*Spoilers* Anyone feel joining Emet would have been better

[Lersayil]

The main challenge that Hermes throws at us is: Can you learn to respect and value life?

Are you sure that was his point? From where I'm standing Hermes just wanted the Ancients to face absolute despair via planetary annihilation, with no clue from where or how it came to be, or how to fight it. Failing the test meant death. That is a feat the Sundered couldn't manage either. Calling it fair or even a test is ridiculous on his part.

...

I just dont like that whenever a fault of the Ancient is pointed out, its said that we do that too while not taking into account that one side is basically god like while the other struggles to survive. I am fine with the Ancients. I love Elpis and I love that SE used the side quest in that area but also in the fake Amaurot to show us that Emets view of them was tainted.

...

Personally I would argue that even if we adjust for basic living conditions and world state, they still did better. They are by no means perfect, but given the pitfalls their powers pose, I would posit that they did the near best that could be expected without getting classified as perfect.

That said, the Sundered end of the equation is pretty slanted due to the constant Ascian interference. While I lean in the direction that they wouldn't be much better off without the constant calamities, that itself might just be my misanthropy showing.

In the end its set up to be arguable. The story demands it to be, weighing on the Sundered side more and more closer to the end. Not because the Ancients turn out to be worse, but because a good portion of the Sundered get their sh*t together for the greater good. Still wouldn't say they've reached equal footing, but the potential is starting to show.