[Spoilers] Are the WoLs from all the shards reflections of the Source WoL's soul?

[tommyboy11111111]

The popular theory is that Ardbert is one of the 14 shards of our soul, and he surrendered his aether to us so we could defeat Hades. Did Ardbert putting us from 7/14 to 8/14 really make us that much stronger? I'm confused, because the implication of the following cutscene where Hades sees us as an Amaurotine is that our soul is now "whole". What's going on?

[Elladie]

I think that Ardbert's help made it easier for us to control the massive amount of light that had previously been killing us, and we used it -via the white auracite and the 'ghostly' bravura - to do what we had to. I think Emet saw us as an Ancient briefly because the rejoining with Ardbert brought us closer to that complete 'soul'. Whether we are actually that individual I would question though, although merging with Ardbert didn't seem to diminish us. It's an interesting point. It didn't seem like we lost Ardbert either since we saw through his eyes the reunion with his friends. Which is all very intriguing and means that perhaps rejoining isn't as desperately horrendous as we think?

[MrThinker]

The popular theory is that Ardbert is one of the 14 shards of our soul, and he surrendered his aether to us so we could defeat Hades. Did Ardbert putting us from 7/14 to 8/14 really make us that much stronger? I'm confused, because the implication of the following cutscene where Hades sees us as an Amaurotine is that our soul is now "whole". What's going on?

Well, to begin:

Before that scene, we were already 8/14 rejoined. Remember, the Source also had its own soul shards, and there were 7 calamities. Source + 7 Shards makes us 8/14 at the beginning of ARR. Ardbert rejoining us pushes us to 9/14, more closer than ever to being "whole" by Ascian standards. And enough for Hades to temporarily see us as the Amaourotine he knew. Becoming 9/14 did not make us immediately stronger, instead it made us more able to contain the Light raging inside our body.... though it could probably be used to explain any increases in strength from thereon in.

[Cilia]

The popular theory is that Ardbert is one of the 14 shards of our soul, and he surrendered his aether to us so we could defeat Hades. Did Ardbert putting us from 7/14 to 8/14 really make us that much stronger? I'm confused, because the implication of the following cutscene where Hades sees us as an Amaurotine is that our soul is now "whole". What's going on?

Hythlodaeus states verbatim that, back in the days of Amaurot, the PC and Ardbert were one and the same in terms of soul. The fact Emet-Selch (Hades) later sees an Amaurotine in the PC's place for a brief moment also strongly suggests (if not confirms) that said soul belonged to one of the Ancients; popular theory is that they are a reincarnation of the fourteenth member of the Amaurotine Conclave that left before the Final Days.

Ardbert's willing rejoining with the PC does make them stronger, but it alone wasn't enough to defeat Hades; mostly it just repaired their overstressed soul from the primordial Light they'd collected from the Lightwardens, keeping them on their feet until they burn off the excess by using it to make a Blade of Light to slay Hades.

It isn't known if Ardbert rejoining his soul with the PC made them compleat, but what is clear is that their power is beginning to echo that of the Ancients. Emet-Selch (Hades) briefly seeing an Ancient in the PC's place is probably just meant to clue the player in to the fact they are a reincarnation of one such Ancient, and perhaps that by Ardbert rejoining his soul to the PC their power is beginning to echo that of the Ancients.

[Dyvid]

A Derplander... A representation of the Player's Character and Ardbert's character model. Nice how they put it all together for us.

[LineageRazor]

If the Warriors of Light from other shards ARE further components of our soul, then it's notable that we may be one of a small number of individuals (maybe the ONLY individual, now that Igeyorhm is gone) with the potential to have their soul completely restored. Unukalhai, I think, is the only known refugee from the Thirteenth Shard. They were the Warrior of Light of that Shard, and by this theory, another piece of our soul.

[Nightsword]

No, please note there is a difference between "Warriors of Light" and "The Warrior of Light". Anybody can be a one of the "Warriors of Light", they are heroes that through some effort received the blessing of Hydaelyn or were given the name by others, such as the forgotten heroes of the Battle of Carteneau. The same should by all rights hold true on the Shards and at any given time one their "Warriors of Light" may or not be part of the soul of "The Warrior of Light" as their counter part may not be alive at the time.

[EdwinLi]

If the Warriors of Light from other shards ARE further components of our soul, then it's notable that we may be one of a small number of individuals (maybe the ONLY individual, now that Igeyorhm is gone) with the potential to have their soul completely restored. Unukalhai, I think, is the only known refugee from the Thirteenth Shard. They were the Warrior of Light of that Shard, and by this theory, another piece of our soul.

The 5th Role Quest will reveal the identity of a 2nd Survivor of the 13th Shard who was a member of the 13th's Warriors of Light. This person is also a aquaintance of Unukalhai.

5th Role Quest is important to the story because it involves the "solution" the Ascians have for the 13th shard or atleast a small fragment of their plans.

[Alleo]

I think that Ardbert's help made it easier for us to control the massive amount of light that had previously been killing us, and we used it -via the white auracite and the 'ghostly' bravura - to do what we had to. I think Emet saw us as an Ancient briefly because the rejoining with Ardbert brought us closer to that complete 'soul'. Whether we are actually that individual I would question though, although merging with Ardbert didn't seem to diminish us. It's an interesting point. It didn't seem like we lost Ardbert either since we saw through his eyes the reunion with his friends. Which is all very intriguing and means that perhaps rejoining isn't as desperately horrendous as we think?

Well it could have been just there to show us that Ardbert finally found peace and that we wont hear from him again. This is also shown with the exarch being the one that comments from that point on and not Ardbert anymore. Also it was only because Ardbert was death that he could rejoin with us, so I would say that yes rejoining is bad, because one part of it always needed to die and we dont know if that was not just his last few seconds as him and he is now fully with us. Just look at Minfilia. They made the point that she will be gone if she gave Ryne her power (thus rejoined with her).

The 5th Role Quest will reveal the identity of a 2nd Survivor of the 13th Shard who was a member of the 13th's Warriors of Light. This person is also a aquaintance of Unukalhai.

5th Role Quest is important to the story because it involves the "solution" the Ascians have for the 13th shard or atleast a small fragment of their plans.

Or this solution was only a lie to get her to work with her. Because why would the ascians never found that or done that in those many thousands of years if it was that easy to bring it back? Koji did say that there is nothing in the Void. Unlike the first where the aether is just stopped by the light and can be activated again. The void simply has no aether left.

I think Emets new plan would have involved the crystal tower and time travel to travel before they destroyed the 13th. Which does hint that other solutions may not be possible.

[EdwinLi]

Or this solution was only a lie to get her to work with her. Because why would the ascians never found that or done that in those many thousands of years if it was that easy to bring it back? Koji did say that there is nothing in the Void. Unlike the first where the aether is just stopped by the light and can be activated again. The void simply has no aether left.

I think Emets new plan would have involved the crystal tower and time travel to travel before they destroyed the 13th. Which does hint that other solutions may not be possible.

It is honestly hard to tell what Emet would have done with the time-travel powers since he could have even used it to travel to before the original calamaity in hopes of finding the solution to prevent it before Summon Zodiark plan was set in motion since that plan was only used ebcause it was the last and only solution left for them.


On that note, it seems Eden Raid may provide the Solution to save the 13th but that is only my theory.

Story wise if Eden is related to the 13th salvation it may become one of those story events that will happen no matter what but only difference is if WoL took part in it or not thus some slight dialogue changes and extra dialogue options for those who completed Eden raid storyline similar to how CT storyline still happened but the difference is that if WoL took part in it or not.