Why Sharlayan wishes to remain Neutral - Lore Theory

Made a video some time ago about my theory on why Sharlayan chooses to remain neutral despite all evidence before them.

https://youtu.be/Bh5Xh1T47vg

Would love to hear your options but also your personal theories.

I do believe Faurchenault truly has convictions regarding war; after all, his nation's founding mythology is rooted in a calamity caused by a war. I don't doubt that he really believes that nations are more likely to squander their citizens and resources and spend a generation recovering from what they call "victory". But I also think G'raha and Krile being on the same page despite having different suspicions might be a hint that Sharlayan is already in motion against what it believes the "real threat" is, and this trip to Eorzea was to frame their position in a certain way for outsiders. Occam's Razor says they've just built a geofront and are going to hide in it until things blow over - what would have been the best approach to certain historical events, anyway. But they've been interpreting ancient texts and investigating prophecies for a long time - can they really not foresee any time for action? After how long we've waited to see Sharlayan, will they really just sit out the finale? I doubt it. Especially after Yoshida's comment that, in a way, his tenure on FFXIV has been defined by the actions of the Leveilleurs.

But what they're up to... less certain. I keep coming back to Fourchenault saying that if the war were the Final Days, Sharlayan "would know." It's a term they know. It's a term they're afraid of. It's a term they're keeping their reaction to a secret. So what do they know?

I find it interesting that Sharlayan just had a copy of the Gerun Oracles lying around, but not only did Urianger seem to be aware of it, he considered it apocrypha. Considering the presence of Venat I'd like to see that book come back...but if it's the one G'raha's reading, how did Urianger miss the vital secrets of the star, right?

Reposting this from the comment I made on your vid. It was an excellent listen while I was in the tub this morning.


I am of the mind that the ark story with Nyunkrepft's Ark is only partially true, maybe even an outright lie. I think that the Sharlayans have knowledge of and ties to Amaurot's sister city from ancient times (and likely Hydaelyn's faction due to this). I think it's entirely possible that Sharlayan has technology beyond Allag, having had access and knowledge of all that Allag had for millennia. The shining example is the Sage's Noulith weapon. I think that in the depths of Old Sharlayan, in the bowels of that new area, Labyrinthos, they have a fairly dark secret. I'm torn between that secret being having direct access to Hydaelyn who they mistreat with big tech OR they knew/know what Rejoinings are and do, and are entirely prepared to entomb their society there to await fully rejoined status and then dominate the world to usher in utopia.

Basically I think they with hold from helping even now, because they are ultimately one step down from neutral. A neutral evil, so to speak. I think we will have a dungeon there around the level 87 portion of the MSQ, and they will serve as one faction of antagonists in the latter half of Endwalker. At first they will be what they claim to be now, but when we dig up their secrets and start airing them out... well, well, well.

As for how did Urianger miss out on the vital secrets? Well, you think those dastardly secret seekers would just let any ole Archon peruse the actual truth? He had an abridged edition.

(Also are there anythings in lore related to Nine Claws? Cause I mean, a guy named Nineclaw Nineclaw builds an ark... only thing I could find on the term Nine Claw was Nine Fingered which is a synonym for a thief in some old culture where they cut off a thief's finger to mark them as one)

My personal belief is that they have some sort of non-war strategy that they believe will let them survive despite the End of Days. Which kind of connects my theory to Anonymoose, but they usually know what they're talking about anyhow. Sharlyan is pretty extreme about their non-interventionism. Even when they had a large and pretty well-developed nation in Eorzea, they decided to completely abandon it and all of the infrastructure they'd constructed rather than even risk the possibility of armed conflict. Sure, contributing military resources and/or technology to help defeat the Telephoroi is probably the better option. But at the same time given factions like the Bibliothecs it can be inferred that would be quite the radical position. The entire Circle of Knowing got effectively banished for their intervention, and they were a high-ranking group of Archons. We do have a mysterious underground area that could serve as their evacuation ground, or it could be some moon city or something. Regardless I'm guessing they're not necessarily outright evil or anything like that, but they're going to be taking the wrong route. Chances are they'll learn the errors of their ways, if only because having Farchenault making up with Alphinaud and Alisae would make for some good drama/ideological squabbling.

My secret hope was for a Sharlyan fascist/Bibliotec uprising as an expansion, but that dream is pretty much doomed given that they're the city for Shadowbringers. A little disappointed by that tbh. I worry they won't get the development they deserve.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vyrerus

Reposting this from the comment I made on your vid. It was an excellent listen while I was in the tub this morning.

---

Off topic but I just wanted to say thank GOD im not alone in listening to videos like this while relaxing in the tub.

If Sharyalan wanted to preserve its books, it seems odd that they left the Great Gubal Library's books (including a few exclusive volumes, if Matoya is to be believed) behind during their exodus. I don't think that the Bibliothec faction's true motivation is their bibliothèque.

Matoya was tasked with building an aetheric converger to fight the Garleans, only for the Forum to suddenly backtrack and pull the plug on it. With Sharyalan pulling out after initially preparing for war, the Garleans gained unimpeded access into Eorzea without them having to fight a war on two fronts. This sounds more like a planned setup rather than Sharyalan leadership deliberately backtracking, especially if they claim to have that much foresight.

I suspect that G'raha specializes in sneaking into libraries. That nerd wrote his Archon thesis just to get access to more forbidden books. He's probably long since been banned from the library on account of unpaid overdue book charges. He's just abusing the fact that he's now a walking Allagan biometrics pass with royal family clearance to gain access to even more free ebook chapters. They really need to make a story mission of him evading capture by angry librarians.

"I knew it. This manga still has secrets to-"
"Ahem, sir. You are not permitted to renew that periodical again. And when will you be returning all those other books?!"
-Exeunt, pursued by a lalafell mob

I wonder if there's anyone out there in Sharyalan who's been tempted and corrupted by the thought of unlimited power contained within these sealed tomes. You have access to the world's greatest magical library. Why wouldn't you go straight to the forbidden section on voidsent summoning and demonic powers? It's fine as long as you don't make any promises, right? I mean, the Allagans were seriously into that stuff, so it must be safe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anonymoose

But they've been interpreting ancient texts and investigating prophecies for a long time - can they really not foresee any time for action? After how long we've waited to see Sharlayan, will they really just sit out the finale? I doubt it. Especially after Yoshida's comment that, in a way, his tenure on FFXIV has been defined by the actions of the Leveilleurs.

But what they're up to... less certain. I keep coming back to Fourchenault saying that if the war were the Final Days, Sharlayan "would know." It's a term they know. It's a term they're afraid of. It's a term they're keeping their reaction to a secret. So what do they know?

---

This whole business with Sharlayan makes me think of the fifth hexagram of the I Ching, Hsü, water over heaven. It represents a specific type of patience where the only appropriate or beneficial action is inaction:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by I Ching, Wilhelm Translation

Waiting is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to success. This leads to the perseverance that brings good fortune and bestows power to cross the great water. One is faced with a danger that has to be overcome. Weakness and impatience can do nothing. Only a strong man can stand up to his fate, for his inner security enables him to endure to the end. This strength shows itself in uncompromising truthfulness [with himself]. It is only when we have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without any sort of self-deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the path to success may be recognized. This recognition must be followed by resolute and persevering action. For only the man who goes to meet his fate resolutely is equipped to deal with it adequately. Then he will be able to cross the great water--that is to say, he will be capable of making the necessary decision and of surmounting the danger.

---

I can't help but think that a nation of stuffy academics, many of whom have PhDs in subjects like aetherology and prophecy, would be exactly the kind of people who would sit and wait for the appropriate time to act.

(I have doubts about their ability to pick "the right time", of course, and I don't expect whatever action they are pocketing until "the right time" to succeed when they finally do use it.)

I mean Sharlayan is clearly the remnants of Aumorot which was an isolationist city-state, and them knowing the term "Final Days" means they must also know of the Ancients which further solidifies this theory imo. There's just too similarities for them not to be, or at least they're being presented as narrative reflections of one another and if that's the case then Sharlayan may meet a similar end to the Ancients.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anonymoose

I do believe Faurchenault truly has convictions regarding war; after all, his nation's founding mythology is rooted in a calamity caused by a war. I don't doubt that he really believes that nations are more likely to squander their citizens and resources and spend a generation recovering from what they call "victory". But I also think G'raha and Krile being on the same page despite having different suspicions might be a hint that Sharlayan is already in motion against what it believes the "real threat" is, and this trip to Eorzea was to frame their position in a certain way for outsiders. Occam's Razor says they've just built a geofront and are going to hide in it until things blow over - what would have been the best approach to certain historical events, anyway. But they've been interpreting ancient texts and investigating prophecies for a long time - can they really not foresee any time for action? After how long we've waited to see Sharlayan, will they really just sit out the finale? I doubt it. Especially after Yoshida's comment that, in a way, his tenure on FFXIV has been defined by the actions of the Leveilleurs.

But what they're up to... less certain. I keep coming back to Fourchenault saying that if the war were the Final Days, Sharlayan "would know." It's a term they know. It's a term they're afraid of. It's a term they're keeping their reaction to a secret. So what do they know?

I find it interesting that Sharlayan just had a copy of the Gerun Oracles lying around, but not only did Urianger seem to be aware of it, he considered it apocrypha. Considering the presence of Venat I'd like to see that book come back...but if it's the one G'raha's reading, how did Urianger miss the vital secrets of the star, right?

---

At this point I still strongly suspect the Sharlayan plan is to be the only civilization that survives the final days using a ark that contains their chosen few who they believe will create their ideal world once the Final Days kills everyone else. The higher ups and Faurchenault may believe the current world is not worth saving and they may believe it is up to their chosen few to create a better world after the Final Days even if it means sacrificing their love ones to achieve their goal.

Perhaps Sharlayan was well aware of a Calamity about to happen...the 8th Calamity. They had predicted the coming Calamity and set up a safe place to hide away from it. However, our antics on the First have changed things, and they, believing a Calamity cannot be avoided, are being blindsided and refusing to admit that the End of Days are indeed upon us.

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SugarSoldier

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

---

They fix and maintain the aetherytes in Eorzea.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SugarSoldier

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

---

See Sage's weapon. Nouliths. Aetherochemical funnels capable of shooting lasers and erecting barriers. See Sharlayan Astrology in AST job. Healers make a big big difference in any and every conflict.

In a magical world like Eorzea/Hydaelyn, a bunch of book reading philosophers are extremely powerful, because mental acuity is inherently linked with magical prowess (or Magitek prowess). Magical prowess is easily honed in any setting to have an absurdly powerful martial function. That's without even delving into their stores of knowledge, which we already proved in Heavensward that we could replicate/enact via giving the knowledge over to someone like Cid. Imagine the Allagans if they were isolationist rather than imperial. That is Sharlayan.

Also @Lyth's post: I haven't laughed so hard in a while. You had some peak comedy in there while making some great points. Happy to see you even more active in the lore forum!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SugarSoldier

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

---

In addition to Vyrerus's points, keep in mind that while the Archon Thesis is basically a Ph.D. dissertation, Archon status is not awarded exclusively for what we think of as scholastic subjects. Yda and Thancred are both Archons of Sharlayan, and their areas of expertise are martial: one in hand to hand combat and the other in basically spycraft.

The most sensible reason for the Sharlayan reluctance is that they were founded, and are run, by a secret cabal of Ascians.

Either that, or they are all Taoists.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anonymoose

I find it interesting that Sharlayan just had a copy of the Gerun Oracles lying around, but not only did Urianger seem to be aware of it, he considered it apocrypha. Considering the presence of Venat I'd like to see that book come back...but if it's the one G'raha's reading, how did Urianger miss the vital secrets of the star, right?

---

So did any kind of book about the possible future already know that we would change the course of history in Shadowbringers? If not then can anything in these old texts even be trusted anymore? Really curious about that. Maybe in the end they simply believe that the calamity with black rose will still happen and will be shocked that its going in a whole different way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyth

If Sharyalan wanted to preserve its books bibliothèque.

---

Rereading this for a giggle at work, an idea struck me (and my invuln against ideas was on cooldown QQ).

I assume that they left the Gubal Library as it was not just because there were powerful magical automatons guarding it, but also because they've likely already digitally copied the entirety of its contents into some several dozen tomestones... which are just Allagan HDDs.

Sharlayans could have gone all digital at any point, but they like the smell of books, plus it helps them keep their tech status secret from the lesser societies.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vyrerus

Sharlayans could have gone all digital at any point, but they like the smell of books, plus it helps them keep their tech status secret from the lesser societies.

---

Imagine, the most super secret super forbidden Sharlayan research room... and it only has a single tomestone containing scanlations of Amaurotine rituals for binding and creating concepts.

I'm fond of making theories that are far too wrong to ever be right.

My current pet theory is that the sharleans have used time travel or other reality breaking magic to get a look at the future. Or some past one of them has producing an actually accurate book of prophecy.

So they think they have an actually accurate view of the future ... only we're not IN that future any more... we've used time travel to prevent black rose so they arn't even close anymore.

Or they have one that actually gets that right, by checking after things were changed to save us, and what's in the future is so horrific as to make the war look pathetic, and they are holding themselves back for that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DPZ2

The most sensible reason for the Sharlayan reluctance is that they were founded, and are run, by a secret cabal of Ascians.

Either that, or they are all Taoists.

---

I have been wondering something along these lines myself honestly. There are some sundered Ascians still unaccounted for and I can't believe the Ascians would not be somehow involved in Sharlayan affairs considering they have all these ancient tomes and knowledge.