Quote Originally Posted by Theodric View Post
I have at no point ever suggested that both sides in a conflict cannot do everything possible in order to survive and protect their loved ones, though. In fact, that's exactly why I was so satisfied with how the final confrontation in Shadowbringers played out. Which, I believe, I have pointed out many times across the relevant threads.

I must confess, I'm not sure where you're getting the impression that I'm suggesting that people should not defend themselves in a fight regardless of whether they are on the offense or defensive in a territorial dispute...?
Your "both sides" argument here is exactly the sort of example I'm talking about. There's no "both-siding" the example of the Garleans and the Eorzean Alliance in this case. The Garleans are unambiguously the aggressor party here. Their ancestors/founders once had sympathetic motives, sure, but the Empire by the time of FFXIV is a nation of militaristic conquerors. Once again, this is a PERFECT example of why I'll hard pass on advocating for absolute moral greyness. Because you end up trying to conflate everybody into being "equally valid" even when it isn't the case.