Emet Selch, probably one of the most loved villains in the FFXIV universe, for good reason. His personality is extremely sarcastic, stubborn, and has a strong sense of duty and pride from the start. He has different forms, Solus zos Galvus and Hades. He’s the main antagonist in Shadowbringers and is one of the few of the ancients that has the gift of soul sight, giving him extreme strength and connection with aether. He was the organizer and initial Emperor of the Garlean Empire. Emet Selch was also great-grandfather of Zenos, though completely different in motives. He ruled his people and desired an honored future for his people. He brought together an empire within a single generation, the vision he had eventually led to war. His presence became known after defeating Titania. Emet Selch is one of the few villains with a deep sense of kindness and isn’t purely evil (which becomes more clear in Endwalker). Through his crimes, he endured great pain through them and it showed through the world itself, and most of the incidents were under him being controlled under Zodiark. Emet Selch is one of the easiest characters to empathize with. He’s one of the main supporters in helping to restore the destruction from The Final Days. He’s an extremely complex character without it being over the top and obnoxious in his ways. His motivations for why he’s fighting against the Warrior of Light isn’t as simple as just being an obstacle for your character and sets up extremely well with the story, even including stuff from way back in A Realm Reborn.
“Should I surrender this fight, what will become of it all...? What will become of our triumphs? Our hopes? Our...our despair? What of this anguish which yet burns in my breast even after the passing of eons? No, no, no! I will not let it all be for naught!”
Hades Fight