The Garlean Emperor? (Patch 2.4 spoilers)

[Enkidoh]

I'm pretty sure it was stated in the past Solus had no living successors, as he had all rival claimants (read, relatives) executed in order to consolidate his grip on power (Gaius himself was said to be responsible for killing at least nine separate heirs to the Imperial throne under Solus's orders - his gunblade was named after this).

The War of Succession all but screams that - with no legitimate heir to the throne left alive, it's left to pretty much anyone with enough power and ambition to fight their way onto the throne - I got a certain Romance of the Three Kingdoms vibe with that scene in the trailer. I wouldn't be surprised if that 'new emperor' is just an ambitious Legatus turned warlord who has seized the Imperial throne in the chaos. But I guess we'll find out.

[Fatestorm]

The War of Succession all but screams that - with no legitimate heir to the throne left alive, it's left to pretty much anyone with enough power and ambition to fight their way onto the throne...I wouldn't be surprised if that 'new emperor' is just an ambitious Legatus turned warlord who has seized the Imperial throne in the chaos.

Yes, precisely. The War of Succession is canon in the story patch with the Doman Exiles. A quote from Yugiri:

"When the war of succession broke out in Garlemald, we espied an opportunity to free ourselves from the yoke of imperial oppression."

It's obvious that the Solus zos Galvus is dead; it is interesting to speculate whether the heir who has emerged in the patch is his blood heir or a Legatus founding a new dynasty.

[Koti]

I'm kind of all for this cloning idea. Only cause Garlemald does love to backward engineer Allagan tech and given Solus was sick, why wouldn't he have a team try to backward engineer that?

Though I do admit, I'd love to see Gaius again, where he isn't being f'ed by the Ascians jedi-mind trick ways and maybe see him how he was back when Nael was doing his Bahamut-controlled thing on Eorzea with only Gaius going: "I'm on to you Nael. >:|"

(which for those who didn't get a chance to play 1.0, Gaius actually kinda helps you by taking down a few of 7th Legions Airships and tossing you the plans for the transmitter. Which is why knowing his history from 1.0, I am pretty sure like, so many others-- that he isn't dead. Just chillin' somewhere, licking his wounds as he plots to get revenge on the Ascians.)