Before I begin, I would like to say: I am not speaking of cities (the four that are currently known in the game: Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Gridania, and Ishgard), I am not speaking of Outposts (those little single building areas used to "spice up" the world), and I am not speaking of those handful of Hamlets that we've all been in to do some quests (Gold Bazaar, Silver Bazaar, etc, etc)
What I am speaking of would be "entirely" new (I put this in quotations because while they would be new physically to the world, they are not really new conceptually).
Also as a little disclaimer, while I've made the title Race Specific towns, I do not mean that only these races would be able to enter the town, it just merely means there would be primarily 'this' race in the town. Their size should be ~half that of the current 4 cities and offer quests (maybe special leves; we'll get to this later in the post).
Okay moving along on the original lore (the ffxiv teaser website) there is mention of different clan towns, I'll provide quoted text:
Highland Hyur
We already have a town for them, its Ala Mhigo. So a Race-Clan Specific town is required since one is already in existance, we just need to get access to it...BUT if they contradicts to the whole story why not give them a full fledged (not that crappy hole in the wall instance location) camp where they have fled to? yes I know they have fled to the main cities but I would assume they would try to re-establish their own culture in a refugee camp (this could easily be the size of a town)Quote:
The Highlanders derive their name from a long tradition of inhabiting Eorzea’s mountainous regions. Compared to their Midland brethren, the Highlanders are noticeably larger in build. These days, it is rare to see Highlanders save for those who fled Ala Mhigo after its fall, and now work in the other city-states as mercenaries and sellswords.
Midland Hyur
They don't mention a town they came from, so if any has any more back-lore to the Midlanders then please give input and I can edit this post to update.Quote:
The Midlander clan comprises over half of the total population of Eorzea’s Hyur. They have established themselves throughout every city in the realm and lead lives as diverse as their heritage. Trained in letters from infancy, the Midlanders are generally more educated than many of the other races and clans.
Seekers of the Sun Mi'qote
Not sure where they come from...any input is welcome!Quote:
The self-proclaimed Seekers of the Sun are the diurnal clan of the Miqo’te race. Their preference for the warm light of day pervades all aspects of their culture, as is apparent in their devout reverence for Azeyma the Warden, goddess of the sun. They are perhaps known best for their striking eyes — the result of their vertically aligned pupils and faintly colored irises.
Seekers of the Moon Mi'qote
Again unknown location...input is welcome!Quote:
The nocturnal among the Miqo’te have dubbed themselves the Keepers of the Moon. Shying from the garish light of day, they revel in the shroud of night, and offer their piety to Menphina the Lover, goddess of the moon. The custom of applying war paint to the face is still regularly practiced by the Keepers of the Moon, enhancing their already distinctive appearance.
Plainsfolk Lalafell
There are no plains currently in the game, but on the world map there is a plains area between Thanalan and the Black Shroud, a perfect place to add the town, think the Shire from Lord of the Rings-esque.Quote:
The flat landscapes of the Plainsfolk’s home islands are dotted with the clan’s traditional thatched huts, beneath which lie intricate networks of underground passageways. Their distinct hair coloration — a myriad of earthy and grassy tones — mimics their native environment, and their long, pointy ears are said to be able to detect the faintest scampering of the prairie’s various fauna.
Dunesfolk Lalafell
This could be a very interesting town, that roams about Thanalan. (not random of course or it would be too hard to find!) It could move to a new place every RL week and have 7 distinct locations (one for each day of the week; so people could find it easier)Quote:
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Dunesfolk culture is its traditional dwellings — structures affixed to the backs of large beasts of burden. The luminous eyes of the Dunesfolk are the result of a glossy, protective layer which covers the pupil, an evolutionary response to the glaring sunlight of their home region. Many individuals wear a small gemstone on their forehead, representing their zodiacal sign.
Wildwood Elezen
Black shroud town IN THE TREES (like the canopy area, not at the ground level) Make it tiered allowing a spot to get about the canopy to have a 'view' or a memorable moment/area. But again simply put it in the canopy of the Black Shroud.Quote:
For hundreds of years the Wildwood Elezen have lived in the safety of Eorzea’s lush forests. They possess an incredibly keen sense of sight — a contributing factor in their unparalleled expertise as archers. With the formation of the realm’s governments, many Wildwood ventured forth from the forests, drawn either to the exhilarating cosmopolitanism of the urban centers or the simple nomadism of the plains.
Duskwight Elezen
Coetheras(sp?) would be a perfect place for them since the area is so mountainous and jagged. Just walk through the cave entrance and it opens up into a big ol'town filled with cool lighting effects from light barely shining through cracks at the top of the cave.Quote:
The Duskwight Elezen have spent centuries in the peace and seclusion of Eorzea’s caves and caverns. They have developed an acute sense of hearing, capable of detecting the faintest of sounds. This natural gift, and the uncanny awareness it grants, has proven advantageous in the field of hand-to-hand combat. Many of the reclusive Duskwight resort to robbery and pillaging to survive, earning them the scorn of their woodland relatives.
Seawolf Roegadyn
Perfect opportunity to add another boat that could leave from LL or from where ever, to this little town on an island, could be constantly covered in fog to make an eerie look, idk or make it a cheery little fishing community-like town.Quote:
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.
Hellsguard Roegadyn
Inside that volcano near LL. You could only imagine what cool things you'd be able to see here, maybe a Lavafall, molten rock 'figures' of unknown origin? Its limitless.Quote:
The Hellsguard are a clan of Roegadyn with body and mind tempered by the unforgiving heat of the volcanic regions they inhabit. Believing these mountains of flame to be gates to the underworld, their line has for centuries stood vigil over them to prevent the passage of souls back to the realm of the living. Their sheer girth and steely demeanor open to the Hellsguard a wide range of paths, from the martial to the monastic.
Okay now you thinking, okay cool, but why should they spend all this time making these seemingly pointless towns (besides the fact they mention them in the lore building of this game). Well I personally love the idea of Race-Clan specific towns, they can add so much to the lore and...immersion...factors of a game.
To make them useful allow certain discounts from the vendors in those towns if you are a corresponding race-clan. Make it a little more expensive if you are a rival race-clan. Make certain items only obtainable in those towns (maybe crafting items) this would only add another dynamic to the world economy (or course don't make it something like 2gil if you are right race-clan and 2mil gil if you are rival race-clan) Use it as a small gil sink.
Also they could add, Race-Clan specific quests to get race-clan specific items/gear/weapons. To further this have Special Leves that only certain Race-Clans can qualify for. For example in Ala Mhigo Highlanders can get the Special Leves, and so on so forth for each town.
Again this is only the tip of the iceberg they could always expand from here on different things to do for the towns, they could make the fame system work within the towns only, and you could eventually build your fame and be able to do the special Leves (just keep mandatory content out of the towns ie: must have Fame maxed to continue the storyline kind of things)
Okay, this is a long post I know, but what do you think? Should something like this even be considered? Or does this sound like something that should've been in the game at release? Let me know~!