3.4 speculation

[Cilia]

Garlemald... has been stated to allow conquered regions to continue to embrace their own culture with the exception of religion (something which has proven to lead to chaos in this setting anyway) so one does have to wonder if much of the tales of Garlemald's cruelty are exaggerated. Yes, there's bad apples - but that applies to every region. The whole 'Might Makes Right' approach played out with the British and Roman Empires in our own world and neither Empire was 'evil' or completely without redeeming qualities. Both have also left a long lasting impact upon the cultures of the lands they conquered throughout history - and even some of those that they didn't conquer. Garlemald is likely to be in a similar scenario from what we know.

No, no, you've got a point. They only take away religious freedom. Well, that and they don't offer full citizenship without 20 years of military service, will forcefully conscript conquered peoples into said military, and then remorselessly kill them for slight infractions. There's also Varis' intent to genocide the beast tribes instead of trying to find a diplomatic or at least peaceable solution to the Primal issue. You're right, though - the tales of their cruelty are widely exaggerated.

/sarcasm

Anyway, while neither the Roman nor British Empires were strictly "evil" or without merit, they still weren't liked by the majority of the populace (esp. in conquered / claimed / annexed / colonial territories) because they were oppressive just as Garlemald is. People don't like being oppressed. Given Ala Mhigo has been under Garlean rule for... what, 25 years? Even if we do manage to liberate it I wouldn't expect it to go back to Ala Mhigan culture right away or... ever fully, possibly.

[Frederick22]

Anyway, while neither the Roman nor British Empires were strictly "evil" or without merit, they still weren't liked by the majority of the populace (esp. in conquered / claimed / annexed / colonial territories) because they were oppressive just as Garlemald is. People don't like being oppressed. Given Ala Mhigo has been under Garlean rule for... what, 25 years? Even if we do manage to liberate it I wouldn't expect it to go back to Ala Mhigan culture right away or... ever fully, possibly.

While I agree with you with it Cilia I'm not sore sure with the last parts.


I know, it could happen anything, and with whatever result I will okay with. But if its taken on consideration a similar case that happen on reality is the URRS.

A lot of contries formed part ( some by force ) of the URRS. For a long time this countries wanted freedom, and most of them did have it until the fall of URRS.
How much this countries were subjugate for how much, 30 years? These countried did not forget their old costumes before they were controled by the russians and once then were free, they pretty much did not retake it ?
Back to point with Ala Mhigo, if they are free. I can see the posibility that everyone will return to their culture and forget anything taht the Garleans would have tried to change. I dont say that all will return of how things were, but they will still keep their main costumes. For example is not out of the posibility that they look for a new king.

[Slatersev]

There's a fine lie between wanting some moral grayness in the story and blatant White Washing of Garlemald and Victim Blaming of well, all there victims. And I feel like Theo falls into the later all the time.

Like, how else can you possibly imply more then once that maybe Ala Mihgo deserved to be subjugated because of the Autumn War, even though there two completely different generations 75 years apart? And Garlemald has the least right of anyone to attack them.

Gaius was there version of a progressive and he was cool with genocide as long as didn't involve crashing a moon into the planet.

Pointing out 20 years of Military Service can get you basic citizenship doesn't work either because it's not the populaces choice if they get conscripted, it's slavery. And even if you rise high like Rhitahtyn there is still the fear your racist soliders will just abandon you to die which is what Gaius' mind IMMEDIATELY jumped to after he died.

Nazi comparisons can be trite, but Garlemald deserves it, there not being based off Archades, there being based off the Gestahl Empire, which literally used the Nazi salute.

[Lauront]

what, 25 years? Even if we do manage to liberate it I wouldn't expect it to go back to Ala Mhigan culture right away or... ever fully, possibly.

The other city-states might be thankful for that.

[PArcher]

The other city-states might be thankful for that.

Yeah, picking up the "conquer everything that doesn't conform" mindset from the Garleans is going to go well with the rest of Eorzea.