The Griffin

[Anonymoose]

Note: Just listing evidence, not trying to refute. Speculate, speculate, speculate.

If you go by the "you made some medicine that saved my life at Quarrymill" thing, the identity of the False Griffin is Gallien from the quest He Ain't Heavy.

As for the True Griffin, the primary clues all point towards Ilberd. The journal even uses the same phrasing - the Griffin would do anything to liberate Ala Mhigo. Elidibus says he's possessed of only his rage and thirst for vengeance. If the game wants us to look in any direction, it's towards him.

But I noticed some interesting bits in other references to the Griffin. Some say he has no face but for the scars. Some say he's marked for death by Garlemald. Some say that, were his position known, it would draw a legion. All agree, however, that he's a natural leader; a charismatic man able to sway almost anyone to his cause.

That sounds a lot like someone else with know who'd have an axe to grind with Garlemald's present course. Someone who, for all of his successes, was driven to the margins of influence, made lapdog to a tempered maniac, and left with no homeland support and he took a rogue tilt at Eorzea. And the new Emperor seeks to not annihilate eikons, but bind them, as if their previous course wasn't already going off the rails. And while the Griffin brags about the power he will bring to bear against the Empire, Nero tol Scavea stands above the ruins of the Omega Weapon.

Red herrings, all? Maybe. (Probably.)

But ... again ... speculate, speculate, speculate.