(MSQ spoilers) Asahi

[Ametrine]

In the English version, Lyse specifically mentioned they didn't publicly reveal Zeno's gravesight, implied to keep the Ala Mhigan people from doing something regrettable to the corpse.

So, the whole thing is super sketchy from the start. Unlike with most other actually dead characters, we never had our hands on the body. He coughs blood, delights in the fight, cuts his neck, and "passed out."

So, I'm thinking someone, a double-agent Ala Mhigan perhaps, stole away the real Zenos instead of burying him. It's probably a different body in that grave, and keeping the site secret prevents the news of the switch from coming to light.

[SicariusSeven]

In the English version, Lyse specifically mentioned they didn't publicly reveal Zeno's gravesight, implied to keep the Ala Mhigan people from doing something regrettable to the corpse.

So, the whole thing is super sketchy from the start. Unlike with most other actually dead characters, we never had our hands on the body. He coughs blood, delights in the fight, cuts his neck, and "passed out."

So, I'm thinking someone, a double-agent Ala Mhigan perhaps, stole away the real Zenos instead of burying him. It's probably a different body in that grave, and keeping the site secret prevents the news of the switch from coming to light.

I like this reasoning better. Still I would have burned the body. Fire always seems to be a good solution from them coming back as anything other than a ghost.

[Rosenoire]

In the English version, Lyse specifically mentioned they didn't publicly reveal Zeno's gravesight, implied to keep the Ala Mhigan people from doing something regrettable to the corpse.

Where does she say this? I've seen multiple people reference Lyse commenting on Zenos' grave, but the only reference I found in the Astral Flames MSQ text is this:

M’naago: Aye, and it’s not just here─we’ve reports of mobs forming all over. They’ve been targeting folk known to have cooperated with the Garleans. It starts with insults most often, then someone picks up a stone… Some industrious souls even thought to seek out the graves of Zenos and his officers. It was…grim.

[Ametrine]

That might be it, but I recall the site is a secret. Maybe from another scene, hmm.

[SicariusSeven]

That might be it, but I recall the site is a secret. Maybe from another scene, hmm.

This is why you always burn the bodies of your enemies. So they don't come back...except maybe as ghosts.

[Theodric]

Eorzeans have been shown to largely be respectful towards the corpses of their enemies, however. Besides, if they start desecrating the remains of their enemies then they have absolutely no ground to stand upon if their enemies do the same to their fallen allies.

As for Zenos, I doubt any of the protagonists expected him to return from the dead - especially considering that he slit his own throat right before their very eyes. That itself could have been a ruse, though, if he knew he would return from the dead.

[Ametrine]

Eorzeans have been shown to largely be respectful towards the corpses of their enemies, however. Besides, if they start desecrating the remains of their enemies then they have absolutely no ground to stand upon if their enemies do the same to their fallen allies.

There are side-quests in early SB about the fact that Garleans don't allow any religious rites performed for the dead, as Garleans have outlawed religion as a whole (likely as part of their anti-eikon laws, can't summon and empower a primal if all worship is prevented), and that Ala Mhigo's surrounding regions have been having problems with ghosts as a result. All the Bhoots around the Fringes are the frustrated dead, for example.

I would love for this to be touched upon again in regards to Zenos's current condition.

[Rosenoire]

As for Zenos, I doubt any of the protagonists expected him to return from the dead - especially considering that he slit his own throat right before their very eyes. That itself could have been a ruse, though, if he knew he would return from the dead.

Zenos wanted to die. It's not just his last words; the little characterization he gets besides "Crown Prince Crazypants" suggests that he's depressed and has nothing driving him except his goal of facing the ultimate challenger. Having achieved that goal, he seemed to feel like he had nothing left to live for, and was content to go out on his terms. That's why I really believe that he was brought back against his will--or his body is being used as an Ascian meat puppet.

[Theodric]

Zenos wanted to die. It's not just his last words; the little characterization he gets besides "Crown Prince Crazypants" suggests that he's depressed and has nothing driving him except his goal of facing the ultimate challenger. Having achieved that goal, he seemed to feel like he had nothing left to live for, and was content to go out on his terms. That's why I really believe that he was brought back against his will--or his body is being used as an Ascian meat puppet.

The thing is, we were specifically told that we wouldn't sympathise with the guy. I don't get the impression that he was depressed - he was simply bored due to the lack of a meaningful challenge to face. Then again, as another poster on this board stated we were also told that Garlemald would not have Ascians as the driving force behind it and yet Elidibus is quite clearly meddling and pushing things in a direction that benefits his goals.

[Dualblade]

snip

I recall the Ascian point being that 4.0 would have little to no Ascian involvment. Which so far there hasn't been a lot of. Shisui had some heavily implied involvment from them but this was regulated to side quest content that wasn't needed to proceed (aside from lvling of course.) and the teaser as to what Elidibus can spook Varis with. 4.0 has had no Ascian influence otherwise. 4.1 had none from what we can tell, and 4.2 we currently only have speculation that could still be false...and one could say that the devs were still right about no to little Ascian involvment in 4.0 since we are no longer in 4.0, but the 4.x patch series.

As far as sympathy for Zenos goes, I wonder how much of this is more people being able to pity what little of his sad backstory we know, and thinking they have sympathy instead. Even then pretty much everyone agrees that by the time we meet him he was a monster who had to die, sympathy be damned.