Quote Originally Posted by Rocl View Post
The Castrums we attacked in 2.X were manned by the XIVth Legion. Gaius and his troops were acting independently of the Empire with their attempt at conquering Eorzea, so it didn't have the same oomph as Baelsar's Wall. After Gaius' defeat it sounds like Oriens was staffed by the XIIth Legion maybe? Anyways, it's different definitely I think for a lot of reasons, not the least of which like you said it was attack on the border of the Empire as far as Garlemald is concerned.

The more I think on it, the more I've grown fonder of Yugiri in this little mini patch. Not exactly sure what it is....
Yup, this sums up why there was no fear of the empire directly retaliating for Operation Archon. We were essentially fighting a rogue faction that was operating without being sanctioned by the emperor. Baelsar's wall was under the jurisdiction of Zenos and thus the greater empire as a whole, so in this situation the attack on the wall was an attack on the empire proper. That's why there is a fear of retribution and a preliminary move on Ala Mhigo was necessitated, as successfully taking the region would impede the empire's capabilities.