Uh oh it's yapping time once again and this time it's me rambling about Garlean Armor!
Let's start with the very basic which is the Emperor's attire:
This one seems to be protocol as between Varis and old man Solus here there aren't many differences really. You've got the usual Garlean armor underneath the big imposing cape and pauldrons, but what makes this whole thing special is the draconic motifs. Looking back into the background for Garlemald itself, I'm curious if it's always been chosen as a symbol for the royal family, or it had been incorporated after the Dravanian Horde skirmish. As far as I can tell, however, it seems like it's a Wyrm adorning their crowns and cape fabric, and oddly enough only Varis has the Garlean sigil, as Solus's front piece reminds me of someone else....
Zenos, of course. The Wiki specifically states that he chose to take Ala Mhigan elements such as the fabric and belts to adorn his armor with. That means that the red skirt is supposed to also be protocol most likely. No draconic elements besides the flame motif, no Garlean sigil either, whether it was meant to be as simple as a pure red with flame motifs, or he specifically had it done that way, we cannot know. Had he not worn the crown on his helmet, you could pass him off as a Legatus (yes, even if his armor has lil dragon wings, not enough to justify anyone believing he might be royalty). Still, it's interesting to look at the style and way that he chooses to wrap the Ala Mhigan fabric around his waist, as it looks very similar in fashion to Solus. Varis on the other hand has absolutely no other extra elements, his attire being fully and entirely Garlean, very neatly worn, it just displays his pride as being Garlean and the Emperor.
Also let's not forget the fact that Zenos chooses to leave the helmet (implicitly the crown as well), once he deems us interesting enough and brimming with potential. He's never seen wearing it again, which honestly feels like the biggest symbol of him belonging to Garlemald, as he too has no royal sigil inscribed within his clothing. And we know he outright tells Varis he never intended to rule....while also never being seen with said helmet or crown again, even within the palace walls.
I've already mentioned in another post how with ShB and EW later on, he sheds the symbolic Garlean elements much like a reptile sheds its skin, so in the end you have a man that has nothing tying him to his Garlean identity, besides his Third Eye, which could also very easily be hidden away as many of the reformed Garleans have done.
No Garlean imagery, no draconic symbolism, not even the very bright Garlean red, no outright armor. It's instead lighter fabrics, with some semblance of metallic elements here and there. Can't exactly tell what the motifs on his shoulder are, but they feel floral (I can be wrong). His outfit changes are a very visible change of identity still, and choosing to entirely separate himself from his Garlean descent.
Also thinking back to him finding Shinryu a perfect specimen.
Wyrm.
The symbol of the Garlean crown apparently. And becoming such a symbol himself, he did what neither of the Emperors could, who instead could only adorn their armor in a dormant symbol of it, pretending to be just as powerful.
And then at the end of it all, he used the very same symbol and specimen to indirectly save the whole world through saving the WoL. The Wyrm no longer attacked, but offered support, trust even, since WoL got to ride upon its back.
This was also supposed to be Christmas art. But I did not have time to make it for the holidays :(
However, do not leave it until next Christmas, right? (´• ω •`)
Just want to remind you that my main account is now - https://www.deviantart.com/tat-bunny
I keep thinking back to this post about the way Solus would fund cultural endeavours like theater and the arts, because obviously Emet is into that.
And then Varis defunds them.
You'd think that for someone who really really wanted the attention of his grandfather, he would've actually tried to be into the very things his "role model" was.
Although I suppose it makes sense that as he'd started resenting Solus, he'd then decide to entirely go against the man's likes, wishes and interests.
It also makes sense why Zenos suffered from this in his childhood. Every creative outlet he may have had was not allowed and stripped from him instead. The most he got was reading, and it was simply because it meant he could accumulate more knowledge.
But he's got similar inclinations as Solus/Emet in how he acts or speaks! The poetics of it all is literally in your face. If theater would've been encouraged by his father, if Zenos was allowed such a freedom, can you imagine the amount of theatrics and drama we would've seen? I feel like Solus would've either been proud of him or detested his behaviour for being too over the top (while not willing to acknowledge he himself displays the very same traits).
Which only brings me to, why did Solus and Zenos not interact in the least? Why is there no mention of it even in the extra stories? Is it also coming from Varis? Not wanting to give Solus the opportunity of influencing Zenos in the least? Since he himself worked so hard to be noticed, his son was not going to be allowed the chance. Cause what did his son have that he didn't?
