What The Black Shroud should look like.

[Kilta_Firelotus]

I like the black shroud, it can be a bit open but it is far from lifeless. There are frogs and butter flies is spots. I thought la thaine platue was lifeless.

[Randis]

FFXIV could use some dramatic lighting. I hope they add some cool shadow maps or unlock the real time shadow casting features in the engine (so the trees, rocks and all objects cast shadows as well)
Layered fog would be nice too

[Seif]

Maybe like a forest? I dunno when I'm in the woods I kind of like the freedom of choice when I can decide if I pass a tree from the right or left side. Just one of the aspects in XIV which makes me feel like I'm playing a game made for retards.

Oh that's an unfair insult to some people, I actually saw a "retard" kid play with his parents on XI they were kicking an NMs ass and afterwards the kid thanked the NM for the rare drop. It was really memorable =)

Anyway I don't know how slow one has to be for the hand-holding in XIV to feel appropriate.

edit: uhh now that I think of all those people crafting for hours and I think I've got my answer...

[Draven]

There is something missing in BlackS and I cant quite put my finger on it. Just doesnt have the atmosphere like that picture from the Witcher. Then again, there's always a big difference between online and offline capabilities with lighting and particle effects.

Perhaps some fog at night? And some sun spots with a little movement coming from the trees during the day?

[Miku-chikuku]

So does anyone think they will change The Black shroud to be more dark and forest esk?

[Nikita]

I was hoping for the Black Shroud to resemble the Sanctuary of Zi'Tah.

Same! ^_^ When I read "The Last Word – Storm over Gridania" and it was talking about the deaspected crystals, I was thinking "they are doing it!!!".... I guess I got too excited and didn't read it thoroughly enough... :P To this day, though, I still hope they add the Golem family monsters (the ones that used all the crystal attacks) from Zi'Tah to XIV!

[OMEGA_HACK]

How they make it look depends on if they go with the lore they've set up to bring about the change in the forest. (forest is basically going to be burned down and a new one rise from the ashes; give or take) That said if they do that I can imagine a charred barren forest with new greens (small trees and bushes that are smaller than the massive burned trees)

If they don't go with the lore they've created there is no telling what they will do.

[Miku-chikuku]

I just wish there was more plants and tree roots and stuff

[Laughlyn]

The Sactuary of Zi'Tah...or...

Like tie forest around where i live in sweden...

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...yn-d3hmyp2.jpg

Alot of pine tree's etc... moss and beautiful sunrays reaching down the forest ground.
And misty in the mornings.

[normalforce]

On a more serious note, I would really hope to see different "feelings" of the woods, after all it is a magical place, why not have some darker, scarier areas within the fairy-tale Zi'tah forest areas?

Like the Witcher2 areas just add a low laying fog and creepy music.

During the day, The Black Shroud stays a peaceful, idyllic forest. But once night comes around, the forest turns deathly quiet and They come out. No one knows what They are or where They come from. Spirits of adventures lost in the woods, some say. Whatever the truth, They are a higher level than any of the creatures in the surrounding areas and very aggressive.

Fortunately, They are unable to cross running water, thus are confided to small sections of The Black Shroud.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times they are killed, they keep coming back, night after night. The Warders only offer one word of warning to travelers stuck alone in the forests at night: run.