Pure-blood Garleans and aether

[myahele]

We know that pure blood Garleans can't use magic, but to take it a step further are they able to use aether at all?

Magic is a manipulation of aether after all. Additionally, many (or all) class/jobs all use aether in one way or another, but they call it by different names where they're from. Ala Mhighan Monks call it "chackra" Doman NINs call it "chi" etc.

In otherwords, people use this energy (aether) to augment their abilities. So to me, it would make sense that they also can't utilize aether

It could just be plot, but I don't see Garleans using aetherytes (which requires you to use aether) within their camps. Especially when Nero and co were observing us kill primals. One instance (after beating Titan) we see Lahabrea and Yshtola teleport while Nero walked away

[Terrini]

I believe the Garleans developed Magitek because they cannot personally use aether but they developed machines to do what they could not. All the purebred Garleans we fight wear heavy Magitek armor and Magitek weaponry, so it's possible that they would be fairly pathetic without.

I'd imagine that they'd have technology to tap into the aetherytes if not currently, eventually...

[Dererk]

Their armor may work in a way like how BLM use magic BLM draw the aether from around them The Black Wolf is a good example on this I think.

[VargasVermillion]

Well they could use aether for all we know. we know too little about them to give fully credible information save for the part where they can't use magic. Both gaius and nael were able to do short range teleportation, whether or not this was technology or something they could do isn't confirmed.

My theory is that they can replicate things like aetherites using magitek but How does magitek even work? Maybe the machines they develop allow them to manipulate aether through those.

This is just a wild guess but perhaps their third eyes allows them to see aether in the atmosphere so they can develop technology to control it. But pretty much anything like that is just wild speculation, surprised Cid hasn't told us more about his people.

[Belhi]

In the lore panel at last year's American Fanfest, they outright state that true blood Garleans are genetically incapable of manipulating Aether. That's why they developed Magitek in the first place.

You won't run into a Garlean mage in a traditional sense. They almost certainly have developed technology to mimic most forms of magic though.

[VargasVermillion]

In the lore panel at last year's American Fanfest, they outright state that true blood Garleans are genetically incapable of manipulating Aether. That's why they developed Magitek in the first place.

You won't run into a Garlean mage in a traditional sense. They almost certainly have developed technology to mimic most forms of magic though.

If i remember correctly they said they can't use magic, idk if they meant aether entirely.

[Belhi]

If i remember correctly they said they can't use magic, idk if they meant aether entirely.

I double checked the video and its a bit vague but the question asked was can they manipulate aether and he says no.

[StarDrake]

Well, they have aether, because they're alive; "aether" is just the name the residents of Hydaelyn give to The Imperceptible Life Force Of The Universe and also The Stuff Of Souls, so any Garlean at least has it.

They can't do much with it, though; the lore panel was clear on this. They can't manipulate aether, so presumably they can't "naturally" use aetherytes and whatnot. They'd need a technological solution for the same thing.

[LystAP]

Well, they have aether, because they're alive; "aether" is just the name the residents of Hydaelyn give to The Imperceptible Life Force Of The Universe and also The Stuff Of Souls, so any Garlean at least has it.

They can't do much with it, though; the lore panel was clear on this. They can't manipulate aether, so presumably they can't "naturally" use aetherytes and whatnot. They'd need a technological solution for the same thing.

Generally, this seems like a disadvantage; however, I wonder if there aren't advantages to being unable to directly access aether by themselves; it may go both ways. Perhaps, it keeps them from being affected by high concentrations of aether, such as aetheric corruption or primal tempering?

Gaius didn't seem all that concerned about the primals, when he was trying to provoke them to absorb into Ultima Weapon. Nael on the other hand, wasn't a pureblood Garlean.

[Belhi]

Garleans do seem to be vunerable to tempering which is why they have such an interest in the echo.

However, its often the case that necessity has created a scenario where their weakness is turned into a strength. Being unable to use Aether and driven them to develop Magitek which as given them a substantial edge.

The thing I'm most curious about is the third eye and what its properties are and if it has any connection to their inability to use aether.