Revelations (and Feedback) from Pandæmonium: Asphodelos

[JeanneOrnitier]

Re: speculation

I also started to wonder that during the questline. I'm not sure if I'm completely sold on it, but I think I'm also leaning toward Erichthonios being the Lahabrea we knew.

Although lahabrea is supposed to be the position for someone excelling in creation magicks while so far (it could change) Eric isn't much of a mage.

I'm not discounting the possibility that he is already Elidibus and is conducting a "plainclothes" investigation, but do you remember which Elpis quest referenced the volcano grapes? I remember a Labyrinthos quest with Cookingway where Cookingway asks, "But tell me, what is your opinion of grapes?" and WoX can reply with, "I'd brave an erupting volcano for a choice bunch!" but if it was also mentioned in Elpis I don't remember it.

/hb10chars

I swear I remember Hythlodaeus mentioning something like "that time Azem ran off to stop a volcano" during Elpis but now I'm wondering if I mixed that up with the Cookingway dialogue.

[WhiteArchmage]

I swear I remember Hythlodaeus mentioning something like "that time Azem ran off to stop a volcano" during Elpis but now I'm wondering if I mixed that up with the Cookingway dialogue.

You're not mixing it up, he did mention it when meeting Venat. So unless there's a different time-travel-shenanigans in which the Pandaemonium crystal took us before the volcano event and the mainline Elpis events, it's safe to assume

the events of Pandaemonium occur after Elidibus is confirmed to the Convocation. I'd maintain that he's not wearing his red mask because he's going incognito, and isn't recognized because his face isn't known; after all, Hermes only recognized Emet as a member of the Convocation, not his office, so we know their faces (or even masks) aren't public knowledge.

The white robes, however... I got nothing.

[Rongway]

I swear I remember Hythlodaeus mentioning something like "that time Azem ran off to stop a volcano" during Elpis but now I'm wondering if I mixed that up with the Cookingway dialogue.

Ah yes, I remember now, thanks.

the events of Pandaemonium occur after Elidibus is confirmed to the Convocation. I'd maintain that he's not wearing his red mask because he's going incognito, and isn't recognized because his face isn't known; after all, Hermes only recognized Emet as a member of the Convocation, not his office, so we know their faces (or even masks) aren't public knowledge.

The white robes, however... I got nothing.

I do think he's undercover, but I have to wonder about his arrival at Propylaion. Visitors are required to demask and identify. Was he able to waltz in without announcing his Seat? Does the bouncer know his identity? Are the identities of the Fourteen secret? Or do people just not concern themselves with their identities though that knowledge be public? Even if nobody else in the whole of Elpis knows his face, should we expect anyone to recognize his name if he gave it?

The white robes at least are easier to explain...probably. They mark someone as a public servant proven to be trustworthy, so that should make it easier to get around and do work, even if they are a bit conspicuous.

[QT_Melon]

You're not mixing it up, he did mention it when meeting Venat. So unless there's a different time-travel-shenanigans in which the Pandaemonium crystal took us before the volcano event and the mainline Elpis events, it's safe to assume

the events of Pandaemonium occur after Elidibus is confirmed to the Convocation. I'd maintain that he's not wearing his red mask because he's going incognito, and isn't recognized because his face isn't known; after all, Hermes only recognized Emet as a member of the Convocation, not his office, so we know their faces (or even masks) aren't public knowledge.

The white robes, however... I got nothing.

Well I have a feeling which I'll bring up another post about this

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...=1#post5759529

Basically. I do feel we went a bit further back in time. Predating Themis taking the seat of Elidibus. I have a feeling that Pandemonium is probably one of the things that would probably be the biggest influence to make him take the seat, but I would not be surprised if he didn't recall exactly why.




This is just a crazy theory but I feel like this story arc will definitely introduce Kairos again, however, given that Themis is "Justice". I have a feeling that instead of a repeat of MSQ, Themis actually has Xairos wipe his memory on purpose as a sense of Justice and Duty as Elidibus out of respect. However, he will always feel divided making his final decision at Crystal Tower even more poetic to let us go back in the past and his general reaction recalling events of us being there. He had not returned to the star just yet. I think even moreso since the way his character arc went from 2.0 and beyond.

I'm not sure though why would people have a difficult time if Pandemonium events did predate considering no one is questioning how time is passing in our little portal to begin with?

I'm alsocurious about ourself/Azem's little ability to predict some events - as well as oddly stay out of other events. We did definitely defect the Convocation but it's really interesting that Venat was kinda silent on the front when the other Ancient said that Azem did not respond to requests.

Anyways, it's good to see actual Elidibus since there were arguments about how young he was due to using "shonen"/young man to describe him - but people noticed how small he was.

[Nanchi]

No you got that right. Hythlodaeus mentioned this exact story to Venat when we meet her. Which in turn also leaves me confused how Themis doesn't get introduced as Elidibus. I have a hard time believing Pandaemonium happens before our msq arrival in Elpis

[Uboar]

Re: speculation

I also started to wonder that during the questline. I'm not sure if I'm completely sold on it, but I think I'm also leaning toward Erichthonios being the Lahabrea we knew.

Although lahabrea is supposed to be the position for someone excelling in creation magicks while so far (it could change) Eric isn't much of a mage.

I swear I remember Hythlodaeus mentioning something like "that time Azem ran off to stop a volcano" during Elpis but now I'm wondering if I mixed that up with the Cookingway dialogue.

Hythlodaeus definitely mentions an Azem volcano incident the week or so prior, it might have been optional dialogue during a quest step but it definitely happened.

I’m with you on

not being 100% sold re: Erichthonios is the Lahabrea we know, it’s definitely POSSIBLE but his weakness in creation magic seems contrary to what the seat calls for… it’s not impossible the raid’s story events will explain it, but his demeanor and skills right now would be far more suited for a seat like Pashtarot, who maintains order. There’s just no evidence either way for the moment (rip) and there’s so much that’s not been explained/established lmao

[Rannie]

Re: speculation

I also started to wonder that during the questline. I'm not sure if I'm completely sold on it, but I think I'm also leaning toward Erichthonios being the Lahabrea we knew.

Although lahabrea is supposed to be the position for someone excelling in creation magicks while so far (it could change) Eric isn't much of a mage.

I swear I remember Hythlodaeus mentioning something like "that time Azem ran off to stop a volcano" during Elpis but now I'm wondering if I mixed that up with the Cookingway dialogue.

He did he said it to Venat after she Ko'd the Shark and asked how Azem was doing you're not crazy. Oh it was also after her giving Emet Selch hell for his crinkled brows.

"Just the other day he dove into a volcano ..." may not be the exact quote...

Its rewatchable in the inn


Edit: I will echo others on how much does Azem know?!?!

[Iscah]

I want to know about the time travel rules.

Have we managed to set up a stable time loop now, where we always told Venat about the Final Days and the Sundering and so forth, and always fixed whatever went wrong in Pandemonium?

How does that square with G'raha somehow being able to permanently change his own future? And still being around?

Were they lying when they said "Don't change the past, or you can't go back to your present?" Or when they said "you have to change the past, or we'll all always have been dead"? Or are they somehow both correct?

I know "poorly explained time travel" is a series trope, going all the way back to the very first Final Fantasy ... but I'd love a coherent explanation.

My running theory on time travel here is that the universe tends towards a single consistent timeline, and if time travel events can be absorbed into history as it always was, they are. This is what happens with the events in Elpis and also in the Alexander raids.

G'raha is the special case that manages to change things in the past so substantially that the future he came from is no longer possible, so the timeline splits into the old version and new version of events.

I think what we're doing in Pandaemonium is probably "safe" in that we have no idea what will happen so we're in no danger of contradicting a pre-existing version of events. Whatever happens there has technically already happened in the past of our present day.

No you got that right. Hythlodaeus mentioned this exact story to Venat when we meet her. Which in turn also leaves me confused how Themis doesn't get introduced as Elidibus. I have a hard time believing Pandaemonium happens before our msq arrival in Elpis

While it's unlikely from a narrative approach, it's not actually impossible for it to be happening prior to our MSQ visit. They'd ideally have a good reason for doing it, though, because it's unnecessarily confusing otherwise.

Whatever the reason is for it, the main reason for Themis not being "Elidibus" at this point is to avoid clueing in our WoL who has never been very good at putting two and two together.

A bit off-topic sorry, but if we are talking names, is Azem based on anything or is that name a mystery/more of a fantasy name like "Venat"?

It seems to be based on Azeyma of the Twelve, via setting up a "long-standing pattern of sun deities with similar names" (eg. the Xaela sun god Azim) to match this one probably invented out of nowhere.