Anyone ever wonder why ... (Ascians)

[Alaltus]

First: spoilers.

Second: I thought the same thing; that was pretty hamfisted of them.

Fixed. My best guess is that the reaper form is a more primitive form the ascians take and the more human like form is something they've developed over time so they can more easily approach unwitting victims. What with how everyone runs away from them in terror when they see that ghostly visage. Would be nice to hear it explained and perhaps see the reaper form come into the story in some way. Such as a battle!

[ajx]

I\\\\\\'m pretty sure their plan succeeded, actually... Story spoilers/speculation:

Did you see an image of a darkened Mother Crystal. Why do you think that is?

I thought they made it clear that it was

the Dark One , Hydaelen referred to at the ending cutscenes.

[Sotek]

Did you see an image of a darkened Mother Crystal. Why do you think that is?

I thought they made it clear that it was

the Dark One , Hydaelen referred to at the ending cutscenes.

Well, it can be interpreted in any way I guess, but The Dark One is Zordiark, the Ascians Primal, who was not named until the post post-credits teaser. What did we learn about the Ascians during the story? That they take a host. The logical inference being that, rather than destroying Hydaelyn in the literal sense, the Ascians simply wanted to weaken her so that their God can do as they do and make a host out of Hydaelyn. Primals do require Crystals for summoning, and I really can't think of any better Crystal to summon my God with than the Mother Crystal...

As is always the case with world ending Dark Gods, I imagine there is a gestation period.

Honestly, if Zordiark is just a reskinned version of Hydaelyn I'll be a tad bit upset...

So spoilers don't count towards the word limit? That's nice to know, but also annoying...

[Sidious]

I hope for a more reasonable purpose to them rather than just be "Evil"

"Oh we are evil and we wish to destroy everything muahahahaha"

Erm...why?

"CAUSE WE'RE EVIL!!"

Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes it's better for antagonists to remain esoteric. The truth often undermines what makes a villain interesting. For example, the Reapers in Mass Effect. Just terrible.

[Naunet]

I hope for a more reasonable purpose to them rather than just be "Evil"

"Oh we are evil and we wish to destroy everything muahahahaha"

Erm...why?

"CAUSE WE'RE EVIL!!"

SE so good at story.

[Felis]

Originally, all the Scions (excluding one notable person...) had the ability to use the echo, including your traveling companion. In 2.0, no one has the echo but you and said notable person.

If you mean Minfillas organization, the organization in 1.0 was another, called The Path of Twelve.
The Path of Twelve collected all people with the echo to investigate the gift together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEFovSNMotI

[lololink]

the Ascians simply wanted to weaken her so that their God can do as they do and make a host out of Hydaelyn. Primals do require Crystals for summoning, and I really can't think of any better Crystal to summon my God with than the Mother Crystal...

So spoilers don't count towards the word limit? That's nice to know, but also annoying...

That's what is understood from the story about the ascians:

They don't really want to destroy Hydaelyn, they want to create chaos in Eorzea, because it is only when there is chaos in the world that primals can be summoned, since Zodiark is a very strong primal they have to create a lot of chaos. It's just that Hydaelyn is too strong for them, so they don't try to fight the warriors of light directly most of the time because we are stronger than them, maybe they thought that with Thancred's body we wouldn't try to kill him.

Originally, all the Scions (excluding one notable person...) had the ability to use the echo, including your traveling companion. In 2.0, no one has the echo but you and said notable person.

No, if you speak to the NPC in the waking sand the first time you go there they says that they have the echo too, ( a male miqo te and two others ).

[Kittra]

No, if you speak to the NPC in the waking sand the first time you go there they says that they have the echo too, ( a male miqo te and two others ).

If you're talking about A'aba Tia, Arenvald, and Aulie then I know what you mean, but Arenvald is the only one who even mentions something of an "ability" he doesn't really describe the echo either, just becoming something "more." (Not going to spoiler tag this because it really doesn't have anything to do with the story. It is completely optional to talk to these NPCs, although I highly recommend it because... *spoilers.*)

However, Minfilia mentions a few seconds later... >>>

"Our order is home to a number of individuals who, like you, possess a rare and special talent."

"This talent takes various forms, but one holds particular interest for us."

It is later revealed that only two individuals currently within the Scions of the Seventh Dawn possess the Echo, You and Minfilia.

1.0 Spoilers: In the 1.0 story line, Minfilia does not have the echo, but she makes the claim that what her organization knows so far about it is that you can view the past and interact with it, however changing events of the past is impossible.

You later prove her wrong though, as many of the side quests and even the main story line have your character actively changing events, slightly, with a very powerful manifestation of the echo which usually ends with your character completely blacking out.

[RyujinUzikin]

Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes it's better for antagonists to remain esoteric. The truth often undermines what makes a villain interesting. For example, the Reapers in Mass Effect. Just terrible.

Yeah, the reapers...ugh lol

[BrucieBeats]

just like every FF villain they ever make, those ascians will probably have tier 2 and 3 form. maybe even a 4th super large and intimidating form and a final form that looks angelic and menacing. we probably won't even see the real final boss til later patches like 2.9 or whatever the last patch will be before the next expansion.