perspective, we stopped the XIV Legion post Meteor operation and have defeated the primals. I suspect he's got spies and knows of our victory over the Cloud of Darkness and Bahamut Prime. Ignoring us is a bad decision on his part. It's best to meet us and go from there. One of Gaius's faults was his hubris, he didn't acknowledge our strength until it was too late.

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

I won't be surprised if SE pulls the "Ascians are behind everything" reasoning again. After all Ishgard constant war with the Dragons seems to be caused by the Ascians from behind the scenes and I won't be surprised if it Ishgard was the ones who started everything in the Dragon Wars considering the words said in DragonSong hints of a distorted truth in Ishgard's history.

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The Acians are behind everything; that's been established in every plot line. The overarching story of this game is Hydalyen vs. Zodiark. However, the Ascians do nothing but play on people's desires and faults, I don't think they directly instigate anything.

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Originally Posted by EdwinLi

DragonSong lyrics
Children of the land do you hear
Echoes of truths that once rang clear
Two souls intertwined
One true love they did find
Bringing land and heavens near
But flames that burn full bright, soon fell dark
Memories dimmed by shadowed hearts
In the waxing gloom did wane the lover's moon
Watching as their worlds drift apart
One soul's cry
A passion dwelling within
Sacrifice, a final plea to her kin
Yet this bond of hope, by treachery was broke
Scattering her words to the wind
Swelling over long,
seas of blood, are a song
And death an afterthought
To those who fight for naught
A throne, lying empty
A reign, incomplete
Alone, for eternity
A pain, without cease
Children of the land, answer this
Why must you turn to empty bliss
Tell me why break trust, why turn the past to dust
Seeking solace in the abyss
Tell me why create, a circle none can break
Why must you let go, the life you were bestowed
This I fear I'll never know
Never know

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Technically we already knew Ishgard's distorted the hell out of their history from 2.4 That song is basically refering to what happened to the real Shiva and how Ishgard has completely forgotten (seemingly purposefully in the form of their doctrine) what they did wrong and the true reason their at war with the dragons. Whereas the dragons do remember and with how time works for them their hatred is still fresh...... I can't wait till HW comes out TT^TT

My guesses to plot stuff in 3.x.

- It is revealed that the Holy See is being manipulated by the Ascians and is corrupt. We, the WoL and our allies must confront the church and will end up deposing it and either help to give rise to a new leader for the city-state (Aymeric?) or turn it into a Republic of sorts in which the noble houses form the governing council. This is why there is a dungeon where we appear to be storming an Ishgardian church.

- Potential alternative to the above. The Archbishop is possessed/mind-controlled by an Ascian and needs a good @ss-whooping to have that control broken. When freed he comes to his senses and starts working with the WoL. Personally prefer the previous potential outcome.

- The white dragon that you see in the Dragonsong video is the "light" to Nidhogg's "dark". Perhaps they are the lovers that the song speaks of and used to be a mated couple or maybe siblings if the lovers were one of the dragons and the original Shiva. In the past when the people of Eorzea broke the " covenant", Nidhogg went all rage mode and decided that they deserved/needed to be wiped from the face of the planet because of this. The white dragon disagreed feeling such action was against the will of Hydaelen and was an abandonment of their duties, causing a split between them. This eventually leads the WoL and Iceheart (who is aligned/a follower of the white dragon) to go to them seeking their council or aid. This is what we see in the video.

- The new Garlean Emperor is moving forward with his plans to take Eorzea. He sees the current division and turmoil as an opportunity and perfect timing to press the advantage. However, he wants an ace up his sleeve to turn the tide even more in his favor, and so he has begun an expedition to gain control of a fabled weapon of the ancients, perhaps being the Triad as people think which is where the floating continent comes in. This could also link into the disappearance of Sharlyan, although I have another theory on that. Us meeting the emperor is probably going to be just a character introduction for the Emperor and some plot dump where he talks about how he will say stuff like Eorzea is weak and he will conquer it, etc etc.
The whole Empire thing will probably take more of a backseat to the Dragonsong War story, but will ramp up more towards the end of the 3.x cycle leading into the next expansion, potentially extending the world and story farther east towards Garlemond and adding Ala Mhigo as a city, potentially requiring the liberation of it first in the storyline for 4.x.

- The Ascians = evil thing will be thrown for a loop and their actions and reasonings will be put more into a grey area. The current leader, the one in white, seems to not want things to get out of hand and for the light/dark balance to be maintained. He has expressed discontent over some of the Ascians enacting their own plans and going too far, but he is really concerned about the discovery of being able to break the cycle of rebirth and kill Ascians permanently. The Ascians are the Warriors of Dark and the counterbalance to us the WoL. Both must always exist to balance each other out, being able to remove elements of that balancing by permenantly killing the Warriors of Light or Dark has long reaching implications for the stability of the world. This is why the leader of the Ascians meets with Auriangier, to discuss the ramifications of what has happened. I suspect that the more radical of the Ascians may rise up and depose the current leader, leading to some very very bad stuff. I also suspect that Auriangier knows more about the Ascians than he has been willing to divulge and may know all about the whole Hydaelen+WoL/Zodiark+WoD balance thing and has positioned himself in the Scions as a watcher to keep track of things and make sure that balance is restored or kept.

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Originally Posted by kyuven

I'm hoping he's practical enough to realize that the person who slaughtered 3-4 of his generals, defeated 6 primals, and defeated a weapon designed to kill said primals is probably someone you'd want to negotiate with and give a wide berth.
Sure, but we are still a random andventurer with no actual political affiliation. It can't be considered a diplomatic meeting. The only one who every had any political pull on our side is girlpants, who has the worst judgement in all of Eorzea.
If he's hellbent on conquering and subjugating Eorzea, and if he opposed the Meteor project, then there are more effective methods that brute force at his disposal, especially since he's shown evidence so far of being the type of ruler to manipulate outcomes in his favor.
This was true for Gaius as well.
It's also in his best interest to either ensure the Dragonsong war continues (thus distracting the Ishgardian troops) or ends in the Dravanians' favor (as said dragons, to his knowledge, made no promises with any Eorzeans for support against the Garleans, while at least one Ishgardian House has at this time).
But Varis has no way of knowing that the dragons won't sweep over the entire globe once Ishgard is defeated. Even if Lucia is spying for him, Ishgard thinks of dragons as mindless murderering monsters.
Hell, even we can't be sure that there aren't millions of dragons that can't be reasoned with, and would just want to see the world burn.
Plus while his generals didn't manage to take out the Eorzeans, Gaius/Nael's ships DID manage to, as far as he knows, take out the grand daddy of all dragons.
At the cost of the whole invasion army that was supposed to conquer the entire continent. I'm sure the Emperor has better ways to spend the national budget. Like Healthcare or tourism.
It's really quite intriguing to consider which route he'll take, and even moreso to wonder just how much he knows of or is involved with the Ascians.

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If he has Ascians as advisors he probably has no idea how dangerous they really are. Lahabrea was open about his indentity as an Ascian and showed Lahabrea his Thancred face confirming that he can take over people and still Gaius was surprised when it turned out Lahabrea played him for a chump.

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Originally Posted by Neri

Emperor: I am your father.
WoL: ?!

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WoL: But, I'm a miqo'te/roegadyn/lalafell/elezen/au ra?!?
Emperor: *Shrug* I got around.

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Originally Posted by Balipu

If he has Ascians as advisors he probably has no idea how dangerous they really are. Lahabrea was open about his indentity as an Ascian and showed Lahabrea his Thancred face confirming that he can take over people and still Gaius was surprised when it turned out Lahabrea played him for a chump.

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1) We don't have a political affiliation, but the fact that we're supposedly wantedcriminals yet 2/3 of the major factions of Eorzea aren't lifting a single finger to pursue us and are, in fact, providing us support even afterwards shows that we at the very least have influence, given that Merlwyb and Kan-E are willing to take our word over the monetarists. Speaking of, they and the crystal braves (minus Ilberd, who we all know is in for a reckoning) are terrified of us. Taking all that into account and likely BECAUSE of our lack of direct political involvement with a single faction makes us ideal to at least make an attempt at negotiation. Since we've personally thwarted his country's plans at almost every turn and been personally responsible for dismantling his countrymen's plans, it's worth it to at least TRY negotiation for non-interference.
2) We actually don't KNOW what he knows about the Dravanians. For all we know, he knows about their sapience. And while yes it did cost him an invasion fleet to take down Midgardsormr, there aren't many dragons that even come close to being as strong as Middy. He could be figuring that if he helps them with their revenge, they'll leave his force alone since the Dravanians really don't have much interest in conquest so much as extermination. And he could also figure that if they DO win, it'll be costly and he can just have his forces mop up the remains. Conversely, he knows that if the Ishgardians win, they'll almost immediately side with the Eorzean Alliance to push him out, since their pretext for non-interference is gone.
Which also plays into why he would attempt to negotiate with us. From the Dragonsong trailer and other sources, it appears we'll at least be LISTENING to Ysayle and the big white dragon on the cover. Since the meeting with the Emperor appears to be on a floating island, which means it'll be well into the HW story (as we have to earn flight first to be able to get there) we could end up drawing his attention by taking actions on the side of the Dravanians for whatever reason, giving him more reason to try to coax us away from the Ishgardians' side to allow him to invade.
After all, there IS plenty of evidence that he might run things better than the Ishgardians are...though that would come at a terrible price as it would give him a foothold into Eorzea.

But really, he could just be trying to play both sides like we might end up doing. Except instead of trying to sue for peace, he's trying to keep the war going. Which is ALSO what the Ascians would want (they seem to want to cause strife that would goad people into summoning more Primals) but for different reasons.
Actually, it seems to me the Garleans might be coming into conflict with the Ascians, as while their methods are the same, the end results they want are complete opposites.

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Originally Posted by kyuven

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You make good points but I think you give too much credit to a guy whe only saw for a few second staring silently. He could be anything. A mustache twirling comic book villain like Teledji, a sort of anti hero or a complete monster scarier than Odin in the middle of the Sylphlands.

The context of the meeting could be interesting. We are deep within Dravania. It begs the question why we are meeting there and not in Ishgard? Or Garlemald for that matter? Maybe even Ala Mhigo? And if he is meeting with us behind Ishgard's back, how on earth did he get there unnoticed?
Varis raises a lot of questions.

And the emperor finally speaks. I wonder who "those creatures" are.

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Originally Posted by Balipu

And the emperor finally speaks. I wonder who "those creatures" are.

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Either the Dragons or Primals. I'm leaning towards the Primals here. Mainly because of what we know about them and what they are capable of doing.

All I know is that I better get a for realzies chance to ditch the Immortal Flames for the Garlean Empire. I'd much rather be a Garlean than anything else really. Besides, gunblades bruh.

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Originally Posted by Draxxion

Either the Dragons or Primals. I'm leaning towards the Primals here. Mainly because of what we know about them and what they are capable of doing.

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In the original he calls them bakemono

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Originally Posted by ChillbroSwaggins

All I know is that I better get a for realzies chance to ditch the Immortal Flames for the Garlean Empire. I'd much rather be a Garlean than anything else really. Besides, gunblades bruh.

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It is time you and yours joined the fray. Warrior of Darkness.