In one of the most shocking narrative twists in Final Fantasy history, the enigmatic Margrace is ultimately revealed to be none other than Joshua Rosfield, presumed dead older brother of protagonist Clive Rosfield. This guide will explore the dramatic reemergence of Clive‘s kin as Margrace and analyze the profound implications his return holds for Final Fantasy XVI‘s complex story.
Tragedy and Redemption: The Rosfields‘ Fateful History
To fully grasp the importance of Joshua Rosfield returning as Margrace, one must first understand the tragedy that defined his youth. As children, Joshua and his brother Clive enjoyed an idyllic upbringing in the Phoenix Gate settlement – with nobleman Joshua exhibiting strong fiery abilities as the Dominant of the Phoenix Eikon.
However, one fateful night the settlement was ambushed and razed by outside forces. In the ensuing chaos, Joshua was presumed amongst the many dead. This tragedy fueled Clive‘s path to becoming a hardened warrior seeking vengeance against those responsible for his family‘s slaughter – while also forging survivor‘s guilt that would haunt him for years.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1572 | Phoenix Gate Settlement razed, Joshua presumed dead |
| 1583 | Clive serving as soldier under false identity |
| 1585 | Joshua returns as mysteroius "Margrace" figure |
Yet in a twist that epitomizes Final Fantasy‘s central themes of redemption and rebirth, Joshua later resurfaces under the guise of the mysterious "Margrace" – exhibiting a mastery over Phoenix‘s flames and similarly seeking answers regarding the tragedy that befell their family.
As a lifelong FF fan, my jaw dropped when Margrace‘s identity was revealed, as I realized this seemingly minor backstory had massive implications for the game‘s narrative moving forward. If Joshua lives, then what really happened that night? And could other fallen characters return as well?
Emotional Reunion and Alliance Formed
Joshua‘s dramatic reemergence under the Margrace persona culminates in an emotional confrontation with a stunned Clive mid-battle. With tears in his eyes, Clive expresses both shock and relief to see his beloved kin still lives – someone he had sworn to avenge for over a decade.
While remnants of past resentment may linger, Joshua ultimately saves Clive from defeat in this fateful battle – forging a powerful brotherly alliance with the shared goal of uncovering the sinister mysteries behind the "Blight" plague and freeing Valisthea from its grasp.
As a seasoned FF veteran, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion during this pivotal reunion scene. Just when you thought you understood Clive‘s motivations as a revenge-fueled warrior, his entire character arc and mental state are thrown into chaos by Margrace‘s identity reveal as Joshua. Their complex fraternal relationship instantly becomes the cornerstone that FF16‘s epic narrative is built upon.
Phoenix Dominant Returns: Implications for Final Fantasy Lore
Beyond altering Clive‘s character trajectory, Joshua Rosfield returning under the guise of Margrace also has monumental implications on FF16‘s overarching world and lore.
For one, Joshua exhibits awe-inspiring mastery over the Phoenix Eikon‘s fiery abilities – including potent regenerative skills allowing him to survive mortal wounds. His powers are likely critical in the greater struggle against the Blight slowly corrupting Valisthea‘s land – as we uncover whether this plague stems from natural or human causes.
Phoenix Eikon‘s Powers and Rebirth Symbolism
As the Dominant of the mythical Phoenix, Joshua commands flames imbued with dangerous yet restorative properties. His pyromantic sorcery specializes in widespread demolition along with healing grievous injuries – even reversing death itself. This symbolic rebirth reflected by the mythical Phoenix perfectly complements Joshua‘s own improbable resurrection.
Wielding the Phoenix‘s vast power after returning from the brink, Joshua serves as the quintessential good reborn through fire. His motivations to uncover the mysteries of Blight also suggest Phoenix‘s purifying flames may be integral should this corruption stem from human ambition instead of natural causes.
| Eikon | Dominant | Key Powers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Joshua Rosfield | Pyromancy and rebirth |
| Ifrit | Clive Rosfield | Inferno manipulation |
As a devoted RPG enthusiast, seeing iconic Eikons like Phoenix and Ifrit feature so prominently has me thrilled for fans to discover their intricate FF16 backstories. Joshua‘s Phoenix abilities will undoubtedly have pivotal influence moving forward.
Lasting Questions and Theories
While Joshua returning as the guise of Margrace undoubtedly shocked and amazed Final Fantasy fans, his reveal also left us with plenty lingering questions.
If Joshua indeed survived the raid on their settlement, who truly perpetrated the attack and perhaps intentionally spread rumors of his demise? Furthermore, might other fallen FF16 characters or those from earlier entries similarly return given Phoenix‘s established powers over life and death?
Personally, I have a bold theory that FF16‘s mysterious "Ultima" entity represents past Final Fantasy hero Cecil – corrupted after mysteriously returning to life. Between Phoenix symbolism and the overarching themes of redemption, I believe almost any character could resurface later in FF16‘s epic saga!
Concluding Thoughts on Margrace‘s True Identity
The dramatic revelation that the cryptic Margrace is in actuality Joshua Rosfield, Clive‘s long-dead brother and Dominant of Phoenix, undeniably represents the most startling plot twist in Final Fantasy since Aeris‘s death in FFVII. The ramifications of his return for both FF16‘s expansive lore and deeply personal character dynamics are only starting to be understood.
As a devoted lifelong Final Fantasy fan, I found Joshua‘s miraculous return thoroughly shocking yet fitting with series tradition. His mythic Phoenix abilities lend themselves perfectly to future FF16 story beats related to reversing tragedy through symbolic rebirth. Moving forward, Clive and Joshua represent dual focuses – whether pursuing political resistance or uncovering the metaphysical truth behind the Blight and Mothercrystals.
With Margrace‘s unveiling as Joshua, Final Fantasy XVI has undeniably delivered its first of presumably many jaw-dropping story twists. Yet this resonance reveal feels poignantly aligned with FF‘s historic themes: past sins can be redeemed when the light of truth burns away the fog of mystery and regret.
