u/Objective_Might1454

The devs’ explanation for Merel aka Rhiannon’s character is too vague. They said it’s her ideal version, yet they never explained how it became physically manifested. Then they showed the introduction PV with Vertin asking Merel what she would look like if she didn’t join the Foundation and she answered before it cut to her current appearance which is Rhiannon. It’s pretty misleading, since the video makes it look like Merel just casually changed her entire appearance and name.

I’ve watched the trailer multiple times and noticed the raindrops moving backward during the war, it suggests that the Storm is inevitably coming. My theory is that Merel will get reversed in the Storm, but Vertin will somehow be able to trace her new identity really quickly, in the era they are sent to and that identity is the version of herself Merel always dreamed of becoming.

Other factors that support this theory include the fact that, at the end of the trailer, Merel is directing the way for Vertin and Sonetto, seemingly after the war. But if you remember correctly, Merel was raised in the SPDM since childhood, just like Sonetto and many other Storm orphans. She doesn’t have memories of the outside world or her bloodline, yet the new Merel aka Rhiannon acts as if she knows the outside world and her entire family lineage is that of Arcane creature tamers. Also, the creatures around her seem to be from a much older era, and we already know that the further back in time you go, the greater the variety of Arcane creatures. Also, do I even have to address the elephant in the room??? Why did they change her name entirely if she already had her codename, Black Bird?

So, to summarize, it’s unlikely that Merel just physically manifested her ideal version. Rather, she got reversed and her new identity in the new era, someone called Rhiannon, just happens to be her ideal version.