Creepy possibility... [4.3 spoilers]

[Chewy2nd]

So after the recent MSQ revelation about

Elezenos, I wonder if he was an NPC in Rhalgr's Reach/Porta Praetoria/Ala Mhigo at any point?

[Eloah]

I'm not too sure, but when I sae him I swear his eyes looked familiar.

[Iscah]

"Looking familiar" isn't too good a judge of a character actually being familiar, because of the limited range of character creator options. There are only really two 'general' male Elezen faces (plus the 'young' and 'old' ones), so a lot of characters will have a similar appearance. Eg. Haurchefant, Artoirel, Estinien and Briardien all have the same basic face as [new character], and it's also the default setting in the character creator.


On finding the character elsewhere....

it might be worthwhile having a look at background characters in the area during Stormblood's finale? Other than that, yes it would be interesting to keep an eye out for any Elezen resistance fighters when I eventually get to replaying Stormblood.

[Vayanne]

I think he is the scientist who created the Black Rose, conducted terrible experiments in Bittermill and was found with his mind apparently wrecked. He has the same blue eyes.
https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Frantic_Fellow
https://youtu.be/E7P8nkMliZI?t=167

[Iscah]

It's not that guy either, or at least he certainly doesn't have the same character model. (Though he certainly seems like a plot thread that was left hanging.)

I've been using the Garland Tools NPC database to check these, by the way. It lists the exact character design settings for each NPC. The "Katana-wielding soldier" is listed in the first unlabeled 'no location' tab (which seems to be for cutscene characters) and anyone else can be looked up by the location(s) where they are found.

(That said, it's not 100% reliable for 'hidden details' or customised character designs, and characters occasionally get redesigned - eg. Estinien-the-dragoon actually has a different face design to how he looks in Stormblood - but it's useful for just comparing character models.)

[Cilia]

The Zenos-possessed Elezen seems to have been a Resistance soldier, though whether or not we personally met him is unknown.

The eye color is striking, but it seems to be very close (if not identical) to that of Zenos' body, and is likely meant to further clue people in to what exactly is going on with him.

[LineageRazor]

It's not that guy either, or at least he certainly doesn't have the same character model. (Though he certainly seems like a plot thread that was left hanging.)

I'm pretty sure the dialog toward the end of the quest noted that that scientist was executed, despite his mental regression. So, not really a hanging thread. No "Tsuyu" treatment for him, it seems!

In regards to Elezenos, I did appreciate the unexpected callback to the Sahagin chieftain, who used the Echo to body-surf. Seems the Resonance can do the same thing, even if Zenos didn't explicitly intend it!

[Iscah]

I'm pretty sure the dialog toward the end of the quest noted that that scientist was executed, despite his mental regression. So, not really a hanging thread. No "Tsuyu" treatment for him, it seems!

I do remember them saying that. It seemed unfair at the time and yes, even more so in light of how Yotsuyu was handled. Though perhaps my character's discomfort with how that was handled is exactly why she wants to see Tsuyu given a better chance.

[Rocl]

I think it's important to remember in the case of the Black Rose scientist we're dealing with the Eorzean Alliance and with Yotsuyu, Doma. Their motivations for their crimes differed too--not that it excuses either of them. I just think it's a bit fruitless to compare, different people who committed different crimes and sentenced/given judgement by different bodies of authority in different parts of Hydaelyn. The amnesia is the only common factor for these Imperials, and while a pretty compelling basis for comparison I feel things would've played out different had, like, Tahla Molkoh petitioned Brookstone that Grillairmais' crimes could be excused/his survival in part of the Elemental's will etc. etc.

[Jonnycbad]

It was probably a Doman soldier that was conscripted to fight for the Empire, we fight tons of them through the various dungeons and they use katanas.