detailed Garlean Empire lore?

[Artorias D'Argent]

The Grand Companies are the factions of each Eorzean city state. There's one for Ul'dah, one for Limsa Lominsa and one for Gridania. They are the good guys and therefore not the Empire.

 

I suggest you scrap "divine intervention" as an actual fact (though your character can certainly think that is the case). It implies your character is kind of important to the god. The exception would be if he was a Warrior of Light, as it's officially canonical that they got transported forward in time before Bahamut could burn them to ashes. However, this means your character isn't part of the Empire.

 

Remember that Bahamut didn't just wreck the area of the battle: he broke a whole lot of places, as despicted in the End of an Era cinematic; and it's also a big plot point. In fact, the whole 'Bahamut wrecked stuff' is what the Calamity really was.

With this in mind, it'd be very reasonable to make your character desert after witnessing the moon break and the ensuing destruction while being stationed in another location. Maybe an outpost, or in one of the imperial airships.

 

 

Yeah I was being iffy about the whole divine intervention thing itself as well.  I'm honestly not too keen on the whole religion thing.  I find the idea of being on an airship more appealing as well considering the plan was to have Artorias with the XIVth Legion.  So yeah, I think I'll roll with that.  To all of you who replied, thank you very much for clearing things up for me, I truly do appreciate it.    For now I think I have what I was looking for in terms of Empire lore so I'm done pestering you all about it.  I may, however, come pester you all in the future with questions regarding Ishgard (one of his goals is to become a dragoon after all) if I don't find the answers I was looking for myself.  Once more, thank you, Kudos to you all!

[ArmachiA]

Ah! Thanks for the Magitek lesson, Merri! Loki has a fake leg and my eventuall plan is to switch her to a Magitek leg when she learns more about the stuff. Basically, I'm trying to do what your doing, but she skipped through time and has quite the gap to catch up to. So far she's only taking it apart, examining, and having her scientist friend, Siben, explain to her what the hell Ceruleum is.

 

It's a slow process

[Merri]

For now I think I have what I was looking for in terms of Empire lore so I'm done pestering you all about it.  I may, however, come pester you all in the future with questions regarding Ishgard (one of his goals is to become a dragoon after all) if I don't find the answers I was looking for myself.  Once more, thank you, Kudos to you all!

 

I will mention one last thing, since I've noticed it in your little profile window~

 

The "van" prefix in Garlean naming is actually reserved for Imperial Legati. Gaius van Baelsar, Nael van Darnus, etc. Unless your character is a Legatus of one of Garlemald's 14 Legions, having van as the prefix might be a bit off. Canonically speaking, of course! Not saying you have to do anything. Prefixes in Garlean culture basically denote title from what we've seen. Ferne is supposed to write up a post detailing it some time soon, but for now we can basically infer this:

 

Van = Legatus

Nan = Minister

Sas = Tribunus

Tol = Frumentarii

Zos = Emperor

 

Spoilered  the following because it's slightly story related.

 

 

Basically, the only people we've seen with the "van" prefix are Legati. We've also seen Gaius van Baelsar's two Tribuni, and both have "sas" as their prefix. Seems to imply it is a title of their position as Tribuni, given they have no other relation as far as we know (they're two entirely different races.) Nero has the prefix of "tol", and he isn't a Tribunus, not directly anyways. He is, instead, a member of the Frumentarium. We've seen two ministers named in lore (Both were Grand Ministers of Industry at one point, actually. One seceded the other, so it's possible the title of nan is for Grand Ministers.), that being Midas nan Garlond and his son, Cid nan Garlond.

 

 

All of them are definitely difficult to touch while following canon of the game, given the incredible positions of power each of those entail.

 

 

Ah! Thanks for the Magitek lesson, Merri! Loki has a fake leg and my eventuall plan is to switch her to a Magitek leg when she learns more about the stuff. Basically, I'm trying to do what your doing, but she skipped through time and has quite the gap to catch up to. So far she's only taking it apart, examining, and having her scientist friend, Siben, explain to her what the hell Ceruleum is.

 

It's a slow process

Well, Endemerrin and his little friend basically pioneered his specific field of bio-magitek, as I've so affectionately named it. While they might be a little hard-pressed to get said information out of, I personally would love to have some sort of interaction in those regards. Could be a lot of fun, since they've only ever worked on Endemerrin's arm. He's usually up for a challenge. Unless, of course, you already had something planned, in which case nevermind~

[Artorias D'Argent]

Well, heck I just learned something new.  Thank you for clarifying that for me, I thought it was just a name style they all had so I tried to follow suit.  I had no idea the prefixes had a meaning.  While it tickles my fancy to have my own Legion (I'd claim the Xth), my character is not a Legatus considering that SE already has 14 spots so I'm assuming they will fill that role with their own. The highest rank that I would give him without breaking lore or making this guy look god moded would probably be Centurion (an equivalent of a Captain in the modern day).  So yes, I am going to change the name back to my original one.  Besides I'm a bit of a lore Nazi and I hate having flaws in the profile that contradict what has already been established, it just irks me.  Thanks for pointing that flaw out.

[Sounsyy]

Like the title says, is there any detail about the Garlean Empire aside from what's on the site?  I'm basically looking to see what raced belong to them, are they even Hyur(human), what is the life like for an ordinary citizen, when do they get enlisted in the military and etc...  I know they're very technologically advanced, they've invaded twice and released Bahamut. 

 

The reason I'm asking is because I'm creating my Dragoon as an ex-Empire character who defected after seeing the carnage the release of Bahamut has wrought.  I don't want to write something that would clash with the lore for the Empire either so I'm trying to get as much info as I can.  Please and thank you.

 

 

Hey Artorias, Merri did a great job explaining Garlean Lore, but I just wanted to add in a couple things that I didn't see get answered in the thread. The first being the races of Garlemald and also Ala Mhigo was touched on in here as well. The second being some Dragoon/Ishgard lore. Hope this helps!

 

 

Ilsabard, the northern continent, is the original homeland of the Elezen race. Note though that these Elezen are neither Wildwood nor Duskwight (as this division in the race came about only 500 years ago during the founding of Gridania), but are most akin to Wildwood in physical appearance. So a good majority of native Garleans are Elezen. However, after conquering most of the known world they have mixed Hyur and Roegadyn into their ranks. Roegadyn are said to inhabit the northern areas of Eorzea like Dravania and the Farreach. They traveled to Eorzea across the Bloodbrine Sea so it's safe to assume there is a Roegadyn population in Ilsabard as well. Hyur seem to be populous everywhere. 

 

Based on cutscenes from 1.0 and ARR, there does not appear to be any Lalafell or Miqo'te amongst the ranks of the Empire. 

 

Finally Gyr Abania, the region around Ala Mhigo, has been the homeland of the Highlander Hyur race since the first Great Migration of Hyur circa the year 500 of the Sixth Astral Era. While it is likely Elezen originally made their home in Gyr Abania before then, only Highlanders are mentioned to populate Ala Mhigo. This is probably due to the tribal wars that raged between the Elezen and Hyur races over territories. 

 

 

 

 

Built atop the peaks of the Xelphatol Mountains, the city ofIshgard stands as a symbol of Elezen pride and honor. It is said that a millennia ago the Goddess Halone appeared before the most courageous Elezen, Thordan, and bade him lead Her chosen people to the peak where Ishgard stands still today. But there stood a great chasm between Thordan and Halone's chosen peak. So they set to making a great bridge to cross. It was then that a great shadow descended upon them and the land darkened under the shadow of the great wyrm Nidhogg. Courageous Thordan took up lance against the colossal Nidhogg, but the power of the dragon bewitched Thordan's men and they betrayed him to the dragon, casting him into the chasm. Overcome with anguish over what he had done, Haldrath son of Thordan, broke Nidhogg's spell and took up his sire's lance and hurled himself at the great wyrm. With a mighty thrust, Haldrath's hand, guided by Halone, plunged his sire's lance into Nidhogg's eye, prizing it from the dragon. With a terrible roar Nidhogg took wing and fled to the skies. And so it was, the first Dragoon was born.

 

Today, Nidhogg's eye remains a prized relic of the city. Asymbol of triumph and a testament to the power of their guardian diety, Halone. But the eye still exerts overwhelming power over the hearts of those who gaze upon it. So it is kept locked away by the Archbishop. Completely devout to their God, Halone, the Archbishop of Ishgard has complete control over political affairs within the city-state. The Archbishop decreed after the reawakening of the Dragonkin that Ishgard's gates be closed off to all.

 

Ishgard is a militaristic society. Young men are taken fromthe surrounding villages and trained to become knights to combat the increasing number of dragon attacks upon their realm. All out war has been declared against the dragons of Dravania and Sharlayan. But before this time, Ishgard was a prosperous city-state with close relations to their Elezen brethren in the Twelveswood. In the time of the Autumn War, Ishgard rose to assist the Gridanians against the Ala Mhigan assault. This opened trade between the two nations. Ishgard offered their prized Chocobos and Gridania offered their assistance with the Ixali threat, fresh foods, and to extradite any fugitives and heretics back to the Ishgardian Holy Knights. Ishgard used to trade prisoners, heretics, and beasts from the mountains to the Ul'dah Bloodsands, but not since Ishgard closed its gates.

 

Ishgard is under the near constant threat of dragon attacks.They burn whole villages, bewitch men, and eat livestock. But Ishgard also faces the Ixali threat from the east. Banished from the Twelveswood, the Ixali have taken up home in Natalan and pick over nearby villages that dragons have destroyed like vultures. Ishgard also is on the front lines of the Garlean assault. With their limited resources tied up with heretics and dragons and the Ixal, they have little strength to repel the Garlean advance into their lands. Even their strongest fortress, Dzemael, fell without a struggle.

 

[Artorias D'Argent]

I see, so that changes a few things for me, I didn't realize Ishgard was an Elezen city, I always thought it belonged to the Hyur.  That will change things where he pledges his allegiance to.  I might just keep him as a merc instead like I originally planned.  Either way, thanks for the info!  It cleared up.  I guess with race distribution you said there were mostly Elezen, Hyur and Roegadyn.  Is it still possible that there were Miqo'te in the North?  I'm asking for clarification because a good friend of mine plays one and we have it in our back story that Artorias wiped out her family during one of the Empire's invasions. Considering from what I heard it was mostly the Northern areas that were hit by the Empire so I want to make sure this isn't too lore breaking either.

[ArmachiA]

 

Well, Endemerrin and his little friend basically pioneered his specific field of bio-magitek, as I've so affectionately named it. While they might be a little hard-pressed to get said information out of, I personally would love to have some sort of interaction in those regards. Could be a lot of fun, since they've only ever worked on Endemerrin's arm. He's usually up for a challenge. Unless, of course, you already had something planned, in which case nevermind~

 

I have nothing planned. I just knew that was my eventual plan. With Siben's character being interested in Ceruleum (Not really so much in the magitek) he explains things as he learns more about it and she's on her own trying to learn how to break it down and put it back together. Currently, her leg is metal, has a fairly wide-ish range of motion (Though she walks with a limp) and it requires a lot of upkeep from blacksmiths.

I would certainly LOVE to get a storyline going with you if you'd like, it'd be better than just "It happened somehow in someplace" lol.

[Sounsyy]

I didn't realize Ishgard was an Elezen city, I always thought it belonged to the Hyur.

 

Keep in mind that Hyur are very new to Eorzea in the grand scheme of things. The first Hyur to visit Eorzea were all Highlanders and this only happened 1000 years ago. Circa the Year 500 of the Sixth Astral Era. Midlanders came later. Ishgard was founded around the same time as the first migration but Hyur and Elezen did not mix well during this time. There were many many wars between the two races because the Elezen believed that Hyur were trying to steal their rightful lands. And to an extent, they were.

 

 

Is it still possible that there were Miqo'te in the North?

 

It is possible but unlikely. If you note the locations of current Miqo'te settlements they are all along the southern coasts of Aldenard. Limsa, Ul'dah, Sagolii Desert. So we can assume that the Miqo'te crossed into Eorzea across the ice bridges from the south. Now the Keepers of the Moon miqo'te are said to have wandered Eorzea more and most now make their home within the Black Shroud which is fairly northern. It is possible that a Keeper of the Moon family could have made it so far as Ala Mhigo. The racial distribution there is mostly Highlander Hyur but from 1.0 cutscenes we see evidence of a small Miqo'te population making their home there as well. It is entirely possible that your Garlean character could wipe out an entire family or smaller tribe of Miqo'te that lived in either Ala Mhigo or the Black Shroud, since the Garleans invaded both areas 15 years ago.

[Merri]

 

 

Race Distribution

Ilsabard, the northern continent, is the original homeland of the Elezen race. Note though that these Elezen are neither Wildwood nor Duskwight (as this division in the race came about only 500 years ago during the founding of Gridania), but are most akin to Wildwood in physical appearance. So a good majority of native Garleans are Elezen. However, after conquering most of the known world they have mixed Hyur and Roegadyn into their ranks. Roegadyn are said to inhabit the northern areas of Eorzea like Dravania and the Farreach. They traveled to Eorzea across the Bloodbrine Sea so it's safe to assume there is a Roegadyn population in Ilsabard as well. Hyur seem to be populous everywhere. 

 

Based on cutscenes from 1.0 and ARR, there does not appear to be any Lalafell or Miqo'te amongst the ranks of the Empire.

 

 

 

 

I'm curious as to the source of the first bit. I don't recall them outright saying the Elezen originated from Ilsabard. In fact, we only learned of Ilsabard's name in ARR. Would love to see the source, however, as that's shocking new information. Last I recall, Elezen were the original inhabitants of Eorzea.

 

The empire does have Miqo'te and Lalafell within it's ranks, however. Whether they are conscripts from conquered territory is yet to be seen (although quite likely), but~

 

 

Skip to 17:22.  Miqo'te and Lalafell.   :>

[Sounsyy]

I'm curious as to the source of the first bit. I don't recall them outright saying the Elezen originated from Ilsabard. In fact, we only learned of Ilsabard's name in ARR. Would love to see the source, however, as that's shocking new information. Last I recall, Elezen were the original inhabitants of Eorzea.

 

Elezen Naming Conventions

 

It's very easy to miss, but the quote in question is this:

 

Both the Wildwood and Duskwight Elezen are proud clans from a proud race. The forenames and surnames used by them have changed little since the time when they first crossed into Eorzea from the north.

 

And based off the information given via the Race section on the main FFXIV site we can safely say that they were the first of the five races to migrate to Eorzea during the Age of the Twelve. Followed closely by the Roegadyn. 

 

The Elezen once claimed sole dominion over Eorzea, their presence predating that of the other races, and, as such, developed a heightened sense of honor and pride.

 

- FFXIV: Elezen

 

 

Also good catch on the Lalafell Garleans! I could not for the life of me recall seeing them, but there they are! Perhaps they are not as prevalent due to Lalafell and Miqo'te both mostly occupying the southern regions of Eorzea?

[Merri]

 

Both the Wildwood and Duskwight Elezen are proud clans from a proud race. The forenames and surnames used by them have changed little since the time when they first crossed into Eorzea from the north.

 

And based off the information given via the Race section on the main FFXIV site we can safely say that they were the first of the five races to migrate to Eorzea during the Age of the Twelve. Followed closely by the Roegadyn. 

 

 

It's possible, though Ilsabard is actually more to the east of Eorzea than it is the North. It's quite possible they came from over the sea, much like the Roegadyn did. The islands that Sharlayan is supposedly situated on is also a strong, strong possibility. Suffice it to say, I wouldn't necessarily paint modern day Garlemald and Ilsabard as Elezen-heavy. After all, their emperor is Hyur. In fact, while the other races are present in the empire, in-game I'd say a good 75% of what we've seen has been Hyur. Even cutscenes in 1.0 painted a predominantly Hyur society.

 

We've actually only seen two Elezen from Garlemald of note, that being Livia and Nael, the latter of which is dead. Compared to about five major characters that are Hyur, and the overwhelming majority of Garlean NPCs being Hyur. While Elezen could have possibly originated from Ilsabard, it's quite likely that they more or less would have abandoned it when they migrated to Eorzea.

[Sounsyy]

Eh, just because the landbridge connecting Aldenard and Ilsabard is in the east doesn't necessarily mean that the entire continent of Ilsabard sits more easterly. We have no World Map of Hydaelyn to say for certain. To be picky, it just says from the north, not due north. ;P

 

Here's my logic though. Ilsabard is noted as the Northern Continent. Roegadyn and Elezen both come from the north. Both races regardless of any maritime capabilities have to make land somewhere. As it is not explicitly stated that there are any islands in the North Seas (The Bloodbrine) we must assume that there aren't any. Out of those two races, only Roegadyn are noted to have any seagoing inclinations. In all descriptions of Elezen, they seem pretty at one with the land and rock and tree. 

 

So taking this, I would say that Elezen migrated from Ilsabard via the landbridge connecting Aldenard and Ilsabard in the east. And the Roegadyn sailed the Bloodbrine south more towards the west. This would account for the high population of Elezen in Coerthas and the Black Shroud. They probably used to inhabit Gyr Abania too until the Highlanders drove them out. And since the Roegadyn are a maritime people, the Sea Wolves traveled the Bloodbrine into Eorzea. Probably making port at Agalatia's Spine. (From there branching into the Hellsguard Clan since Agalatia is their homeland.)

 

 

Text Sharlayan and Aldenard Map Sharlayan are actually quite different, so it's hard to say there. But I would disagree to say that Elezen or Roegadyn came from Sharlayan as it is in Dravania, which is in Eorzea. All five races of man originate from outside Eorzea and migrate to this land. Also Sharlayan appears to be almost due west of Ishgard, south of Agalatia's Spine. Which further rules migration from there out. 

 

 

I'll concede to the Garleans being of a more mixed racial spread though. It makes more sense considering the amount of territories that Garlemald has conquered. Even if Garlemald was originally mostly Elezen, they are noted to be a small nation, so a majority of their Empire's population would be that of the peoples they've conquered. Or it could be as you said that the Elezen all left Ilsabard for Eorzea lol. Question though, do you have a source for the race of Solus zos Galvus and Gaius van Baelsar? I had always assumed Gaius was an Elezen as his body structure is almost identical to Nael's. And basing my judgement off of the concept art of Solus on the FFXIV main site, I'd peg him as either Roegadyn or a very squat Hyur.

[Merri]

 

Here's my logic though. Ilsabard is noted as the Northern Continent. Roegadyn and Elezen both come from the north. Both races regardless of any maritime capabilities have to make land somewhere. As it is not explicitly stated that there are any islands in the North Seas (The Bloodbrine) we must assume that there aren't any. Out of those two races, only Roegadyn are noted to have any seagoing inclinations. In all descriptions of Elezen, they seem pretty at one with the land and rock and tree. 

 

Question though, do you have a source for the race of Solus zos Galvus and Gaius van Baelsar? I had always assumed Gaius was an Elezen as his body structure is almost identical to Nael's. And basing my judgement off of the concept art of Solus on the FFXIV main site, I'd peg him as either Roegadyn or a very squat Hyur.

 

The Sea Wolves originally hail from the islands of the far north seas, where they still subsist as fishermen and -women. Long ago, no vessel or coastal village was safe from their maritime brand of brutality. Now, it is not uncommon to see them employed as sailors or naval mercenaries on all manner of vessels.

 

There are in fact islands far to the north. There's likely other land masses, of which the Elezen came from.

 

Now, on the subject of racial diversity, I like to look at it this way. Garlemald (as an empire, not the republic) was formed very, very recently. Elezen have been living in Eorzea for hundreds and hundreds of years. It's likely the Elezen had migrated to Eorzea loooong before Garlemald came into being. It's also mentioned that the Hyur came to Eorzea in three great migratory waves from neighboring continents and islands. The only continent that directly neighbors Eorzea is Ilsabard. Ilsabard could have very well been the Hyur's ancestral home, so to speak. 

 

Now, on to the emperor and Gaius. Thus far, the XIV team has adhered vehemently to the naming conventions they've established for the races. I can't think of a single NPC that strays outside of it off the top of my head. For example, Nael van Darnus. Nael is actually one of the flat out examples they give of Elezen names. Yet, he was Imperial.

 

Gaius, on the other hand, has more Hyur roots in his name. In 1.0, he also had the animations of a Hyur Highlander in-game, if that is to be taken into the equation. The emperor seems to follow suit, in that his name is clearly not of the other races. Solus is an ancient, frail old man at this point. Isn't really likely to have the body that he used to.

 

Far as it goes, we've also seen an Imperial Roegadyn in-game, and while his last name is Imperial, his given name is still a traditional Roegadyn name.

[Kyatai]

Okay... quick question:

I know there is a lot of info about Garlean military might and weaponry... but is there any info regarding other uses for Magitek?

And any specific weapons/etc besides the airships, cannons, gunblade, laser shooting arm bracers and so on? I'm assuming shields and land vehicles too?

But... did they have radar targeting (or were the sites of massive destruction purely point and shoot from the airships, and Dalamud's crash location purely random)?

Stuff like that...

 

I believe Merri mentioned that Magitek was part of daily lives in Garlemald as well... any details there as to what kinds?

[D R E N]

What god does the Garlean Empire worship?

[Merri]

What god does the Garlean Empire worship?

None, to our current knowledge. They also go so far as to prevent the worship of any gods in the territories they conquer. For example, in the annexing of Ala Mhigo and Gyr Abania, all worship of Rhalgr has been banned.

[D R E N]

What god does the Garlean Empire worship?

None, to our current knowledge. They also go so far as to prevent the worship of any gods in the territories they conquer. For example, in the annexing of Ala Mhigo and Gyr Abania, all worship of Rhalgr has been banned.

 

Ahh weird. So when Van Baelsar says, "Unworthy is the ruler who seek the solace of false gods." I assumed he meant that people shouldn't follow false deities and that their own was the one true deity.

[Ildur]

You can also understand it as saying that there are no true gods. If there are no true gods, then all gods are false by definition.

 

Though I thought Rhalgr's worship in Ala Mhigo was banned prior the the garleans conquering it? Because the king was paranoid about the monks conspiring against him and had them executed.

[Merri]

You can also understand it as saying that there are no true gods. If there are no true gods, then all gods are false by definition.

 

Though I thought Rhalgr's worship in Ala Mhigo was banned prior the the garleans conquering it? Because the king was paranoid about the monks conspiring against him and had them executed.

 

This is true, however the Imperials kept the ban in place for whatever reason.

[Sounsyy]

None, to our current knowledge. They also go so far as to prevent the worship of any gods in the territories they conquer. For example, in the annexing of Ala Mhigo and Gyr Abania, all worship of Rhalgr has been banned.

 

I think it's very interesting that a nation that worships no Deity (to our knowledge) possesses a leader with the title, His Radiance. Which invokes very religious imagery. Looking back at the Romans we see a very similar title used for their leaders as well. Divi or Divi Filius. The Romans were also polytheistic and Divi meant Godly in relation to one of the Roman Gods (Mercury or Jupiter for example). So I would not at all be surprised if the Garleans actually had one or many Gods that they worshipped. Even possibly the Twelve. But it could also be that the reason Garleans aren't allowed to worship Gods is that would mean that they are putting their faith into something other than their Empire or more specifically Solus zos Galvus, His Radiance.

 

Also it was Theodric, the King of Ruin who outlawed the worship of Rhalgr in 1552. He instead promoted Nymeia, claiming that it was under her divine wisdom that he was meant to rule over Gyr Abania. I think when the Garleans took over they just imposed a blanket no deities rule instead of outlawing specific ones.

[Merri]

 

I think when the Garleans took over they just imposed a blanket no deities rule instead of outlawing specific ones.

 

 

It's likely. As it stands, there's this excerpt from the Ala Mhigo page on the official site - "though the people of Ala Mhigo once revered Rhalgr, the Destroyer, as their patron deity, any such religious observance has since been forbidden by the controlling authorities."

 

It's fact that the empire does not believe in Eorzea's pantheon of deities, so it's highly likely worship of the twelve as a whole is banned. It just seems to mention specifically that worship of Rhalgr was forbidden.

[Kyatai]

So...

No mention of specific magitek used other than for the war machine?

[Ildur]

I vaguely remember it's mentioned somewhere that the empire uses magitek on their 'everyday' civilian life, but that most of it is de-militarized magitek. No specific mentions of what, though we could probably induct or infer some uses based on what we see in garlean outposts, cinematics, etc.

 

I have seen nothing as of time of speaking besides the magitek armor, so I can't really infer that much.

[Merri]

I vaguely remember it's mentioned somewhere that the empire uses magitek on their 'everyday' civilian life, but that most of it is de-militarized magitek. No specific mentions of what, though we could probably induct or infer some uses based on what we see in garlean outposts, cinematics, etc.

 

Fernhalwes did reply to one of my posts on the lore forum awhile back saying that Garlemald does have Magitek integrated into their infrastructure. Didn't say to what extent, however. So it's there, we just don't know the specifics yet.

[arkived]

Here was an interesting discussion on the naming conventions of the Empire. 

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/61301-Garlean-naming-conventions/page1

 

I can't post on the forum so I can't entice them to re-explore the issue given the key enemies update found here 

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/world/threats/key-enemies