The Reasoning behind The Sundering? (*6.0 Endwalker Spoilers*)

[Lyth]

It's hard to get a sense of Emet's 'natural' lifespan given that he heavily utilized soul transference himself, albeit in a more restrained manner. Varis even kills Emet on-screen, forcing him to hop to a new clone body. It's also interesting that in 'Through His Eyes,' Emet chooses to maintain a distinction in referring to Varis as 'this body's grandson'. We don't have a sense of how long his original body actually lasted.

There's also the question of why someone would look into soul transference at all in a society like Amaurot. I'm sure that hijacking a fellow Ancient's body would be frowned on, and the Convocation doesn't tolerate acts of malice or deception. That's why I think that Pandaemonium might be the key to this puzzle. Eric's reactions suggest that the timing of Athena's return to the star wasn't entirely planned (we should have brought some Elpis blooms to that scene - Hermes would be thrilled to find a friend). It's also interesting that he accuses his father of being cold and not sparing any time to mourn, which seems completely at odds with Hyth's claims that returning to the star is always beautiful and something to be celebrated. Likewise, while we don't yet know what kind of a relationship Lahabrea and Athena shared, it seems interesting that the subsequent energy of that brilliant scientist was directed towards finding ways to ducktape souls to Creation magic. I really don't think this bodes well for either Athena or the family dog.

[QT_Melon]

It's also interesting that he accuses his father of being cold and not sparing any time to mourn, which seems completely at odds with Hyth's claims that returning to the star is always beautiful and something to be celebrated.

That's missing context. Basically, Hyth was talking about a voluntary return to the star. Basically retirement death. Not an unplanned one. Because now what you're saying that Hyth was claiming was in ignorance to the "Through His Eyes" since it was stated a regretful soul inhabited the phoenix. Obviously unplanned deaths are still a little harder to deal with.

Hyth's talking of a voluntary return to the star reminds me more of assisted suicide for the terminally ill - but less dire circumstances. Yes, theoretically one can return to the star at any time he/she wants which is obvious with Venat. There's no true mandate.

I will also disagree with an earlier post about not seeing the new life because the writers wanted us to like the Ancients. I'm one to think it would have made the argument more powerful to see likeable parties on both ends of the spectrum and can see how it was a very bitter pill to swallow. I'm also curious about how the new life sprung - ie just "poof" there or some of it where an Ancient now gives birth to a "lesser" being. The former, just seems odd since being born and growing up allows for many experiences. The latter sets up the stakes of those who love their children no matter what while others reject them outright.

How they came into being may actually raise more moral issues (I mean born, or just "poofing" into existence because of Zodiark).

Personally, I would love to see the evolutionary path of how Ancients got to where they were and to our arrival as new life - academically (since I pretty much doubt they'd spend the time and resources in game to show it to us as well as it coloring our interpretations of the story)

[Lyth]

'Return to the star? Does that mean... die?'
'Well now, that's not a word I hear often... Is that what you say here in Elpis?'
'To return to the star whence we came is a privilege afforded to we who have so loved and nurtured it. A choice embraced by those who have lived their lives to the fullest, in service to our world. And when they depart upon this journey, it is beautiful. Always.'

It's just interesting to see the emotional mismatch between what the Amaurotians feel and what they actually express. They put forward this front that death is something to be willingly embraced at the end of one's journey and to be accepted by all. It is always beautiful. And yet we also have this private acknowledgement that losing a loved one actually hurts and that there is a need to grieve. I don't think it's a bad thing; it actually makes them a lot more relatable, and it's really easy to miss the significance of Eric's response on first pass because it's so... human. I think we'll see more and more of this come unraveled as we learn more about them.

[Ayche]

I would also put it forth that, while infinite lifespan can only be infinite if it is truly ... well infinite, even just living 10 000 years would feel like infinity to any of us.
Lot of fiction explores the classic idea that even if the flesh could endure, the spirit won't.

[Jonnycbad]

This is all well and good but one thing that's not really talked about is... Why did Hydaelyn sunder herself? The creator mentions this and it's just glossed over.

[Cleretic]

This is all well and good but one thing that's not really talked about is... Why did Hydaelyn sunder herself? The creator mentions this and it's just glossed over.

Uhm, she... didn't? Far as I can tell absolutely nothing in the game suggests it? She was weak because she was voluntarily starving herself of aether so as not to just become Zodiark 2, but she was always whole.

[Lersayil]

This is all well and good but one thing that's not really talked about is... Why did Hydaelyn sunder herself? The creator mentions this and it's just glossed over.

Can you provide context? Its possible its something said in the era where we still viewed the star synonymous with Hydaelyn herself?

[SaberMaxwell]

Because I had this same question and Rosenstrauch found it, I'll quote and post the answer here: per the text, it seems Hydaelyn did sunder herself. Why? I DUNNO.

Venat was sundered at the same time as everyone else, most likely.

[Rosenstrauch]

Can you provide context? Its possible its something said in the era where we still viewed the star synonymous with Hydaelyn herself?

Hydaelyn/Minfilia says it during their stint as the Word of the Mother back in 3.1. The Watcher reiterates it, without the flowery language, when Thancred and Y'shtola arrive on the Moon.

EDIT: lol

[SaberMaxwell]

NINJA'D! HAH