New Year's Poem 2018

[Belhi]

I'm actually curious if we'll ever see another black-robed Ascian Overlord. Elidibus seems to have taken over the role of the Ascian Influence, and his method of being all indirect and scheming has become the norm. Going back to the direct interventions of Lahabrea, Nabriales, and Igeyorhm would seem less interesting now.

To be fair, with almost six hundred years between the foundation of Garlemald as a nation and the invention of the ceruleum engine, I think Garlemald counts as having survived perfectly fine without it. Possibly not as well as they deserve, but it's hard to picture a nation just barely holding onto existence over six hundred years.

They relied on very strong unified defence and Hellsguard mercenaries who Garlemald has had long historical ties to. Hellsguard are naturally magically talented and so provided some measure of counter to the Garleans weakness. That, and the fact that the lands the Garleans held weren't particularly desirable, meant that most of their southern neighbours found it just not worth the cost in actually conquering them.

However yes, the Garleans have been a people who have struggled against stronger neighbours for a long time. It is somewhat ironic considering how their foreign policy developed but perhaps that is a result of their historic treatment.

[Theodric]

It's definitely something that needs to be addressed. I'm surprised the Warrior of Light and Scions do not appear to be in the know regarding Garlemald's history and the suffering of their people. Especially when they went to great efforts to uncover the truth behind Nidhogg's actions. Garlemald's foreign policy needs to change, yet it is a result of persecution they themselves have suffered...and in a world heavily riddled with magic to not have access to it leaves them open to exploitation. Magitek gives them an advantage and a niche of their own - in addition to the unique benefit of their 'Third Eye'.

So solving the situation with Garlemald isn't about putting down a threat, it's about a need to compromise and find a way to convince Garlemald to adjust their foreign policy. Slaughtering them isn't going to work, because it isn't realistic for the Warrior of Light and his allies to go and do that...and the plot conveniences involved for such a thing to happen would be pretty dull to see play out. We can't see every Imperial slain, either - since then Garlemald itself would be left largely defenceless and it would prove to add more weight to their concerns.

[Cilia]

They relied on very strong unified defence and Hellsguard mercenaries who Garlemald has had long historical ties to. Hellsguard are naturally magically talented and so provided some measure of counter to the Garleans weakness. That, and the fact that the lands the Garleans held weren't particularly desirable, meant that most of their southern neighbours found it just not worth the cost in actually conquering them.

935 - The Republic forges an alliance with the Roegadyn mountain clans, enlisting Roegadyn battle mages as mercenaries to fortify defenses around the perimeter of the capital.

937 - Bolstered by the strength of the Roegadyn battle mages, the Garlean Republic succeeds in repelling the nomads.

945 - The Roegadyn mountain clans demand compensation from Garlemald for the services of their people in driving off the Hyur. After months of negotiations, talks break down and the mercenaries withdraw from the capital.

I wouldn't call ten years (of seemingly unpaid services) "long historical ties." This also means that, from 6 AE 945 - ca. 6 AE 1500 (when magitek was invented), the Garlean Republic survived without Roegadyn battle mages or magitek. Was it because the Republic's lands weren't desirable? Possible. Point is... this makes it highly doubtful the Republic's people were under daily threat of extinction.