Do you think there is a reason Garleans can't use magic?

[Jandor]

Its important to point out if Magitek is superior to actual magical ability, why are they obsessed with resonant research to give garleans aether manipulation, as well as why would they bother conscripting vast amounts of magic using soldiers of other races.

Resonant is artificial echo, which has uses well beyond just manipulating aether to cast spells.

I'm also pretty sure that's a Zenos specific project rather than a general Garlean one, his pet mad scientist had a rant at one point about how Garleans in general just weren't bothered about getting the ability to use magic.

As for conscription, well, conscripts are cheap and expendable. I suspect magical ability isn't a massive factor in whether you're conscripted or not, we see plenty of sword and spear wielding recruits.

[LineageRazor]

Garleans have been interested in and researching the Echo since long before Aulus's twisted experiments. They kidnapped Minfillia in the ARR MSQ precisely because she was an Echo bearer and they wanted to study it. Remember that a primary charter of the Garleans is to stop the Primal menace, and the Echo renders one immune to Tempering. That reason all by itself would have been enough to justify research into the Resonance. Zenos, naturally, came to the realization that it was so much more than just Primal-repellent.

As to whether non-Garleans manipulate Aether on a regular basis, to the point where it's regarded as a major advantage over the Garleans (albeit one the Garleans have more than sufficiently balanced with their Magitech), I'd say they do. Without their Magitech, a group of normal Garlean soldiers pitted against an equal number of normal non-Garlean soldiers would likely have the disadvantage - and back in the days when the Garleans were driven into Ilsabard, that was likely the situation in every encounter they faced. The development of tools capable of turning the tide is actually pretty admirable, or would be if not for the Garleans unending parade of atrocities they committed, both against their ancestral tormentors AND against peoples totally unrelated to their race's original oppression.

[QT_Melon]

I
I don't typically like analogies, they lead to exactly what's happening here where people argue over the analogy rather than the actual subject.

Understandable and analogies do have their faults. However, what I'm arguing is your actual understanding of the situation while using the analogy.

Garleans not being able to use magic is more akin to a physical disability that is a bit beyond then adding a simple tool. Again with another analogy is the difference where you stated not being able to do it well (as like an Eorzean not being able to do it well) vs not at all. Needing glasses (a tool medium) vs actual technology doing it for you being blind.

I think the "crippling" of Thancred was to demonstrate how magic was just a part of many Eorzeans regardless how well they could use it in other aspects. He can't even teleport, something which we generally take for granted. Even as Gunbreaker he has to have Ryne make the cartridges for him.

[VargasVermillion]

Garleans have been interested in and researching the Echo since long before Aulus's twisted experiments. They kidnapped Minfillia in the ARR MSQ precisely because she was an Echo bearer and they wanted to study it. Remember that a primary charter of the Garleans is to stop the Primal menace, and the Echo renders one immune to Tempering. That reason all by itself would have been enough to justify research into the Resonance. Zenos, naturally, came to the realization that it was so much more than just Primal-repellent.

As to whether non-Garleans manipulate Aether on a regular basis, to the point where it's regarded as a major advantage over the Garleans (albeit one the Garleans have more than sufficiently balanced with their Magitech), I'd say they do. Without their Magitech, a group of normal Garlean soldiers pitted against an equal number of normal non-Garlean soldiers would likely have the disadvantage - and back in the days when the Garleans were driven into Ilsabard, that was likely the situation in every encounter they faced. The development of tools capable of turning the tide is actually pretty admirable, or would be if not for the Garleans unending parade of atrocities they committed, both against their ancestral tormentors AND against peoples totally unrelated to their race's original oppression.

also from what we've seen their own people don't fare too well all the time either. if you look at all the twisted garlean made monsters we've seen so far from castrum abania onwards they all have 3rd eyes.

[VargasVermillion]

On that note about crystals, it's true they are used in crafting but do we actually use our aether to use them? Beastmen use crystals to summon primals as well and is it actually confirmed that it requires mages? Ceruleum is allegedly made with processed crystals as well and while you could say that would answer my question, eorzea uses it power some machinery as well, especially airships.

[YianKutku]

Its important to point out if Magitek is superior to actual magical ability, why are they obsessed with resonant research to give garleans aether manipulation, as well as why would they bother conscripting vast amounts of magic using soldiers of other races.

Garleans conscript aether-capable soldiers as part of a tradition that goes back to their early days, where they hired aether-capable mercenaries to fight their battles for them, and then cheaped out on payment.

Besides, most of the point of conscription is to make up numbers, regardless of whether the conscripts in this case are aether-capable. Since the current Garlean culture emphasizes the racial superiority of pure-blood Garleans, that means they believe pure-blood Garleans are "more valuable", and so not suited for battle fodder.

(Instead, apparently the Empire uses pure-blood Garleans for horrific experiments.)

Ceruleum is allegedly made with processed crystals as well

It's not.

[myahele]

Thanks to Susano'o, Lakshmi and even Enkidu, we know that Primals can be spontaneously summoned as long as the necessary prerequisites are there: aether source, faith and a desperate need.

Hien says that Garlean education teach its citizens to revere the Emperor, almost like how deities are revered. It would not surprise me at all if Emet-Selch hoped the Garleans to accidentally summon a Primal during the civil war after his death

[VargasVermillion]

It's not.

Does it say anywhere in the game or lore book that it's not?

EDIT: Ok I looked into it an it seems the idea that it comes from crystals is from some misunderstood 1.0 dialogue so yeah, my bad. Nice to get some clarification on that at least...