Which Ascians are left? (Spoilers up to 5.4 obviously)

[Kesey]

It could be, but I doubt it. Setting up a proper Calamity requires preparation both on the Source and on whatever Shard is about to be Rejoined - and Fandaniel has more or less implied that he's working on his own agenda, now, rather than the Ascians'. If Fandaniel wants to just destroy everything and everyone, he probably doesn't care much about whether a Rejoining happens or not. I suppose another Ascian could independently see what he's doing and decide to take advantage of it - but that's an awfully short amount of time to prep a Shard.

Fandaniel's agenda is still a secret, this was confirmed at the announcement showcase. It's pretty obvious destroying everyone is either a front or a small part of his plan. He's been giving off betrayal vibes (he walking around in Asahi sas Brutus's body). Furthermore, as this thread has pointed out numerous times, the other unsundered Ascians are MIA and could be on the remaining shards setting up calamities. Lastly, the first moment Fandaniel walked into the story he promised Zenos access to Zodiark.

There is no reason to think that rejoinings/calamities are off the table.

[LineageRazor]

There is no reason to think that rejoinings/calamities are off the table.

At no point did I say they were.

The only evidence we have now (Fandaniel's speech), however, points to Fandaniel being an omnicidal maniac with no other goals. It's possible there's something deeper - in fact, I will be very disappointed with the writers if there is not - but anything else is pure speculation, with nothing in-game to support anything over anything else.

The question was asked whether Fandaniel is setting up for a Rejoining. My answer was that it's possible, but the evidence we have currently is against it. That's all.

[YianKutku]

The only evidence we have now (Fandaniel's speech), however, points to Fandaniel being an omnicidal maniac with no other goals. It's possible there's something deeper - in fact, I will be very disappointed with the writers if there is not - but anything else is pure speculation, with nothing in-game to support anything over anything else.

To be honest, I would probably be at least a little disappointed if Fandaniel's "true goals" (as hinted in the Endwalker reveal showcase) was something deep and meaningful and had absolutely nothing to do with his current declaration of wanting to kill everything and everyone.

Mainly because it would be kind of eye-rollingly exasperating if the reason he did all that was entirely because he had an overblown sense of drama and wanted to troll a reaction.

[Bright-Flower]

To be honest, I would probably be at least a little disappointed if Fandaniel's "true goals" (as hinted in the Endwalker reveal showcase) was something deep and meaningful and had absolutely nothing to do with his current declaration of wanting to kill everything and everyone.

Mainly because it would be kind of eye-rollingly exasperating if the reason he did all that was entirely because he had an overblown sense of drama and wanted to troll a reaction.

If played right it could be an interesting twist if it was theatrics but with a point, sleight of hand to distract us from whatever his actual motivation is.

[Mansion]

If played right it could be an interesting twist if it was theatrics but with a point, sleight of hand to distract us from whatever his actual motivation is.

I think no matter how well it is written / brought up, it would still feel underwhelming.
They did it quite well with Emet-Selch, and in comparison I felt Elidibus' closure was so bland (lathough we have known him for longer than Emet). They did a similar "redemption arc" for both Fordola and Yotsuyu in Stormblood's patches, and it worked well enough.
We are starting to see this for Gaius too with Werlyt.
There is a bit of that in the end of the Eden storyline...
You see my point.

Re-introducing a new villain with some "sad" background is starting to get a bit to repetitive in my opinion.
I'm not convinced by Fandaniel at all as of today, but I'd rather see him going deeper and deeper in cruel non-sense drama rather than seeing him get emotional about being bullied in his past once we defeat him thanks to the power of friendship.

[RyuDragnier]

I think no matter how well it is written / brought up, it would still feel underwhelming.
They did it quite well with Emet-Selch, and in comparison I felt Elidibus' closure was so bland (lathough we have known him for longer than Emet). They did a similar "redemption arc" for both Fordola and Yotsuyu in Stormblood's patches, and it worked well enough.
We are starting to see this for Gaius too with Werlyt.
There is a bit of that in the end of the Eden storyline...
You see my point.

Re-introducing a new villain with some "sad" background is starting to get a bit to repetitive in my opinion.
I'm not convinced by Fandaniel at all as of today, but I'd rather see him going deeper and deeper in cruel non-sense drama rather than seeing him get emotional about being bullied in his past once we defeat him thanks to the power of friendship.

I have a feeling his nihilism may be similar to Kuja's from FF9. Perhaps he has a disease that will kill him, and he'd rather everybody go with him than die alone. But in case he is defeated, he has a second plan in place that leads to the climax of 6.0 before the final battle, something that forces us to have to rush to save the world. Considering we're dealing with the moon...perhaps a Lunar Cry incident?