Highdea: Is the Allagan technologies really their own?

The biggest thing that's been on my mind is if the technology that the Allagans are renown and feared for might not be theirs.

I say this because those in power of the Allag empire had garbs that don't really befits those with such technological grandeur (Emperor Xande dresses like a 5th century monk, Scylla dresses in what seems to be ancient Indian-inspired dress with only Amon looking like he's the closest to modern dress that appeals more to 14-15th century inspired attire).
I know this seems like a petty point but would something for sustaining one's self, protecting one's self or even if one was living in such a high technological time dress more like us (I mean we the player); no I don't expect v-necks or apple bottom jeans but wear that would reflect the society of that time, especially those in high societal and military points of power like the examples I mentioned above (and let me get out of the way, yes I understand the Crystal Tower is a nice homage to Final Fantasy III and it's something I understand and appreciate).

My other point is that they managed to create forms of technology going as far as data management, holo-translucent-like touchscreen monitors and even an advanced form of AI. We, the players, haven't even reached that level of technological advancement yet and the WATSON super-computer, the latest we have to a base super computer (known on Jeopardy) is a low form of AI at the moment. How can the Allagans not only create computers but ones that can operate well over 5 thousand years?

They also seem to manage advanced forms of aerodynamics as we can see in Azys Lla and aerodynamics aside they managed to create containment cells for powerful creatures, primals and the Warring Triad included, Research and Analysis confinement centers (which again, for the time seems like a HUGE far cry from what could be expected for something 5 thousand years prior the evens from A Realm Reborn), teleportation systems and coils (i.e., known for the Binding Coils of Bahamut).

EDIT: They also managed to create the ancestors of beast tribes and spliced monsters and clones; their own people (that of the result of Biohazards in ARF). The closest those of the times now in A Realm Reborn have to splicing is that of glamours, like the late Inquisitor Guillaime of the quest 'A Heretic Among Us' or true Ishgardians drinking dragon-blood to become dragons.
To conclude this I'll wrap it up with a theory of my own; I don't believe that the Allagans, or their technology, is native to Hydaelyn but extensions from different Final Fantasy universes of their own. Please allow me to explain:

Gilgamesh is known for traveling through the Void to venture through different dimensions to get back to his home in FFV and look for worthy fighters like that of Bartz, a well-known FF fact. He's done this through plenty of games, even spin-offs.
I believe Xande, the same from FFIII, had his and his followers souls transferred here with aid of Zodiark (hearken back to when the Scions and Moenbryda explained how to capture and destroy and Ascian soul back in 2.3 - 4. Regular people 'reincarnate' again through the Void and life is 'reborn' so to speak) and the technology is from that of either SeeD from FFVIII or, more which I'm leaning towards, technology used from FFXIII.

This makes homages not only possible but understandable like Cloud of Darkness; she/it resides in the Void, the self-same void that exists between all the Final Fantasy universes and that of which Gilgamesh uses for his inter-dimensional travels.

Or maybe, just maybe, that technology levels simply do not imply fashions on par with earth? I mean there is a reason a certain trope is called Crystal Spires and Togas not Crystal Spires and Fun T-Shirts.

I think you missed the point of me mentioning their garb and focused on the very basic semantics of my arguments. In fact, if you read fully I even state that I don't expect them to wear anything unrealistic like v-necks or that sort, for example. I don't expect them to wear 'Fun T-Shirts' but that the tone of the Allag civilization seems off with the high-end technology that, in game, Garlond Ironwoks are leagues from mastering.

Xande is stated repeatedly as simply being a natural born Allagan - all their technology they developed themselves. Yes Xande along with Doga, Unei, the Crystal Tower and it's enemies are all references to FFIII, but they are not the FFIII version, they're just fanservice references (the same as the Jobs are not their FFI versions, Krile is not the FFV Krile, the Ascians simply take the names of the Scions of Light from FFXII and are not them specifically etc).

No, the Allag became so advanced that they cast off all morality and inevitably collapsed in their decadence. Their technological level is clearly highly advanced to the point of being downright alien at times, but that doesn't mean it comes from somewhere else - if the Allag did source their knowledge from somewhere or someone else, it was most likely the Ascians behind it (given the fact the Ascians like Lahabrea in the present day constantly making use of Allag technology in their scheming and knowing far more about the origins of Allagan tech than anyone else).

Have you seen some of the outfits players can wear? Everything from swimsuits, textile dalmaticas, plate armor, to high-tech fiber suits. I don't think you can really judge Allagan attire choices.

Was not the allagans the first ones on discovering the magitek?

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Originally Posted by Frederick22

Was not the allagans the first ones on discovering the magitek?

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Allegedly, There are still 4 eras before Allag that we are still in the dark about. But Allag did advance it enough to the point where it can make a large scale satellite/Power Generator/Death Star and have everything within that satellite as well as the receptor, the Crystal Tower, still be a decent condition for a long time (in spite of the latter being buried as well)

I think it's fair and even logical to say that not all of their technology is their own. Though we've no evidence that the vast majority of it was taken from earlier cultures, we do have evidence that they were using outside technology and power from sources they did not understand: The Heart of Sabik.

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Originally Posted by Best Ascian

The Heart of Sabik. It is the Weapon's core--an enigma whose surface even the vaunted scholars of ancient Allag failed to scratch.

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He further goes on to call it a sliver of his God's power, implying it's Ascian technology (unless it's literally one of the fragments of Zodiark that holds a reflection up, in which case we might have made a big, big boo there.)

Clothing and fashion is a function of culture and tradition, it is rarely if at all affected by the technological capability of the civilization. In real life, you can find a computer scientist wearing fashions that predate the creating of modern paper. Technology changes and evolves every day, culture is considerably more longstanding.

The Allagans and other examples of their trope is based on actual history. There were many scientific discoveries and advanced manufacturing techniques developed by the Roman Empire that were lost after the sack of Rome. The civilization that remained after the Romans developed a drastically different culture and fashion from their predecessors. They must have viewed the Romans and their advanced technology as we view the Allagans.

Regardless of design, all Allag gear was made with some pretty potent materials and that, more than the cut and weave, really denote the level of technology. Fashion is a reflection of culture and Allag culture was probably very diverse. After all they held most of the world for several centuries. They would have assimilated a lot of other cultural influences.

Further, many of the Allag we have fought were so heavily modified themselves they probably didn't need much in the way of gear. Xande wasn't naturally huge and glowing and cloning was a pretty common practice.

Lets also remember Xande himself as also a 'reincarnation' of the original. The technology the Allag had at their fall was probably way more advanced than when Xande took over originally. Likewise, the culture he knew would have changed a great deal.