A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Garlean Genocide *spoilers*

[Azurymber]

The White Raven, Legatus Nael van Darnus of the House of Darnus managed to convince his Radiance, the Emperor of Garlemald, to utilize Dalamud, a weapon of mass-destruction akin to a nuclear missile, to eliminate Eorzea completely.

This sounds essentially insane, and even others in Garlemald clearly believe it to be a bad idea. Cid, who was probably a superstar in the empire due to being responsible for a great deal of their technology, left because of the incident at Bozja citadel. And Gaius van Baelsar makes it very clear that wiping out an entire land is counterproductive and useless.

Let us consider the history of Garlemald.
For years it was nothing. Insignificant and not a world power. However within a century (50 or so years i believe), it managed to became one of, if not the largest, powers on Hydaelyn. It's rise was a result of a massive and rapid technological advancement, and an ambitious military restructuring by a legatus turned emperor.

The social structure seems to be one similar to ancient Rome, with family houses playing a prominent role as societal regulators, and a strong honour code. Those who excel in a house (so far we only know of males) seem to become Legati, which are essentially generals of legions. These legions are loyal to their Legatus, and not necessarily to the emperor, as we can see with the 7th legion searching for Nael van Darnus believing him not to be dead after we kill him.

Further, rapid expansion comes at serious costs. Regardless of their technological advantage, the empire faces dwindling military forces resulting in a policy of conscription, and constant rebellion. Further, it is clear that while the empire -projects- power, they face multiple threats from multiple directions.

Eorzea seems to be a particular problem. It is revealed by van Baelsar that the eikons (primals) are the reason why he hasn't been able to conquer Eorzea. This is most likely why he lost favour with the emperor, who took the White Raven's side in utilizing meteor.

But if Eorzea is no threat, why bother destroying it -completely-. It is clearly costing a lot of resources and soldiers lives to pull it off, and the Emperor and van Darnus both clearly know it will eradicate the land.

To understand this, we have to understand the culture of which would arise in Garlemalds situation. It is most likely well known to Garlemald that Eorzea's history has been forged in warfare. The holy see (the greatest military power in Eorzea) is in constant warfare with Dravania and the dragons. In the past all the nations have faught each other, the beastmen, etc. Many of the battles between Ishgard and Gridania are mentioned throughout the game for example. And the beast tribes clearly state that in the past when they attempted to have a peaceful existence the 5 races screwed them over.

So in Garlemald the average person is probably aware of Eorzea's bloody history. Further, the primals in Eorzea are clearly a threat to the Garlean empire as they block their expansion, and they are essentially insane. We get to meet ifrit and garuda, who are both -nuts-. They are power hungry beings with no problems killing those that get in the way. Further, the Allag civilization clearly has technology buried around Eorzea as van Darnus utilizes it to summon meteor.

Garlemald also seems to have dropped religion. The Legati are pretty clear that the gods people worship ignore them, and that they are strongly against eikons, which is a derogatory term for the primals insinuating that they are false gods and just monsters. Essentially, the gods are dead to them.

So you essentially have a land full of pirates, merchants, and extremist forest dwellers near your homeland borders. As well as an incredibly extremist religious nation (Ishgard) who has a massive military force and is in proximity to ancient technology. Further, you know 100% that they can form a military alliance, as they have in the past. There are also beast tribes who can summon beings that believe themselves to be gods, who are a serious threat to your nation. And years and years of military endeavors by someone essentially obsessed with the conquest of Eorzea have proved futile. You then have paragons and such going around promoting the summoning of these primals.

It's no surprise that Garlemald developed racist ideologies to those associated with primals/eikons who believe themselves, and would seek to make themselves gods. Further, it's no surprise that Eorzea is viewed as a significant threat.

A technological culture with rapid expansion facing multiple cultures who strongly believe in gods is bound to result in an engrained obsessive racism, and the cultural acceptance of WMDs. And as such, in a way, Garlemald is not a horrible narcissistic nation bent on world domination, but rather a product of rapid advancement and unavoidable societal tensions as a result.

[RudyFails]

[Rex]

http://static1.fjcdn.com/comments/Th...00f50bb2af.jpg

[Rau]

Imperialism is bad, mkay?

[Wilan]

wow, beautiful reading

[Ingolf]

Great read.

[Charmin]

You made a very well-reasoned and thoughtful view of the situation from a third-person point of view. Romantically it is fun to be the rebels going against superior imperial forces but as the redux of it goes: "I had friends on that Death Star..."

[Alaltus]

Nice read ^^ one thing though bothers me.

So in Garlemald the average person is probably aware of Eorzea's bloody history. Further, the primals in Eorzea are clearly a threat to the Garlean empire as they block their expansion, and they are essentially insane. We get to meet ifrit and garuda, who are both -nuts-. They are power hungry beings with no problems killing those that get in the way. Further, the Allag civilization clearly has technology buried around Eorzea as van Darnus utilizes it to summon meteor.

From the main story cutscenes Ifrit seems less power hungry and more protective of the Amaalja which is prior to Dalamud beginning its descent. But by the time we get to have a one to one with Garuda, Dalamud has already begun to close in on Eorzea and she seems to be completely obsessed with it. That doesnt seem to be just a coincidence so if the empire did choose to use the Dalamud bomb i dont think its cus they viewed the primals as insane/or that they were insane prior the decision to use Meteor.

[Azurymber]

Nice read ^^ one thing though bothers me.



From the main story cutscenes Ifrit seems less power hungry and more protective of the Amaalja which is prior to Dalamud beginning its descent. But by the time we get to have a one to one with Garuda, Dalamud has already begun to close in on Eorzea and she seems to be completely obsessed with it. That doesnt seem to be just a coincidence so if the empire did choose to use the Dalamud bomb i dont think its cus they viewed the primals as insane/or that they were insane prior the decision to use Meteor.

In the story ifrit still says everyone should be worshipping him or bowing down to him or something. He only lets you live because the paragons asked him to. It seemed pretty clear that he wanted to be the -true- 1 god. edit: was wrong about this, see catapults post @ top of page 3 for a -much- better explanation :]

edit: Ifrit believes there is only one true god (himself), and that those who don't believe in them can't be allowed to "roam unchecked". Rewatch the cutschene if you want to be sure, It's in main scenarios, Lord Errant, cs7.

[rina_inverse]

Let us consider the history of Garlemald.
For years it was nothing. Insignificant and not a world power. However within a century (50 or so years i believe), it managed to became one of, if not the largest, powers on Hydaelyn. It's rise was a result of a massive and rapid technological advancement,

Garlemald has alien backup
MAKE IT HAPPEN SE!