The Solfs™

(basically i wanted to start xiv with Monster Hunter Solf since I couldn't think of another character at the time, but now that I've been here for a year and I understand xiv better i wanna make this guy his own person and kick Solf back to MH. and this is my justification for how it works. sorta.)

Solf and Sor are two fragments of Azem, who underwent a quasi-rejoining when Sor reactivated Alexander. This caused Solf's consciousness to be sent to the Source (somewhat similar to what happened with the Scions in the First), where he then occupied Sor's body. With Solf in control and Sor offering guidance, the two worked together to aid the Scions and explore Eorzea. Since this wasn't a proper rejoining, Solf's stay in the Source was a temporary one, and he was sent home after Endwalker (he can still make brief visits however). Now in Dawntrail, Sor is able to go on his first adventure by himself.

Q & A

Why is Sor still using the name Solf, even after the real Solf left?

Sor: Solf has already made a big name for himself, it would just cause unnecessary confusion and trouble to make the change. Sor and Solf sound similar after all, I don't want people thinking they've just been saying my name wrong this whole time.

Solf: Because he's gonna miss me.

Were there any challenges for Solf to overcome for being in a different body?

Solf: First off, I'm left-handed, and Sor's right-handed. His body didn't agree with my left-sided style, which made everything a challenge. I did figure out to swap to the right hand after a while though and everything flowed from there. Oh also, this guy can NOT hold his liquor at all. I had to drink less than usual.

Sor: That's because I never drank much in the first place, and the few times I tried alcohol ended badly. Once I was able to communicate that to Solf, he stopped drinking, which I appreciate.

How did Sor feel about someone else being in control of his body for the past 11 months?

Sor: Well I was either unconscious or barely awake for the first few months, with everything feeling like an awkward dream. So I couldn't do much back then regardless. Once I was able to chat with him, I already understood how he felt being alone in a foreign land since I was also alone when trying to desperately reactivate Alexander. Despite the awkward circumstances, I was the only one able to truly understand him, and vice versa. He also did a good job of not throwing me into life-threatening situations... most of the time.

Solf: You were always going to be fine! The main priority before you can protect others is making sure you can protect yourself first. Besides, this isn't the first time I've been in another man.

Sor: what

Solf: :)

How did Sor feel about seeing Alexander again, seeing as it's the one responsible for all of this?

Sor: It was wonderful to get closure on what really happened all of those years ago, although I still feel some guilt at most of the squad's deaths even though there was realistically no way to save them. But I was more surprised to see that Mide managed to survive all of this time. She most likely went into hiding just like me, I can't imagine what that must've been like for her. Of course, she didn't recognize me due to my dyed hair, different name, and Solf was completely clueless on everything regarding the situation.

Solf: Yeah, I was only able to get vague guidance from Sor at the time, so I didn't have much to work with aside from a feeling that Alexander was important somehow. My first thought was that it could be a way for me to get back home to Elgado. I guess I was on the right track, considering it was the thing that brought me here in the first place.

How did Sor feel about returning to the Azim Steppe?

Sor: I was more awake at the time, and I really enjoyed being able to give Solf a tour of my home! I was glad to see how relatively little had changed during my time away. Although, I was less glad to find out that the remaining Hotgo on the Steppe had been killed by the Dotharl. It wasn't entirely unexpected since tension had been building between our tribes for years, and there was no way we could win a fight against them. Even then, the Hotgo aren't entirely gone. Aside from myself, I've seen a few others wandering around Eorzea.

Solf: It was great to learn more about Sor's life, but it was even better just listening to Sor explain everything! That was the happiest he'd been in the entire time I'd known him, and it brightened my mood too. Not to mention, he also got to see a bit of my home as well! I still have no idea how a Rathalos got here, but you won't see me complaining while flying on the back of one.

Sor: And speaking of flying, I was thrilled after getting my own Yol! Although I wasn't the one who went through Bardam's trial... I'll have to go through it again myself. ALONE this time, without relying on a full team like a certain someone.

Solf: And I'm the reckless one somehow. You know how hard those enemies hit, you'd have to be insane to go through all of that by yourself! ...But I suppose if there was someone who could succeed at it, it would be you.

Have you learned anything from each other?

Solf: I've learned that I hate the Echo. I understand how useful it is to peer into someone's past, but it feels like an invasion of privacy most of the time. I'm glad I won't have to deal with it anymore in the near future.

Sor: It took many years to understand it growing up, I'm glad I have it but I understand Solf's point of view. Something I learned from him though is how to be more confident. I almost never interacted with anyone outside of my tribe, except to make the occasional trade at Reunion. I really appreciate learning how to talk to all kinds of people across the star. That confidence also extended to new forms of fighting, since I never imagined picking up a fighting style that involved INTENTIONALLY taking hits.

Solf: Same here! Charging in and fighting with your bare hands is a rush. I want to try it more myself back at home, although I doubt the guilds at Kamura and Elgado would be thrilled. It probably doesn't work as well against monsters... Using magic is really cool too, and for healing? Never would've tried that otherwise! Well I guess I couldn't in the first place, since I can't use magic in my own body, but you know what I mean.

Sor: I wouldn't say healing is something I have experience in, it was moreso something I picked up out of necessity. I feel like I learned more about it from your own experiences than you did from me.

Solf: Oh final thing, Sor's crafting is perfect. Every single time. I'm going to have to take some of that knowledge home, maybe I could start forging my own armor and weapons! Minayle and Hamon would lose one of their best customers though.

What do the two of you plan to do moving forward?

Sor: Well I already have a trip to Tural planned thanks to a certain someone. I won't be alone, but it's the first time I've been somewhere new of course, but it is the first time I'll have the freedom to explore how I want to. I've also decided to try training as a Dragoon during my time there, since it's what Solf tried when he was new here. I can mimic his journey somewhat, but hopefully I can understand its intricacies better than he could!

Solf: First I'll need to explain to everyone that I was in another world, if they'll even believe me. Similar to how time passed differently between the Source and the First, it's the same with my own reflection. I've only been gone for a few days over there, so there shouldn't be too much of a panic. Otherwise, I just need to take a break for a while. I can still check in with Sor and see what's happening in the Source, but not the other way around. I know Y'shtola will succeed in her mission to travel to other reflections, so maybe then Sor and I can properly meet each other!

Solf Zodi (Monster Hunter)

A Malzeno from Elgado that is able to take on a human form. This allowed him to escape the Qurio outbreak mostly unharmed, although he can't go back into his Malzeno form for extended periods of time. Due to this, the Lance is his weapon of choice; both to replicate his dragon-form of fighting (block and bash with the wings like a shield, make precise stabs with the tail like a lance), while also representing his ideology of being a defensive iron wall to protect others. This is also represented with his forehead tattoo. It can be seen as a lance and shield, or as a dragon's face, horns, and wings.
His real age is unknown, but he became a certified hunter on what he declared his human form's 28th birthday. Now at 30 years of age, he has hunted around the world alongside his palico Liz.