Quote Originally Posted by jameseoakes View Post
The game has made no implication that it was forced, and Shadowbringers made it clear the Amaroutines valued self sacrifice and I don't think they would have had any means to force people to do and we know Hytholdes volunteers and I can't see him agreeing to a plan involving people being forced nor can I see pre-sundering Emet

Edit: and even if it was forced there's still a double standard as when Venat forces her will on everyone that's treated as heroic
The way I see it there were these outcomes: Summon Zodiark by sacrificing and then reviving the population only to forestall their inevitable demise when Meteion sings her song to end the universe anyway, let the Final Days destroy Etheirys or sunder mankind in order to give them a chance to sense dynamis and mature and grow in their potential to confront Meteion someday.

It was crappy situation no matter what. The ancients couldnt combat the Final Days by themselves. I dont fully blame the Ancients for doing what they tried to do, nor do I blame Venat for doing what she did (especially since it turned out to be the better choice for the survival of the planet)