Questiona about Mother Hydaelyn

[Alenore]

Whilst our world is called Hydaelyn it is separate from the mothercrystal herself of the same name. Hydaelyn the mothercrystal exists in the aetherial realm and all aether in the world of Hydaelyn comes from her and returns to her via the lifestream.

Hydaelyn is both the world and the creator, though they are actually separate entities sharing the same name.

I'd really love a quote saying Hydaelyn is in the aetherial realm. Right now it's a but fuzzy, but from what we know, the world is Hydaelyn as in "Hydaelyn created the world" (which also fits with other FFs lore).

[Alberel]

I'd really love a quote saying Hydaelyn is in the aetherial realm. Right now it's a but fuzzy, but from what we know, the world is Hydaelyn as in "Hydaelyn created the world" (which also fits with other FFs lore).

The 2.3 story has a section where Minfillia gives us exposition on the concept of aether and how it works. One of the points was that when a being dies its aether returns to the aetherial realm. We know that Hydaelyn is the source of aether and that she regulates the lifestream (and the return of corrupted aether to her is what harms her) so from there it is a fair assumption that she is in the aetherial realm.

Hydaelyn the world and Hydaelyn the mothercrystal are not the same thing. If they were the same then aether wouldn't return to another dimension, it would return to the planet itself, which it doesn't in XIV's universe.

[Baithin]

Hydaelyn the world and Hydaelyn the mothercrystal are not the same thing. If they were the same then aether wouldn't return to another dimension, it would return to the planet itself, which it doesn't in XIV's universe.

Doesn't it, though? I always thought that aether returned to both the aetherial realm and the planet - maybe they're a lot more closely related than we think. The Lifestream is mentioned multiple times throughout different FATEs and quests, specifically as the place where spirits go after they die. Though I may be looking at it in terms of VII's universe.

Unless I'm confusing myself and the aetherial realm and the Lifestream are the same thing. Oooor the aetherial realm is where the aether goes, but a person's "soul" (their memories, personalities, anything that isn't part of their physical body or the aether) goes to the Lifestream (heaven?).

How much do we know about XIV's Lifestream, anyway?