(10-14-2014, 04:20 PM)Ryoko Wrote:(10-14-2014, 04:16 PM)Telluride Wrote: How else can one explain that Merlwyb seems not even interested in acquiring Garlean weapons for study, when Lominsans already use ship-mounted gunpowder cannons?
Because the Grand Companies are currently lead by feeble-minded fools who can't distinguish proper governance from their own asses.Â
a.k.a. exactly what Gaius tried to warn us about.
No argument here! Of the three nations, though, it seems to me that the Lominsans would be the most pragmatically-run government, since they were able to form a bunch of, essentially, anarchistic brigands into a comparatively stable nation, and are already well aware of the potential of artillery.
The Gridanians, by comparisons, are too scared of upsetting the local flora to embrace any real change, and when the essential characteristics for leadership are being horn-headed children, what else is expected?
One would -think- that Uldah would fare better, but Raubahn seems to be the type to simply throw more infantry at whatever threat there is, based on everything we see of him.
However, it does add a twist that, for all of the technology of the Garlean forces, their literal Ultimate Weapon relies on... magic.
Technically speaking, Eorzeans really wouldn't need any sort of gunpowder if two things happened:
1) The various magic-using guilds would work together to come up with solid, pragmatic battlefield applications of magic that were easily contained and controlled. If the lowest Arcanist scrub can summon a Carbuncle, why don't we have magic construct cavalry? How many stinkin' Thaumaturges do you need before you could essentially scour La Noscea completely free any Sahagin that didn't flee screaming back to the sea?
2) They would all stop relying so much on individual mercenaries whose agendas aren't under any sort of specific control - i.e. adventurers - to do every single thing for them.. or at least stop harassing the most potent free-range fighting force on the continent with stuff like fetching water buckets and picking apples.
Give me twenty of the best mages and blacksmiths on the continent, and we'll start producing Proton Packs that run off special sprite cores. Who the heck needs gunpowder?
Anyone interested in what happens when firearms meet a High-Fantasy setting should read GRUNTS by Mary Gentle, but don't expect scientific discourse. Also, it's a bit raunchy,
"But in the laugh there was another voice. A clearer laugh, an ironic laugh. A laugh which laughs because it chooses not to weep."
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