Holy crap! <Late Main Quest Spoilers>

[Jacien]

Since they do possess bodies to exist in the mortal world (loosely remember what Minfilia said), I wouldn't be surprised if Lahabrea would jump back and forth between bodies depending on when he was needed. Whichever host was closer depending on what what he wanted do. For example, when he needed to go to Titan's lair, or wanted to hitch a ride on a Juggernaut.

I guess the clothes don't go with him though. Imagine waking up with a hangover after being possessed and you're stuck in evil looking robes and a sore throat.

Welp, I've been up too long, time to sleep.

[Obsy]

Since they do possess bodies to exist in the mortal world (loosely remember what Minfilia said), I wouldn't be surprised if Lahabrea would jump back and forth between bodies depending on when he was needed. Whichever host was closer depending on what what he wanted do.

Hm, I'm not sure. Given the shown Ascian ability to teleport in and out at will regardless of their host body, I can't get on board with it being due simply to "convenience".

My thoughts are that Lahabrea possessed Thancred for two reasons:

1) to glean information related to the Scions of the Seventh Dawn (i.e. the location of The Waking Sands, from which he then ported Livia & Co. in for Stabby Time™), and

2) to twist the knife during the big reveal, as evidenced by Minfilia's outcry (and probably a few of our own). From a storytelling perspective, it's obvious the writers wanted to really drive home the notion that nothing was safe; our own companions could be ripped from our hands, corrupted, and used against us.

[Vilhem]

2) to twist the knife during the big reveal, as evidenced by Minfilia's outcry (and probably a few of our own). From a storytelling perspective, it's obvious the writers wanted to really drive home the notion that nothing was safe; our own companions could be ripped from our hands, corrupted, and used against us.

I'm actually REALLY glad they did this. In 1.0, the Circle of Knowing seemed almost invincible..like they were these untouchable bad-asses that could never fall. Now in 2.0, they run the same risks we do...Thancred, in a moment of weakness, ended up "taken" by the enemy. And then of course there's the fact the rest were taken captive by the Garleans.

[Kinseykinz]

why is it then, that Thancred would willingly suggest Y’shtola accompany the player to Titan’s lair...

My thoughts on this are that Thancred might have somehow been too far gone to explain 'crap I've been enthralled' but not enthralled enough by that point in the story to purposefully protect both the adventurer and Y'shtola (a healer who had the most knowledge of LL/Titan) from harm. Especially since 'Livia wasn't aiming to kill the Milifina...at least not right away. Maybe he still had enough of him inside to protect the Scions.

Another reason could just be that the timing (not yours) are off. Thanbrea wasn't yet assisting Livia at the time you left, so there was no reason to try to hold you or Y'shtola at the sands.

[Vilhem]

This was my thought as well when I did the research. From the timeline, barring any "behind the scenes" actions that we didn't witness, Than seems to be completely overtaken by the time of Livia's attack. But, what troubles me is the fact he is wearing the necklace much much earlier. If this was some kind of "homing device" Lahabrea used to keep tabs on Than (and later use to teleport into the Waking Sands), how did Than not notice what he was wearing? He had to have known he had it. Maybe he bit off more than he could chew?

The Garleans and Lahabrea have been wanting to kill the player since the start, so even if Than was slightly overtaken by then, he would not have let the adventurer out of his sight..or would have warned him he was about to be overcome by the darkness. It is also strange that someone with a high intuition like Y'shtola didn't sense a thing o_O

[Rannie]

/snip

You never know he could have found it lying around and lahabrea dropped it to some extent. He saw it as a good equip because it makes him look better to the ladies and BAM instant possession. Remember he was quite a player to the women. Second of all I doubt he even really knew that he was being possessed. Oh he may have had some inkling, (then again we don't entirely know due to the fact he's upset that it happened but it doesn't mention if he remembers it or not) Also for the fact of the clothes Lahabrea could have just made him change it before letting go of possession as to not give him a clue about it.

It wasn't just that Lahabrea was wanting information on the Scions. He was also getting extremely interested in the adventurer who "bested Ifrit" and was wanting to get rid of him and or use him in his plans.

But that's all just my thoughts ^_^