Zenos the SAM

[Ramesses]

I think we will find out soon enough how and why Garleans cannot manipulate aether. It could be they were mutations of Allags (like how Kuluu were mutations of Zilart, and thus could not use the Whisper of the Soul).

This is a very interesting theory and I reckon you might be on to something. If I remember correctly, in FFXI the Kuluu were the "lesser" Zilart who did not posses their (telepthy?) ability and were thus outcasts (more or less).

However, if... and I'm just saying if....if the Garleans were indeed manipulations or "genetically modified clones" by the Allag and were cast out by their makers because they could not manipulate aether... Hmmmm. Would that not make them to just be shallow "husks" or "shells" like Doga and Unei? If I recall, Amon was one of their chief scientists who had a penchant for genetic modifications and I would assume that the peak of his cloning abilities was to clone Doga and Unei who were descendants of Xande. And they were not "complete" because they lacked a certain amount of self will-- I remember the scene where Xande is monologuing with several of the clones assembled at his throne steps and he basically dismisses them as such.

Thus, I reckon the Garleans may indeed be fully natural home-grown races but perhaps something in their environment (or certain meddlings by the Twelve?) forced them to evolve with their third eye; which, gave them spatial recognition abilities as a substitute for manipulating aether. The Encyclopeadia does mention that there are likely a very few of them who may be able to manipulate aether.

Anyway, you still have a very interesting point because the lore books hints that they were indeed cast out... Hmmmm.