Looking for info on Thavnair and Radz-at-Han

Heya! So... I'm thinking of making a new character in FFXIV and I was wondering if anyone knew any lore about the region of Thavnair or the City-State of Radz-at-Han.

What I know so far:

-It exists beyond the Jade Sea.
-It is the origin of the alchemical concoctions "Thavnairian Mist" and "Radz-at-Han Quenching Oil" as well as the Giantsgall Weapons.
-One of its most popular beverages is flavored milk known as Lassi.
-It has a bustling shipping industry.

What I assume (but could be wrong):

-Radz-at-Han shares parallels with the Ottoman Empire (Middle-Eastern Culture, intellectually and culturally bustling, ruler is a Sultan or similar, etc.)
-They are neutral towards Garlemald and Eorzea, their shipping industry and mastery of trade agreements have bound Garlemald's hands, willingly trading with both equally.
-The People of Radz-at-Han have Middle-Eastern Naming Conventions.

How much of this is wrong? How much is right? How much info do we really have on Thavnair and Radz-at-Han? Thanks!

You might like to have a look at several of Kyan's old threads beacause Radz-at-han and Tavnair are discussed in detail there (and it even includes a clarification about it from one of Ferne's localisation voidsent ;))

Specifically, this thread and post

But basically, Thavnair is an island in the Near East (whether that means it's part of the Othard continent or not, is still unclear), and Radz-at-han is a citystate on Thavnair has control over that island as it's territory (much like Limsa Lominsa has control over the island of Vlybrand). Hope this has helped. :D

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Originally Posted by Enkidoh

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That was very helpful, thank you!

Still a lot of mysteries to be solved, but it gives me some definite leads to follow!

The name Jalzahn does sound somewhat Arabic, so I'll keep operating under the assumption that folks from Thavnair adopt similar (yet not exactly the same) naming conventions.

Also, if Thavnair is part of Othard, then I would assume Radz-at-han has a Garlean governor. Otherwise, it would likely be similar to how Ul'dah is run currently, as a government ruled by the wealthiest tradesmen.

There's enough there so I don't feel completely lost and, if more data on Thavnair and Radz-at-han are released in the future, then I will be sure to retcon any backstory to reflect the changes.

My bet is that, while near Oethard, it's not actually connected to it by land and thus Garlemauld (Who are not exactly know for their diplomacy or discretion) could potentialy be held by the balls of their purse strings by the Thaverians with potential extortion, black mail, and other in general nasty mafia like threats that a massive trade orginization could lord over an empire by threatening to block their supply routes and ultimatly leave forces out side of Oethard "Cut Off" from the Empire, thus cripleing them.

But that's just a baseless, wild, darksteel-foil-hat theory with absolutly no evidence. Would be a cool idea to think that there was some one out there that even Garlemauld in all it's might and power was unable to stand up too.

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Originally Posted by Kaiser-Ace

But that's just a baseless, wild, darksteel-foil-hat theory with absolutly no evidence. Would be a cool idea to think that there was some one out there that even Garlemauld in all it's might and power was unable to stand up too.

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Hey, don't sell your theory short, it sounds like a really interesting concept! A City-State able to hold off the military force of an entire empire as a result of masterful politics and trade.

I just picture Radz-at-han having this massive fleet of ships blockading Othard and either turning a blind eye to or outright commissioning privateers (such as Carvallain) to raid Garlean trade ships on their way to and from Othard, weakening the Garlean forces in Othard enough so they would have strength only to hold Othard and be unable to make a move against Radz-at-han and the rest of Thavnair.

That would be epic, and the be like "Well if it bothers you so bad ship your own goods, (Which we will still plunder every chance we get)". Actually the threat of piracy and a nutrality deal preventing it could be the perfect leverage to keep Garlemauld in line and off their shours.

Raz-at-han Merchent King/ Piratelord (Think Lolorito meets Mistbeard) "You let us do as we please aaaaand then we won't make you lives a living hell by plindering a scuttleing every Garlen Vessle in OUR waters, oh and ALL of these waters are OUR waters."

Garlen Admeral/Regent General "Uuuuh ok, No problem. O.O we'll be good. >.> I promise. T.T"

One thing about these theories is that garlemald has the only real airship fleet we know of, having control of the skies is a larger benefit than controlling the sea. So who knows why Radz-at-Han hasn't been taken over yet.

Primals maybe? Primals seem to wreak every other plan Garlemuld has ever come up with. The 1st invation, the battle of silver tear skys, even the Meteor Project wound up being a Primal and royaly screwing them. Small wonder they hate the things.

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Originally Posted by VargasVermillion

One thing about these theories is that garlemald has the only real airship fleet we know of, having control of the skies is a larger benefit than controlling the sea. So who knows why Radz-at-Han hasn't been taken over yet.

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Likely several reasons why Radz-at-Han hasn't been conquered yet. Primals might be possible as mentioned as well as economic reasons. I think being an island nation also helps their defense against Garlemald. While Garlemald is the only airship power we know of, airships themselves likely don't have a large operational range without places to refuel. Additionally its been implyed during ixali and other quests that airship construction, maintenance and fueling is very expensive. Sharlayan like Radz-at-han is also an island nation that remains free and its mentioned in Merywelbs lore there are free northern nations as well. Large airship campaigns are likely overly costly and impractical to mount over medium to long distances. Only large scale airship battle we know specifically is battle of silvertear in mor dhona which used ala mihgo as a staging point.