Garuda is derived from the Ixali's ideals, because whatever the actual Garuda looked like has been lost to time. Just like with Shiva. And Odin. And Ifrit. And Titan. And Pheonix.
Alexander wouldn't look like a Goblin because the Goblins didn't want/idealize a giant goblin. They wanted a moving home, more or less. As such, a gundam-esque robot would be right up those lines.
