Endwalker Artwork Speculation

[Halivel]

My thought about the woman at the top goes for Venat/Hydaelyn, looking at her Ascian attire (I actually just saw a theory that Venat is Minfilia in Amaurot because of their shared pose... makes so much sense actually, story wise).

As for the scions being the center of the expansion - it makes sense since it's a final of Zodiark and Hydaelin arc, and we probably won't need Archons anymore after that ancient conflict is resolved. So rather than losing them, we probably will see some changes in how our party operates after that.

[Penthea]

As for the scions being the center of the expansion - it makes sense since it's a final of Zodiark and Hydaelin arc, and we probably won't need Archons anymore after that ancient conflict is resolved.

I don't think so, initially the Scions were around to combat the primal threat, and while the Ascians were responsible for much of that, we have seen already that primals can be summoned without Ascian intervention. Just need enough crystals and strong enough emotion and/or conviction for it to happen. Who knows what primals are in other parts of the Source that haven't been dealt with yet, also Odin is still running around doing his thing.

The Scions also act as diplomats and I don't think everyone is going to be best buds after the incoming calamity is dealt with. Even if the Garlean empire is dismantled there are still going to be border disputes and power hungry people wanting to take advantage of post war struggles. There may even be Garlean opportunists wanting to rebuild the empire. Never mind how Fandaniel acting in the open is going to make many people curious about his power as well as what he achieved with the towers. For all we know Fandaniel's activities may awaken the Echo in many people, similar to what happened in the First, and that on its own could cause some problems. What if the wrong person manages to figure out how to tap into their Ascian heritage?

Then there's the void. It has been strongly hinted at the end of the role quests that it's not going to remain a no-man's land forever, and well the Scions are already in the habit of both combatting calamities and picking up the pieces after them.