Thread: *SPOILER* So I think the new primal in 3.5 part 2 is...

Originally Posted by Zohar_Lahar

I have thought that the primal might be Griever. Griever kinda resembles a demonic griffon, and The Griffin told Alphinaud that maybe he'll be a demon. Plus, one of his attacks during the battle was called "Lionshead".

While I'm not willing to throw my full weight behind this just yet, I must admit you may be on to something.

The primal summoned in 3.5 does seem to be summoned from the pain and anguish, or grief, of the fallen Resistance soldiers (Ilberd included). It's also worth noting that Griever is identified as "the strongest being in Squall's mind" in VIII, and the primal summoned is likely to be similar (albeit made from the collective will of the Resistance, rather than any one individual - unless you believe Ilberd had more influence). Its embryonic state also vaguely reminded me of what Griever was reduced to after its initial defeat, now that you brought it up, and Griever certainly fits the "demon" Ilberd said he'd become if that's what it took. The purple / black / red color scheme matches as well.

The similarities between Louisoix's reincarnation as Phoenix and what Ilberd seems to have done are a bit too uncanny to discard as well. This means it might not be a corrupted Rhalgr... maybe.

Unfortunately, a griffin has the head of an eagle, unlike Griever whose head is clearly that of a lion. Since this is the first embryonic primal we've seen its passing resemblance to Griever's pre-junction form could be (and likely is) just a coincidence.

I'm filing it under "plausible."

Originally Posted by MilesSaintboroguh

Yeah, and Lahabrea is gonna come back. lol.

Lahabrea-Prime?

This would be a surprise

Originally Posted by Darkstride

Lol Lahabrea or Ilberd Primals are very doubtful. They were never revered as legends, gods or anything that were worshipped. Primals are formed from the belief of what a particular being is or was and are willed into existence. I don't think anyone in Eorzea was under the delusion that Ilberd, the Griffin or Lahabrea were gods, and certainly not as strong as Ilberd would have us believe that this mystery primal is going to be.

While this is true, there's already precedent for something like this occuring: Louisoix's rebirth as Phoenix.

Louisoix wasn't revered as a legend, god, or anything worthy of worship. An impressively powerful and storied mage, yes, but far from a legend. Yet the circumstances surrounding the Calamity - a massive amount of pooled, undirected aether and a desperate wish for salvation - led to Louisoix, a symbol of hope for Eorzea, becoming Phoenix. Phoenix itself was forgotten and never brought up before, either...

While it's not exactly the same, Ilberd's actions set up a similar situation. With the Eyes he had a massive amount of pooled, undirected aether, and the dying gasps of the Resistance soldiers (that he indirectly killed) provided the wish. As the Griffin, Ilberd also made himself into a symbol of hope for Ala Mhigo - if Rhalgr did not answer their prayers for salvation, or vengeance, who might they pray to or believe in?

It's a little far-fetched, I admit, but not unprecedented.

Lahabrea, on the other hand, has an extremely low chance of being involved as far as I'm concerned. No need to reiterate the reasons why, but people will cling to the possibility of his involvement until we get official word from the devs that he's gone and dead. I should have asked about that instead of whether Raubahn would get a cybernetic prosthesis for his missing arm. Ah well.

Can't gauge its power. We're likely going to end up going mano e mano against this thing, but only after Omega blasts it.

Originally Posted by Cilia

While this is true, there's already precedent for something like this occuring: Louisoix's rebirth as Phoenix.

We also have the situations of Odin and Enkidu, which are both only ever revered by one person. Specific reverence for a specific god is not mandatory (though it likely helps). The only mandatory parts are lots of aether and some force of will to shape it.

Phoenix have been stated to have been almost entirely forgotten by the time of Bahamut's Calamity so it would not be a very strong focal point if no one remembers it.

We also see multiple primals born of a single person's thought (Odin, Enkidu, Shiva) with varying amounts of reflection of reality. I don't think the idea needs to actually exist already, as long as the idea is strong enough. Obviously, existing ideas are by nature stronger because they're defined already, and I personally think it will likely be some aspect of Rhalgr, but we could theoretically see something else. The thoughts in that particular moment may be more on something as an avenger than Rhalgr specifically, especially if Ilberd has undue influence on the summoning.