Elidibus theories and speculation *SPOILERS*

[Grayve]

Slightly off topic, but if you want to get caught up on FFXII, there is a re-release/remaster available for the PS4 now. It's based off of the Zodiac edition, so it has some improved mechanics, especially when it comes to character customization.

I'd love to. But it's a simple matter of time. I know longer have the hours of freedom I did as a teen and young adult. Finding time for FF14 is a struggle on it's own.

[Jyera]

It comes from the Company Tragedienne after you clear Rabanastre. She moves next to the Tragedian and appears to be talking to him, and has this to say when you speak to her:



Not sure what any of the NPCs say pre-clear; I didn't bother to check or record for posterity.

I saw this statement a bit differently; that the privilege she's talking about is one that the conscripted and provincial residents don't have, and that by granting Garleans "true freedom" she meant freeing them from the pitiable state of living in propagandised ignorance of their society's aims and actions. It looks to me like she's touching on how people can implicitly understand that something they're doing or complicit in is wrong, but don't fully realise it at a level that gives them the choice to resist. Her response to that is sympathy, pointing out that that kind of maintained dissociation is a form of victimisation as well.

[Cilia]

I saw this statement a bit differently; that the privilege she's talking about is one that the conscripted and provincial residents don't have, and that by granting Garleans "true freedom" she meant freeing them from the pitiable state of living in propagandised ignorance of their society's aims and actions. It looks to me like she's touching on how people can implicitly understand that something they're doing or complicit in is wrong, but don't fully realise it at a level that gives them the choice to resist. Her response to that is sympathy, pointing out that that kind of maintained dissociation is a form of victimisation as well.

Other members of the troupe outright state that there is dissent and disagreement with the Imperial government, but it simply isn't voiced since doing so tends to be a death sentence.

While I have little doubt there are those who buy Imperial propaganda, there are also those who do not and outright disagree with Garlemald's adopted imperialism - such as the party that supported Varis' uncle during the war of succession - though their ability to be overt about it is... limited.

[Ramesses]

I'd love to. But it's a simple matter of time. I know longer have the hours of freedom I did as a teen and young adult. Finding time for FF14 is a struggle on it's own.

That's unfortunate Grayve, it's a great game worth playing with solid graphics, solid battle systems (gambit system) and a solid story with several brilliant political underpinnings involved. Its still one of my top three favourite in the FF series.

Allow me to deviate this thread again a bit while I delve into the political dynamics of FFXII… ironically, I was just finished re-playing the remastered ps4 version shortly before Stormblood’s release (since 2006 I believe I've replayed it thrice on my PS2). Here’s what you really need to know about Larsa (and inevitably, about Vayne):

Number One: This image below is actually reflecting a LOT more than what is being depicted. If you have no qualms about having a few minor spoilers being presented to you, you can open the spoiler tag…

• Vayne’s body language exhibits this: I am in absolute control, I am confidently relaxed and I hover over my brother to protect him. Larsa’s prim, upright seated position is to project his eager innocence.
• The “cloaked dagger” behind Vayne’s back is not for Larsa but is there to strike at any faction who would dare rise up against his brother or House Solidor (represented by the throne).
• His placement of standing behind the throne underlines that he is the true power behind House Solidor and his current chosen heir is Larsa.
• The dreadnaught airships in the background underlines the aeronautical prowess of the Archadian fleet.

Number Two: A more accurate depiction of the brotherly relationship between Vayne and Larsa could arguably be summed up in the next image (I really wish I could congratulate the artist who made this)…

So yes, what makes the game really shine are the brilliant nuances embedded within the dialogues and the environments. Most importantly, every main character has their own well-paced evolution and on the Archadian side of things, it was definitely Larsa.

[Ramesses]

I posted this in another thread, but I thought, we have a thread to discuss the Yotsuyu cliffhanger, so Elidibus/Garlemald need one too

I think Elidibus is the Aulus Mal Asina, the figure we see in Garlemald, and Aulus, both fit Elidibus' build, not to mention, Varis would be taken aback that the scientist that Varis valued is actually an Ascian.

I think it is more likely that Elidibus will have stolen Varis' body and used the Empire's Allagan tech to rebuild him, possibly hypertuned. If Zenos is to come back, he will have to pay a price for his 'death', bringing him back hale and healthy wouldn't feel as good narratively. Elidibus infiltrating the Empire would actually be a decent twist, and would explain the creepy turn that the Magitek has started to take since the Empire lost Nero.


Aulus, Elidibus and the figure all share the same type of clothes too.

This is an interesting speculation Chewy and I like the possibilities. But I'm still going to maintain my stance that Elidibus has hijacked either Solus (or the less likely option: Regula's) body. And as for that image, I believe that it underlines the fact we may have finally obtained our Larsa-like figure. More importantly...

I do believe we killed Aulus (strangely enough, I personally wanted that mad man to live). Thus, I shall be frank here: if the Devs are considering bringing Zenos back alive (really don’t know how this will unfold though)… then bringing back Aulus should also be an option. I always grin anytime I run into him and he says “Prepare for Soul Extraction! Hah! Successsss!”.

So yes, I say its a Zenos “sibling" and not Aulus. In fact, I’m calling it yet again… I think we may have finally found our Larsa and I’m on the group that has established the prediction that the clinching fist belongs to a male or female sibling of Zenos. I also believe that the fist clinching gesture serves three possible scenarios:

• One, the sibling is frustrated because it means that if brother Zenos is alive then his/her plans of ascending as the new imperial heir has been thwarted.
• Two, the sibling is frustrated because the rebels from Doma and Othard are defaming the memory of Zenos.
• Three: the sibling is frustrated that Varis and the top ranking clout are perpetuating the “Zenos is alive” story for propaganda uses rather than trying to forge ahead with uniting the world

(Notice how in all three scenarios I have the keyword “frustration” in them?).
The key gesture in that little scene is likely frustration or determination and that's where the plot thickens.

[CyberDemonX]

In all likelihood I find that he is probably Gaius Van Baelsar. Timing wise it fits. Elidibus only showed up for the first time shortly after Gaius's defeat. Plus we never actually saw him die. Just get wrapped up in some explosions.

Regulus doesn't make much sense because he died in a side quest which is rather important info to leave out of the MSQ. It's different for Alisaie coming in because Coils isn't important to the MSQ in terms of completion. A Character dying in an MSQ is important and yet it was never even noted on the MSQ. He would definitely get a reaction out of Varis since they are childhood friends.

Aulus I don't think has enough importance to get the reaction out of Varis that Elidibus did by removing his mask.

Zenos would be difficult because we saw him slice his own throat and die. And yet the gossip we saw implied that he returned and yet they didn't seem to have a confirmation of it only rumors. Varis probably wouldn't care if he was under the mask.

[Estherna]

Well lots of speculation here, which is good. So I have finished Stormblood this morning and seen this scene, and what stroked me most was how Elidibus came to reveal his face to Varis. Varis stated that his plan was to preserve Hydaelyn even through strong measures such as killing all beastmen. That what is was after was to save the World, and that he couldn't trust the Ascians as they were pushing Beastmen and other to summon Primals. To which Elidibus answered that he didn't care about the fate of the Black Ascians. Then Varis elaborated on the objective of Elidibus to force all the dimensions to merge once again and that Zodiark and Hydaelyn become one again.

Note that of course Elidibus could be lying, but his objective isn't to ensure the domination of Zodiark but to merge the Light and Darkness. And Varis questionned if mankind could live in such in a world. And Elidibus said that as Varis didn't seem to trust him, he needed to show him something that would convince him that his objective was the better outcome possible.

So, now, one could wonder what could sway the opinion of Varis on the motives of Elidibus. So, I was wondering, what if Elidibus is Varis from another dimension? It isn't impossible that the Garlean Empire appeared in another dimension and that the Varis of this dimension came up with this plan to insure his final objective. It seems plausible since the Warriors of Darkness, which bear the exact semblance of the poster Warriors of Light of the several cinematics used for FF14. The cannon Warrior of Light is supposed to be the male Hyur that we have seen several times.


That would make sense for Elidibus to show to Varis that he is indeed himself and that they have the same objective....