6.0 Predictions: Will it be Garlemald, Sharlayan, or Meracydia?

[MirronTulaxia]

Probably not the Void. While we still have two patches to go I find it hard to imagine such a drastic change as that happening between now and then. It also is very much a sidequest kind of feel, and they already did that once with Shadowbringers. It's rather hard to deal the final blow to the evil empire without actually being on the Source, regardless of any other factors.

[Kesey]

The problem is, is that Thavnair is neutral, and Ala Mhigo is both closer to Garlemald and already the city closest to our army in the Ghimlyt Dark. Instead of a city we’ve never been to, I’d rather have a fully realized visitable Ala Mhigo, considering their importance to the story going back to 1.0.

As much as I would like to see Ala Mhigo be its own city (and seriously Square, you missed the boat with that city in Stormblood) it will at this point probably have to be restoration content. To be fair, the Ishgard restoration has shown to extremely popular and Ala Mhigo feels like prime location for that content to continue in 6.0.

[RyuDragnier]

As much as I would like to see Ala Mhigo be its own city (and seriously Square, you missed the boat with that city in Stormblood) it will at this point probably have to be restoration content. To be fair, the Ishgard restoration has shown to extremely popular and Ala Mhigo feels like prime location for that content to continue in 6.0.

A restoration COULD redeem the city and country as a whole for a lot of people, especially if there's some solid character building and lore.

[Crushnight]

Another thing that makes me think we may be going to Sharlayan for 6.0 is they made a full in game model for the twins's father yet he doesn't even get mentioned not even a name in game, yet they made a full model and stuck it in the 1st Lore Book, another character they did a model for that never shows up is High Voidmage Cessair.

I could see Cessair model have been used for a single scene and they decided to cut it out for whatever reason, but the twins's father seems like a much bigger plot point they decided to remove especially considering he is part of the forum which is the leading body of Sharlayan. Given that a model was made the cut of his addition to the game was later into development, could also be a good point of contention for the twins going forward.

[Morningstar1337]

Another thing that makes me think we may be going to Sharlayan for 6.0 is they made a full in game model for the twins's father yet he doesn't even get mentioned not even a name in game, yet they made a full model and stuck it in the 1st Lore Book, another character they did a model for that never shows up is High Voidmage Cessair.

I could see Cessair model have been used for a single scene and they decided to cut it out for whatever reason, but the twins's father seems like a much bigger plot point they decided to remove especially considering he is part of the forum which is the leading body of Sharlayan. Given that a model was made the cut of his addition to the game was later into development, could also be a good point of contention for the twins going forward.

I can see the Leveliur patriarch as a potential antagonist, maybe not part of the world domination factions that I'm somewhat hoping will exist in Sharlayan, but still someone that would aid them in some capacity and would hold a grudge against the Scions for them and his father "misusing" their knowledge.

Bonus points if he's the emotionally distant type and Louisoux was the one who effectively raised the twins.

[ObsidianFire]

The twin's father is a moderate Sharlayn. While he himself wants nothing to do with other countries, he doesn't forbid other Sharlyans from leaving if they want to. He'd probably be proud of the twins for at least making it work and really coming into their own and growing up.

There is a party that doesn't want any Sharlayn information getting out though, as evidenced in the 3.0 AST quests. So I could see everyone in that movement being very much against the Scions, the Sons of St. Coniach, etc.

[Crushnight]

To also add I could see the father entering the scene as if word that his children collapsed of a unknown at the time reasoning just reached him, his short bio definitely paints him as someone with different ideals to Liousioux and his children, but not really begrudges them for it, hence why the Levilliers never had the Levava treatment of trying to silence them.

However I think given someone like him the news his children collapsed and there seems to be no cure, would spark a response by him even if was to ensure the safety of his children. I could certainly see him go the overprotective father troupe but with a genuinely good reason to do so, he let them do as they wished, they collapsed, he wants to now bring them back home and safeguard them.

[Jandroid]

The end of 5.3 story implies future character development for Alphinaud and Alisaie so what better location than Sharlayan. But just like Gyr Abania in Stormblood, Sharlayan might be a bit too small for an entire expansion to take place. So my prediction is that the developers will prepare something grand and send us to the moon. Seeing as Sharlayan is a nation of magical scholars, I wouldn't be surprised if they prepare an airship in the form of a giant whale to send us to the moon. We might even end up going to the Lunar Subterrane as a throwback to Final Fantasy IV the same way the Crystal Tower was a throwback to Final Fantasy III.

This would save Ilsabard or a section of Ilsabard (since it's a very big place) for when we reach level 100.

[Cilia]

I'm currently running my very first alt through (at least) Heavensward's story arc (2.4 - 3.3) and 3.X's major side content to get more ideas as to where 6.0's story is going to go. I'll include a full personal analysis on Fandaniel's character along with it once I get that far. (Currently in 2.1, but I'm taking my time to run all the Lv50 dungeons for tomestones.)

(Apropos of nothing, completing "The Ultimate Weapon" now gives you a Fantasia. So that's cool.)

[ShadowMeowth]

To be honest, I am side-eyeing the Sharlayans with open suspicion at this point. They are pretty much the equivalent of the Vatican archives: they hoard all knowledge that-supposedly-should-not-be-known, and the Forum has this bad habit of pursuing those who might want to share it, sometimes with lethal intent, as Leveva could attest.

Keeping the truth of the world from the people is one of Hydaelyn's penchants. And I shall not lie, at this point I am a little bit eager to kick some giant Light-aspected crystal in... well. You get the idea. From Sharlayan came many people rather biased towards Hydaelyn, Louisoix and the Scions for starters until the latters had their adventure in the First...

However, for the time being, it would seem we are heading into Garlemald, and I am fine with it. It is coherent. I think everyone would agree that leaving Zenos in the throne is a terrible idea not just for the Alliance but for the Empire itself. I have other reasons to believe it would be rather poetic and meaningful to "reverse conquer" Garlemald, but whatever. Let us just say, I believe it is the time to explore Garlemald and Ilsabard in general. I, for one, have been looking forward to it for a long time, and after certain 5.x shenanigans, even more.