When did Dalmasca fall?

[Enla]

This is one area of the lore I'm really sketchy on and would love some clarification! Like when did the kingdom fall to the Garleans, when was Rabanstre sacked, any clarification would be much appreciated!

[Cilia]

Dalmasca / Rabanastre was one of (if not) the first conquests of the Garlean Empire. It was taken about 50 years ago.

If you're wondering about the destroyed capital Rabanastre as seen in the first Return to Ivalice raid, that happened when the city-state rebelled against the Empire shortly after Doma and Ala Mhigo's successful bids for freedom in an effort to do the same. Without Zenos' lax attitude holding it back and in a show of force to discourage further rebellion, the Empire came down hard on the city. (Ironically this was detrimental in the long run, as without Rabanastre to serve as a refueling center the Empire's range in the region is now limited.)

[Enla]

Thanks for the help!

[Anonymoose]

WARNING: That is no longer true.

Between the first time Dalmasca was name-dropped and when Dalmasca was actually put on the map and given lore for Return to Ivalice, there was a pile of inconsistencies and contradictions in all the little flavor-mentions; the whole thing was shattered and reassembled in the second lore-book to fit with Matsuno-san's vision and then the rough edges were sanded off to fit as well as possible with what we knew. (tl;dr EoRzEaN ScHoLaRs and GaRLeAn MiLiTaRy HiSoRriAnS made some clerical errors.)

The Dalmasca that was supposed to be on Ilsabard and conquered in 1517 (60 years ago) was AcTuaLLy Nhalmasque. (Seriously.)

The true Dalmasca in Othard was conquered in 1547 (30 years ago) by Noah van Gabranth.

NEW TIMELINE

922 (655ya)
"The Seven Tribes" come together and forge the Garlean Republic.

1513 (64ya)
Magitek revolution; Garlean military's improved capabilities and tactics empower them to subjugate their neighbors.

1517 (60ya)
Newly-appointed dictator Solus Galvus deploys airships in battle for the first time, easily conquering and annexing the kingdom of Nhalmasque in the central mountains of Ilsabard. Subsequent invasions of other nations would prove no more difficult.

1522 (55ya)
All of Ilsabard now under Garlean rule. Bolstered by a wave of unprecedented popular support, Solus proclaims himself the first emperor of Garlemald, setting the stage for the first Far Eastern campaign, which would begin six years later.

1528 (49ya)
"No lands must remain beyond our grasp. Go forth. Conquer. Rule."
Three imperial legions venture forth towards Nagxia, attempting to traverse the Burn utilizing multi-legged magitek transports. Facing mechanical failure from sand and depletion of potable water, morale collapses and a withdrawal is ordered. Seeking shelter in the nigh-aetherless dunes, the Garleans stumble upon an ancient ruin. A conclusion is reached that the city's inhabitants were responsible for the creation of the Burn via the repeated summoning primal-like entities. Solus suspends the Far Eastern campaign and decrees these summoned "eikons" a blight upon the star that must be destroyed without exception. Research and development becomes the Empire's primary endeavor.

1547 (30ya)
Year 26 of the First Emperor's Reign (Garlean Calendar)
Rather than cutting across Othard in pursuit of Nagxia, the Empire reaches south towards the Skatay Range and leverages their improved resources to claim the great Kingdom of Dalmasca, a major hub of international trade. Garlemald's agile new airships sail effortlessly over the natural defenses of the northern mountain range and seize several major cities within the kingdom. Withdrawing to their last bastion at Nalbina Fortress, the Dalmascans rally around Prince Rasler and erect a barrier capable of withstanding the aerial assault. However, after six months under siege by Noah van Gabranth of the IVth Legion and the loss of over seventy thousand lives, the millennium-spanning rule of the royal line of B'nargin collapses. Dalmasca is divided into two regions: The desert south of the Skatay Range was dubbed Dalmasca Superior, with Rabanastre to serve as the seat of the provincial government, whereas the Golmore Jungle and Greylic's Bend were named Dalmasca Inferior, with Lea Monde as its capital. Together, they would comprise the Diocese of Dalmasca, the Garlean Empire's foothold in the Far East.

1550 (27ya)
For three years, the tribes of the Nagxian jungle - though unable to unite and organize - bog the Garleans down using guerilla tactics. The Garleans eventually adapt, using small, specialized units to uproot the resistance from the inhospitable terrain. The area is then cleared and fortified.

Garlemald takes Yanxia / Doma by 1555, but the Dalmascan resistance harries the Empire for decades. The IVth Legion would briefly lose control following the Barheim Incident just a few years ago, at which point Noah van Gabranth sought the aid of Gaius van Baelsar, a master tactician with a reputation for subjugating resistance in urban environments. Gaius dispatched Livia sas Junius, who uprooted the insurgents and slaughtered their leadership (without capture or trial). This earned Livia the enduring nickname The Witch of Dalmasca.