When Did Elidibus Leave Zodiark?
Elidibus left Zodiark after the Rejoining of the First, severing his connection to the primal and assuming the role of the Emissary, a servant of Hydaelyn. This pivotal moment significantly altered the course of events in Final Fantasy XIV, shaping the conflicts and motivations of key characters for expansions to come.
The Ascians and Their Purpose
To understand Elidibus’s departure from Zodiark, it’s crucial to delve into the history and objectives of the Ascians. These immortal beings, survivors of the ancient civilization of Amaurot, are driven by a singular purpose: to restore their fallen world.
The Sundering and the Creation of Hydaelyn and Zodiark
The world of Amaurot, a utopia blessed with unimaginable power and knowledge, faced a crisis of immense proportions. A sense of despair and stagnation led to dangerous experimentation, culminating in the creation of beings born from the collective will of the people. These beings threatened to consume the world. To avert total annihilation, the Ancients sacrificed a significant portion of their population and created Zodiark, a primal of immense power, to restore the world to its former glory.
However, even Zodiark’s restorative power wasn’t enough to satisfy all. Some believed Zodiark’s existence itself was a corruption, a violation of the natural order. They argued that the sacrifice was too great and the cost of sustaining Zodiark was unsustainable. Thus, they sacrificed themselves to create Hydaelyn, a primal of opposition, designed to shatter Zodiark and, in the process, sunder the world and its inhabitants into fragmented reflections. This catastrophic event became known as The Sundering.
The Goals of the Unsundered Ascians
The Unsundered Ascians—Lahabrea, Elidibus, and Emet-Selch—are the survivors of the ancient Amaurotine society. They remember the world before the Sundering and view the current fragmented reality as a pale imitation of its former glory. Their plan to restore the world, known as the Rejoining, involves merging the reflections (shards) back into the Source. This is accomplished by triggering calamities on each shard, creating an influx of aether that empowers the Ascians to bring the shards back together. The ultimate goal is to resurrect Zodiark using the rejoined aether, and subsequently, bring back Amaurot and its people.
Elidibus: From Heart of Zodiark to Emissary
Elidibus held a unique and vital position within the Ascian hierarchy and in relation to Zodiark. Initially, Elidibus was the Heart of Zodiark. This essentially meant that he was the primal’s will, its consciousness. This direct connection to Zodiark imbued Elidibus with immense power and a deep understanding of the primal’s purpose. However, after the Rejoining of the First, Elidibus experienced a significant transformation.
The Rejoining of the First and Elidibus’s Transformation
The Rejoining of the First was a crucial turning point. It was a particularly successful endeavor for the Ascians, bringing the First shard back into the Source. The First’s Rejoining was fueled by the Flood of Light, a cataclysmic event that transformed the shard into a desolate wasteland. This act, and the events surrounding it, seemed to fundamentally alter Elidibus. He broke free from his direct connection to Zodiark and took on the role of the Emissary.
The Emissary: A Servant of Hydaelyn
Becoming the Emissary signifies a profound shift in Elidibus’s allegiances. As the Emissary, he is still dedicated to restoring the world of Amaurot but he now serves Hydaelyn, using her power to further the Ascian agenda. This position allows him to manipulate events from within, often working behind the scenes to orchestrate calamities and sow discord. He seeks to guide humanity towards specific outcomes that will ultimately facilitate the Rejoining of the remaining shards. He essentially becomes a puppet of Hydaelyn to achieve his goal.
Why Did Elidibus Leave Zodiark?
The exact reasons for Elidibus’s transformation remain shrouded in mystery, but several theories exist. The most common theory suggests that the overwhelming influx of aether from the Rejoining of the First, combined with the inherent conflict between Zodiark and Hydaelyn, caused a fundamental shift in his being. It’s also possible that Elidibus, influenced by the people and events of the First, began to question the Ascian methods or the true nature of Zodiark. Whatever the precise cause, the change was irreversible, leading him to become the Emissary and an instrument of Hydaelyn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who are the Unsundered Ascians?
The Unsundered Ascians are the three remaining survivors of the ancient Amaurotine civilization who retained their original forms after the Sundering. They are Lahabrea, Elidibus, and Emet-Selch.
2. What is the Rejoining?
The Rejoining is the Ascians’ plan to merge the thirteen shards of the sundered world back into the Source. They believe this process will restore the world to its original state and allow them to resurrect Zodiark.
3. What is Zodiark?
Zodiark is a primal created by the Ancients to restore their world after a devastating crisis. He requires aetherial energy to sustain himself, drawing it from sacrifices made by the Ancients and later, through the Rejoinings.
4. What is Hydaelyn?
Hydaelyn is a primal created by a faction of Ancients who opposed the creation of Zodiark. She shattered Zodiark and sundered the world, dividing it into the Source and thirteen shards.
5. What is the Source?
The Source is the primary world, the original shard that was created by Hydaelyn’s sundering of Zodiark. It is where the main events of Final Fantasy XIV take place.
6. What are the Shards?
The Shards are the thirteen fragmented reflections of the Source, created during the Sundering. Each shard is a separate world with its own history and inhabitants.
7. What is the Flood of Light?
The Flood of Light was a cataclysmic event that occurred on the First shard, transforming it into a desolate wasteland. It was triggered by the Ascians and fueled the Rejoining of the First.
8. What is Aether?
Aether is the fundamental energy that permeates the world of Final Fantasy XIV. It is the life force of all living beings and the source of all magic. The Ascians use aether to fuel their plans for the Rejoining.
9. What is the significance of the First Rejoining?
The First Rejoining was a major success for the Ascians, demonstrating their ability to merge a shard back into the Source. It also provided them with a significant boost in power and resources. Furthermore, it directly led to Elidibus’s transformation into the Emissary.
10. What are the goals of Elidibus as the Emissary?
As the Emissary, Elidibus sought to guide humanity towards specific outcomes that would facilitate the Rejoining of the remaining shards. He manipulated events, sowed discord, and empowered individuals who would ultimately serve the Ascian agenda, even if they were not consciously aware of it.
11. How does the Emissary serve Hydaelyn while working for the Ascians?
The Emissary’s service to Hydaelyn is complex. He essentially uses her power to manipulate events and guide humanity towards a specific outcome that ultimately benefits the Ascian agenda. This creates a paradoxical situation where he is both a servant of Hydaelyn and a supporter of Zodiark’s resurrection.
12. What is the relationship between Elidibus and the Warrior of Light?
Elidibus viewed the Warrior of Light as both a threat and a tool. He recognized the Warrior’s immense power and potential, seeing them as either a force that could thwart the Ascian plans or a powerful agent that could be manipulated to serve their purpose.
13. What eventually happens to Elidibus?
Elidibus meets his end during the Shadowbringers expansion. His plan to force the Warrior of Light to “become” the next darkness backfires, resulting in his defeat within the Crystal Tower and subsequently his demise.
14. What is the Crystal Tower’s role in Elidibus’s plans?
Elidibus used the Crystal Tower as a conduit to amplify his power and manipulate events on a grand scale. He sought to use it to influence the Warrior of Light and force them to embrace the role of darkness, thus furthering the Ascian agenda.
15. How does Elidibus’s story impact the overall narrative of Final Fantasy XIV?
Elidibus’s story is central to the overarching narrative of Final Fantasy XIV. His transformation into the Emissary, his manipulations of events, and his eventual demise all have profound consequences for the world and its inhabitants. His story explores themes of sacrifice, duty, and the complexities of morality, adding depth and nuance to the game’s rich lore. His actions and motivations ultimately drive the plot forward, leading to the conflicts and resolutions explored in subsequent expansions.