How Old Was Elidibus?

Elidibus’s age is a complex topic because he existed across multiple iterations of the world and embodied different roles. He was one of the original Ascians and a member of the Convocation of Fourteen, existing since the time of the unsundered world, making him over 12,000 years old. His physical form changed throughout history, but his core existence remained consistent across the rejoining of the shards.

The Longevity of an Ascian: Understanding Elidibus’s Lifespan

Elidibus’s immense age stems from his nature as an Ascian, beings who existed on the unsundered star before the Sundering. The Sundering was a cataclysmic event that shattered the original world and its inhabitants, including the Ascians, into multiple fragments. While most souls were fragmented into the Source and its reflections, the Ascians were able to preserve their original, powerful forms. This preservation granted them an extraordinary lifespan, far exceeding that of ordinary mortals. They were essentially ageless, barring death by specific means, such as total annihilation of their aether. This is key to grasping how Elidibus, and indeed other Ascians, could endure for millennia. His age isn’t measured in typical human years but rather in cycles of rejoining and suffering of entire civilizations.

The Role of Zodiark

Another crucial factor in Elidibus’s longevity is his connection to Zodiark. Zodiark, the primal summoned by the ancient Ascians to avert the Final Days, required a sacrifice of life to fuel his power. Elidibus volunteered to become the heart of Zodiark, further extending his lifespan and solidifying his existence across the fragmented world. As the heart, he maintained a crucial link to the primal, effectively anchoring him across the dimensions. This unique position within Zodiark’s being provided him with a constant source of aetheric energy, fueling his immortality and resilience against the forces of the Sundering.

Changes in Physical Form

It’s important to remember that while Elidibus’s core existence endured, his physical manifestation did not remain constant. He could possess individuals, assume different forms, and even exist as an incorporeal entity. This shape-shifting ability further complicates any attempt to assign a definitive age to him in human terms. He appeared as different characters throughout history, each with their own perceived age. His age is therefore better understood as an accumulation of experiences and knowledge acquired over millennia, rather than a simple count of years lived in a single physical body. He was the embodiment of duty and was forever bound to fulfill the wishes of the star.

The Implications of Elidibus’s Age

Elidibus’s vast lifespan had profound implications for his actions and motivations. He witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations, experienced the pain of the Sundering, and carried the burden of his people’s fate. This accumulation of experience shaped his perspective, leading him to view the world through a lens of immense historical context. His actions were driven by a deep-seated desire to restore the unsundered world, a goal that consumed him for millennia. This long-term perspective explains his seemingly callous disregard for individual lives in the present, as he saw them as necessary sacrifices for the greater good of his people.

The sheer weight of his age also contributed to his detachment from the present. He was a being from a vastly different era, struggling to reconcile the values and beliefs of the past with the realities of the present. This disconnect fueled his conflict with the Warrior of Light and their allies, who represented a new generation striving to forge a different future. His inability to adapt and his unwavering adherence to his ancient mission ultimately led to his downfall.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Elidibus:

1. Was Elidibus truly evil? No, Elidibus was not inherently evil. His actions were driven by a warped sense of duty and a desire to restore the unsundered world. His morality was skewed by his long lifespan and his perception of the current world as flawed and incomplete. He believed he was acting in the best interests of his people, even if it meant sacrificing the lives of others. He was a tragic figure, consumed by his mission and unable to see the value in the world he sought to destroy.

2. How did Elidibus become the Emissary? Elidibus was chosen to be the Emissary because of his strong sense of duty and unwavering loyalty to the Ascian cause. He volunteered to become the heart of Zodiark, a role that required immense sacrifice and commitment. This act solidified his position as the Emissary, the representative of the Convocation and the embodiment of their collective will.

3. Could Elidibus have been redeemed? This is a debatable point. Some believe that Elidibus was too far gone to be redeemed, as his long lifespan and unwavering devotion to his cause had hardened his heart. Others argue that he was a victim of circumstance, manipulated by the other Ascians and driven to extreme measures by his grief and despair. Ultimately, his fate was sealed by his own actions, but his story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fanaticism and the importance of empathy.

4. What was Elidibus’s relationship with Zodiark? Elidibus had an extremely intimate relationship with Zodiark, having become the heart of the primal. This connection allowed him to tap into Zodiark’s immense power and maintain his existence across the fragmented world. He saw Zodiark as a necessary force for restoring the unsundered world, even though it required a great sacrifice.

5. How did the Warrior of Light defeat Elidibus? The Warrior of Light defeated Elidibus by confronting him in the Empty, a realm of pure aetheric energy. The Warrior of Light, empowered by the blessings of Hydaelyn and the support of their allies, was able to overcome Elidibus’s immense power and shatter his connection to Zodiark. The final blow was dealt by the combined power of the Warrior of Light and G’raha Tia, who had sacrificed his own future to aid in the fight.

6. Did Elidibus remember his past life as a member of the Convocation? Yes, Elidibus retained his memories of his past life as a member of the Convocation, including his identity as the one who would always walk by the star. These memories fueled his desire to restore the unsundered world and his unwavering commitment to the Ascian cause.

7. Why did Elidibus possess Ardbert? Elidibus possessed Ardbert to gain a foothold on the Source and manipulate events to further his goals. He used Ardbert’s body to sow discord and create chaos, ultimately leading to the release of Light and the threat of a Flood of Light. This possession highlights Elidibus’s willingness to exploit others to achieve his objectives.

8. What was the significance of Elidibus’s mask? Elidibus’s mask symbolized his role as the Emissary and his detachment from his own identity. It represented his willingness to sacrifice his individuality for the sake of the Ascian cause. The mask also served as a reminder of his ancient origins and his connection to the unsundered world.

9. How did Elidibus view humanity? Elidibus viewed humanity as a flawed and incomplete species, a pale shadow of their former selves from the unsundered world. He believed that they were unworthy of inheriting the star and that they needed to be sacrificed to restore the world to its original glory.

10. What happened to Elidibus after his defeat? After his defeat, Elidibus’s aether was scattered, effectively destroying his individual existence. However, his memories and his will lived on, influencing events in subsequent expansions. He became a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of empathy.

11. How does Elidibus compare to other Ascians like Emet-Selch and Lahabrea? Elidibus differed from other Ascians in his unwavering dedication to his duty and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the cause. While Emet-Selch and Lahabrea were driven by their own personal desires and ambitions, Elidibus was motivated by a sense of responsibility and a belief that he was acting in the best interests of his people.

12. Was Elidibus aware of Hydaelyn’s role in the Sundering? Yes, Elidibus was aware of Hydaelyn’s role in the Sundering. He viewed her as the enemy of the Ascians and the one responsible for the fragmented state of the world. This animosity fueled his desire to destroy her and restore Zodiark to his former glory.

13. What was Elidibus’s ultimate goal? Elidibus’s ultimate goal was to restore the unsundered world, even if it meant sacrificing the lives of countless individuals. He believed that this was the only way to save his people and ensure their survival. His unwavering commitment to this goal consumed him for millennia, ultimately leading to his downfall.

14. Did Elidibus ever doubt his mission? While not explicitly stated, it’s implied that Elidibus may have experienced moments of doubt or uncertainty, especially when confronted with the strength and resilience of humanity. However, he always suppressed these doubts and reaffirmed his commitment to his cause, fearing that wavering would betray his duty and his people.

15. How is Elidibus remembered in the world of Final Fantasy XIV? Elidibus is remembered as a complex and tragic figure. Some view him as a villain who sought to destroy the world, while others see him as a misguided hero who was driven to extreme measures by his love for his people. His story serves as a reminder of the dangers of fanaticism and the importance of understanding different perspectives. He left an indelible mark on the world, shaping events and influencing the lives of countless individuals.