Revelations from Patch 5.5 (Part 2)

[Theodric]

Revelation from patch 5.5 part 2: Garlemald is a failed Empire.

Garlemald 'failed' due to circumstances outside of its control such as sabotage from within and without. Though thankfully Save the Queen highlighted that Garlemald did many things right, to the point where the uncorrupted aspects and original goals were effectively embraced for Bozja itself.

Furthermore, Eorzea itself would have 'failed' many times over if not for the direct intervention of the Warrior of Darkness as well as many other convenient plot devices in play. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - there's a lot about Eorzea that I like and wouldn't want to see destroyed.

It would've been pleasant to see a Garlemald inspired by Archades from FFXII, granted, though I think what we received in FFXIV had plenty of interesting elements in play nevertheless. Presumably many will continue to exist moving forward given that the displaced Garleans will require a new home either through relocation or reconstruction efforts. It's made pretty clear by the story's trajectory that bad blood between nations is quite readily cast aside and I see no reason why Garlemald will differ on that front when it has been involved in conflicts for far less time than the thousand year long war between Ishgard and Nidhogg's brood.

That Garlemald actually had real stakes (along with the other antagonists in the setting) also makes it inherently more interesting to me as a result. Then again, I grew up with FFIX and FFXII as my two favourite Final Fantasy titles - both of which had interesting consequences in spades.

Well, I only ever discuss the story from the perspective of an extremely gay catboy, his adopted children, and his squad of incredibly talented groupies.

Fair enough. Each to their own and all that.