[Spoilers] Why Zenos is the most important character moving forward

[TankHunter678]

The FFXIV story was never setup in the beginning to be about "combat high".

Unless you look at the Warrior questline where it is an actual problem that needs to be dealt with, as people who get consumed by that combat high wind up becoming unstoppable murder machines (referred to as "beasts") who endlessly seek that high until their body eventually gives out and they die.

[Edax]

Unless you look at the Warrior questline where it is an actual problem that needs to be dealt with, as people who get consumed by that combat high wind up becoming unstoppable murder machines (referred to as "beasts") who endlessly seek that high until their body eventually gives out and they die.

I admit I've not started the Warrior job yet. So to my experience with the story, it hasn't been setup yet. Maybe Zenos will fit better afterward I grind through that job, I just don't know.

[RopeDrink]

Objectively, he's not an antagonist compatible with the Hydaelyn vs Zodiark main storyline because his goals and actions are unrelated to it. And objectively, his character does not parallel the protagonist in any meaningful way, so he cannot reflect or shadow the protagonist. The FFXIV story was never setup in the beginning to be about "combat high". As main antagonist, he doesn't fit into the FFXIV story.

If Zenos was actively shaping the main storyline, or if Zenos character actually paralleled the protagonist in a significant way, then we could have said he objectively fit the story better. Objectively, characters should actively integrate into a story, instead of derailing it into tangents.

Zenos is the LAST person you would EVER want to know about what we discovered on the First. Zenos is also the last person you would ever want with a finger on the button of something like Black Rose. EVER. Yes, we know he considered it a cowardly weapon (ie. doesn't want the WoL being casually/randomly slain by it), but that doesn't mean he won't consider it later if it helps flush out his target, or that it won't be used by a more desperate/chaotic Empire now that its own leader is slain.

Zenos is also (unwillingly or unknowingly) a perfect seed-sower for Elidibus. Zenos by himself is bad enough, but Zenos and other Warriors of Light is... not good news for our WoL (or anyone), though it opens the potential for Zenos to find something else to hunt, either by himself or possibly in a sort of temporary partnership with our WoL (but that's unlikely). Either way - within two sword-strokes, Zenos has no doubt crippled the empire. I dare say Varis named no successor (just like his complaint of Solus), and even the one with the power to wrest it for himself has absolutely no interest in it. The only other (known/potential) contender is Gaius himself, and it's safe to assume he won't be immediately capable of that. Despite already being saved 'by future influence', the WoL could be said to have also been saved by Zenos in a way (if he has indeed stopped the use of Black Rose, but I firmly believe he will eventually use it himself despite what he said at the end of the cutscene. He's the type to do so if it gets him what he wants, and that is scary. It could end up being WORSE than what was initially predicted).

Just Zenos getting his body back alone is bad. To have him know the information of Zodi/Hyde - the guy who utilized/controlled Shinryu to try and destroy us for sport - is worse. To cut the Empire into chaos like that may also do more harm than good for our situation (we've no idea of knowing yet). Black Rose in any shape or form being used by him (or a more chaotic/desperate Empire now that their leader is dead) is a terrible notion.

I couldn't give a damn if he does/does not parallel or influence the WoL directly or doesn't fit some sort of test or checklist, because to me that's not the point. Zenos is a mighty variable that can (and will) push the story in dangerous ways for everyone involved, WoL included, but people seem to persist with this notion that they have to fulfil X, Y and Z to have influence.

[Iscah]

I dare say Varis named no successor (just like his complaint of Solus)

I want to say we've already been told that Varis named Zenos as his heir long ago, exactly to avoid a repeat of the conflict Solus caused by refusing to do so. I don't know where that information is from though.

[YianKutku]

Zenos is the LAST person you would EVER want to know about what we discovered on the First. Zenos is also the last person you would ever want with a finger on the button of something like Black Rose. EVER. Yes, we know he considered it a cowardly weapon (ie. doesn't want the WoL being casually/randomly slain by it), but that doesn't mean he won't consider it later if it helps flush out his target, or that it won't be used by a more desperate/chaotic Empire now that its own leader is slain.

On the one hand, I'm reminded of Omega's actions at the end of Deltascape (and partway into Sigmascape), where it tried to nettle us to fight harder by hurting our friends. This seems like the sort of thing Zenos would totally do, since I believe that was why he oppressed his provinces so harshly. Black Rose would certainly fit the criteria of "hurting our friends".

On the other hand, I also think that Zenos is the sort of person who would prefer to do it directly. So whether he uses Black Rose to make us angry probably depends on how confident he's feeling that he can hurt as many of our friends as possible in person.

[Daralii]

Zenos is the LAST person you would EVER want to know about what we discovered on the First. Zenos is also the last person you would ever want with a finger on the button of something like Black Rose. EVER. Yes, we know he considered it a cowardly weapon (ie. doesn't want the WoL being casually/randomly slain by it), but that doesn't mean he won't consider it later if it helps flush out his target, or that it won't be used by a more desperate/chaotic Empire now that its own leader is slain.

Zenos is also (unwillingly or unknowingly) a perfect seed-sower for Elidibus. Zenos by himself is bad enough, but Zenos and other Warriors of Light is... not good news for our WoL (or anyone), though it opens the potential for Zenos to find something else to hunt, either by himself or possibly in a sort of temporary partnership with our WoL (but that's unlikely). Either way - within two sword-strokes, Zenos has no doubt crippled the empire. I dare say Varis named no successor (just like his complaint of Solus), and even the one with the power to wrest it for himself has absolutely no interest in it. The only other (known/potential) contender is Gaius himself, and it's safe to assume he won't be immediately capable of that. Despite already being saved 'by future influence', the WoL could be said to have also been saved by Zenos in a way (if he has indeed stopped the use of Black Rose, but I firmly believe he will eventually use it himself despite what he said at the end of the cutscene. He's the type to do so if it gets him what he wants, and that is scary. It could end up being WORSE than what was initially predicted).

Gaius wouldn't be welcomed as Emperor. Despite his accomplishments, him and the entire XIVth officially became enemies of the Empire when he refused to withdraw from Eorzea. Every current and former legatus would contest his claim to the throne, as would every single noble house. With no blood heir, Garlemald would be facing a bloodier and longer war of succession. The Empire is effectively dead.

With Doma and the Alliance having seeded rebellions all throughout Imperial territory, the whole of Illsabard could be at war with itself. It would be a dream scenario for the Ascians.

[EdwinLi]

Gaius wouldn't be welcomed as Emperor. Despite his accomplishments, him and the entire XIVth officially became enemies of the Empire when he refused to withdraw from Eorzea. Every current and former legatus would contest his claim to the throne, as would every single noble house. With no blood heir, Garlemald would be facing a bloodier and longer war of succession. The Empire is effectively dead.

With Doma and the Alliance having seeded rebellions all throughout Imperial territory, the whole of Illsabard could be at war with itself. It would be a dream scenario for the Ascians.

Which is why I am more in line with 6.0 being about a Garlean Civil War for control over the Garlean Empire with the additional plot of being the Grand Finale for Season 1 storyline but this time we will be directly in Garlemald this time and siding with a certain Garlean Faction so we can make certain the Garlean Empire seeks a more peaceful result this time instead of a bloody battle and conquest.

However, we must atleast expect opposition since we know for a while the Garlean Empire still struggle with the fundamental flaw of High ranking Nobles backstabbing each other from behind close doors for position of power. Garlean Empire may not admit it but we already seen some cases of this being a thing within the Garlean Empire and now with the Throne open once again and this time no one is strong enough to completely make them step down on their attempts, things are certainly about to get bloody this time unless the Alliance can get a faction that support peace in control.

If the Storyline for 6.0 is writen right, it can be the proper Grand Finale to this long Zodiark vs Hydaelyn Arc storyline that finally put a end to this long time struggle against the Garlean Empire and Zodiark with 6.3 being the Grand Finale that set the stage for Season 2 storyline with 6.4 to 6.55 showing where the "New Adventurer" will take the Warrior of Light.

[Edax]

I couldn't give a damn if he does/does not parallel or influence the WoL directly or doesn't fit some sort of test or checklist, because to me that's not the point. Zenos is a mighty variable that can (and will) push the story in dangerous ways for everyone involved, WoL included, but people seem to persist with this notion that they have to fulfil X, Y and Z to have influence.

Random Ascian #117 could have achieved that and at least would have had goals more related to the story. Instead we have a main antagonist pushing the story forward almost accidently since his own personal goals are unrelated. Zenos is dangerous, that's about his sole contribution to the story. Nearly every other villian that came before could have been said to have been dangerous. Heck, even Inspector Hildibrand could have pushed the story in dangerous ways if he were made Emperor. But again, it's danger caused by goals unrelated to the main story. Generally speaking, antagonists are more compelling when they are competent. Zenos is powerful but he's incompetent, evidenced by his lack of interest in being a leader and losing his territory.

On top of that, we've already had to sit through an entire expansion with Zenos in charge and failing to be a leader. Now we probably have to sit through all this again in the sequel?

[QT_Melon]

Hildebrand wouldn't even make sense lol. I get that current form Zenos is boring, but the fun is actually trying to figure out which direction or how far he'll go. Yeah right now he's like Euron Greyjoy in GoT than in the books where you're like "this...@#!&* guy..."

Only writing will tell if he gets more interesting.

[Daralii]

Which is why I am more in line with 6.0 being about a Garlean Civil War for control over the Garlean Empire with the additional plot of being the Grand Finale for Season 1 storyline but this time we will be directly in Garlemald this time and siding with a certain Garlean Faction so we can make certain the Garlean Empire seeks a more peaceful result this time instead of a bloody battle and conquest.

However, we must atleast expect opposition since we know for a while the Garlean Empire still struggle with the fundamental flaw of High ranking Nobles backstabbing each other from behind close doors for position of power. Garlean Empire may not admit it but we already seen some cases of this being a thing within the Garlean Empire and now with the Throne open once again and this time no one is strong enough to completely make them step down on their attempts, things are certainly about to get bloody this time unless the Alliance can get a faction that support peace in control.

If the Storyline for 6.0 is writen right, it can be the proper Grand Finale to this long Zodiark vs Hydaelyn Arc storyline that finally put a end to this long time struggle against the Garlean Empire and Zodiark with 6.3 being the Grand Finale that set the stage for Season 2 storyline with 6.4 to 6.55 showing where the "New Adventurer" will take the Warrior of Light.

I imagine it'll be a split focus between Dalmasca and Illsabard, Garlemald itself included(hopefully as a completely urban zone with an allied enclave as one of the "cities").

Hear me out about Dalmasca: Zenos lacks a way to reach the Aetherial Sea or the moon to feast upon a god. Meanwhile, Noah van Gabranth(coincidentally the legatus of the IVth) has been experimenting with a device that can drill holes in reality and said he wanted to use it to reach the heart of the world. There are multiple plot hooks left unresolved there from Orbonne and various parts of the Stormblood MSQ, and it would allow interaction with the Viera just as Illsabard would allow interaction with the Hrothgar.