Solus zos Galvus



Solus zos Galvus is a non-playable character from Final Fantasy XIV. He's the emperor of the Garlean Empire.

Final Fantasy XIV
Solus zos Galvus, as inferred by the date of events in Final Fantasy XIV, was born in the year 1492 during the Sixth Astral Era. According to the official synopsis on the Final Fantasy XIV website, Solus Zos Galvus was born of a distinguished family in the then-small Garlemald Republic. He entered the army and, through repeated victories, rose to the rank of legatus and was instrumental in integrating Magitek into the Garlean military. After this, he transformed the Republic into a militaristic power, and with the support of the people he became a dictator-style ruler.

In the aftermath of his appointment, he conquered new territories, absorbing them into Garlemald. Solus then started an imperial regime, making himself Emperor of Garlemald. He is the main authority behind the Garlean Empire's attempted conquests of Eorzea, after Galvus saw his army badly damaged by attacks by the Primals during his campaigns in the eastern nations of Othard.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn


While he is still the official ruler, there are rumors present that he has frail health and has frequent illnesses. His condition has caused political strife within the Empire as to who will succeed him, leading to the official abandonment of the unified effort to conquer Eorzea. Gaius Van Baelsar, a general and Imperial Legatus in the Garlean Army, has instead decided to act independently and personally lead his legion to Eorzea without the formal support of the rest of the Empire.

Not long after the beginning of the Seventh Astral Era, likely as Gaius was no longer present to oppose any challengers, a civil war has broken out in Garlemald over the succession to the throne after Solus had passed on of causes unknown to the Eorzeans. The conflict was eventually resolved with Varis Zos Galvus, Solus's grandson, crowned the new emperor.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
The Emperor appears with an ice-elemental card.

Etymology
Sol is Latin for "sun". "Galvus" is derived from Latvian word galva which means "head".