Elidibus (Final Fantasy XIV)

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Elidibus
(アシエン・エリディブス, Ashien Eridibusu?, lit. Ascian Elidibus) Alternate names: Emissary (調停者, Chōtei-sha?, lit. Conciliator), Warrior of Light (ウォーリア・オブ・ライト, Uōria obu Raito?)
Biographical information
Affiliation	Zodiark, Amaurot
Occupation	Emissary of the Convocation of Fourteen Heart of Zodiark
Physical description
Race	Ascian Primal
Gender	Male
Gameplay details
Type	Boss
Behind the scenes information
Japanese voice actor	Akira Ishida
English voice actor	Matt Stokoe

Have the laws of man grown so twisted in my absence that it is now permitted to lay hands upon an emissary?

Elidibus

Elidibus is a character from Final Fantasy XIV. A white-robed Ascian, he claims to be an Emissary for the "one true god". Elidibus is secretive and enigmatic, and invested in the balance of Light and Darkness. He claims that while he serves with utmost loyalty, a world riddled with darkness or light is just a void, which does nothing for his master. Able to possess others, he has appeared in various forms. He was introduced A Realm Reborn and became a recurring behind the scenes antagonist, before becoming a main antagonist in Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers.

Profile

Appearance

Unlike other Ascians, who wear dark robes, Elidibus dresses in a white robe with golden accents with purple patterns on the front and back. A simplistic red mask covers the top half of his face. His Ascian sigil uses the pattern from the center of Zodiark's summoning glyph from Final Fantasy XII.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)

Elidibus in Zenos's body.

After possessing the body of Zenos yae Galvus, commenting that this new body makes an equal to the Warrior of Light, Elidibus resembles a man in mid 20s with a youthful face and fair complexion with long golden hair. To maintain his cover as the prince, Elidibus wears Zenos's suit of armor.

He later possesses the corpse of Ardbert, wearing the same black Fighter's set but a standard Bravura, as opposed to the Bravura Atma the original Ardbert wielded. He is capable of speaking in Ardbert's voice, but drops the act and speaks with his own voice when around those who are aware of his true identity.

When he later reverts to his Amaurotine form, Elidibus retains his distinctive white robes and red mask, setting him apart from his fellows. His form is significantly smaller than the giant Amaurotines', being the size of a mortal child.

Personality

Elidibus is polite and diplomatic, attempting to meet Minfilia Warde and the Warrior of Light on peaceful terms. This seems to be at odds with the other Ascians, who are cold at best toward the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Elidibus deviates from the methods of his black-robed brethren, and is not close or loyal to them, and states to Emperor Varis that he would not act against him should Varis use the Garlean Empire against the Ascians. Elidibus is nonetheless a dangerous and cunning foe to the Warrior of Light and the Scions. Even when his plans do not go accordingly, Elidibus is foresighted and intelligent enough to gain an advantage. According to Emet-Selch, while Elidibus may be a "worrier" and an "insufferable bore", he is no fool and the choices he makes are rarely wrong. Elidibus is subtle in the pursuit of his goals, being a master of manipulation and in using half-truths to convince others the righteousness of the Ascians' cause. He possesses the typical Ascian overconfidence when appearing to have the advantage, as after gaining the body of Zenos, he mistakenly believes he can easily defeat the Warrior of Light. Likewise, Elidibus fails to foresee Zenos's return or stop him from reclaiming his body, forcing the Emissary into fleeing.

Elidibus is persistent and patient, as even after learning of the demise of his Paragon comrades, Lahabrea and Emet-Selch, he only becomes more determined to restore Zodiark and reestablish the balance between Light and Dark. When the Scions confront him, Elidibus considers himself the hero and reveals that he shares similar sentiments as Emet-Selch did about the state of the world: it and its people are fragmented and flawed, and he thus desires to restore the original world. Elidibus claims that the Scions and their people are incapable of understanding the Ascians' plight or history, let alone remember them. Elidibus is obsessed in carrying out his duty, both as a member of the Convocation and as a primal, even if he can no longer remember the reason behind it.

Story

Early life

Elidibus was a member of the Convocation of Fourteen, a group that served as guardians of the city of Amaurot and the world. Elidibus earned his peers' respect despite their initial impression of him, Elidibus tending to overwork himself and emulate another member of their group. When their world was besieged by a calamity from within, Elidibus and his fellow Convocation members imbued the planet with a will, which manifested as the primal Zodiark. One of their member left their seat before the summoning and half of their people were sacrificed to offer up the necessary aether to complete the ritual. As part of the summoning, Elidibus was the first "sacrifice", being a catalyst to become Zodiark's heart.

Zodiark succeeded in its primary purpose, but then enthralled those who had summoned him into becoming his devout followers. The Convocation resolved to sacrifice another half of their people to replenish their ruined world. For Elidibus and the Convocation to restore the lives of those originally sacrificed, Zodiark would require even more aether; aether that would come from the new life being born into the world. This disturbed many of the remaining Amaurotines, including Venat, who felt that the sacrificial costs were already too great, and that the world now belonged to the lives birthed in it. Aware of the conflict among his people, and realizing that it would not resolve without his guidance, Elidibus separated himself from Zodiark to continue his role in the Convocation as a primal. Venat and her followers summoned Hydaelyn in opposition to Zodiark, and the resulting conflict ended with Hydaelyn's final attack shattering reality, sundering the world and all life on it into the Source and its thirteen shards.

Elidibus survived the Sundering intact along with two of his fellow Convocation members, Emet-Selch and Lahabrea. Elidibus began to work with the other Paragons and their Ascian followers to orchestrate the rejoining of the shards with the Source to restore both their god and their home. Throughout the ages, Elidibus makes heroes of random people to assume the identity of one himself, originating the legend of the Warrior of Light.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

Elidibus before Minfilia inside the Waking Sands.

Following Lahabrea's defeat, Elidibus decides to make his presence known to the Source's current Warrior of Light to see if they and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn could be useful pawns. Elidibus appears to Minfilia Warde as she prepares to leave the Waking Sands to the new Scion headquarters in Revenant's Toll. As she prepares the shattered staff of Louisoix Leveilleur, a voice laments how he never could meet the late great sage. Minfilia is startled to see an Ascian in the Waking Sands, albeit one with white robes. He notes she is gifted enough to perceive him, though ignorant of his station as Emissary. He confirms that Lahabrea wasn't fully vanquished at the Praetorium, and remarks that "he may yet learn from his mistakes".

The Warrior of Light encounters Elidibus.

Tataru Taru enters to confirm she's ready to depart, but is unable to sense Elidibus's presence as to those not attuned to the Echo, Ascians are "indistinct". Elidibus claims the Echo is a gift, but one that Minfilia and others have yet to master: if they did, there would be no strife between them and the Ascians. He bids his farewell, hoping they will meet again as friends. As he turns, Minfilia rushes toward him, and in reflex he knocks her out with dark magic. As she lies stunned, he muses how it is a mercy that Hydaelyn shields "Her children" from "His grace" and ponders if it was by her hand they survived the "Ardor".

After the Warrior of Light checks on Minfilia, she implores them to find the enigmatic Ascian. He is spotted in the town square of Vesper Bay, unnoticed by the townsfolk. He recognizes the Warrior of Light is strong in the Echo, and bids them to head north into Parada's Peace, warning that they may be tested by assailants. After progressively fending off groups of voidsent and Ascians sent to judge, the Emissary remarks on how only one strong enough to best Lahabrea could endure the "examination".

Elidibus behind the Archbishop.

As the Warrior of Light assumes a combative stance, Elidibus asks if the laws of man have twisted to permitting one to bear arms against an Emissary. Reminding that the Warrior of Light saw his meeting with the Antecedent through the Echo, and how he had acted in self-defense. Changing his tone, he admits that Lahabrea's actions are not so easily excused, though he cannot wholly condemn his deeds as it allowed them to discover one strong enough in the Echo to banish an Ascian. The Emissary notes how Hydaelyn has been waning and that the world will soon change. He introduces himself as Elidibus, and concedes that the Warrior of Light may doubt his words and motives.

Fellow Ascian, Nabriales, questions Elidibus's intentions of approaching the Scions. He reappears presiding over a meeting of the Ascians in the void, and Lahabrea and Elidibus flank the throne of the Archbishop of Ishgard, implying they are manipulating the affairs of the Holy See. Elidibus also informs Lahabrea of Nabriales's fall. After the overlord leaves, he speaks with Urianger Augurelt concerning fate.

Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward

Elidibus with Ardbert.

Elidibus stands on the surface of the moon, sensing that both Igeyorhm and Lahabrea have fallen, with him left to clean up their mess. The imbalance of Light and Dark from the Warrior of Light's actions halting their plan, Elidibus sends the Warriors of Darkness to restore the balance by having them terrorize the beastmen into summoning more primals, before deciding that pitting them against the Warrior of Light is ideal. In doing this Elidibus is exploiting the desperation of Ardbert, a Warrior of Light from the shard known as the First on verge of being consumed in a Flood of Light. The Ascians having masterminded the Flood themselves, Elidibus tricks Ardbert and his group into serving him as his "Warriors of Darkness". Elidibus has them recover the Eyes of Nidhogg from the ravine outside Ishgard, which he bequeaths to the Ala Mhigan extremist known as "The Griffin", his intention to incite a war between Eorzea and Garlemald.

Though the Warriors of Darkness are defeated, and the Word of the Mother agrees to aid their world, Elidibus is pleased by the outcome and intends to watch Hydaelyn's emissary carefully. Elidibus also sends his disciple, Unukalhai, to join the Scions to aid them in defeating the ancient primals knows as the Warring Triad.

Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood

Elidibus in Zenos's body.

Elidibus took the corpse of Zenos yae Galvus as a vessel after the liberation of Ala Mhigo. He presented himself to Emperor Varis (Zenos's father) while bringing back the Ascian that had assumed the identity of Solus zos Galvus (Emet-Selch) to help him get their plan of an eighth Umbral Calamity underway. Elidibus uses Zenos's face and influence to undermine any attempted rebellions in Garlemald's surrounding provinces while sabotaging Varis's peace treaty with Doma; he manipulates Asahi sas Brutus into orchestrating his sister, Yotsuyu goe Brutus—who is recognized as a Doman citizen—to summon a primal unto herself.

Even though Maxima quo Priscus learns of the true Zenos's death, Elidibus assures a furious Varis that he has things under control as he sent the imperial guard to make an attempt on Alphinaud Leveilleur and the Populares, driving the political party out of Garlemald. Now unopposed politically with no one to expose the truth, Elidibus instructs Varis to give the word and bring down the might of the Empire on Ala Mhigo, but Varis is hesitant and silent. Unable to egg him on, Elidibus leaves, stating that should Varis act, it needs to be soon. When the assault commences, Elidibus personally leads the second wave of Garlean soldiers to battle.

After facing Hien Rijin, Yugiri Mistwalker, and Lyse Hext, Elidibus is overwhelmed by the Warrior of Light who becomes immobilized after being called to by a voice. Elidibus tries to exploit this opportunity to kill the Warrior, but is stopped by Estinien Wyrmblood. Elidibus and Varis return to Garlemald, the former scolding the emperor for abandoning the battle, while vowing the Warrior will not escape him again.

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

Elidibus remains in Garlemald consorting with Varis on how to exploit the Warrior and the Scions' absence from the Source to use the Black Rose, a Garlean bioweapon: poison gas that kills those who breathe it. The real Zenos, whose artificial Echo allowed him to possess another body, confronts Elidibus to reclaim his original body. Upon sensing Emet-Selch's demise, Elidibus abandons his vessel while imparting his knowledge to Zenos. Lamenting that he is now the only remaining Paragon, Elidibus resolves to destroy the Warrior of Light so the Rejoining can properly resume.

Aware that the Warrior of Light and the Scions have departed to the First with the Scions' champion declared a "Warrior of Darkness", Elidibus seeks the spell that G'raha Tia used to bring the Scions to the First so he can summon an army of spectral Warriors from across the shards to build his strength. Elidibus recruits Warriors of Light by first possessing the lifeless body of Ardbert and then using it to slay the remaining sin eaters as a "Warrior of Light". He arrives in the Crystarium just as the Scions reveal the forgotten truths of the First's Warriors of Light, spurring the Crystarium citizens to follow in their footsteps before leaving.

Elidibus' illusion.

The Scions intercept Elidibus at the Rak'tika Greatwoods, tricking the Ascian into exposing himself when the Warrior uses the real Ardbert's personal history against him. Though Alphinaud tries to have Elidibus reconsider his actions in light of Emet-Selch's dying words, the Emissary scoffs at the notion of man's ability to understand or remember the Ascians' plight, and remains adamant to carry out the will of the Convocation. Elidibus later makes his presence known at the Crystarium, casting an illusion of a starshower to awaken the Echo within those present. When Urianger presses him for information, Elidibus reveals that Hydaelyn only awakens the power dormant within the sundered, a fragment of an Ascian's full power. When the Scions demand to know his plan, Elidibus says he is just another Warrior of Light seeking to save the world. During a chance meeting with the Warrior, Elidibus expresses his intent of destroying them, taking a swipe at the Crystal Exarch while leaving.

Elidibus takes the unconscious Y'shtola Rhul captive in Anyder while forcing the Warrior through a gauntlet of opponents based on those they met on their journey until fighting the Warrior himself. Elidibus loses as Y'shtola arrives, having learned of Elidibus's true nature from her research. When asked if he is truly acting on his own or by the will of those who maintained his existence, Elidibus considers it pointless and takes his leave. Elidibus acquires the spell G'raha used to bring the Scions to the First through a crystal that was imbued with G'raha's blood and memories. This allows Elidibus to take control of the Crystal Tower and summon spectral Warriors of Light to kill the Scions.

Elidibus as the Warrior of Light.

When confronted at the peak of the tower, it is revealed that Elidibus can barely remember Amaurot, the Convocation, or the promises he swore, though this does not deter him from acting on his directive as a primal. He absorbs some of the spectral Warriors and takes the shape of the First's original Warrior of Light to do battle with the Warrior of Darkness, but is defeated. Elidibus refuses to surrender as G'raha arrives to activate the Crystal Tower to seal the Ascian within it, reducing Elidibus to his original Amaurotine form. After the Warrior gives Elidibus the memory stones they acquired from Anyder Elidibus finally remembers his friends and allies before fading away, potentially being sealed within the Crystal Tower itself.

Spoilers end here.

Gameplay

Elidibus is fought thrice in the main scenario, though never using his own name or form. The first battle is against him possessing the body of Zenos yae Galvus as a solo duty during the quest Template:FFXIV questlink. The second battle is against him possessing the body of Ardbert as another solo duty during the quest Template:FFXIV questlink. The third battle sees him become a primal Warrior of Light during the Seat of Sacrifice trial.

Musical themes

Like other Ascians, most of Elidibus's appearances are accompanied by "Without Shadow".

Each time he is fought, a different track plays. As Zenos in Template:FFXIV questlink, the standard Stormblood boss theme of "Triumph" plays. When fought in the body of Ardbert, the track "Flight" plays. During his fight as the Warrior of Light in the Seat of Sacrifice "To the Edge" plays, a vocal remix of "Neath Dark Waters" with "Who Brings Shadow".

Gallery

Concept art.

Elidibus.

Elidibus' glyph.

From Astral to Umbral Arrangement Album artwork.

Piano Collections cover artwork.

Etymology

Elidibus shares his name with the legendary wizard who is in possession of Zodiark from Final Fantasy Tactics.