Let's be fair that Gridanians are xenophobic in general, not just to specific sets of outsiders. However, there's a strong dislike against Ala Mhigans because 100 years before the start of gameplay, the Gridanians and the Ala Mhigans were engaged in a vicious war. The Gridanians called for aid but only Ishgard answered their pleas. With the combined forces of the Gridanians, Ishgardians, and Elementals, Gridania was able to repel the Ala Mhigan advance. As Gridanians in general don't seem to be a people who quickly forget past wrongs, I doubt they have warm fuzzy feelings for very many Ala Mhigans. This could also just be attributed to plain ol' xenophobia. In 1.0 there was a Main Storyline mission that actually involved Gridanian Wailers and Quivermen aiding members of the Ala Mhigan Resistance. There's a huge uproar when the Garleans try to attack the Sylphlands as well. Gridania was very helpful to their plight, standing alongside Ala Mhigan Resistance members.
Duskwights seemed to get shunned because they were unwilling to leave Gelmorra when the Elementals offered the Twelveswood to them. Which is understandable? The city was their home for 1000 years. Hard to just pack up and leave. But perhaps the Wildwood viewed this as disrespectful to refuse the Elemental's Gift? After all, the Gelmorrans had been trying to earn access to the Wood for a 1000 years. And then to just give it up? I'm sure this lead to a very divisive argument. Now, considering those who left and founded Gridania were the Elemental's Chosen People, not hard to imagine Wildwood looking down on their Duskwight brothers. Pride is in Elezen nature.
Keepers are seen in droves within Gridania. They are an accepted part of the Gridanian culture. However, we also see many families of Keepers who prefer to live among the Wood and are poachers. Poachers tend to not be looked highly upon by Nature-loving folk. Just saying. We don't typically see a lot of prejudice against Keeper NPCs, but there is some. But let's think about it. When you live in an isolated Colony type society that is highly xenophobic and a little bit racist, you're bound to face some racial stereotyping.
On the subject of Elementals VS Primals. We know that Primals were created by the Twelve to be servants of the Twelve, before Man ever came to Eorzea. We also know that several Beast Tribes attribute their creation to their Primal deities.
Now, all that aside. I think the key difference is that Elementals are not "summoned." This is their world. They are a part of Hydaelyn. Primals, however, do not belong on this plane. That is why it consumes a terrifying amount of aether to bring one into this world and even more aether to maintain its presence here. It literally kills the planet because they do not belong on this planet.
Elementals are within every rock, tree, and river. Whether or not they choose to reveal themselves is another matter. And in most cases, even the Elementals within the Twelveswood don't reveal themselves unless angered. But they are there. They whisper to those who will listen.
Also, the Primals are not all inherently evil. It is believed that the massive amount of aether corrupts them when they are summoned. A perfect example of this is Good King Moggle Mog. Who isn't technically a primal, but was summoned in the same fashion as Primals. He was a benevolent king. He sacrificed himself to free his people for Gods sakes. Yet when he is summoned, the aether corrupts him and he becomes malevolent.
While I disagree that Gridanians aren't xenophobic. I think there's a valid argument for the reason Gridanians are xenophobic is because of the Elementals. Because in Gelmorra, they weren't xenophobic at all. In fact, they welcomed Hyur with open arms where everywhere else in the world there was bloody territorial wars between Elezen and Hyur.Â
But imagine you made a Pact with the Elementals, and in this Pact a huge part of the agreement is that you will protect the forest from any and all harm. You will not take from it in excess. You will not abuse the Home that was given you. But only you and your people even know about this Pact! I think you would be extremely mistrusting of outsiders. This fear of outsiders screwing everything up can quickly turn to hatred of outsiders. 500 years of this mistrust and hate will turn into xenophobia. Being an isolationist society doesn't help either. Gridanians did not accept Outsiders until the war against Ala Mhigo where they needed Ishgard to save their skins.
Duskwights seemed to get shunned because they were unwilling to leave Gelmorra when the Elementals offered the Twelveswood to them. Which is understandable? The city was their home for 1000 years. Hard to just pack up and leave. But perhaps the Wildwood viewed this as disrespectful to refuse the Elemental's Gift? After all, the Gelmorrans had been trying to earn access to the Wood for a 1000 years. And then to just give it up? I'm sure this lead to a very divisive argument. Now, considering those who left and founded Gridania were the Elemental's Chosen People, not hard to imagine Wildwood looking down on their Duskwight brothers. Pride is in Elezen nature.
Keepers are seen in droves within Gridania. They are an accepted part of the Gridanian culture. However, we also see many families of Keepers who prefer to live among the Wood and are poachers. Poachers tend to not be looked highly upon by Nature-loving folk. Just saying. We don't typically see a lot of prejudice against Keeper NPCs, but there is some. But let's think about it. When you live in an isolated Colony type society that is highly xenophobic and a little bit racist, you're bound to face some racial stereotyping.
On the subject of Elementals VS Primals. We know that Primals were created by the Twelve to be servants of the Twelve, before Man ever came to Eorzea. We also know that several Beast Tribes attribute their creation to their Primal deities.
Now, all that aside. I think the key difference is that Elementals are not "summoned." This is their world. They are a part of Hydaelyn. Primals, however, do not belong on this plane. That is why it consumes a terrifying amount of aether to bring one into this world and even more aether to maintain its presence here. It literally kills the planet because they do not belong on this planet.
Elementals are within every rock, tree, and river. Whether or not they choose to reveal themselves is another matter. And in most cases, even the Elementals within the Twelveswood don't reveal themselves unless angered. But they are there. They whisper to those who will listen.
Also, the Primals are not all inherently evil. It is believed that the massive amount of aether corrupts them when they are summoned. A perfect example of this is Good King Moggle Mog. Who isn't technically a primal, but was summoned in the same fashion as Primals. He was a benevolent king. He sacrificed himself to free his people for Gods sakes. Yet when he is summoned, the aether corrupts him and he becomes malevolent.
(01-16-2014, 08:36 PM)raindrops Wrote: (I've also heard a lot of people talk about how the Gridanians aren't xenophobic at all and that their dislike of the duskwights is entirely elemental-related, but I'm not sure where they got that from ingame and I suspect that it's not the case.)
While I disagree that Gridanians aren't xenophobic. I think there's a valid argument for the reason Gridanians are xenophobic is because of the Elementals. Because in Gelmorra, they weren't xenophobic at all. In fact, they welcomed Hyur with open arms where everywhere else in the world there was bloody territorial wars between Elezen and Hyur.Â
But imagine you made a Pact with the Elementals, and in this Pact a huge part of the agreement is that you will protect the forest from any and all harm. You will not take from it in excess. You will not abuse the Home that was given you. But only you and your people even know about this Pact! I think you would be extremely mistrusting of outsiders. This fear of outsiders screwing everything up can quickly turn to hatred of outsiders. 500 years of this mistrust and hate will turn into xenophobia. Being an isolationist society doesn't help either. Gridanians did not accept Outsiders until the war against Ala Mhigo where they needed Ishgard to save their skins.
