The Emperor (A Dragonsong Spoiler)

[EdwinLi]

So a specific part of Dragonsong caught my interest being the part where the Trailer shows that the WoL will be meeting the Emperor in the new 3.0 area directly. Everything else I already guessed and expect would happen.

Anyone want to guess why the new leader of a major antagonist empire would go to this length and meet the WoL directly?

Also before anyone else can I've already considered this...


or that some issues in Garlean Empire has forced him to take this action

or SE is pulling the "new Leader of a long Antagonist turns out to be a Protagonist and tried to change the Garlean Empire but failed and now on the run by a new Antagonist that want to keep the old Garlean Empire World Domination idea" Plot.

[Alberel]

Given that the Garlean Empire is almost entirely based on the Gestahlian Empire from FFVI it wouldn't surprise me in the least if their emperor was headed for the Floating Continent in an attempt to take control of the Warring Triad. If that were the case then Ishgard and Dravania might have cause to make peace and deal with a bigger threat in the interests of mutual survival.

[TripPsyc]

You should watch Ethys Asher's lore recap video it gives really good information what is possible to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtu2VdRSu5k

Side Note: I consider him our own personal final fantasy Morgan Freeman with lore.

[Gamer3427]

or SE is pulling the "new Leader of a long Antagonist turns out to be a Protagonist and tried to change the Garlean Empire but failed and now on the run by a new Antagonist that want to keep the old Garlean Empire World Domination idea" Plot.

This is pretty much guaranteed not to happen, since during the cutscene where it was revealed a new emperor for the Garlean Empire had been chosen, they talked specifically about how this would be bad for Eorzea, as he was so intent on conquering it and forcing it to be a part of the Empire that he was outspoken against the whole plan that the empire had in 1.0.....

[Enkidoh]

This is pretty much guaranteed not to happen, since during the cutscene where it was revealed a new emperor for the Garlean Empire had been chosen, they talked specifically about how this would be bad for Eorzea, as he was so intent on conquering it and forcing it to be a part of the Empire that he was outspoken against the whole plan that the empire had in 1.0.....

^This. It was mentioned earlier in the story that Varius is hellbent on conquering Eorzea (effectively making him Gaius Mk II), and actually seized the throne from his uncle who had more a direct claim than he did. Vairus's reign is not going to be peaceful at all, and the Eorzean citystates are well aware that a renewal of hostilities with the Empire is not a question of if, but when, and specifically, how soon.

The

political turmoil in Ul'dah and the fall from grace of the Scions and the Warrior of Light really could not have come at a worse time, as it's obvious the Alliance simply is not in any position to defend against a renewed Garlean assault at this time.

Also it's clear in the Dragonsong trailer that the meeting between Varius and the Warrior of Light was not even expected or planned - Alphinaud clearly is surprised to see Varius there (judging by his mouth agape ) meaning they probably went there for some other reason. Either way, it should go without saying we will find out soon enough.

[EdwinLi]

Given that the Garlean Empire is almost entirely based on the Gestahlian Empire from FFVI it wouldn't surprise me in the least if their emperor was headed for the Floating Continent in an attempt to take control of the Warring Triad. If that were the case then Ishgard and Dravania might have cause to make peace and deal with a bigger threat in the interests of mutual survival.

For that to happen Ishgard must first be free from the Ascian's control. If anything so far we have been given hints Ishgard may turn on the WoL in 3.0 due to one of the Dungeons revealed to be either a Assault on Ishgard or a Escape from Ishgard.

I won't be surprised if that Trial Scene in the Trailer is the WoL being Trialled as a Enemy of Ishgard due to speaking with Midy.

[jomoru]

Given that the Garlean Empire is almost entirely based on the Gestahlian Empire from FFVI it wouldn't surprise me in the least if their emperor was headed for the Floating Continent in an attempt to take control of the Warring Triad. If that were the case then Ishgard and Dravania might have cause to make peace and deal with a bigger threat in the interests of mutual survival.

Or he's going to make peace with Eorzea and the Warrior of Light.. except you know his crazy Clown Legatus has different ideas..

[Nalien]

Anyone else remember that New Years poem?

To naught by the Ivory Spear shall ebon mail yield,
Yet Her point remains ever trained upon scales of black.
Peer deep into the dust which swirls in our wakes
And know the bloody dance of light and dark to be everlasting.

Ivory Spear = Ishgard, obviously. Scales of black = Nidhogg. Ebon mail is really shaping up to be Garlemald, as I speculated at the time.

Varis was introduced as a reminder that they'll eventually continue their invasion. Ul'dah has effectively weakened the Eorzean Alliance, setting up a prime time for Varis to start his invasion. We end the Dragonsong War and get Ishgard to rejoin the Eorzean Alliance or else Varis will just crush everyone easily.

[Enkidoh]

Funny you should mention that, for if you go to Revenant's Toll and speak to the Wandering Minstrel in Seventh Heaven (don't worry about the

Brass Blade guarding the entrance to the Rising Stones, he tells you that you have nothing to fear from him, but that he naturally is forbidden to let anyone inside

), it triggers a cutscene where Yoshi-P's alter ego actually interprets that very poem:

(Edit, I was wrong. It's not that prophecy he interprets, but the previous years's one:

"Lances of light herald the Dawn."
"Beckoning shadows deeper still."
"Splendor dances with shades"
"Unsheathed, a rime-kissed blade"
"Spills crimson o'er fields of white."
"Archon Louisoix warned us that shadows would accompany the coming of dawn."
"In answer to ascendent light, darkness will gather in opposition... or so I interpret his words."
"What a 'rime-kissed blade' signifies, I cannot yet fathom. But I have heard that roses of blood are blooming in the white fields of Coerthas, in ever greater profusion."
"The Twelve keep and defend you <character's name>. What tales you'll have when we next meet!"

So back to square one I guess.

[Mahri]

No joke, I am highly intrigued by that scene. Particularly the fact that both groups are visibly armed, yet we're not immediately trying to kill each other. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of character the Emperor turns out to be. The FF series has delivered some truly memorable villains (both of the honorable opponent type and the terrifying psycho type) and XIV already stands high in the ranking.