Garlean Physiology

[Bright-Flower]

It is worth noting that there is a small percentage of the Garlean population that is capable of manipulating aether. We know nothing of them, however - their capabilities and total number elude us.

Where are they mentioned? First I've heard of them.

[Absimiliard]

Where are they mentioned? First I've heard of them.

Encyclopedia Eorzea.

[MrThinker]

Where are they mentioned? First I've heard of them.

I think it's in the first lore book, in the Garlean Empire section.

[myahele]

Where are they mentioned? First I've heard of them.

Lorebook says this: Garleans have little inborn ability to manipulate their body's aether, however, and thus the arcane arts have ever eluded all but a few. Thus, they have long been at a disadvantage against other peoples with a command of magic.

It is worth noting that there is a small percentage of the Garlean population that is capable of manipulating aether. We know nothing of them, however - their capabilities and total number elude us.

There is a theory that Lucia might be a Garlean that can manipulate aether. In one quest she casts cure on the player, compare that to Cid using Aqua Vitae item. People thought it was weird when she did it, especially since they could have made her use items or whatever, but she was casting cure. Then we later found out a very small portion of Garleans can manipulate aether.

[Iscah]

There is a theory that Lucia might be a Garlean that can manipulate aether. In one quest she casts cure on the player, compare that to Cid using Aqua Vitae item. People thought it was weird when she did it, especially since they could have made her use items or whatever, but she was casting cure. Then we later found out a very small portion of Garleans can manipulate aether.

Either that, or the line in the lorebook is specifically to handwave the fact that they forgot and gave her Cure spells when she shouldn't have them...

[Absimiliard]

It also appears Resonance gives them the ability to use aether. That isn't just magitek Zenos is using when you fight him in Ala Mhigo.

[MrThinker]

It also appears Resonance gives them the ability to use aether. That isn't just magitek Zenos is using when you fight him in Ala Mhigo.

Now here's the kicker, we don't actually know when Zenos went under the Resonance procedure. From what we understand it requires an Echo user archtype (like Krile) to work. This leaves us in a bit of a dilemma. If Zenos had the Resonant before capturing Krile, who on earth was the echo user he used as the archtype. If it was after, how the heck was he using aetherical abilities when we know for a fact that he couldn't use aether as an unaltered pureblood (thanks to his short story in the chronicles book).
Mayhap the knowledge of who was used as the archtype for his Resonant is not as important as simply knowing that he had it but the devs haven't graced us with an answer to even that. Not allowed to, last time someone asked directly (Anonymoose).

[Berethos]

If it was after, how the heck was he using aetherical abilities when we know for a fact that he couldn't use aether as an unaltered pureblood (thanks to his short story in the chronicles book).

I think his short story in the Chronicles book sheds light on how he managed it - in his youth, he managed to do so by embedding a crystal into his flesh (specifically his palm), and doing so let him channel the necessary aether to produce a technique he should not have been able to do. I wouldn't not put it past him to continue this trend as needed into adulthood.

[MrThinker]

I think his short story in the Chronicles book sheds light on how he managed it - in his youth, he managed to do so by embedding a crystal into his flesh (specifically his palm), and doing so let him channel the necessary aether to produce a technique he should not have been able to do. I wouldn't not put it past him to continue this trend as needed into adulthood.

I was under the impression that he gave up that 'method' and began pursuing other forms of enhancement specifically because the method was unwieldy and not to his tastes... but I realise the only part that was actually stated was 'persuing other forms of enhancement' and it doesn't specifically say he gave up the crystal embedding.

[TankHunter678]

Now here's the kicker, we don't actually know when Zenos went under the Resonance procedure. From what we understand it requires an Echo user archtype (like Krile) to work. This leaves us in a bit of a dilemma. If Zenos had the Resonant before capturing Krile, who on earth was the echo user he used as the archtype. If it was after, how the heck was he using aetherical abilities when we know for a fact that he couldn't use aether as an unaltered pureblood (thanks to his short story in the chronicles book).
Mayhap the knowledge of who was used as the archtype for his Resonant is not as important as simply knowing that he had it but the devs haven't graced us with an answer to even that. Not allowed to, last time someone asked directly (Anonymoose).

If I remember correctly there actually was a book someone mentioned where they went into Zeno's past. Where he was given an instructor for teaching him to fight, but that instructor was secretly trying to assassinate Zenos. He used a martial arts style that relied heavily on Aether so that Zenos could not learn it. However Zenos spent all his time trying to figure out how it worked, and even came up with a jurry rigged aetherochemical system to give himself something similar, allowing him to learn how to use the martial arts style. This lead to the instructor's surprise in a later lesson and then trying to kill Zenos. Zenos ultimately won but that made all the enjoyment he had with that instructor come to an end. It was the point where Zenos realized that his only enjoyment came from being challenged by something he cannot just easily do.

So most Aetherical abilities Zenos has comes from him figuring out alternative ways to produce the same effects. Which is why he supported the Resonance project. He likely went under the procedure shortly after they proved that it worked with Fordola.