Modern vs Medieval, what time is it?

[Tohe-Spidhire]

There’s a frequently referenced quote by the science fiction author, Arthur C. Clarke, which states, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Due to the multiple transitions between umbral and astral periods in Final Fantasy, magic can best be described as ancient technologies that permeate the entire world, the earliest origins of which have been completely forgotten.

A good example of this is an anime series, “Scrapped Princess,” where civilization had collapsed 5,000 years previously, and the medieval-style decendants perceived AI avatars (i.e, high technology interfaces) as gods, or forest spirits.

In this light, there isn’t a useful parallel to be drawn between Eorzea and real life history. At best, gameplay elements make reference to things and concepts that are familiar to us.

Garleans are an interesting twist because they reject the ancient technologies (that are perceived as magic), and hamstring themselves by insisting upon using magitek. The irony is that Garleans are still using “magic,” regardless of how they have dressed it up.

[MistakeNot]

Garleans are an interesting twist because they reject the ancient technologies (that are perceived as magic), and hamstring themselves by insisting upon using magitek. The irony is that Garleans are still using “magic,” regardless of how they have dressed it up.

The Garleans don't reject magic as such and they most definitely don't reject ancient technology. Their problem is that pureblood Garleans are genetically incapable of using magic, which left them at a serious disadvantage compared to everyone else. They developed magitek (which was in no small part inspired by ancient Allagan technology) as a substitute.

Magic in FF14 isn't just "sufficiently advanced technology". Magic is simply channeled and focused aether. Plenty of their advanced technology (new and old) does include the use of aether in one form or another though.