Revelations from SHADOWBRINGERS

[Crushnight]

It is an interesting question. Thancred was not that long under his control and he had that crystal around his neck. Did Solus have that too? Or was he more like what Minfilia did to a lot of the other oracles, taking over their body completely when they gave up (thus either killing the soul or absorbing it, just like Ryne did with her at the end).

Its also horrible when one remembers that nobody had a clue that he was not Solus anymore...someone sleeping with him thinking its another man while its Emet using the body. The children thinking of him as their father while its just a body being used by someone that really does not care. (Other than that short feeling of hope) Family believing it to be their member while its just a imposter.

I'd like to think Solus died and then the body was possessed by Emet, whether Emet set up that death is another matter. But for the how no one knew I suspect Emet watched from the shadows for Solus's life, why he chose Solus who knows but if Emet was there for everything he would know how to act like Solus quite easily.

[Enkidoh]

Ascians can't travel shards with bodies, so Emet-Selch was not using a clone on the First.

Oh you are correct, but Emet was still using Solus's form on the First, Garlean third-eye and all (it's what sets Urianger's alarm bells ringing when he first appeared to them in the Crystarium, Urianger immediately recognized him as a 'young Solus' and even stated it, that "his visage can be found in any textbook of Garlean history", but that "by all accounts, his youthful vigor should have long since been spent" (paraphrased)).

Emet also outright said that Ascians (or at least himself) can actually change a host's body to whatever form they wish, which is clearly what he did on the First, a horrifying thought, knowing some innocent was possesed by an entity they would not have understood, that then proceeded to change their very physical appearence against their will - I just hope the unfortunate host was not conscious when he did so, that his possessing a host would effectively 'kill' the original person in mind and soul... but something tells me that would not be the case.

[Eloah]

It is an interesting question. Thancred was not that long under his control and he had that crystal around his neck. Did Solus have that too? Or was he more like what Minfilia did to a lot of the other oracles, taking over their body completely when they gave up (thus either killing the soul or absorbing it, just like Ryne did with her at the end).

Its also horrible when one remembers that nobody had a clue that he was not Solus anymore...someone sleeping with him thinking its another man while its Emet using the body. The children thinking of him as their father while its just a body being used by someone that really does not care. (Other than that short feeling of hope) Family believing it to be their member while its just a imposter.

The Tales from the Shadows gives us a small glimpse into his time as Solus from a slightly different perspective. It seems like Varis had some reservations about him prior to the info we know, from when Solus(Emet-Selch) was first Introduced. It seems that Varis father was considered a "giant" among Garleans. And in contrast, Varis reminded him of the pale reflections the world became. But Zenos seemed to give him "hope" for some reason.

Also going by the ages given, Solus was 88, Varis 46, and Zenos 26, meaning Varis was 20 when he had Zenos; the Tale supports this as he was only "well shy" of his twentieth namesday. Minusing Varis's age from Solus we get 42, which would mean his Son should've been 20-22 at that moment, meaning Solus's body was maybe 20-22 himself, when his son was born. It seems that Emet-Selch possessed him after Solus already sired a child. But the way he describes Zenos and the death of his "son" seems to indicate a "momentary lapse" of his ideals; almost like he sired the kid himself. Those are even his exact words, kinda, in the Tale. It seems like he almost gave way to accepting this new reality, but Varis seemed to remind him often of what he was fighting for.

[Rannie]

Actually Solas aka Emet stated to us during Shadowbringers that he had lived many lives among us which included having a wife and siring children on the Source as well as growing old and dying. Even doing that it still didnt convince him that the new life that was created by zodiark could be the custodians of the planet.

[Eloah]

Actually Solas aka Emet stated to us during Shadowbringers that he had lived many lives among us which included having a wife and siring children on the Source as well as growing old and dying. Even doing that it still didnt convince him that the new life that was created by zodiark could be the custodians of the planet.

That begs another question then. Why was/is Solus so special? I mean, having bodies at the ready is nice, but there has to be something significant about Solus.

Also Varis's father is often referred to as "firstborn son" so, what of Solus's other children?

[Rannie]

Varis was fighting with his Uncle after Solas died remember as a war of succession. It's why after Varis won he quickly named Zenos as his Heir.

As to why Solas is so special is because he is Emet-selch. He was the one who stared the Garlean Empire. Per the Encyclopedia Eorzea he was a military genius and a pegasus (seriously auto correct... that should be Legatus) and the Empire was raised after he hit 25.

I'm sorry he joined the military at 16 was a genius and made Legatus by 24 and became the first Emperor of Garlemald

[Tyssyn]

Varis was fighting with his Uncle after Solas died remember as a war of succession. It's why after Varis won he quickly named Zenos as his Heir.

As to why Solas is so special is because he is Emet-selch. He was the one who stared the Garlean Empire. Per the Encyclopedia Eorzea he was a military genius and a pegasus and the Empire was raised after he hit 25.

I'm sorry he joined the military at 16 was a genius and made Legatus by 24 and became the first Emperor of Garlemald

This made me LOL hard.. a Pegasus! He'd make a cool Pegasus at that. Thanks for making me laugh

[Eloah]

Varis was fighting with his Uncle after Solas died remember as a war of succession. It's why after Varis won he quickly named Zenos as his Heir.

As to why Solas is so special is because he is Emet-selch. He was the one who stared the Garlean Empire. Per the Encyclopedia Eorzea he was a military genius and a pegasus and the Empire was raised after he hit 25.

I'm sorry he joined the military at 16 was a genius and made Legatus by 24 and became the first Emperor of Garlemald

That doesn't really answer anything though. Not that I was expecting one honestly. Besides, Solus was Solus until he became Emet-Selch. That doesn't mean much honestly. But maybe it's because after all that time he started growing attached to that version of himself. I mean the Tales indicates it somewhat.

It's been a while but did they indicate that the uncle was killed? If not he night resurfaced now, with Varis gone. Also the title of firstborn son alludes to there being a daughter in the mix, either between the two boys or before them, most likely. I wonder what will happen when we explore the empire more.

[Rannie]

Solus, from what is known, was always Emet Selch even when his son was born.

Per the story itself

As he made his way to the audience chamber, a self-deprecating smile rose to his lips. Though Garleans are known for their large frames, the body he wore was by no means exceptional in that regard, nor was that of the woman he took for his wife. Yet their firstborn son was a prodigiously tall and robust specimen, unprecedented even among his kind. As the boy grew, his physique was held in awe and admiration by all, though to him it was a source of great vexation.

In the end, they were all just malformed creatures. Feeble, frail, and foolish. Thrashing blindly about in their fleeting, fragmented lives, repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Never could they replace his brethren. Yet in spite of himself, when he cradled the newborn in his arms and stroked that downy hair, he could not help but hope. For what, he could not be certain, but he hoped nonetheless. It made little difference in the end, for his son had succumbed to some absurd illness and returned to the Underworld long before his time. Not without leaving behind a legacy, however─a living, breathing, and ever-present reminder of that momentary lapse.

Secondly, there is no mention if Solus having a daughter at all. Though, this being what seems like a normal monarchy or Imperialist state (which Solus (Emet) created women may not be deemed worthy enough to even be the figure head of said state.

So doing some calculations from the timeline on pg 51 of the encyclopedia Eorzea... in 1505 Solus was 16 years old and joined the military at 24 he became a legatus (thankfully it didnt put pegasus this time lol) In 1522 is when Nhalmasque was conquered thus him unifying the entire continent of Ilsabard and he was 33 at the time. He had during that time 2 sons that we know of the first one died of an illness and the second one lived.

Ahh here is more information about daughters and females in court on page 178 of the EE 1. "The Garlean royalty are all of the line of Galvus. In addition to the aforementioned "zos," the term "yae" refers to male members of the royal family in the line of succession, as well as the Emperor's wife and mother. There also exists the title of "wir," or those who have no claim to the throne such as female heirs and their spouses."

All it currently says about Solus' second son is that Varis defeated his uncle and that's about it. If he killed him or not is up in the air and it doesnt say what happens to the loser in a war of succession in Garlemald since that was the first one ever.

If your wanting to know why Emet chose to be reborn as Solus *shrugs* he never gave the reason as to why. And from a lot of what I see as implications he was Solus from birth or at least a very young age like others have said Minfillia was doing on the first.

Edit: corrected the Dalmasca to Nhalmasque per retcon correction pointed out by Mr. Thinker. Thanks again!

[Rannie]

This made me LOL hard.. a Pegasus! He'd make a cool Pegasus at that. Thanks for making me laugh

Yeah I re read it after I got to work and couldnt stop laughing sorry. I only use my cellphone and it's a touch screen so either I fat finger or auto correct goes off the wall >.< but I'm glad people laughed with the image of a great flying horse named Solus ^_^