Waking Sands - Explain to me please (Spoilers)

[Enkidoh]

Actually Garlemald's 'peaceful union' was in fact a demand to the Eorzean Alliance to surrender themselves to the Empire and become vassal states - effectively to become like Doma and Ala Mhigo, only without a a single shot being fired. Needless to say, this never happened (mostly due to the timely arrival of Minfilia, Alphinaud and the Warrior of Light ).

As for whether Garlemald is 'right' in their attitude of conquest, whatever moral high ground they may have had was eliminated the moment that they started allying with the Ascians, you know, the very beings who actually teach summoning.

[Rocl]

As for whether Garlemald is 'right' in their attitude of conquest, whatever moral high ground they may have had was eliminated the moment that they started allying with the Ascians, you know, the very beings who actually teach summoning.

Ah, but do we know that Garlemald proper is allied with the Ascians? We certainly know Gaius turned to them for help in the conquest of Eorzea sometime after the Fall of Dalamud, but I don't believe Varis has given us any reason to believe he consorts with the servants of Zodiark. It's important to remember that in the course of ARR's MSQ that the XIVth legion was about as rogue as Darnus' VIIth in the final days of 1.0.

That's an actual question, I can't remember if it was explicitly stated and I'm just forgetting. It's not as clear as Ascians whispering Allag secrets in their ears either, as we know Garlemald has long profited from unraveling Allaga's technology.

Though I guess that's a totally believable plot-twist. "HA! THE GARLEAN EMPIRE? SOLUS ZOS GALVUS' EMPIRE WAS CREATED BY ASCIAN WILL!" What better way to ensure Gods are summoned, aether is drained, and wars waged than giving a backwater nation the power to conquer and installing a right sociopath to helm the most technologically advanced military in over 5000 years?

[fm_fenrir]

As for whether Garlemald is 'right' in their attitude of conquest, whatever moral high ground they may have had was eliminated the moment that they started allying with the Ascians, you know, the very beings who actually teach summoning.

I don't think Varis knows about that particular bit, since it's revealed pretty late in 3.0's storyline. However, this might be more useful in showing Varis' motivations:

You know as well as we what will ensue should these insatiable creatures be allowed to roam free--that their very existence threatens the life of this star. We but disagree on the solution to the problem.

Varis is entirely preoccupied with ending the primal threat, and he will not hesitate to exterminate anyone or anything that prevents him from meeting that goal.

edit: I don't know SE's Grand Plan, but based on Varis' behavior so far, it wouldn't surprise me if he threw in to help with the Ascians.

[PArcher]

edit: I don't know SE's Grand Plan, but based on Varis' behavior so far, it wouldn't surprise me if he threw in to help with the Ascians.

Its almost certain the the Ascians have a hand in the Emperor's plans. Most likely, they are much more "hidden" than how Lahabrea handled the Archbishop and Gaius (they both knew they were dealing with the Paragons), and definitely keeping hidden that they know of summoning beyond "its bad for the star". Don't forget, we've been (and likely still are, to a lesser extent) manipulated by them as well. The Ascians are literally everywhere, and moreso whenever Primals are concerned.

I'm undecided on who is going to wake the Triad (you know its going to happen and have something to do with the VIth Legion); the questions are "when?" and "who does it?"; will it be Varis, after being manipulated into thinking they spawned the Primals and the only way to stop them is kill their creators (which then backfires horribly), or that they hold the power needed to stop the Primals once and for all? Hydrus, seeking power for power's sake or the to protect his Emperor? Or will it be the Warrior of Light...