The Rising Event 2022 (New Minion)

[Rannie]

Solus is in fact part of the storyline even in ARR; he's the Garlean emperor in 1.x and even in ARR, only passing away in the post-Praetorium storyline, if I recall right. At which point there is a succession crisis; Solus' grandson (Varis, at the time the High Legatus of the first legion) and Solus' youngest son started a civil war over who would get the crown. And in the end Varis wins -- thus why he's the emperor we deal with later.

I swear I remember a cutscene in the post-ARR slog where Varis literally walks up and spits vindictively on Solus' casket.

That cut scene does happen I believe I'd have to watch again but it's either him spitting or him staring angrily at the casket