Gender locked race?

[Lauront]

And the whole plot the Empire has is having all 'humanoid' races, become one like they once were? This wouldn't include Ronso - would it? No, they'd just be on the empire's 'kill list' because they worship primals.

I think there's a lot of misunderstanding surrounding what was said during that scene. Varis was basically outlining the Ascian agenda. The talk of races is misleading, and I think it was intended to simply make it sound more plausible that it was still him speaking than anything else; the whole "one race" thing is all very reminiscent of the Ardor and the Rejoinings that the Ascians believe are required to revive Zodiark. What would it matter, anyway, whether they fit into such a scheme?

Funny you should ask.... we've been discussing this over in the Lore forum and there's a definite candidate.

(Well, okay, I'm one of the main people arguing for it. But still.)

It's one of those few things we agree upon. As soon as someone reminded me of the NPC, it clicked, as he is a very near match. Any differences can be put down to the corruption the body appears to have experienced. It baffles me when people say they look nothing alike. Put aside the corruption, and they most certainly do. I wasn't aware of the Crystal Tower leaks until after it, but given that the Crystal Tower - with the right power source - could sustain a gate to the Void, it makes sense that it could be used for shard or time travel, with something of sufficient power... maybe like the Heart of Sabik.

That doesn't really mean anything since all the Ascian overlords are named after a Scion of Light in FFXII (sans Elidibus, after the host of Zodiark in Tactics, but his status as emissary makes him different from the overlords). Nabriales the Majestic, Igeyorhm the Martyr, Lahabrea the Abyssal Celebrant. In a very roundabout way, their titles as Scions of Light fit them (Nabriales' egotism, Igeyorhm's death in the very same patch we the WoL meet her), so they could be going the Irony route with Emet-Selch by making the "Angel of Truth" actually be in charge of all the lies surrounding the Garlean Empire... or since the second he showed up in game was to reveal the truth behind those lies...

Indeed, and the dark esper associated with him is associated with death - given his fondness of the Black Rose, we can see where that might go. Their names may tie into their true origins, which we will learn more of in 5.0.

Assuming Solus is Emet-Selch (there's multiple Overlords left, that we have yet to encounter, but it makes sense that he may be one of the top brass), the robed figure could be Elidibus, if there is Ascian possession. Control over the Crystal Tower would certainly provide one a reason to engage in such possession. The Allagan flair to the robes would not be amiss either. I'm partial to the view that Elidibus is going to give Zenos's body back to him when he realises he's returned, simply because their current agenda aligns... possibly powering him up a little, and then claim another body. Of course, a lot could change once the mechanism behind the transition to the WoD is explained and the mysterious voice revealed.