(MSQ spoilers) Asahi

[Risvertasashi]

Consider this to be a spoiler warning for the whole thread, since using the tag every post would be a bit obnoxious.

Let's talk Asahi a bit.

He's made it very clear he hates us. Unless, you know, he's playing a ridiculously deep game, but I don't think SE would make that plot that circumlocutious. So let's just accept that he hates us for this conversation.

Why?

If he's really a disciple of Zenos, shouldn't he respect us in a similar fashion? Or at least see us as an opportunity to get stronger, a goal/obstacle to overcome?

[SicariusSeven]

I just saw his hate as 'we killed his mentor/idol' so now he's super pissed. How dare we do such a thing. Honestly I was about to buy the whole 'peace thing' until he made the angry face. When I saw that expression I was like "Ohhh boy here we go, another crazy evil Garlean!" While he's probably not crazy, he does lean into that line of fanatical devotion. I also have a feeling that Mirror is going to cause something that will give Ashai all the excuse he needs to attack Doma again. Part of me wonders if Varis really did give him the go ahead to head back to Doma or if Varis is totally unware. It would be interesting to see other Garleans come and attack Ashai for being insubordinate but I doubt that's where the story will go.

[Theodric]

He seems pretty unhinged. I suspect he hates the Warrior of Light for overcoming Zenos...perhaps less than thrilled that the Warrior of Light is gifted through divine means. I also believe that may very well be plotting to help Zenos overthrow his father so that Zenos can sit on the throne in place of Varis. His talk of peace, I feel, is designed to try and manipulate the Warrior of Light and his allies into not seeking diplomacy with Garlemald. Bear in mind, Zenos has been shown outright to not care for Garlemald or its goals - turning himself into an Eikon and spitting on his father's cause is proof enough of that.

I have my doubts that he is truly speaking on behalf of Emperor Varis. After all, we know that Varis considered his son to be a monster ill suited to the throne of Garlemald, so I doubt he cares very much for his son's enthusiastic followers, either. I'm hoping we see a moderate Garlean aligned with Garlemald show up and help to put down Asahi.

[Risvertasashi]

I just saw his hate as 'we killed his mentor/idol' so now he's super pissed.

Zenos isn't dead though. Unless we're talking something like an Ascian imposter deal.

The mirror definitely seems like a Chekhov's gun.

I have my doubts that he is truly speaking on behalf of Emperor Varis.

Very good points.

On the quoted in particular... Honestly we haven't really established any credibility from him at all. We're basically taking literally everything at his word at the moment. It will be interesting to see how the exchange actually turns out... So that scenario sounds plausible.

At the very least, maybe he was honest as far as wanting to strengthen the standing of his internal faction... but only that far.

[Rosenoire]

I have my doubts that he is truly speaking on behalf of Emperor Varis. After all, we know that Varis considered his son to be a monster ill suited to the throne of Garlemald, so I doubt he cares very much for his son's enthusiastic followers, either. I'm hoping we see a moderate Garlean aligned with Garlemald show up and help to put down Asahi.

I'm sort of wondering about Maxima. He had an actual name, unlike the Elezen guy. Could he genuinely be one of the Populares, as opposed to Asahi, who I suspect is just a Zenos fanboy?

[SicariusSeven]

Maxima was also the only true blood Garlean there (well one that was unmasked anyways). Which kinda made me wonder more about him, is he working under Ashai or is he really working for someone higher up under the ruse of working with Ashai. I wouldn't be surprised if Maxima turned on Ashai for the best interest of the Empire either making Ashai look like a traitor or something. Lets not forget that even though Ashai was given a chance at a Garlean education, is a loyal citizen/soldier, he's not pure blood. For all we know, those who are still in good standing are still treated like 'savages'. I mean look at Fordola's parents they were loyal citizens but no one stepped in when the Ala Mighans decided to kill her father with rocks. Fordola proved her loyalty again and again but was still treated as an inferior by the other Garlean higher ups. Ashai seems like a special case but I still wouldn't doubt if he was looked on with scorn.

[Tlamila]

snip.

Someone said that probably Ashai was really sent by Varis because otherway he wouldn't have a pureblood with him, but actually your point seems more likely to me, that Maxima could be planted there by someone with more power.
Ashai may have raised to such a position of power because Zenos favoured him, probably, and maybe something something about his sister? It seems to me that for the empire they're linked by more than just blood. But anyway this wouldn't at all be a reason for Varis to trust him, as ambassador even. I'm also not sure he's really a Popularis, I imagine more that he's pretending to be one while really being with the other faction, based on what we know about him.

[Rosenoire]

Maxima was also the only true blood Garlean there (well one that was unmasked anyways). Which kinda made me wonder more about him, is he working under Ashai or is he really working for someone higher up under the ruse of working with Ashai. I wouldn't be surprised if Maxima turned on Ashai for the best interest of the Empire either making Ashai look like a traitor or something. Lets not forget that even though Ashai was given a chance at a Garlean education, is a loyal citizen/soldier, he's not pure blood. For all we know, those who are still in good standing are still treated like 'savages'. I mean look at Fordola's parents they were loyal citizens but no one stepped in when the Ala Mighans decided to kill her father with rocks. Fordola proved her loyalty again and again but was still treated as an inferior by the other Garlean higher ups. Ashai seems like a special case but I still wouldn't doubt if he was looked on with scorn.

I thought Asahi's hairstyle was interesting, with the way his bangs completely hide his forehead and the lack of a third eye. Between that, his coloring--we haven't seen any pureblooded Garleans with dark hair that I can think of--and his height, I'm sure there are plenty of people ready to remind him that he can be "sas Whoever" but he's still just another savage.

[Khalithar]

I wish I could have an option to say to Asahi something along the lines of:

"You'll try... and fail."
or
"You'll die worse than he did."
or
"Would you like to hear how he died?"
or
"He gave himself to a primal and after I killed it, he took his own life."
or
"You'll be even less of a challenge than that weakling."
or
"Bring it bitch."

You get the idea.

Edit:

If he's really a disciple of Zenos, shouldn't he respect us in a similar fashion? Or at least see us as an opportunity to get stronger, a goal/obstacle to overcome?

Not necessarily. Did you ever play Skies of Arcadia? The main villain is a dude named Galcian, after you kill him, his protege Ramirez vows to destroy us and the rest of the world because Galcian was the only one worthy of ruling over the world and leading it in to a new age. Sound familiar?

[Risvertasashi]

Not necessarily. Did you ever play Skies of Arcadia? The main villain is a dude named Galcian, after you kill him, his protege Ramirez vows to destroy us and the rest of the world because Galcian was the only one worthy of ruling over the world and leading it in to a new age. Sound familiar?

Alright, but... Zenos is alive and in the hands of Imperial healers. And he's not like comatose or anything either. Seems odd that Asahi, holding a pretty high position in Imperial society, wouldn't know this...