Warrior of Light Primal Plot Twist (spoilers)

So this will most likely not happen, but what if our overachiever Warrior of Light character was a primal the whole time? (Dun dun DUUUUN) I mean there are certainly enough people around in the beginning of ARR crying out that they want the forgotten warriors of light back. We collect crystals to become more powerful, we gain fallowers via our deeds. (quest exp happens because you do things for people, exp = worship points making us more powerful)

Over the storyline it is questioned many many times how we can be /that/ powerful. /that/ determined, /that/ successful. What if somewhere along the way or even just from the very start WoL has been a primal of the original warriors of light~ and the coming warrior of darkness is the real "us" coming back to fix things?

Random plot twist theory... lol that is all.

We're not Primals. We may use crystals for power (also remember, crystals are used in a lot of things in Eorzea, so just using crystals for power doesn't mean as much as it seems) but we do not consume them, nor do we consume ambient aether like Primals do. We'd also be really bad at tempering if we were (I mean, the whole betrayal from the Crystal Braves and Lolorito...).

Remember the first time you met one of the Scions? Would they have really let you be if you were an aether-draining Primal? This was before you had any Crystals of Light too...

Aside from the Blessing of Light and tradecraft classes, we don't use much in the way of crystals to power up. Instead we put on better gear and accrue a mystical essence called EXP.

Not that we were one the whole time, but rather a "he who fights monsters" sort of deal. By slaying primals on a regular basis and absorbing the aether, we either get closer to become one, or to have our abilities run amok, making us(or others) wonder if we are in control.

Another twist could be to have our feats start to inspire fear in the populace, instead of awe, the ending did start to pose the question of what we are. What if that question starts getting noticed, but going unanswered more and more?

What happens when people want to be saved from the savior?

-half asleep while posting- i like random theories though, it is just a bit of fun, and more of a what if. I mostly just wonder where the story will go next with how everyone (including allies) wondering how we have gotten so far beyond what should be possible

I do not think we are a primal or have to worry about becoming one. However, I do wonder what will happen if we were to meet an untimely demise? Would the populace of Eorzea try to recreate us into a primal?

As for the Warriors of Darkness, I'm pretty convinced they are not going to be inherently "evil." Early Final Fantasy games, FF3 to be exact, stated that light isn't always good, darkness isn't always bad and that there should always be a balance between the two to keep the world stable. I think that's why the Warriors of Darkness are being sent out now. We are throwing the equilibrium out of whack and it has to be restored before something cataclysmic happens. Whether or not it'll be the same case here remains to be seen. But I look forward to when we actually encounter the Warriors of Darkness.

Well I think it may be possible that we're changing into SOMETHING. I know the Echo prevents us from getting tempered by primals, but what about all that aether we're always around? Didn't Captain Madison imply he and his pirate company were changed by Leviathan for failing him so many times? I think it was by a blast of aether. Can't remember.

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Originally Posted by AskaRay

Well I think it may be possible that we're changing into SOMETHING. I know the Echo prevents us from getting tempered by primals, but what about all that aether we're always around? Didn't Captain Madison imply he and his pirate company were changed by Leviathan for failing him so many times? I think it was by a blast of aether. Can't remember.

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I think it was repetitive tempering, so large blasts of Leviathan's brand of water-aspected aether. So much so, we're told it'd take lethal amounts to change someone like that.

The exception there was the Mermaids (they looked like Lamia, but had a fin on the end of their tails). We're told they're "Drowned Wenches," but it was suggested in an interview that they may originally have been Lamia, but went through the morphing process.

I think it is more likely that we're Tempered. Tempered individuals, given time, do seem to exceed their mortal limits to the point where we have to deal with them rather than them just still being random pathetic people. This is particularly noticeable with Ifrit, when we get to see him Temper some people, who then meekly walk off to their deaths, yet all the other Tempered individuals for Ifrit (presumably coming from similar walks of life) are fairly strong (or were, at Lv50). How'd they get that strong? Simple, being Tempered makes you stronger.

Who are we Tempered by? Hydaelyn, of course. Both the planet and the Mother Crystal. The Mother Crystal is actually in the center of the planet, looks awfully similar to Bahamuts crystal heart, doesn't it? But Primals sap the world of aether to sustain themselves? Well, Hydaelyn is a planet size Primal, does space look particularly rich in aether? The Lifestream? Well, would a large enough Primal have a vascular system? I'd think so...

Another interesting tidbit from the Alexander plot line, the Illuminati seem to think that, once Alexander is fully operational and consuming all the aether on the planet, they'll be safe inside, surviving off his aether. So, unless they're wrong, large enough Primals can sustain life inside/on them. Wonder what would happen if you summoned a Primal inside Alexander... Would it feed of the planets aether, or would it feed off Alexanders? Then there is the whole Ascian thing. Most recently they've claimed we mindlessly seek out Primals to kill, and in the past Elidibus mentioned how we'd join them if we knew the truth... From their perspective, we live to kill Primals, but we're unaware Hydaelyn is a Primal. If we knew Hydaelyn was a Primal, surely we'd join them to kill yet another Primal?

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Originally Posted by Nalien

Most recently they've claimed we mindlessly seek out Primals to kill, and in the past Elidibus mentioned how we'd join them if we knew the truth... From their perspective, we live to kill Primals, but we're unaware Hydaelyn is a Primal. If we knew Hydaelyn was a Primal, surely we'd join them to kill yet another Primal?

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i don't think that would be the same case... as if we killed hydaelyn we would be killing everything that lived on the planet if your theory is true...at which point i highly doubt even the most fanatic primal slayer would go THAT far...

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Originally Posted by dragoelete

i don't think that would be the same case... as if we killed hydaelyn we would be killing everything that lived on the planet if your theory is true...at which point i highly doubt even the most fanatic primal slayer would go THAT far...

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Well, obviously we'd never do that, but the Ascians certainly would want us to.

I imagine we're heading towards some "Primal ain't so bad" plot point, given we're meant to eventually be able to summon them ourselves, so we'll probably end up letting Hydealyn chill out. Alternatively we've become increasingly aware of the Allagans ability to seal Primals and Eikons... I kind of wonder if that is what happened before... Insert crazy theory that Silvertear Falls was where Hydaelyn was sealed by the Allag, and that's why Midgardsormr crashed the Agrius into the lake (yay, I've finally made sense of his seemingly insane move back then...).

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Originally Posted by Nalien

I think it is more likely that we're Tempered. Tempered individuals, given time, do seem to exceed their mortal limits to the point where we have to deal with them rather than them just still being random pathetic people. This is particularly noticeable with Ifrit, when we get to see him Temper some people, who then meekly walk off to their deaths, yet all the other Tempered individuals for Ifrit (presumably coming from similar walks of life) are fairly strong (or were, at Lv50). How'd they get that strong? Simple, being Tempered makes you stronger.

Who are we Tempered by? Hydaelyn, of course. Both the planet and the Mother Crystal. The Mother Crystal is actually in the center of the planet, looks awfully similar to Bahamuts crystal heart, doesn't it? But Primals sap the world of aether to sustain themselves? Well, Hydaelyn is a planet size Primal, does space look particularly rich in aether? The Lifestream? Well, would a large enough Primal have a vascular system? I'd think so...

Another interesting tidbit from the Alexander plot line, the Illuminati seem to think that, once Alexander is fully operational and consuming all the aether on the planet, they'll be safe inside, surviving off his aether. So, unless they're wrong, large enough Primals can sustain life inside/on them. Wonder what would happen if you summoned a Primal inside Alexander... Would it feed of the planets aether, or would it feed off Alexanders? Then there is the whole Ascian thing. Most recently they've claimed we mindlessly seek out Primals to kill, and in the past Elidibus mentioned how we'd join them if we knew the truth... From their perspective, we live to kill Primals, but we're unaware Hydaelyn is a Primal. If we knew Hydaelyn was a Primal, surely we'd join them to kill yet another Primal?

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Except that if Hydaelyn is a primal then so is Zodiark, so why would we side with one primal to slay another?

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Originally Posted by RickiFake02

Except that if Hydaelyn is a primal then so is Zodiark, so why would we side with one primal to slay another?

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Again, we wouldn't, but the Ascians would want us to. Manipulating peoples objectives to their own ends is kinda their deal. Slaying Primals is our objective.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we just have an expansion where we sided with one Primal to slay another? I know Shiva sucked against Ravana, but it doesn't change the fact that we had Shiva, a Primal, help us out... Twice...

I really doubt we'll do anything to Hydaelyn though, if anything that is what the Warrior of Darkness is being set up for. If I'm right, we'll get the big reveal that we should be against Hydaelyn, but I'm sure we'll just shrug it off like everything else because plot. If I had to guess, Primals are only as bad as the method used to summon them. Currently the Ascians have everyone summoning, everything is being summoned with a Dark aspected affinity (similar to how the the Twelve represent each element twice, once with a Light affinity, then again with a Dark affinity). Dark aspected flame (Ifrit) is bad because Hydaelyn is Light based, but if we summoned Light aspected Ifrit, that'd be fine, and we can hand wave away with issue of Primal Summoning just in time for Free Companies to finally get that piece of content.

I dunno, isn't one of the major points of the 3.0 ending to be that throwing bigger things against us isn't working for Elidibus and friends?

didnt ffx already do this with tidus-the main character or something very similar?

I entertained the notion of the Warrior of Light being a primal or something like it...

... but then I remembered the Scions all have gadgets that make aetherflow visible, and I'm quite certain they'd have noticed if we were sucking up aether like a primal.

Pretty sure if we were Primals, Urianger would've noticed something since he's always wearing those aether scouter goggles on his face. That or Y'shtola since she's like a magic Toph/Daredevil.

I've had the theory that we are in fact physical manifestations of Hydaelyn's light that she brought to life to be her champions. So when she calls us her child she means it literally. I think it would explain why our Echo is abnormally strong, are immune to being tempered even after Middy removed our "blessing", and why we continue to grow in strength while Hydaelyn is growing weaker. We are, in a sense, the light version of the Ascians and are ourselves immortals. This would, I think, also serve to justify the game mechanic of resurrecting at aetherytes after having been "killed." Since we attune ourselves to the aetherytes instead of a crystal, we are able to resurrect without the consumption of a crystal like the Ascians do.

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Originally Posted by Sylentmana

I think it would explain why our Echo is abnormally strong, are immune to being tempered even after Middy removed our "blessing",

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Echo =/= Blessing of Light.

Middy only sealed the Blessing away for a time; the Echo was left intact.

To give a refresher, we know the Echo allows us to understand anyone, resist tempering, and see visions (and so on and so on), while the Blessing...is a bit more ambiguous, giving us the ability to manifest the Crystals of Light, use the Light to shield us, and some other abilities.

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Originally Posted by Sylentmana

We are, in a sense, the light version of the Ascians and are ourselves immortals. This would, I think, also serve to justify the game mechanic of resurrecting at aetherytes after having been "killed." Since we attune ourselves to the aetherytes instead of a crystal, we are able to resurrect without the consumption of a crystal like the Ascians do.

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Its just a game-mechanic. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm 90% sure that we've only lost a single fight so far in the story...to the Amalj'aa, where we were slept and brought before Ifrit. We have yet to die, or have any other enemy force us unconscious.

We don't know if we are, in fact, immortal at this point. Middy still refers to us as a Mortal, so...

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Originally Posted by Nalien

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Good food for thought! When Moenbryda and Co explained the Ascian Dilemma in 2.55, Zordiak's realm ( which also accounted for a meeting place of the Ascians ) looked pretty spacey and well, desolate. This is me shooting in the dark here, but when we see the first cameo of the WoD, they are up in space. If Hydaelyn were a primal that is consuming Zordiak's aether, it would make sense why the Asians are trying to wrought destruction on her followers and her very being. I think it would also explain Elidibus' foreboding words, too.

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Originally Posted by Sylentmana

We are, in a sense, the light version of the Ascians and are ourselves immortals. This would, I think, also serve to justify the game mechanic of resurrecting at aetherytes after having been "killed." Since we attune ourselves to the aetherytes instead of a crystal, we are able to resurrect without the consumption of a crystal like the Ascians do.

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Actually, if you talk to the explanation NPC near the Aetheryte of one of the main three cities, they explain that some people will reflexively Return to their home point upon falling unconscious in battle. (I would grab the exact text, if not for emergency maintenance.)

Yes, falling in battle in the game is not actually true death - it's officially known as 'incapacitation' or 'KO', and is more akin to being knocked unconscious. Accordingly, the Return spell acts like a reflex action upon this happening where the aetheryte you've set as your home point acts as a safety net that 'snaps' you back to it upon being KO'd, all that aether that is used in the process being enough to 'revive' you upon arrival at your home point.

True death in Eorzea is something that is stated as almost impossible to come back from - except in some situations where the results are not pretty. ;)

That reminds me, I'm in game right now...

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Sundhimal: However, our ancestors discovered ways in which, through meditation and focus of spiritual energies, one could reduce her body to aether without losing the grip on her spirit, in turn allowing for travel upon the Lifestream. These methods have been given the names Return and Teleport.
Sundhimal: As you travel through Eorzea, you will oft come across large floating deposits of a crystalline substance known as aetheryte. The one before us here is a fine example.
Sundhimal: It is said that aetheryte is the solid manifestation of the planet's lifeblood, aether, and that by touching it, the aether which makes up our bodies resonates with that contained in the crystal. This is called “attunement.”
Sundhimal: Normally, when one's body is reduced to aether, it will naturally gravitate to the location with which it resonates the greatest─or one's “home point.” This is why upon losing consciousness in battle, many wake to find themselves back at an aetheryte.
Sundhimal: In other words, aetherytes act as lodestones, assuring that the body, in its aetherial form, is not lost to the pull of the greater flow.

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Does that mean the key to loving a ripe old age whilst in a deadly profession is to link with an aetheryte?

We have the secret of immortality, and its a blue crystal floating in town. :3

I say this because our bodies reducing to aether both sounds like the process of teleporting, and death. And im not sure Minfilia's slideshow got into the details of the difference.

Back in 1.0, a conversation occured with Ifrit where he stated than he can't temper us because we're already tempered.
Some peole think that we're tempered by one of the Twelve, since we choose a deity when we create our character, but maybe it's our own essence that's close to a primal.

After all, one of the few people we saw having the Echo basically turned into a primal.

As for "Death in battle", I've thought of something...really creepy...
What if, each time we "die", we stole someone's body ? Like that sahuagin, who had the Echo, could transfer its essence into another and change its shape to retain its appearance.
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And we'll maybe see Minfilia again transferred to another body after the events of 2.55 o_O

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Originally Posted by Nalien

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we just have an expansion where we sided with one Primal to slay another? I know Shiva sucked against Ravana, but it doesn't change the fact that we had Shiva, a Primal, help us out... Twice...

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I was under the impression that due to Ysayle's own ideals, the Shiva brought forth was simply following those belief and thus not our enemy. Besides, we don't even know how much control Ysayle had while possessed by Shiva.

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Originally Posted by Kallera

Does that mean the key to loving a ripe old age whilst in a deadly profession is to link with an aetheryte?

We have the secret of immortality, and its a blue crystal floating in town. :3

I say this because our bodies reducing to aether both sounds like the process of teleporting, and death. And im not sure Minfilia's slideshow got into the details of the difference.

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Surviving to a ripe old age? Sure.

Living forever? I don't think aetherytes are the key to that or else people (like the Sharlayans who seem to know a lot about this kind of stuff) would already be doing that. Let me get his entire text...

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Sundhimal: Greetings, adventurer. Do you wish an explanation of aetherial travel? I am here to answer any queries you might have.

What is aetherial travel?

Sundhimal: Aether is the source of all life, and the underlying force that makes all forms of arcane manipulation possible.
Sundhimal: This ephemeral substance, though unseen and unfelt, flows around and within every single living creature.
Sundhimal: In the moment of our death, it is believed that a separation occurs between our spiritual and physical forms. Our bodies break down and are absorbed back into the aetherial river, while our souls continue on to the afterlife. This final journey is sometimes called “returning to the Lifestream.”
Sundhimal: However, our ancestors discovered ways in which, through meditation and focus of spiritual energies, one could reduce her body to aether without losing the grip on her spirit, in turn allowing for travel upon the Lifestream. These methods have been given the names Return and Teleport.

What is aetheryte?

Sundhimal: As you travel through Eorzea, you will oft come across large floating deposits of a crystalline substance known as aetheryte. The one before us here is a fine example.
Sundhimal: It is said that aetheryte is the solid manifestation of the planet's lifeblood, aether, and that by touching it, the aether which makes up our bodies resonates with that contained in the crystal. This is called “attunement.”
Sundhimal: Normally, when one's body is reduced to aether, it will naturally gravitate to the location with which it resonates the greatest─or one's “home point.” This is why upon losing consciousness in battle, many wake to find themselves back at an aetheryte.
Sundhimal: In other words, aetherytes act as lodestones, assuring that the body, in its aetherial form, is not lost to the pull of the greater flow.
Sundhimal: And, because signatures of past attunements are maintained within our bodies, it is possible (with some spiritual training, of course) to ignore the pull back to the strongest resonation, and travel to another beacon. Many refer to this as “Teleportation.”
Sundhimal: What is even more amazing is that when teleporting, we can “carry” those with whom we have created a bond, such as an adventuring party─assuming they have previously attuned with the destination aetheryte.

What is the difference between Return and Teleport?

Sundhimal: As Return merely involves allowing the body to be drawn back to the strongest aetherial beacon─one's home point─it is fairly easy to execute and requires very little spiritual exertion.
Sundhimal: Usually, a few moments of rest is all that is needed before it is safe to attempt another jump.
Sundhimal: Teleportation, on the other hand, comes with a greater price. A great deal of spiritual energy known as “anima” is required to fight the natural flow of the Lifestream and guide one's body and soul to a comparatively weak aetherial beacon.
Sundhimal: If one's body lacks sufficient anima, teleporting to a location may prove impossible. Luckily for most of us, anima is restored quickly and should not prohibit regular travel.
Sundhimal: Then why, you ask, must we pay gil when using Teleport? Well, after the Calamity, many of the existing aetheryte camps were destroyed. To relocate and rebuild them required a large sum of money, much of which was lent by certain men of business from Ul'dah.
Sundhimal: The gil you pay when either leaving from or arriving at an aetheryte goes to paying off that debt.

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The way Return and Teleport work sounds a lot like Flow

the spell Y'shtola used to escaped Ul'dah

just minus the aetheryte for guides.

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Originally Posted by dragonflie

The way Return and Teleport work sounds a lot like Flow

the spell Y'shtola used to escaped Ul'dah

just minus the aetheryte for guides.

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they explained later on that that was a ancient form of what they used to make the aetheryte system.