Eorzea or Etheirys?

[Iscah]

Is there a difference between Vylbrand and La Noscea? That's the most confusing geographical distinction for me. Eorzea is a region consisting of different landmasses, like Oceania, and I find that easy to remember.

But Vylbrand is just that island. And every part of that island is called X "La Noscea". Its like saying Madagascar is also called something else simultaneously. Situation of an old name vs a new name, maybe? Or does Vylbrand actually include something besides the La Noscean area?

All the parts of the island that we visit are called La Noscea, but I assume the kobolds' area extends northwards from the border zone in outer La Noscea.

I do think the game tends to have confusing layers of names, particularly when the city names overlap with the surrounding regions.

And Aldenard is pretty clearly africa, with Madagascar (Vylbrand) on the left instead of the right, imo. And Merycidia is australia. Hingashi is Japan, etc. I mean, culturues don't necessarily line up, but just geography-wise, they basically made Sharlayan the british isles, sank europe or squished it, left a lot of asia basically the same. Oh and south america is HUGE, now.

Take a map of Europe, turn it 90 degrees, east upwards. Now consider Norse-themed dragons in the northwest, apparently Turkish-influenced Ala Mhigo in the northeast, a large island in the southwest, central European forest, arid south perhaps stretching across to incorporate some of the Sahara desert.

Eorzea is Europe with creative liberties.

Meanwhile, Meracydia has African plants and animals (aloe, sesame, hippos) while Australian animals are not credited to it.

For North America, we know the Native American themed Whalaqee tribe from the blue mage quests. Mamool Ja appear to be "Mayincaztec" as TV Tropes phrases it.

[Enkidoh]

Meanwhile, Meracydia has African plants and animals (aloe, sesame, hippos) while Australian animals are not credited to it.

Actually, Aussie animals are credited to Meracydia as well, well, at least one is (the wind-up kangaroo minion description mentions it's based on a "Meracydian marsupial") - whether the Ittybitty Duckbill, Frill-necked Lizard and Koala Joey specifically come from there too also isn't mentioned though (although the koala and duckbill are also seen in Elpis so that means like most of Hydaelyn's modern wildlife the Ancients created them originally -amusingly the minion description for the Koala Joey seems to suggest it's found in Eorzea given it "dropped down onto a retainer who was cutting down it's tree").

Also I understand wattle bark can be found via BTN gathering in Azys Lla (wattle being an Australian native tree of course), and the dragon sector of that was literally lifted wholesale from Meracydia, so it's basically all but proven Meracydia is a "great south land owing more to Australia but has some elements of Africa as well" (it isn't shaped like Australia though, apparently being roughly triangular in shape according to the Hydaelyn model seen from the moon).

I still think Aldenard is roughly Africa in shape, but culturally is more Europe/Middle Eastern than anything. But I digress.

[EaraGrace]

Actually, Aussie animals are credited to Meracydia as well, well, at least one is (the wind-up kangaroo minion description mentions it's based on a "Meracydian marsupial") - whether the Ittybitty Duckbill, Frill-necked Lizard and Koala Joey specifically come from there too also isn't mentioned though (although the koala and duckbill are also seen in Elpis so that means like most of Hydaelyn's modern wildlife the Ancients created them originally -amusingly the minion description for the Koala Joey seems to suggest it's found in Eorzea given it "dropped down onto a retainer who was cutting down it's tree").

I'm hoping the spiders didn't make the jump from Australia to Meracydia

[Iscah]

Actually, Aussie animals are credited to Meracydia as well, well, at least one is (the wind-up kangaroo minion description mentions it's based on a "Meracydian marsupial") - whether the Ittybitty Duckbill, Frill-necked Lizard and Koala Joey specifically come from there too also isn't mentioned though

Also I understand wattle bark can be found via BTN gathering in Azys Lla (wattle being an Australian native tree of course)

Well, the kangaroo is a recent minion, and I'm pretty sure last time the topic came up, I asked about the other minions and was told they're all nonspecific. And I hadn't seen wattle raised as a point before.

So it's a hybrid, but still. Africa is mashed into Meracydia; Eorzea is sideways Europe; Othard is Asia but with Russia ripped off the top and presumably recast as Ilsabard.