Elidibus theories and speculation *SPOILERS*

[YianKutku]

It could be that the whole thing about Zenos being alive and well is a bald-faced lie, invented one hundred percent for the purposes of propaganda.

I thought so at first, but upon reflection I'm not so sure.

It makes the most sense via Occam's Razor, and the way it's presented makes it seem like a lesson in how propaganda works: the Pilus Prior talks about what he heard about Zenos being killed, then the Tribunus Militum presents his own version of events as authoritative. The Tribunus Militum also throws in some rhetoric about how only Stupid People believe that Zenos was killed (I believe this rhetorical device is known as "poisoning the well"), and the Pilus Prior accepts this version as the truth, replacing his own original opinions.

Except this isn't a class on communications; it's part of a story, and basic storytelling requires that a scene like this must be Relevant and Significant. In other words, there must be a reason why we, as the audience, are shown this scene, and that reason must have something to do with the story to come.

And showing the Empire going through a propaganda effort isn't really something the game can handle well. Most of the other instances of propaganda working against us (Coerthas Central Highlands, end of ARR, start of the 3.x series) were effectively solved without our intervention. We made it easier for others to solve the problems through our actions, but it usually falls to others to make the direct push.

So I'd actually go against Occam's Razor this time and say there's something more to that scene than just presenting a lesson in propaganda, simply because that way there's a greater likelihood that we players will have some agency in countering whatever the Empire is planning.

[Dualblade]

I do think the figure in the picture is Aulus, but I don't believe he is possessed by Elidibus. If only because what we currently know doesn't point to Varis being that shocked about Elidibus's appearance. I could also see the Empire trying to make Zenos's death out as a rumor. They've lost four of their Legatus's now within a five year time span, and three of them in at most a years worth of time. If nothing else that has to be a big moral hit and damage control is needed. As well one would think it would be a plot point if Zenos's body dissapeared, though its possible the graveyard thing was actually a cover for the Garleans to place a fake body in Zenos's place.

Though, my own totally 100% thinking is true (not really) theory of what a possibly alive Zenos is doing?

Lahabrea is possessing him. Totally whats happening.

[LineageRazor]

Except this isn't a class on communications; it's part of a story, and basic storytelling requires that a scene like this must be Relevant and Significant. In other words, there must be a reason why we, as the audience, are shown this scene, and that reason must have something to do with the story to come.

Well, there's one big reason why it was required to show this scene to the audience: To explain why Varis isn't coming down on the alliance like the wrath of God for the death of his son. The fact that we were shown a scene depicting his coldness over his son's loss isn't enough. The alliance has slapped Garlemand in general, and Varis in particular, in the face by freeing two territories and slaughtering the crown prince. If Varis doesn't strike back for this insult, it will be seen by his own people as a sign of weakness.

But... if his son isn't dead, a lot of the urgency disappears. Varis himself may have orchestrated this farce to placate the people of Garlemand and allow him time to solidify Garlean hold on the territories they have and prepare a more strategic counterattack, rather than a reckless one.

Of course, clones, frankensteinian resurrections, body doubles, and long-lost twin brothers are a lot more fanciful and exciting, so I'd be a fool to rule those possibilities out - but the purpose of this scene could be simply to show how Garlemand uses lies and propaganda to influence its people - AND to introduce the mysterious fist-clencher.

[Vulcwen]

...

I'd argue it is relevant and significant to see it as propaganda. It indicates that the unrest will be quelled quickly, and that they'll soon be ready to attack again.. unless someone brings evidence of the truth (which can get a problem given that Zenos' grave is defiled).
This puts stress on Ala Mhigo's formation.. they better have their stuff fixed by the time war breaks out again. Additionally, the scene can serve to introduce a new character at some point.. perhaps that mystery guy.

About that mystery guy.. we don't even know his allegiance.. it could be a Doman spy.. as they did send spies into the empire, and it'd be a way that knowledge of these events make their way to our characters.

[VargasVermillion]

About that mystery guy.. we don't even know his allegiance.. it could be a Doman spy.. as they did send spies into the empire, and it'd be a way that knowledge of these events make their way to our characters.

Completely forgot about this plot detail, that is a very likely answer tbh.

[YianKutku]

The usual issue with guessing various Garleans as Elidibus's host body is that Elidibus is not as tall as pureblood Garleans (not named Cid). (Game-mechanically, I believe most pureblood Garleans use a modified Elezen model.)

So any reveal that Elidibus is Zenos or Gaius will have to explain why he seems to have shrunk down to Hyur height.

(I can't recall if Aulus is pureblood. The name and rank suggests he is, but I can't check for certain at the moment.)

They've lost four of their Legatus's now within a five year time span, and three of them in at most a years worth of time.

Even worse, they've lost two entire legions in a five year time span, with a third legion potentially in shambles. Losing a Legatus is a blow, but Legatuses are replaceable. (Regula got his command of the VIth by executing the previous Legatus, on the Emperor's orders.) Losing the sheer manpower of an entire legion, much less two or three, is another matter entirely.

But the VIIth is effectively wiped out after Nael's death and Gaius's taking over of Castrum Novum/Centri, and the XIVth is considered entirely rogue and is holed up in their castrums, useful only for class hunting logs and various Garlean materials used in crafting Rimless Glasses or whatever.

I don't quite recall the exact status of the XIIth (although I'm pretty sure it's mentioned in-game; again, I can't check right now), so I put them down as "potentially lost".

The VIth still seems to be going strong under the command of the Empire, so I assume they're just waiting for a replacement Legatus to come by. They're busy setting up Castrum Solus in Azys Lla, and nobody seems keen on ejecting them.

But it is true that Eorzea has chewed up and spat out four Legatuses in a very short span of time. The time bubble makes it especially implausible for the ones we are personally responsible for (or at least in the near vicinity of, like Regula), but I don't think that can be helped, given the lore team's decision to freeze time.

The alliance has slapped Garlemand in general, and Varis in particular, in the face by freeing two territories and slaughtering the crown prince. If Varis doesn't strike back for this insult, it will be seen by his own people as a sign of weakness.

I had considered this, but I speculate that the death of Zenos would only add to the calls for Varis to retaliate, rather than be the primary impetus. The loss of two conquered provinces through clear and direct enemy action would surely be enough of a cassus belli.

And thus far, nobody is claiming that Ala Mhigo and Doma are still under Garlean rule. Only Zenos's status is still in doubt.

So I can't see how having Zenos still alive (if wounded, according to the Garlean propaganda) would quell the demands for Varis to take action, compared to Zenos being dead. It would certainly be a personal tragedy for Varis in normal circumstances, even though we as players are shown that Varis doesn't really care. But in terms of the Empire as a whole, I'd imagine the loss of two provinces is the real injury, while Zenos's reported death is just the insult added onto it.

Generally it would have been a good idea to have a clear chain of succession should one of the links end up dead or disqualified, and I'd assume Varis would be well aware of this and prepared accordingly (especially since he seems blase about Zenos's death), but RL monarchies in history barely manage to accomplish this, so it would be entirely plausible for Varis to not have a clear heir anymore, causing yet another succession crisis.

In any case, Zenos being wounded (and losing the two territories he was in charge of) doesn't seem to make much of a difference to the outrage level of Garlemald compared to Zenos being dead. So that scene with the Pilus Primus and Tribunus Militum has to imply something other than showing players what propaganda the Empire is preparing, especially since it could otherwise have been handled in an offhand comment by other NPCs. Because even if the Empire is preparing propaganda, there is very little the WoL can actually do about it.

[VargasVermillion]

it's likely Aulus was a pureblood based on how he referred to garleans as if he was one of them when giving that rather awkward exposition on garlean history.

EDIT: The mysterious stranger is probably Thancred actually, we haven't heard from him in a while have we?

[PArcher]

it's likely Aulus was a pureblood based on how he referred to garleans as if he was one of them when giving that rather awkward exposition on garlean history.

EDIT: The mysterious stranger is probably Thancred actually, we haven't heard from him in a while have we?

Can't be unless that scene is months on the future; Thancred was part of the defense (outside the palace) of the meeting at the end of the story.

[VargasVermillion]

Can't be unless that scene is months on the future; Thancred was part of the defense (outside the palace) of the meeting at the end of the story.

ah ok, I didn't really notice thancred around so I thought that may have been a possiblity.

[Theodric]

it's likely Aulus was a pureblood based on how he referred to garleans as if he was one of them when giving that rather awkward exposition on garlean history.

He almost certainly was one. Not only based on his words but due to the headpiece he wears and the existence of other Garlean NPC's using an altered Midlander model complete with a third eye. There's a few aboard the Prima Vista...and then, of course, there's Cid.