How has the empire not just obliterated the rest of the world?

[WhiteArchmage]

Snip

Given the revelations from 4.4/.5 it seems very "convenient" that Solus "uncovered" Allagan tech

Given Emet-Selch mentions being involved with the Allagan Empire, it stands to reason he rounded up a bunch of disgruntled tribes, fostered their feelings of superiority through technology, and "casually" led them to where he remembered Allagan Tech being. Hell, he basically fostered a culture where the higher ups just can't help backstabbing one another to get in his favors; guaranteeing that there is chaos and in-fighting.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the Othardian expansion halted because of an unknown primal? Or am I merging Solus blaming the Empty on Primal summoning with something else entirely?

Also, to OP, even in/before 2.0 the Eorzeans weren't cavemen by any stretch (except, perhaps, the Duskwight by the most literal of meanings), they're right before the Industrial Revolution, with main travel still being done by carriage or ships, but airship travel is relatively common. Plus, Limsa Lominsa has cannons and flintlock guns; Ul'Dah has the Thamuaturges' Guild which proved their worth in the liberation of Ala Mhigo, and Gridania has White Magic and Conjury to defend itself, along with superior scouts.

And there is a particular aspect that is also very problematic for the Empire: Primals.

Again, part of the Empire's Ascian manipulation, but fostering fear and hatred among the beast tribes (and Ala Mhigan youth), a single Primal could one-shot, maybe not a Legion, but several platoons, and that's not counting tempering which the Empire is JUST learning to counter with their artificial echo (and even that was more of a happy side-effect rather than intended).

And we saw Shiva single-handedly take on the Gration and only lost because she forgot the Z axis, and even then she did a whole bunch of damage to the ship.

[EdwinLi]

----[/HB]

A lot of these travel methods still remained necessary due to how Aetherytes only work on a person and the things they carry since the thing being transfered by Aetheryte must have proper flow of aether to guide it to the destination which goes back to why even Garlean pure bloods could not use them since just like inanimate objects they lack that flow of aether in their bodies.

It seems Aetherytes have not been developed to teleport massive amount of inanimate objects yet so dependency on these other form of transportation is still important for supplies, transfer of good, and trading.