Garlean Physiology

[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.

[YianKutku]

On a side note, since Garleans are their own, could that mean they might have different clans? So far we see the Elezen-looking ones like Maxima, Eula and Lucia; while there's midlander-looking ones like Jenomis and Aulus.

Garleans do have different "clans", or at least communities prior to banding together, at least. The Republic of Garlemald (precursor to Solus's Empire) was created by joining lots of different communities together, with the wording implying that not all of these assimilations were entirely voluntary.

I'm not sure if that can explain the variety of Garlean body-shapes, though. I was thinking maybe it was a result of interbreeding with other races, before the racial superiority creed espoused by Solus.

[MikkoAkure]

I'm not sure if that can explain the variety of Garlean body-shapes, though. I was thinking maybe it was a result of interbreeding with other races, before the racial superiority creed espoused by Solus.

I’m not sure if that’s entirely correct as I was under the impression that only pure-bloods can have a third eye. I thought the reason we have different looking Garleans is because there is no standard body for everyone and the devs had no time or resources to create a whole custom body for background Garleans. Just take an elezen, change to hyur ears and slap a third eye on them.

[Absimiliard]

I’m not sure if that’s entirely correct as I was under the impression that only pure-bloods can have a third eye. I thought the reason we have different looking Garleans is because there is no standard body for everyone and the devs had no time or resources to create a whole custom body for background Garleans. Just take an elezen, change to hyur ears and slap a third eye on them.

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That is the reason the devs gave us, yes. They simply didn't have the time or resources to invest in giving Garleans their own custom bodies. They instead combined assets from existing races to produce something semi-unique.

[Theodric]

I'm inclined to believe that Garlean physiques just vary by quite a bit by design. The only reason the playable races do not follow a similar pattern is due to limitations of the character customisation system.

[Absimiliard]

I'm inclined to believe that Garlean physiques just vary by quite a bit by design. The only reason the playable races do not follow a similar pattern is due to limitations of the character customisation system.

While I do agree with you, I am forced to wonder just how far that goes. Some of the variances we've seen are most definitely the result of SE just not investing the time and effort. Others, such as Zenos and his father's models, are not subject to that claim due to the time having been taken to to give them their unique builds. Both are quite tall even compared to the larger playable races. We never saw Varis without his armor, but Zenos in his robes appears to have a physique not unlike an Au Ra, albeit with more human proportions. He's slim but not so much so as to appear scrawny the way Elezen do, and the broad shoulders lead you to believe he's probably very strong despite being a bit on the thin side.