The Reasoning behind The Sundering? (*6.0 Endwalker Spoilers*)

[Apothecarist]

The reason why Venat performed the sundering was to weaken mankind's innate aetheric power which would take creation magic out of the equation and make mankind mortal.

The sundering cutscene showed that the majority of Amaurothians would do anything other than embracing the fact that despair and suffering were part and parcel of living. Venat knew this would prevent the ancients from ever defeating Meteon and truly stopping the end day. And although it was never explained, this also implies that Zodiark was probably not a long-term solution to stop the final days. The star would probably eventually run out of aether. I suspect this may be explored post 6.0.

In any case, we know that primals require alot of aether to sustain so I am guessing that constant sacrifice is required to keep Zodiark going. Knowing Venat, this probably went against her principles and the sundering could be partially attributed to her own selfish ideals. The results were clear.

1. Mankind lost the power for creation at will and had to constantly strive for survival. This suffering allowed mankind (or at least the scions) to develop the fortitude to not relent even when experiencing utter despair. This was key to defeating Meteon.

2. Curtailed Zodiark's power and allowed him to be jailed on the moon. This prevented the final days while reducing the amount of aether required to sustain him until mankind was ready to face Meteon. There is no evidence for the latter but also no evidence that Zodiark continued to consume a large quantity of aether. Haedelyn might have directly controlled the amount of aether being fed to Zodiark and was only giving enough to sustain him.

3. Might not have been intentional but the reduction in mankind's aether also allowed man to sense and utilize Dynamis as a power. This was used to overcome the despair in Ultima Thule, and more importantly allowed Meteon to overcome her own despair.

But perhaps more importantly, how was Venat even able to enact the sundering. Wouldn't it have required immense strength? It was not clear how many followers she had. Could there be more behind this?

EDIT: Ultima Thule also suggests that the paradise that the Amaurothian sought was bound to fail. Had the sundering not happened, Etherys would have been just another example on Ultima Thule.

[Necrotica]

Remember in all of this Azem did not side with Venat and the others that wanted to summon Hydaelyn. So it is possible that writers want us to recognize that Venat and the Convocation were both wrong.

[Lyth]

Not quite. Azem 'defected' and the seat was left empty before the Convocation had reached a decision on Zodiark. Venat's followers tried to send word out to Azem, but received no response. The real question is: where is Azem during all this?

The circumstances around Azem's departure were considered to be so grave that the Convocation refused to commemorate them with a soul crystal, and Emet had to make one in secret. I don't think that's a simple disagreement about a decision. Even when Azem had gone against the Convocation previously, Azem was just censured. With the likes of Hyth, Elidibus, and Emet all as close friends in Azem's corner, it would have to be something serious for which there was no simple defense. Something like, say, being accused of seriously injuring or even killing a senior Convocation member, perhaps? This is why I think we won't have a satisfactory resolution to these questions for another eighteen months.

[Ayche]

Let's not get sidetracked here. One side had respect for life, the other did not.
Let's not both-sides that fact here.

[Kordarion]

Let's not get sidetracked here. One side had respect for life, the other did not.
Let's not both-sides that fact here.

Which side is it that you think had respect for life? Because I've seen pro-hydaelyn and pro-zodiark/ancients people both claim their side has respect for life.

[Ayche]

Which side is it that you think had respect for life? Because I've seen pro-hydaelyn and pro-zodiark/ancients people both claim their side has respect for life.

You know, one side was not going to genocide about all of the natural world for their cousin's lost soul.

[Kordarion]

You know, one side was not going to genocide about all of the natural world for their cousin's lost soul.

I agree, the ancients routinely made, altered and removed species based on their changing whims and arbitrary definition of natural order. I was just curious because while I took your statement as the ancients didn't have the greatest respect for life I didn't want to be presumptuous.

[Lersayil]

You know, one side was not going to genocide about all of the natural world for their cousin's lost soul.

I am both baffled and amused by this statement. It applies so much to both sides, I'm honestly not sure which one you mean. If its intentional you have my genuine admiration.

[RyuDragnier]

But perhaps more importantly, how was Venat even able to enact the sundering. Wouldn't it have required immense strength? It was not clear how many followers she had. Could there be more behind this?

Considering the missing body parts on Zodiark during the fight with Fandaniel, it's very likely that the Sundering was 13 slices with surgical precision, each one aiming for a weak point in Zodiark's design along with an exact amount of souls. This was likely possible because of the difference between concepts. Zodiark was created merely to control the flow of aether around the planet and save it, without the idea of battle in mind. Hydaelyn was likely created with the idea of battle and thus had the knowledge and skill to perform the Sundering without issues, especially considering that an AZEM was the heart of her.

Not quite. Azem 'defected' and the seat was left empty before the Convocation had reached a decision on Zodiark. Venat's followers tried to send word out to Azem, but received no response. The real question is: where is Azem during all this?

This is likely going to deal with the overarching plot of the next big multi-expansion story arc, considering the devs themselves stated that the 6.x patches are going to be leading into the next arc. So either we find out this expansion, or we don't and it's going to be the focal point of the next one.

[Necrotica]

You know, one side was not going to genocide about all of the natural world for their cousin's lost soul.

There has been way more death and suffering as a result of Venats decision then would have been if she let the Convocation carry out their plan.