Does Elidibus actually think he can defeat the WoL?

[Larirawiel]

I also dont understand him. The Ascians have been at this for a long time. Now they nearly did two calamities in a very short amount of time..why not simply wait until our character dies of old age? Even if they are somehow reborn right away they would still need x amount of years to grow up. Why risk it?

They are brainwashed/tempered by Zodiark. I guess they want see their one, true and only god again as soon as possible.


Greetings.

[Rannie]

@Scintilla Thancred's hostility isn't as far fetched as it may seem to be. Remember, he was taken over at one point by Lahabrea himself and made to do evil things. Granted it was in "disguise" but it still happened. So, I don't see him acting hostile towards Emet as much of a bad thing more of a fool me once shame on me, fool me twice that ain't happening.

If that hadn't have happened he may have been in more of the same camp as Alphinaud and Urianger *shrugs*, however since he had that happen we will now never know.

[LineageRazor]

I also dont understand him. The Ascians have been at this for a long time. Now they nearly did two calamities in a very short amount of time..why not simply wait until our character dies of old age? Even if they are somehow reborn right away they would still need x amount of years to grow up. Why risk it?

One possible reason is that people are becoming aware of the Ascians and what they are doing. They've manage to remain mysterious and manipulative for twelve thousand years, but the current generation is discovering an alarming amount about them - including the ability to destroy them. What comes next? The ability to hunt them down into the rift between, perhaps, where until now they've been completely safe? It could be that Elidibus is now seeing the writing on the wall, and realizes that if he doesn't wrap things up soon, orchestrating future manipulations could become nigh-impossible.

One flaw with this angle is the Allagans. Since they were technically advanced enough to do basically anything, it seems likely they would have figured out the Ascians, what they were up to, and how to deal with them. Or, perhaps, the Ascians were just extra careful during that period, and in the current era were sloppy (perhaps arrogantly assuming that if the Allagans couldn't bring them down, no backwater civilizations like those that followed could possibly be a threat).

[Scintilla]

@Scintilla Thancred's hostility isn't as far fetched as it may seem to be. Remember, he was taken over at one point by Lahabrea himself and made to do evil things. Granted it was in "disguise" but it still happened. So, I don't see him acting hostile towards Emet as much of a bad thing more of a fool me once shame on me, fool me twice that ain't happening.

If that hadn't have happened he may have been in more of the same camp as Alphinaud and Urianger *shrugs*, however since he had that happen we will now never know.

That would help explain his hostility, yes. Not that I'm remotely disappointed it did turn out that way; I've grown to like Thancred's character and quite enjoyed some of his quick retorts in response to Emet's condescending attitude.

[ChaoticCrimson]

Imagine if Elidibus is able to snatch Varis' body before most of Garlemald is even aware of what's happened. Zenos has no desire to rule Garlemald, and even if he did decide to come after Elidibus again he knows that Zenos is still around now, so he would be prepared for him. This would mean that Elidibus could take full control of Garlemald's forces, and re-establish the Black Rose as a possible threat to the Source. And if the threat of Black Rose is still viable, this would explain why the Crystal Exarch did not fade away after the events of 5.0, as the future he came from may still yet to be coming. If Elidibus were able to hold the WoL/D at the First for long enough, then this plan could yet succeed. Sure Varis' body might not have the sheer power that Zenos' does, but putting the events of 4.5 aside I don't think direct confrontation is Elidibus' preferred mode of operation anyway. Besides, if it came right down to it, with Elidibus getting more and more desperate to find a way to eliminate the WoL/D I could see him going to drastic lengths to obtain the power he needs.

I'm not saying any of this will happen, of course, but I think it would be interesting to see how it would play out if it did. Assuming both Zenos and Gaius survived their conflict, it would also be interesting to see how exactly they'd handle the situation if Elidibus assumed Varis' identity. I doubt they would work together now since Zenos murdered Gaius' emperor right before his eyes, and yet they would both want Elidibus out of the way for their own reasons. Gaius and his allies would definitely continue to try stopping Black Rose as well as wrest control of Garlemald from the Ascians altogether, and Zenos needs to get rid of Elidibus so he can get his rematch with the WoL/D unhindered.

Of course, a lot of chaos can ensue if Elidibus just lets Garlemald deal with the fallout of Varis being dead. The power vacuum may also play to Elidibus' plans in some way, leading to another way to bring about a calamity. Even so, I doubt Elidibus will let a resource as powerful as Garlemald go to waste, despite the setbacks he's had. I wouldn't say he's out of options in the least.

[Tracewood]

I thought the Ascian plotline is going to end soon, or maybe I'm thinking the Garlean plotline... it's been a while.

So now that we stopped the flood, and Zenos possibly preventing the Black Rose from being used, did we stop or at least halted the rejoining? The Eden raid we're restoring elements, so I'm under the impression the first will be salvaged. Maybe this might trigger Elidibus to go to a plan B... which we don't know about, and summon Zodiark prematurely but he's just strong enough to be a real threat. Us fighting the WOLs sounds like another distraction from the overall plot.

[Lium]

One possible reason is that people are becoming aware of the Ascians and what they are doing. They've manage to remain mysterious and manipulative for twelve thousand years, but the current generation is discovering an alarming amount about them - including the ability to destroy them. What comes next? The ability to hunt them down into the rift between, perhaps, where until now they've been completely safe? It could be that Elidibus is now seeing the writing on the wall, and realizes that if he doesn't wrap things up soon, orchestrating future manipulations could become nigh-impossible.

This is essentially what Gaius and his team are doing. Hunting Ascians, albeit lesser Ascians. And Emet-Selch seemed to know that with his death, their plans of rejoining all the shards and ultimately bringing back those they had lost would now never happen. "Remember us. Remember that we once lived."

Seemed like he knew in that moment, it was all over.

[Kuroka]

I also dont understand him. The Ascians have been at this for a long time. Now they nearly did two calamities in a very short amount of time..why not simply wait until our character dies of old age? Even if they are somehow reborn right away they would still need x amount of years to grow up. Why risk it?

Thats what i wonder myself since heavensward as well... they took - as we now know - already 10k+ years, why not wait that 2-300 till we died? They could win by not fighthing at all, prep stuff at the shards, plot at the other end of the world... but nooo, lets mess around at the only place with an god-slayer lol

[Rannie]

That would help explain his hostility, yes. Not that I'm remotely disappointed it did turn out that way; I've grown to like Thancred's character and quite enjoyed some of his quick retorts in response to Emet's condescending attitude.

Thancred: If you've brought your Ivory standard, I'll be happy to tell you where to stick it.

Gotta love Thancred

[Riastrad]

Thats what i wonder myself since heavensward as well... they took - as we now know - already 10k+ years, why not wait that 2-300 till we died? They could win by not fighthing at all, prep stuff at the shards, plot at the other end of the world... but nooo, lets mess around at the only place with an god-slayer lol

O hero of rebirth traversing,♪ Soar you the azure skies.♪ Upon your breast a crimson crest,♪ Shine Light down from on high.♪

O hero of rebirth transcending,♪ Weave you an azure lie.♪ By your deeds doth crimson bleed,♪ And Darkness quench the fire.♪

O hero of rebirth traversing,♪ Heal you this scarred land.♪ Lay bare cloistered truths and tame the skies,♪ Let azure guide your hand.♪

O hero of rebirth traversing,♪ Break you the tyrants' bonds.♪ Embrace your sin and chase the light,♪ To darkness a world will dawn.♪

Even if he waited, we always come back. Emet mentioned that in every age, someone rises up to try to stop them. I am willing to bet that it is the soul of the 14th. Hydaelyn's summoner and champion.