SINS OF GARLEMALD: The Rise of an Empire
Nos sumus manus, Nos sumus deus
(We are the Hand, We are the God)
Encyclopedia Eorzea - The Garlean Empire: “The Garlean Empire lays claim to nearly three-quarters of the Three Great Continents, Aldenard being the only region yet to fall entirely under imperial rule. Until some fifty years ago, Garlemald was a remote and sparsely populated republic which held little more than a fraction of the northern territories of Ilsabard. But with the arrival of a technological golden age and the concurrent emergence of a brilliant young legatus in the span of a single generation, Garlemald has come to stand upon the threshold of ruling all Hydaelyn.”
Lodestone - The Garlean Empire: “Garlemald is unsurpassed in the field of magitek, a technology which it exploits with devastating effectiveness in warfare. Unperturbed by their lesser numbers, the Garleans went forth upon gigantic flying warships, bearing powerful weaponry the likes of which the world had never seen. One nation after the next fell before their relentless onslaught, 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. So it was that the Garlean Empire came into existence.”
Kan-E-Senna: “For the greater part of its history, Garlemald was not even among the most influential nations in Ilsabard, the northern continent. However, its innovations in the field of magitek, some fifty years past, helped to raise it from the depths of obscurity. Emboldened by this technology, it set about subjugating its neighbors, swiftly absorbing each into its ever-expanding territory. And when all of Ilsabard lay within its grasp, it turned its ravenous gaze upon Eorzea. Yet Garlemald’s transformation did not come about by virtue of magitek alone. Its success owed much to the consummate leadership of its first and reigning emperor. Solus zos Galvus─the man who built an empire in his own lifetime. Yet he has lived long, and after more than four score winters, it is said that he grows frail, and ever more prone to illness.”
Encyclopedia Eorzea - Garlean Flag: “The emblem upon the Garlean flag is a chain in abstract design. It symbolizes the value the native sons and daughters of Garlemald hold dear: tight unity amongst their small number. In like fashion, the crimson of the central link represents all those who have perished in the name of the Garlean people.”
Nael van Darnus: “A new world awaits, and only by the strength of Garlemald will it be realized.”
Gekkai: “The more time I spend in Garlemald, the more I realize that the Empire quite suits me. There is something to be said for a culture that values merciless strength above all. I’ve won over quite a few loyal subordinates… Poor little one… All your lofty words, and here you stand alone. You are alone because you are weak…”
Y’shtola: “It would seem the Garlean Empire has chosen to tread the same vainglorious path that other civilizations trod in ages past - a course which may succinctly be described as the shortest road to ruin.”
Kan-E-Senna: “That the Empire of Garlemald is the source of this taint, this infection, is as clear as the waters of our own Mirror. The deeds of the Garleans deny that which is right. Order flees before their coming, and chaos reigns in their wake. Garlemald has lost its way. Too long has it reveled in the darkness and destruction of its own atrocities and depravities. Yet the day of its reckoning is at hand! Soon its sin-dimmed eyes will be opened to the light of righteousness. Soon, it will know justice.”
Athala: “Hatred leads to war, war incites revenge, and revenge breeds hatred. It is a vicious cycle I pray we someday break. But it is hard in the face of the ruin brought upon us by the Garleans.”
Lyse: “We’re all the same to them, aren’t we? Savages to be ruled or slaughtered.”
__________________________________________________________
Hello, new followers and old! Welcome back to a new year of lore posting! This is the first half of an exhaustive two-part series on the Garlean Empire. Combined this topic exceeded 200 pages of citations, which were gathered over the course of a year, the majority within the last month. A ton of hours went into this post, and it would not have been done if not for the incredible help and determination of @lyndztanica. Thank you so so much! If you appreciate our work, please consider donating to either of our ko-fi’s.
As always, all of my lore posts can be found in the Lore Index here!
The following post contains an absurd amount of lore on Garleans, the Third Eye, the Garlean Republic, the Garlean Empire, the Imperial Army and its fourteen legions, conquered provinces, Solus zos Galvus, Meteor Project, and much more in the Read More below!
>>>>> !! SPOILER WARNING !! <<<<<
This post contains massive story spoilers up to 5.4 beyond this point!
>>>>> !! CONTENT WARNING !! <<<<<
This post contains graphic and disturbing accounts of sexual violence towards women, torture, body horror, slavery, suicide, mental health crises, and horrors of war.
Please be kind to yourselves and don’t binge this post all in one go. Drink water, take breaks, enjoy new 5.45 Bozja content tomorrow. Thanks y’all! Hope this helps!
__________________________________________________________
janainaart
theartofmadeline
baratheonpilled
ellievsbear
2087
