Quote Originally Posted by Dualblade View Post
Ala Mhigo was also the strongest single nation-state in Eorzea. The Alliance overall was/is stronger but they were pretty fractured till recently on what to do for the most part. Taking out Ala Mhigo ensured that the strongest nation was out of the way, and without Midgarsomr's sudden intervention things would probably look very different in Eorzea by the current time period.
Ala Mhigo wasn't at its best when Gaius came over and took control; the city-state was pretty much fractured since the civil war that overthrew Theodoric. That, and the other city-states didn't as much as wink when Ala Mhigo was conquered, since Ala Mhigo had made less than stellar reputation with the rest of Eorzea, especially Gridania. Garlemald took it as golden opportunity to secure a very strategic spot to open their path to invasion of Eorzea.

Some NPC veterans of Ala Mhigo like to boast that Ala Mhigo was the only obstacle that prevented Garlemald from attempting full Eorzea invasion. The fact of this statement is likely up for debate, since as mentioned, Garlemald only took Ala Mhigo because of internal strife. Personally, if Ala Mhigo was at full power, they might be able to hold Garlemald at bay for a time but would eventually fall, but not without cost for Garlemald and any attempt to proceed to the rest of Eorzea would have to be delayed, unless the XIVth got backup from any other Legion.