The Aetherophysics of Soul Shenanigans (4.4 SPOILERS)

[Ardox]

Known Examples of Soul Shenanigans[INDENT] Lahabrea (2.00)
The Ascian overlord anchors himself to an emotionally-frail Thancred with a Crystal of Darkness, temporarily subduing his soul and wearing his usual outward appearance. In the end, we sever the connection between their souls, (fleshless) Lahabrea flees to the interdimensional rift through the Crystal of Darkness, it shatters, and he has to go get another one, presumably...?

Are you sure his Crystal of Darkness shatters? I've been under the impression their crystal worked like a phylactery since they have abandoned their physical form. The only crystal of darkness I remember destroyed is the one of the nameless Ascian at level 15 (the encounter before the <city state's> emissary. I also thought that auracite was use to prevent them to return to their crystal once defeated..

Elidibus (2.1)
Comes in fleshless form to the Waking Sands, attempts to possess Minfilia, fails due to the Echo, writes it off as a Well, obviously. moment. He is not seen by Tataru, he is seen by those outside. This suggests a fleshless Ascian can be seen and unseen at will.

I wonder if there's some limitation to their flesh binding. As far as we know, overlord don't body hop much often; they seems to stick with an host in fact. Also: why don't kill Varis and use him instead, why bother convincing him?

Wuur aka Sahagin Priest; aka Sahagin elder (2.1)
Sahagin awakened to the Echo and thus gained immortality. Attributing this transcendence to "the Emissary", Wuur would, upon the death of his mortal frame, transcend into a soul orb, dematerialize his previous body, transmigrate into the nearest living mortal, and transfigure that body into one that looked and spoke like his own. Lacking the ability to escape into the interdimensional rift, Wuur was consumed by Leviathan while a soul orb (an aetherial state).

See, here I thought he just didn't had time to act, that the primal just grab him mid air a bit like the auracite can mop up a close-by fleshless ascian.

Zenos Possesses a Resistance Fighter (4.3)
Status of Resistance fighter unknown. Did Zenos's soul get infused into a corpse? Did Zenos transform the corpse into himself and the game is being deceptive with character models as in the 3.0 stinger? (Notice the eye color.)

Wait what? Is there any confirmation the true Zenos is still alive? The elzen at the end of 4.3? It makes sense, but that would imply that Zenos is also an ascian, which I find a little bit tooo convenient.

Solus zos Galvus Returns (4.4)
Outward appearance of a young Garlean man. Varis kills this host body, and fleshless Ascian Solus appears, identical in appearance, nearby. Occam's Razor suggests Solus zos Galvus at some point in his life, transcended the flesh and became an Ascian soldier, but was not anywhere near was weak as the standard black-mask. Solus would then have transmigrated into a living body which he transfigured into himself.

That rise the question: why the old man died in the first place? Why give up the old man's body: he was the Emperor after all? Is there a freshness limit to a corpse?

[Anonymoose]

Are you sure his Crystal of Darkness shatters?

I wonder if there's some limitation to their flesh binding.

No idea. Though Wuur hopped twice in 5 minutes right after getting the Echo, so, I wonder how severe the limitation could be, lol.

Also: why don't kill Varis and use him instead, why bother convincing him?

I was wondering that myself. Then again, while I can see where maybe an Ascian would want to be in direct control of forging a great empire from a tiny republic, running the day to day while you're trying to cause a Calamity sounds annoying.

See, here I thought he just didn't had time to act, that the primal just grab him mid air a bit like the auracite can mop up a close-by fleshless ascian.

The Sahagin ascended to an immortal state, but he did not possess a Crystal of Darkness through which to flee this realm. Thus was he consumed by Leviathan.

Wait what? Is there any confirmation the true Zenos is still alive? The elzen at the end of 4.3? It makes sense, but that would imply that Zenos is also an ascian, which I find a little bit tooo convenient.

We're talking all soul shenanigans, not just Ascian soul shenanigans. Take a look at what this katana-wielding Resistance member says after he kills an ally, repairs a magitek, and flies away. Sound familiar?

There upon the stage I stood, prepared to take my final bow, only to find that the finale was but an intermission... Shall I use this chance to repent for my sins? Embrace goodness and mediocrity? Nay, I think not. While the one I yearn to face yet lives, the hunt must go on.

That rise the question: why the old man died in the first place? Why give up the old man's body: he was the Emperor after all? Is there a freshness limit to a corpse

There are a dozen answers for the how. Perhaps we're being led astray and it is an Ascian wearing a mockery Solus. Perhaps Solus presented himself as aging and growing sick. Perhaps this Solus is presenting himself otherwise. Perhaps Solus didn't become an Ascian until later and can choose to present himself how he wants. A lot depends on unknowns.

As for the why, the Ascian Solus claims he did whatever he was told to do by Elidibus. The death of the Emperor paved the way for the second invasion of Eorzea and the use of the Ultima weapon. If it weren't for the Warrior of Light, another Calamity would have hit already.