[SPOILER] Garlean Territory Treatments

[Theodric]

As far as Gaius goes, I'm very much in agreement with Anonymoose but I'd go even further and point to Regula as well. Both men displayed quite a bit of honour during their time in the spotlight and even off-screen.

Much of Doma's and Ala Mhigo's suffering is directly attributed to Zenos' cruelty. He has very few redeeming qualities himself - and I feel that it is very telling that some of the worst elements of Garlemald's recent history are now directly on his shoulders rather than his father's own.

I would very much like to see the Emperor live up to his reputation as a pragmatic tactician rather than fall prey to Ascian manipulation like so many others. Within the lore book - and now in-game - there's references to the oppression that the Garleans themselves endured. We've also seen many Garleans suffer as a result of unhinged individuals such as Nael and Zenos. This is very apparent during 4.0 with Zenos ordering some of his own men to be sacrificed during a key battle as well as casually killing those who displease him.

I would also like to see it highlighted in the story that the Garleans never had a 'Warrior of Light' to protect them in the same way as Eorzea did. As a result, they were forced to do whatever was needed to endure and survive. I very much hope that Kugane's Garlean Consulate will be used to host meetings with a prominent Garlean who desires reform and diplomacy with the Warrior of Light and Scions. I would be very disappointed if it just ends up being a dungeon and/or the Garleans are forced to depart Kugane altogether.

[Brannigan]

I would also like to see it highlighted in the story that the Garleans never had a 'Warrior of Light' to protect them in the same way as Eorzea did. As a result, they were forced to do whatever was needed to endure and survive.

I actually thought this was done a little bit (though unintentionally, probably) with the assault on Doma Castle. The Garleans have what are essentially flying tanks and some savages clinging to bird things with axes and bows take them out like they're nothing just because they can use aether (assuming that warrior-types just kind of unconsciously use it to enhance their combat prowess, otherwise nothing makes sense). Magic seems really, really overpowered compared to even the strongest magitek these guys can muster. The Domans probably would have been fine without Warrior-of-Light and company.

This could also just be SE failing to show proper battles/scale though. It seemed like the entire garrison at Doma Castle consisted of like 50 dudes, a noncombatant woman, and a cyborg. Same thing with Ala Mhigo, which was occupied for decades but took a couple days to liberate.

[Theodric]

-snip-

Mm.

I think in large part it was a case of 'rule of cool'. Which, thankfully, is now applying to the antagonists just as often as the protagonists. I'm hoping that continues. With how 'easily' magitek is being countered, though, it risks causing Garlemald to invest in increasingly dangerous means of self defence. Which, in turn, should push the Scions and Warrior of Light to focus a little less on Eorzea and more on actually mending relations between Garlemald and the rest of Hydaelyn. This, too, applies to Sharlayan which is hoarding knowledge and most likely conducting all manner of questionable experiments in the name of preservation.

Still, where Doma is concerned I believe many troops were pulled out of the region over time. Zenos' disregard for the well-being and efficiency of his troops can't have helped either. Furthermore, Hien flooding the castle apparently wiped out much of the magitek and troops which were stationed there. Which, incidentally, means they likely drowned given that they didn't have the ability to breathe underwater like the Warrior of Light. That's interesting in itself as I imagine the Eorzeans/Domans would be outraged if their own troops were the ones to be washed away and made to suffer such a horrific demise. One might consider it to be one of the worst ways to perish as it is painful and slow.

It makes for brilliant shades of grey, though. I'm so pleased that a lot were displayed throughout 4.0 both in the MSQ's and side quests. I think we'll see a point where both sides are forced to come to an agreement to prevent escalation as it doesn't benefit anybody for one side to be completely wiped out or gutted. The Garleans, too, deserve a place in the world - especially after all they've been through themselves. They're often described as being efficient and pragmatic in the lore book, though, so here's hoping they'll come to embrace diplomacy and trade in the future.