[SPOILERS] Stormblood Ending

[Kallera]

You see Nael brainwashing children, via wierd magic if I remember correctly. Surely there is a difference, seeing how Nael was already three sheets to the wind, holding wierd sermons in Thanalan.

[Daralii]

You see Nael brainwashing children, via wierd magic if I remember correctly. Surely there is a difference, seeing how Nael was already three sheets to the wind, holding wierd sermons in Thanalan.

Wouldn't it have to be magitek, since Nael/Eula would have been incapable of using magic normally? Would the VIIth have had engineers able to make brainwashing equipment?

[Kallera]

Wouldn't it have to be magitek, since Nael/Eula would have been incapable of using magic normally? Would the VIIth have had engineers able to make brainwashing equipment?

I don't think we've ever been introduced to a magitek brainwashing device, surely the insubordination and occasional lack of discipline would suggest such a device does not exist?

[Eyvhokan]

Was Nael tempered by that point?

[Rannie]

You see Nael brainwashing children, via wierd magic if I remember correctly. Surely there is a difference, seeing how Nael was already three sheets to the wind, holding wierd sermons in Thanalan.

errr no we can't tell if it was Nael doing it or not. During the cut scene it's an Imperial Centurion that is doing all the talking and you don't see Van Darnus in it at all. Also this was all most likely ten years in the past.

[Kallera]

Just what the hell is the point of all this hand wringing over this?

[Cilia]

The issue is that some people believe Garlemald's actions are justified, and some... do not. Those that do think it wrong of us to liberate occupied territories (by killing lots of Garleans), those who do not are fine with killing lots of Garleans to repatriate the Domans and Ala Mhigans. Personally I don't see it as justice - just winning the Domans and Ala Mhigans their homes back. Not justice, not vengeance. Repatriation. Nothing more.

As for Nael displaying abilities some consider to be unnatural, especially for a Garlean...? She was tempered by Bahamut, and that gave her the ability to use some magic and energy attacks. Somehow. In regards to her being tempered before reviving the Meteor Project, she has this to say upon defeat in the Second Coil:

[D]o not assume that all of my actions were chosen for me. It was my will that the Meteor project be resurrected─mine and none other.

Urianger also speculates that Nael was tempered when she first tested the Lunar Transmitter.

Ere the transmitter was complete, 'tis my belief that Nael sought to make contact with Dalamud, only to rouse the satellite's slumbering prisoner. And thenceforth did the White Raven's soul belong to Bahamut. / But the Crystal Tower─and the mechanisms required to command the satellite─yet lay hidden beneath the ground, compelling Nael to construct a far less subtle mechanism. And in his first faltering attempts to communicate with Dalamud, he did likely rouse the satellite's slumbering prisoner. Thenceforth did the White Raven's soul belong to Bahamut.

Long story short: Nael said she wanted to revive the Meteor Project. Garlemald (as a sovereign nation, for you pedants out there) approved it, leading to Cid's defection since the Empire didn't learn not to mess around with Dalamud from what happened to his father. Nael built a Lunar Transmitter, which is really just a crappy imitation of the Crystal Tower. The first test led to her getting tempered... though it should be noted Nael was kind of unhinged to begin with. All throughout this, there are no records of Garlemald (as a sovereign nation) withdrawing its support, and Lolorito's attempts at diplomacy failed. The Lunar Transmitter was destroyed, Nael raised the Rivenroad and acted as a living Lunar Transmitter, Cid ferried the Warriors of Light to the Rivenroad whereupon they slew van Darnus on the eve of the Calamity, and then the Battle of Cartenau. 2.0 begins five years later.

This is the truth of the Calamity. The whole truth.

Garlemald, as a sovereign nation, really did consider destroying Eorzean civilization and reducing the land to a smoking crater acceptable if it rid the world of the eikons summoned by the native beast tribes. Damn the internal politics - that is the truth.

I'd prefer to avoid war with Garlemald. Needless, senseless death was never my bag, and we'd get crushed anyway. That said, if they cross the line...

[EdwinLi]

I'd prefer to avoid war with Garlemald. Needless, senseless death was never my bag, and we'd get crushed anyway. That said, if they cross the line...

I honestly think the entire point from 4.0 to whenever we gain access to garlemald is to build up to that very point when Garlean Empire cross the line so that event blinds people to cry out for Garlean Empire's complete destruction without any care of the consequences.

Hatred and anger are powerful tools to manipulate people after all.

Of course corssing that line may also open up some Garlean Allies from within Garlemald as well for reforming the Garlean Empire.

[Kallera]

I think that is what I don't like. Being manipulated to hate. Before in 1.0 it felt like I hated out of my own volition. now it seems like they(SE) want me to have this blind hatred. With no real choice in the matter but to follow our orders and quests I feel powerless to object.

[Cilia]

While it's easy to succumb to blind hatred, the beauty of humanity is our ability to rise above that. The MSQ gives us no options and implies we do hate the Garleans - or at least the XIIth Legion - but given what we've seen them do it's hard not to. Even so, we can remember and acknowledge that they are people too...