Stormblood may change the entire paradigm of RP

[Sylentmana]

I have to wonder what daily life for people under Garlean occupation is like for the average person? Is it really so bad? After all, the advanced level of technology the Garleans have could make many people's lives easier and more comfortable. What about Garlean occupation is so terrible for the average person?

 

From my understanding, it really isn't that bad. Your nation is more or less allowed to self-govern itself (likely due to how spread out the Empire is), and you likely benefit from the advances in magiteknology. You just have to (publicly, at least) denounce the "false" deities and cut off interaction with the beast tribes, and possibly pay some manner of tribute to the Garlean Empire.

 

We'll probably find out more about what life under Garlean yoke is like in Stormblood, since we're traveling to locales specifically under their rule. And if/when we move to Garlemald itself in 5.0 or whenever... we'll likely see what life for a normal Garlean citizen might be like.

 

It's gotta suck to some degree for SE to mark its capital with storm clouds, but as you say, we will likely find out eventually.

[Kilieit]

It's gotta suck to some degree for SE to mark its capital with storm clouds, but as you say, we will likely find out eventually.

 

Well, the maps are usually created to be in-universe objects, usually ones made by the Ironheart family (of sightseeing log and side dungeon unlock quest fame). Which means you can probably safely assume the map is written from an Eorzean perspective... and that's why stormclouds, haha.

 

It actually made me laugh a bit because it's so over the top - but of course an Eorzean would be that dramatic! I'd love it if we got to see Garlemald itself in a cinematic or something and it's just, like, covered in snow but otherwise a normal semi-modern city as we would recognise one. No evil stormclouds in sight.

[Askier]

With the exception of getting to the Grindstone,I think most people are normally pretty good about rping realistically in relation with where their normal haunts are.  Though I am curious if Ul'dah shall remain the rp capitol or if it will change.

[Aaron]

Uldah will probably always be the capital cause its where the new people congregate and It's already unconsciously burned into most people's systems to hang their.

[Valence]

I have to wonder what daily life for people under Garlean occupation is like for the average person? Is it really so bad? After all, the advanced level of technology the Garleans have could make many people's lives easier and more comfortable. What about Garlean occupation is so terrible for the average person?

 

The treatment of conquered nations greatly varies depending on their meek or rebellious streak, and how much problems they caused before capitulating. It's a bit similar to their IRL inspiration model, the Roman Empire.

 

We know that a lot of the Ilsabard republics and nations bowed immediately to them while problematic city states like Doma or especially Ala-Migho are of no end of troubles and it's said that the new appointed legatus over Ala-Migho for Stormblood rules with an iron-grip. It's also hinted that most of the valid population is forced to slave their way through magitek factories or other menial labor.

 

All in all though, no matter your treatment, if you really want to become considered equal to a true garlean citizen, you have to go through 20 painful years of military service in their auxiliaries.

 

I'm expecting ( and hoping ) to learn a lot more about that in 4.0.

[Sounsyy]

I have to wonder what daily life for people under Garlean occupation is like for the average person? Is it really so bad? What about Garlean occupation is so terrible for the average person?

 

It apparently varies depending upon the ease of the nation's annexation. Nations who resist Imperial rule face a harsher regime than those who willingly accept or surrender to the Garleans. I think this will be one of the larger themes explored in the upcoming Stormblood expansion - seeing Ala Mhigo's unwilling occupation contrasted against Hingashi's quiet obedience. Not that Hingashi's cities - Bukyo and Kugane - really have much choice in the matter, considering the Garlean Empire has already wiped two of Othard's larger city-states off the map.

 

Life for the average citizen? Annexed peoples cannot worship any belief or deity. They have no say in their government. To be afforded any rights, they must endure twenty years of military service or be talented in a titled profession. Their children are taken from them and sent to Garlemald to be brainwashed with Imperial ideologies. Ilsabardian nations, such as Dalmasca, have endured nearly fifty years of this. Othardian nations twenty-five or more years. Ala Mhigo, twenty. Though much of the day-to-day productive life may have been preserved, a large portion of their autonomy and culture was stripped from them. If that's worth slightly more advanced technology, trains, airships, and augmentations that may or may not be readily available to citizens not part of annexed nations is unknown.

 

The new imperial army' date=' now swelling with the might of countless assimilated nations, methodically subjugates the eastern continent of Othard and the remaining lands of Ilsabard, welcoming those nations willing to bow to imperial rule, while erasing those which refuse the Garlean standard.[/quote']

Wherever the Empire goes' date=' misery invariably follows in its wake.[/quote']

Employing suppression and conciliation in equal measure' date=' Garlemald indoctrinated the peoples it conquered, thus integrating them into its ever-expanding territory.[/quote']

The "Aan" title is bestowed upon the peoples of annexed territories and indicates that they lack even the most basic rights afforded to a citizen. However' date=' many Garleans view this as an opportunity rather than a condemnation, as citizenship may be granted to those who have demonstrated exceptional skills, as well as those who have contributed twenty or more years of military service.[/quote']

"Beast tribe" is a designation of Garlean origin' date=' given to those races the Empire deems detestable. Equivalent to an earmarking for extermination, the label is attached on account of association with primals—beatific beings who, amid certain circles, command godlike reverence. In stark contrast, the primals are held in highest hatred by the Garleans, who, besides calling them by the derogatory denomination eikon, have sought to suppress with startling single-mindedness any species suspected to summon them.[/quote']

 

What we do know are the actions of the Imperial regime over Doma, Ala Mhigo, and Bozja. I find it hard to believe an empire willing to readily commit the atrocities below holds any great value for its annexed peoples, whether or not they resisted oppression.

 

For long years thereafter' date=' the Domans tasted the bitterness of life as Garlean subjects.[/quote']

For many years' date=' my nation, Doma, suffered under the yoke of imperial rule, and my people yearned to be free. Thus, when a war of succession broke out in Garlemald, we sought to take advantage of the chaos and reclaim our liberty. Alas, our enemy proved less preoccupied than we had hoped, and our rebellion was put down in the most brutal fashion.[/quote']

In the aftermath of the rebellion' date=' the Garleans withheld any and all mercy. Those who took part in, or even supported the insurrection were given public executions, as were their families.[/quote']

 

When Ala Mhigo fell' date=' they put my family in a camp. Bein’ a lad, I was made to do hard labor, while my mother an’ sister were made to do far worse… They hid their sufferin’ from me as best they could, but I knew, an’ the thought of it drove me mad. We had to escape. An’ so I hatched a plan to get us out o’ the city. We were pickin’ our way around a gorge not far outside the walls when they caught up with us… An’ rather than allow ‘emselves to be taken again, my mother an’ sister leaped over the edge before my very eyes. Heartbroken as I was, I didn’t put up a fight when the imperials clapped me in chains an’ dragged me back.[/quote']

The Empire is using Ala Mhigo as a breeding ground for new soldiers. Once children reach a certain age' date=' they are taken from their parents and sent into the north for training…never to be seen or heard from again.[/quote']

He spoke of rapid fortifications being made in Ala Mhigo' date=' and of Ala Mhigans being driven by lash and brand to make them. He painted a godless picture, and I fear the reality of it even worse. A spy must needs smother his own feelings─to deny all that defines him. He had to stand by and watch Ala Mhigans beaten and worked and starved to death. It is enough to drive any man mad…[/quote']

"Latest reports indicate Imperial Legatus Nael van Darnus has left eastern theatre. Joining forces on the western front.

"Changes made to invasion plans by high command. Fighting grows more fierce, imperial soldiers seem…changed. More savage, violent.

"New magitek devices deployed to strongholds on western front. Have been assigned to installation labor…"

"Radulf… They force us to kill daily* - something, anything. If only to keep us in the habit. They seek to make it a reflex in us. My grip on things is slowly slipping - on my faith…and my mind. I don't know who or what I am anymore. Darkness descends from all sides… Yet there at the center…there, brilliant, unwavering, and whole…my beacon, my lodestar…Ala Mhigo."

*Hagilo's letter takes place during Nael van Darnus's reign over Ala Mhigo during 1572. Baelsar wasn't quite as savage, but Zenos yae Galvus sounds like he might be near Darnus's level. This also means that Darnus ruled in Othard previously, likely meaning some Far Eastern nation suffered similarly under her rule there.

 

Mere days after receiving the Emperor's blessing' date=' nan Garlond would soon travel to the Garlean city of Bozja in Othard to conduct the first attempt to communicate with Dalamud. The immensity of the satellite's power was indeed confirmed that day, but at a disastrous cost. Nearly five millennia-worth of amassed energy was directed by the moon to the citadel's makeshift transmission tower. The beam emitted by Dalamud was so intense that not only the tower, but the entire city was evaporated in an instant. Efforts were made by the Imperial Censors to hide the event from public scrutiny, but the vanishing of a major commercial center was too big a secret to suppress. News of the catastrophe quickly spread across Hydaelyn and later became known as the Bozja Incident.[/quote']

[Sylentmana]

So @Sounsyy...its pretty bad. Like, really, really bad.

[LiadansWhisper]

So @Sounsyy...its pretty bad. Like, really, really bad.

 

Yes. Anyone who thinks otherwise probably hasn't been paying attention.

[Sylentmana]

So @Sounsyy...its pretty bad. Like, really, really bad.

 

Yes. Anyone who thinks otherwise probably hasn't been paying attention.

 

I wasn't under the impression that it was good by any means. After all, conquered people rarely ever have good, but I was unaware of just how bad it really was.

[Seriphyn]

Yeesh, I know rape of women and girls by soldiers is very much a thing in history, but not sure if it's needed in FFXIV.

[Altitis Acquired]

Yeesh, I know rape of women and girls by soldiers is very much a thing in history, but not sure if it's needed in FFXIV.

 

FFXIV touches upon ALOT of serious subjects, just by hinting it through various NPC's around the world. Abuse, suicide, all that good and dark stuff. I'm sure something as rape is also mentioned or implied somewhere in the game already.

[LiadansWhisper]

I wasn't under the impression that it was good by any means. After all, conquered people rarely ever have good, but I was unaware of just how bad it really was.

 

It seems that if you just surrender quickly, things will go easier for you. Well, as easy as having your children ripped from you after a certain age, and losing what rights you had as a citizen of your country/city state. But if you fight, things get far worse.

 

I imagine that the slave-like state of Ala Mhigo is a result of its population refusing to bend the knee. It seems it was a minority that welcomed Garlemald after deposing their mad King.

 

Now imagine what they will do to Eorzea should the Grand Companies and Warrior of Light fail?

[LiadansWhisper]

Yeesh, I know rape of women and girls by soldiers is very much a thing in history, but not sure if it's needed in FFXIV.

 

FFXIV touches upon ALOT of serious subjects, just by hinting it through various NPC's around the world. Abuse, suicide, all that good and dark stuff. I'm sure something as rape is also mentioned or implied somewhere in the game already.

 

Yup. Go run Sastasha.

[Altitis Acquired]

Yeesh, I know rape of women and girls by soldiers is very much a thing in history, but not sure if it's needed in FFXIV.

 

FFXIV touches upon ALOT of serious subjects, just by hinting it through various NPC's around the world. Abuse, suicide, all that good and dark stuff. I'm sure something as rape is also mentioned or implied somewhere in the game already.

 

Yup. Go run Sastasha.

 

Oh right, already at the very first dungeon we see those women kidnapped and abused by the pirates.

 

So there you go.

[Yssen]

Yeesh, I know rape of women and girls by soldiers is very much a thing in history, but not sure if it's needed in FFXIV.

 

FFXIV touches upon ALOT of serious subjects, just by hinting it through various NPC's around the world. Abuse, suicide, all that good and dark stuff. I'm sure something as rape is also mentioned or implied somewhere in the game already.

 

Yup. Go run Sastasha.

 

Oh right, already at the very first dungeon we see those women kidnapped and abused by the pirates.

 

So there you go.

 

Also in Little Ala Mhigo, by other Ala Mhigans no less. This game does not flinch in a lot of places.

[Sounsyy]

Yeesh, I know rape of women and girls by soldiers is very much a thing in history, but not sure if it's needed in FFXIV.

 

It's an aspect of this game's storytelling that I've seen a lot of complaints about, yeah. To their credit, in most cases it can be easily glossed over if you're not paying attention because they usually just imply it, but it's definitely there. A lot.

 

 

Slavers in Limsa, Sastasha, early Sea Wolf history with port towns across Eorzea, there's an unnamed npc in Drybone attempting something similarly sordid, Ala Mhigans face this a lot, Wood Wailers sometimes do it to Keepers. There's a levequest that talks about Ishgardian knights setting upon some lowborn women. The origin story of the Dark Knight also. One of the Scions/Path of the Twelve is the product of unwilling Ala Mhigan/Garlean mixing.

 

 

This game definitely has a lot of darker themes. It was actually a lot darker in 1.0. ARR is toned down quite a bit. It's all still there, but the game's a lot less in your face about it now, which I'm not always a fan of, but I think is a good thing in regards to certain themes.

 

 

...But yeah... prepare to see the aftermath of Garlean incursion in 4.0. This topic will likely come up sporadically.

[Michaux]

It apparently varies depending upon the ease of the nation's annexation. Nations who resist Imperial rule face a harsher regime than those who willingly accept or surrender to the Garleans. I think this will be one of the larger themes explored in the upcoming Stormblood expansion - seeing Ala Mhigo's unwilling occupation contrasted against Hingashi's quiet obedience. Not that Hingashi's cities - Bukyo and Kugane - really have much choice in the matter, considering the Garlean Empire has already wiped two of Othard's larger city-states off the map. 

 

Do we actually know that Hingashi is under Garlean control? I know we see soldiers in Kugane in the trailer that appear to be Garlean, but that's a city that is apparently open for trade with other nations, including, perhaps, Garlemald. Pretty much the only things we know about Hingashi is that it's isolationist, and it would be hard to say that about a country that's under imperial rule, wouldn't it?

 

Also, you mentioned in another post that the Domans tried to go to Hingashi and were turned away before they went to Eorzea (do we know that for certain, btw?). Would they seek haven in a state already ruled by Garleans, the people who just tried to wipe them out?

 

I'm desperately trying to find any scraps of information on Hingashi that I can because I want to make a samurai character from that country, but the information I'm reading seems very conflicting.

[Kilieit]

IIRC, the NIN 30-50 quests cover the mechanism of Hingashi's annexation fairly extensively? Or am I mixing up my islands

[Michaux]

IIRC, the NIN 30-50 quests cover the mechanism of Hingashi's annexation fairly extensively? Or am I mixing up my islands

 

I don't believe so. I'm pretty sure it focuses on events that occur on the mainland. Princess Yuki talks about the fall of Doma, and Hingashi is never mentioned as far as I can tell from the journal entries and cutscenes. I did not save the quest text, though.

[Kilieit]

IIRC, the NIN 30-50 quests cover the mechanism of Hingashi's annexation fairly extensively? Or am I mixing up my islands

 

I don't believe so. I'm pretty sure it focuses on events that occur on the mainland. Princess Yuki talks about the fall of Doma, and Hingashi is never mentioned as far as I can tell from the journal entries and cutscenes. I did not save the quest text, though.

 

30-50, not 51-60.

[Michaux]

IIRC, the NIN 30-50 quests cover the mechanism of Hingashi's annexation fairly extensively? Or am I mixing up my islands

 

I don't believe so. I'm pretty sure it focuses on events that occur on the mainland. Princess Yuki talks about the fall of Doma, and Hingashi is never mentioned as far as I can tell from the journal entries and cutscenes. I did not save the quest text, though.

 

30-50, not 51-60.

Oh. Right. What are numbers, anyway? No, that storyline definitely focuses on the aftermath of events that took place in Doma.

[Kilieit]

The reason I'm confused is because I distinctly remember them referring to the "island nation" they hail from, and Doma is on the mainland.

 

Furthermore, this was used by multiple people as an argument against the existence of the Doman language (people claiming that because the NIN questgivers are not from Doma, they cannot be used as an example, even though they repeatedly refer to the tongue they speak as "Doman").

[Michaux]

The reason I'm confused is because I distinctly remember them referring to the "island nation" they hail from, and Doma is on the mainland.

 

Furthermore, this was used by multiple people as an argument against the existence of the Doman language (people claiming that because the NIN questgivers are not from Doma, they cannot be used as an example, even though they repeatedly refer to the tongue they speak as "Doman").

 

Hmm. The journal entry for the level 30 NIN quest says that Oboro and Tsubame are "shinobi from the Far Eastern land of Doma." The journal entries continue to refer to them as Domans throughout. (It also references a "Doman tongue," as you say, so I'm not what those people were smoking?)

[Sounsyy]

Do we actually know that Hingashi is under Garlean control? I know we see soldiers in Kugane in the trailer that appear to be Garlean, but that's a city that is apparently open for trade with other nations, including, perhaps, Garlemald.

 

Know beyond any shred of doubt? No, but everything that we've been told of the Empire's conquest is that the Far East is completely under their control. What I think we're going to see with the Hingashi city of Kugane is what a nation who willingly submitted to Garlean rule looks like versus those who did not (Ala Mhigo, Doma).

 

The new imperial army, now swelling with the might of countless assimilated nations, methodically subjugates the eastern continent of Othard and the remaining lands of Ilsabard, welcoming those nations willing to bow to imperial rule, while erasing those which refuse the Garlean standard.

 

With two of the three great continents now under its control, the Garlean Empire sets its sights on Aldenard, and in the year 1557, sends the XIVth legion to conquer Ala Mhigo in the first step to bring Eorzea's people under imperial rule.

One nation after the next fell before their relentless onslaught' date=' first those of the northlands, followed by the sovereign states of the eastern continent, Othard. Employing suppression and conciliation in equal measure, Garlemald indoctrinated the peoples it conquered, thus integrating them into its ever-expanding territory.[/quote']

 

It's also possible that Hingashi could've also struck a deal with the Empire similar to the one with Radz-at-Han on Thavnair.

 

The most prominent of those civilizations would have to be that of Radz-at-Han' date=' located on Thavnair-the Bounty's largest landmass. An ancient city-state with a history stretching back thousands of years, Radz-at-Han is best known as the birthplace of modern alchemy. It is interested to note that, despite having a very limited outward military presence, the city-state has succeeded in forging a non-interference treaty with the Garlean Empire, ensuring their independence while mightier nations fall about them, and as thus, Radz-at-Han remains an active hub for trade between Eorzea. However, it has been noted by some that the treaty was only formed so thatGarlemald could obtain items from Eorzea via Thavnair, as official trade between the regions was frozen after the Empire's failed invasion twenty years prior.[/quote']

 

 

_______________________________

Also, you mentioned in another post that the Domans tried to go to Hingashi and were turned away before they went to Eorzea (do we know that for certain, btw?). Would they seek haven in a state already ruled by Garleans, the people who just tried to wipe them out?

 

Yugiri's group of refugees got out of Doma just before the razing of their palace capital. I think it's safe to assume they hoped to blend in in Hingashi, being two peoples of similar racial makeup and cultures - no Garlean would've given Yugiri a second pass there. But after the obliteration of Doma, and Bozja too 15 years prior, I can't imagine Hingashi wished to risk it, especially after submitting quietly to Garlean rule for the last 25 years. The Encyclopedia Eorzea makes a point of calling Yugiri's group just one group of survivors. As we've recently seen, there's more Domans somewhere in Othard still putting up resistance.

 

One group' date=' lead by Yugiri, boarded a great galleon, and in their panic made east across the Ruby Tide for the island nation of Hingashi. Alas, this nation would not risk inviting Garlemald’s ire, and turned away the Domans. They next sailed for Thavnair, where they found the great gates of Radz-at-Han also closed. Starving, they steeled themselves for a single last voyage west to Eorzea.[/quote']

 

We really won't know more specifics until 4.0 though. We knew of islands and an island nation beyond Doma for some time, but didn't get Hingashi's name dropped until the lore book. So the extent of our knowledge is really limited to what little is in the lore book, relic quests, and 4.0 info slides from fanfest.

 

 

____________________________

The reason I'm confused is because I distinctly remember them referring to the "island nation" they hail from, and Doma is on the mainland.

 

The art of ninjutsu hails from the island nation of Hingashi, but not the shinobi in the NIN questline (and Yugiri) who hail from a small, isolated village near Doma, in Yanxia.

 

My name is Oboro' date=' and she is Tsubame. We hail from a village in Doma, several thousand malms across the sea. We are─ah, but perhaps you have no word for what we are. In our own tongue, one might call us shinobi.[/quote']

 

I think you're remembering the story told by Gerolt of Sasuke, the ninja from Hingashi who is credited with bringing ninjutsu to Doma and freeing their people from a tyrannical warlord.

 

It contains an account o' how a Far Eastern ninja named Sasuke brought ninjutsu to Doma. Seems ninjutsu was invented in a land far to the east of Othard's shores─same isle as where Sasuke grew up. The bloke was the best ninja about' date=' so he gets secret orders or summat to cross the sea, an' makes his way to Doma. Life for the Doman commonfolk was shite back then, what with the starvin' an' the poverty. The worst, though, was the bleedin' tyrant what ruled the place! Well, bein' the charitable sort, what's Sasuke to do but teach the smallfolk ninjutsu so they can win back their freedom? So yer man trains some ninjas, an' together they boot the ruler's royal arse off the throne, an' put a dagger in his back for good measure. Well, with the dynasty dead, yer ninjas go lookin' for the spoils o' victory. After that, the lot o' them headed to the outlands o' Doma to build a hidden village, so's to live as ninjas away from pryin' eyes.[/quote']

 

More info on Doma, Hingashi, the origins of Ninjutsu, and the Raen who live there can be found in this Doma Lore Compilation. Hope this helps clear up some stuff!

[Kallera]

The adventurer guild members are noting the tension in the air. Other than the obvious fears of war, might there be some unfortunate conclusions being made about either the less hawkish among us, the methods it takes to win, well as people from ilsabard and ala mihgo?