What are your crazy theories after Endwalker

[FrightfulNight]

A new powerful empire from one of the other shards who have consolidated all the nations, races and creeds under their banner into one technological juggernaut-- see images below of their airships that make the Garlean dreadnaughts look like mere drones.

By the way-- remember how we kept running into "mirror" versions of certain NPCs from the Source while we were on the First? Rowena? Gerolt?

I will go even further down this rabbit hole and combine it with another theory I think I have heard on this thread. What if the ruler of this Shard conquering empire is none other then wait for it. Another reincarnation of Azem.

Someone else mentioned the possibility of facing another shard of Azem and a reflection of ourselves who had already gone to the remaining shards and forcefully absorbed the souls of the other Azem reincarnations. Well what if this particular one used both their overpowered abilities and their influence with people to instead rule their own shard essentially adapting the method of trying to stop the crime before it happens instead of reacting to it. In this what if scenario I am taking some inspiration from Injustice, similar to the WoL and Ardbert this Shard's reflection of Azem would have started off as an adventurer who helped many people over the years and toppled greater and greater foes. but what would lead them from this path of hero to conqueror you might ask. Well in this scenario just like our character and Ardbert this reflection of our characters would have traveled with a group of companions, think of them as their Scions.

Perhaps much like Ardbert's companions they are based off of the official artwork character's for various jobs that were not used in Ardbert's group. Maybe the Azem reflection is the concept art character for a new job added that expansion. Anyway going back to the companions in this other shard our character's reflection not only lost most of their companions, but lost them in an event very similar to the bloody banquet from 2.55. This city in question would also be essentially this character's starting city as well. After fleeing with their life however this reflection did not simply go into hiding but rallied the many people they had helped over the years to start a revolution overthrowing and killing the ones behind their betrayal and being named the new ruler of this city. Being jaded by the loss of their companions however the Azem reflection then went on to bring all the other nations of this shard into the fold. In their mindset they would root out all the corruption and things wrong with their world solving all of its problems through force.

[FrightfulNight]

Part 2 of this Theory

After the events of Endwalker like you suggested with Hydalyn now gone and the barriers between shards possibly weakening maybe this reflection of the WoL then went on to attack the remaining shards to absorb their reflections and now comes to the source for us seeking to absorb us and become immortal so they can rule over all Shard's forever and ensure the peace and security that they and their companions once strived for but sadly their companions did not live to see will never fade with an unworthy successor. As for the magiteck you suggested perhaps it was created by this Shard's version of Cid who was one of the few companions of this Azem shard who survived and who takes on a role much closer to his FF XII version, maybe even having a somewhat similar but different version of the Iron Works moto, this time being, Peace or Security through Technology. We naturally defeat them by unifying the people of the Source (it would have to be after we have visited most of the Source) and maybe the first as well through inspiration and example and not force and defeat them through the power of friendship, maybe seeing the sight of of us with our companions gives our reflection an emotional flashback to their friends to further up the feels. I know this is really fan servicey and a tinfoil theory at this point but i just think it would be interesting.

[sidurgu-12]

Part 2 of this Theory

After the events of Endwalker like you suggested with Hydalyn now gone and the barriers between shards possibly weakening maybe this reflection of the WoL then went on to attack the remaining shards to absorb their reflections and now comes to the source for us seeking to absorb us and become immortal so they can rule over all Shard's forever and ensure the peace and security that they and their companions once strived for but sadly their companions did not live to see will never fade with an unworthy successor. As for the magiteck you suggested perhaps it was created by this Shard's version of Cid who was one of the few companions of this Azem shard who survived and who takes on a role much closer to his FF XII version, maybe even having a somewhat similar but different version of the Iron Works moto, this time being, Peace or Security through Technology. We naturally defeat them by unifying the people of the Source (it would have to be after we have visited most of the Source) and maybe the first as well through inspiration and example and not force and defeat them through the power of friendship, maybe seeing the sight of of us with our companions gives our reflection an emotional flashback to their friends to further up the feels. I know this is really fan servicey and a tinfoil theory at this point but i just think it would be interesting.

this kind of reminds me of jet lees the one.

[Iscah]

I just don't see the point in striving to acquire more soul-shards. What is it actually going to add to the plot? We're already possibly the most powerful entity in the world, if not the universe, capable of beating up gods on a regular basis. The last thing the plot needs is to make us even more overwhelmingly powerful.

...especially if we're then left asking "so why are we still struggling to fight this level 99 squirrel?"

[sidurgu-12]

...especially if we're then left asking "so why are we still struggling to fight this level 99 squirrel?"

oh thats easy- its the squirrel that ferry insults between nidhogg and Vedfolnir.

[EdwinLi]

Filling out our Azem Pokedex.

Gotta to explore them all!

[Alleluia]

I think it might actually be Emet's familiar, it drops as a minion from Amaurot and makes an annoyed look at you when you /hug it during that Elpis sidequest. Lol.

Possibly. Even probable, given its glare just screams "Hades" to me. Still doesn't explain why its following us through time. Or into my Pendants room. lol

And why does it only show up on the First or a place technically connected with it (Elpis)? Did it follow us to Elpis? If so, why? Or is the Elpis version the original, and the one on the First actually 12 thousand years old?

If its just an easter egg, why has it not shown up on the Source, too? Endwalker certainly had plenty of opportunity. The "Shoot the hornbill" quest comes to mind.

I know its probably just a running gag that I am taking too seriously, but I have questions!

[Alleluia]

Shoebills look exactly like that in real life. Weird birds.



I'm guessing if it is his familiar, it's just something he uses to keep an eye on things.. Which could explain why it would be in Elpis (didn't necessarily have to follow us there) and also why it would be in various places on the First and in our Pendants room (umm... creepy!)

It's definitely a running gag (and a pretty funny one) either way.

It also basically points the way to the exarch when he collapses behind that boulder in Kholusia, if you interact with it and head the way the text says it’s looking. So it’s a running gag that can also have plot relevance.

[PangTong]

I dunno if this is a common or old theory or what but my prediction is that the true identities of the Twelve will turn out to be Venat's collaborators, those ancients who assisted her/sacrificed themselves in the summoning of Hydaelyn. Here is my evidence:



I would really like to get more backstory on Hydaelyn's summoning and how events lead to it. The cutscene at the end of Elpis made it seem like Venat acted independently, but we know she had allies, which kind of makes me wonder why she believed that her race was so beyond hope that she had to sunder them.

[Rulakir]

I dunno if this is a common or old theory or what but my prediction is that the true identities of the Twelve will turn out to be Venat's collaborators, those ancients who assisted her/sacrificed themselves in the summoning of Hydaelyn.

I hope it's just a coincidence. Having the 12 all be Venat collaborators would suck for anyone who's not #TeamHydaelyn.