Why Sharlayan wishes to remain Neutral - Lore Theory

[SugarSoldier]

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

[YianKutku]

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

They fix and maintain the aetherytes in Eorzea.

[Vyrerus]

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

See Sage's weapon. Nouliths. Aetherochemical funnels capable of shooting lasers and erecting barriers. See Sharlayan Astrology in AST job. Healers make a big big difference in any and every conflict.

In a magical world like Eorzea/Hydaelyn, a bunch of book reading philosophers are extremely powerful, because mental acuity is inherently linked with magical prowess (or Magitek prowess). Magical prowess is easily honed in any setting to have an absurdly powerful martial function. That's without even delving into their stores of knowledge, which we already proved in Heavensward that we could replicate/enact via giving the knowledge over to someone like Cid. Imagine the Allagans if they were isolationist rather than imperial. That is Sharlayan.

Also @Lyth's post: I haven't laughed so hard in a while. You had some peak comedy in there while making some great points. Happy to see you even more active in the lore forum!

[Rongway]

I am more interested in why they would be such an important ally.
What military power could a bunch of book-readeing philosophers have?

In addition to Vyrerus's points, keep in mind that while the Archon Thesis is basically a Ph.D. dissertation, Archon status is not awarded exclusively for what we think of as scholastic subjects. Yda and Thancred are both Archons of Sharlayan, and their areas of expertise are martial: one in hand to hand combat and the other in basically spycraft.

[DPZ2]

The most sensible reason for the Sharlayan reluctance is that they were founded, and are run, by a secret cabal of Ascians.

Either that, or they are all Taoists.

[Alleo]

I find it interesting that Sharlayan just had a copy of the Gerun Oracles lying around, but not only did Urianger seem to be aware of it, he considered it apocrypha. Considering the presence of Venat I'd like to see that book come back...but if it's the one G'raha's reading, how did Urianger miss the vital secrets of the star, right?

So did any kind of book about the possible future already know that we would change the course of history in Shadowbringers? If not then can anything in these old texts even be trusted anymore? Really curious about that. Maybe in the end they simply believe that the calamity with black rose will still happen and will be shocked that its going in a whole different way.

[Vyrerus]

If Sharyalan wanted to preserve its books bibliothèque.

Rereading this for a giggle at work, an idea struck me (and my invuln against ideas was on cooldown QQ).

I assume that they left the Gubal Library as it was not just because there were powerful magical automatons guarding it, but also because they've likely already digitally copied the entirety of its contents into some several dozen tomestones... which are just Allagan HDDs.

Sharlayans could have gone all digital at any point, but they like the smell of books, plus it helps them keep their tech status secret from the lesser societies.

[WhiteArchmage]

Sharlayans could have gone all digital at any point, but they like the smell of books, plus it helps them keep their tech status secret from the lesser societies.

Imagine, the most super secret super forbidden Sharlayan research room... and it only has a single tomestone containing scanlations of Amaurotine rituals for binding and creating concepts.

[ICountFrom0]

I'm fond of making theories that are far too wrong to ever be right.

My current pet theory is that the sharleans have used time travel or other reality breaking magic to get a look at the future. Or some past one of them has producing an actually accurate book of prophecy.

So they think they have an actually accurate view of the future ... only we're not IN that future any more... we've used time travel to prevent black rose so they arn't even close anymore.

Or they have one that actually gets that right, by checking after things were changed to save us, and what's in the future is so horrific as to make the war look pathetic, and they are holding themselves back for that.

[Arillyn]

The most sensible reason for the Sharlayan reluctance is that they were founded, and are run, by a secret cabal of Ascians.

Either that, or they are all Taoists.

I have been wondering something along these lines myself honestly. There are some sundered Ascians still unaccounted for and I can't believe the Ascians would not be somehow involved in Sharlayan affairs considering they have all these ancient tomes and knowledge.