Hello,
Here are some lore compilation threads that should cover most things:
Ala-Migho lore compilation (Sounssy's)
Monk lore compilation (Sounssy's)
Garlemald lore compilation (Sounssy's)
Garlean magitek arsenal (as a bonus)
Exactly how technologically advanced was Ala Mhigo?
Rather well, especially in the military field. They were the absolute masters of the spear with their lancer legions, even if Gridanians come as close seconds, the art of the spear was born in Ala-Migho. And while it's maybe not a criteria in itself set in stone in the lore, you know as well as I know that the spear has always been the backbone of any decent military on the battlefield for eons. It's the king of the weapons for war.
It can also be speculated that Garlemald would have had a LOT of trouble to make Ala-Migho kneel in their golden age before the venue of their King of Ruin. Considering how martial and militaristic they were, they would have welcomed the fight with open arms. I personally think they would not have stood forever alone against the might of the Empire and Magitek of course, considering how even the three cities combined (Gridania, Limsa, and Uld'ah) would have also lost without the help of Louisoix first, and then the Warrior of Light again 5 years later. But considering how Ala-Migho stood in the Autumn War, able to take any other city one to one, and eventually vanquished by the whole Eorzean Alliance (the 3 cities + Ishgard), I would assume that the sheer martial might of Ala-Migho was pretty impressive, and not even for their magics.
How powerful are we talking when we say the Monks were powerful warriors?
It's hard to speculate on an exact measure of the power of jobs and military corps. But we have to keep in mind that monks are a job form, and as such, jobs in the setting of Eorzea tend to be rather powerful and mighty disciplines lost to time or forbidden for their power alone (like Black and White Magic). The lorebook states that even the mighty mighan lancers worst fear are their own monks, the Fists of Ralgr. This can I think, depict a pretty clear idea how powerful monks probably were once deployed on the battlefield.
Add to that what we know of some other jobs in terms of power, and assuming that all jobs come with more or less equal measure of power lore-wise (maybe it's not the case, who knows!), then you have jobs like bards, able to turn the tide of whole battlefield just by singing, or more specifically Black and White Magic, able to endlessly draw their aether from the planet itself, were literally gods wielding almost unlimited amounts of power, bare for the weakness of their frail bodies...
So, the thing is, Eorzea has resisted so well to Garlemald precisely due to their proficiency at Magic, a feat that true blooded Garleans are immune to since they can't use magic. They however make great use of the conquered nations that can and field them as auxiliaries. But, magic alone can rival the power of Magitek, if powerful enough. We see thaumaturges able to shoot down Magitek Reapers in some cutscenes (like the battle of Carteneau). But eventually, magitek is still described as the game changer for Garlemald, and combined with the backbone of their full Empire of all the nations they conquered... Well, you get the idea.
Have we ever learned what the name and/or location of the Castrum that the Garleans launched their military assault from is? Any details about the attack itself?
I don't think so. We don't even know if they use Castra beyond Baelsar's Wall, deep into Garlemald territory... We may probably learn more about that in Stormblood though.
Here are some lore compilation threads that should cover most things:
Ala-Migho lore compilation (Sounssy's)
Monk lore compilation (Sounssy's)
Garlemald lore compilation (Sounssy's)
Garlean magitek arsenal (as a bonus)
Exactly how technologically advanced was Ala Mhigo?
Rather well, especially in the military field. They were the absolute masters of the spear with their lancer legions, even if Gridanians come as close seconds, the art of the spear was born in Ala-Migho. And while it's maybe not a criteria in itself set in stone in the lore, you know as well as I know that the spear has always been the backbone of any decent military on the battlefield for eons. It's the king of the weapons for war.
It can also be speculated that Garlemald would have had a LOT of trouble to make Ala-Migho kneel in their golden age before the venue of their King of Ruin. Considering how martial and militaristic they were, they would have welcomed the fight with open arms. I personally think they would not have stood forever alone against the might of the Empire and Magitek of course, considering how even the three cities combined (Gridania, Limsa, and Uld'ah) would have also lost without the help of Louisoix first, and then the Warrior of Light again 5 years later. But considering how Ala-Migho stood in the Autumn War, able to take any other city one to one, and eventually vanquished by the whole Eorzean Alliance (the 3 cities + Ishgard), I would assume that the sheer martial might of Ala-Migho was pretty impressive, and not even for their magics.
How powerful are we talking when we say the Monks were powerful warriors?
It's hard to speculate on an exact measure of the power of jobs and military corps. But we have to keep in mind that monks are a job form, and as such, jobs in the setting of Eorzea tend to be rather powerful and mighty disciplines lost to time or forbidden for their power alone (like Black and White Magic). The lorebook states that even the mighty mighan lancers worst fear are their own monks, the Fists of Ralgr. This can I think, depict a pretty clear idea how powerful monks probably were once deployed on the battlefield.
Add to that what we know of some other jobs in terms of power, and assuming that all jobs come with more or less equal measure of power lore-wise (maybe it's not the case, who knows!), then you have jobs like bards, able to turn the tide of whole battlefield just by singing, or more specifically Black and White Magic, able to endlessly draw their aether from the planet itself, were literally gods wielding almost unlimited amounts of power, bare for the weakness of their frail bodies...
So, the thing is, Eorzea has resisted so well to Garlemald precisely due to their proficiency at Magic, a feat that true blooded Garleans are immune to since they can't use magic. They however make great use of the conquered nations that can and field them as auxiliaries. But, magic alone can rival the power of Magitek, if powerful enough. We see thaumaturges able to shoot down Magitek Reapers in some cutscenes (like the battle of Carteneau). But eventually, magitek is still described as the game changer for Garlemald, and combined with the backbone of their full Empire of all the nations they conquered... Well, you get the idea.
Have we ever learned what the name and/or location of the Castrum that the Garleans launched their military assault from is? Any details about the attack itself?
I don't think so. We don't even know if they use Castra beyond Baelsar's Wall, deep into Garlemald territory... We may probably learn more about that in Stormblood though.
Balmung:Â Suen Shyu
