Religion should play a bigger role in ARR

[Matsume]

Sorry Kirol, I had to break down your post for the sake of clarification and organization:

Hm, I'd like everyone to read this post here, as I'll try clear up a number of things.

First point will be the biggest. *Ahem.*

All the personal deities are from the same Religion/Mythology.

They are, after all, called 'The Twelve', and in their own personal lore they are related to each other and coexist within the same lore. Each, therefore, has their own segment to offer to the religious / mythological part of Eorzea, however, the Garleans seem to have a different system of worship, as has been made clear throughout the storyline, particularly by Nael van Darnus.

Think of it as the difference between Christianity, Islam, or Judaism (all Monotheistic) in comparison to Shinto, Hinduism, or the Norse/Greek religions respectively. (All Polytheistic.)Polytheistic religions may have more than one Deity, but certain areas or demographics will be more partial to worshipping certain Deities over others, or even change at different times of year. However, all the deities apply within the religion just as all of the twelve apply here in Eorzea.

As for Woodsin and the Elementals, that appears to be a local lore to Gridania, separate to the main beliefs of the mythology. Likely thanks in part to the local phenomenon of the Elementals of the Twelveswood, and the moogles also residing within the wood. (See; Leprechauns in Ireland, despite being a catholic country. Loch Ness monster, Chubecabra, Bigfoot, etc.)Anyway, I like the idea of the Woodsin counter, could be used in many ways. Could even work on a scale of -100~+100, being both in favour and out of favour of the elementals of the wood.

I think you are entirely correct in portraying the FFXIV mythology as a polytheistic religion. It is also interesting to remark that the Garleans and Ishgardians have in a way turned their backs on these beliefs in pursuit of their own theology.

Second point would be to Matsume, my fellow Scarfie;

Information was released stating that Ala Migho and Sharlavan (Two major cities) would be released at a later date. To have Ishgard (Already slated for a later release date), as well as two other cities released from Day One, as well as re-creating the entire world would be too much to undertake all at once.

All speculation, I know, but I presume the timeline will look a little like this:
[2.0 Released]
->[Ishgard released in a later patch.]
->[Gyn Abania Region, along with Pagl'than region (Containing a lot of lore surrounding Ul'dah, Sil'dah, Ala Mihgo, and prior occupation of the Garlean occupation of Ala Mihgo) released in first expansion pack.]
->[More updates, and after more time...]
->[Second Expansion pack, Dravania Region (And accompanying city of Sharlavan) released along with the region of Xelphatol. Much less is known about these areas than Ala Mihgo, so the first expansion would be able to set up lore for this.]
->[At this time, all of Eorzea will be available, and likely free of Garlean occupation.]
->[Third expansion begins to set up a strike back against the Empire, releasing more and more areas encroaching into their territory.]

As I said before, that's all speculation. It is, however, based upon what we know now, and the lore we have been given.

Anyway, Matsume, you're right on that Eorzea is just one region, I'd like to say it's one continent. Seems similar to Europe, connecting to the larger Asian continent in the East if you ask me.

As for bringing Vana'Diel into things, meeehhhhh... FFXI and FFXIV are two separate games. I'd like to keep it that way.But for your own sake, let's just say that maybe it was and maybe it was destroyed in the Second Umbral era. Or something.

Anyway, I hope that clears a few things up, and offers you some thoughts about things. Only time will tell. ;o

I must admit it would have been too much to ask for all the city states and zone's maps to be redone on top of the construction and implementation of Ishgard, Ala Mhigo etc.

So from what I understand Dravania and Sharlavan are connected to one another? And what's this Pagl'than and Gyn Abania? I might have missed something in Azury's lore guide but I haven't heard much of these places... Do you have any official infos to share on them? Are they related to alternate continents?

Anyway, that's an interesting timeline you put together there. It's really nice to see it from a long term perspective like that to get a sense for where things are headed.

That's about it! How's that scarf keeping you warm?

[Azurymber]

So from what I understand Dravania and Sharlavan are connected to one another? And what's this Pagl'than and Gyn Abania? I might have missed something in Azury's lore guide but I haven't heard much of these places... Do you have any official infos to share on them? Are they related to alternate continents?

Anyway, that's an interesting timeline you put together there. It's really nice to see it from a long term perspective like that to get a sense for where things are headed.

That's about it! How's that scarf keeping you warm?

Dravania is the area, and Sharlavan is the city in it
Gyn Abania is the area around Ala Mihgo (the city where most highlanders came from that the empire now controls)

Pagl'than is an Amal'ja stronghold underground, east of ul'dah/thanalan
edit. It may be an above ground zone but one of the faction leves refers to stuff being made deep underground and refers to it as an underground stronghold

then you have the sahghin in la noscea on surrounding islands like the cieldeles(sp)
xelphatol or w/e north of grid
and mazlava(sp) and theuri(sp) east of grid, both being islands

Since the garlean empire is the only land-connected zone im assuming that would be the first or second -major- expansion.

[Orophin]

Pagl'than is an Amal'ja stronghold underground, east of ul'dah/thanalan
edit. It may be an above ground zone but one of the faction leves refers to stuff being made deep underground and refers to it as an underground stronghold

It could be Pagl'than was meant to be accessed from those tunnels in Halitali that the NPC won't let you go into. It's really a shame so much of the intended designs of this game couldn't be realized in 1.0. I wonder how much of it will survive in ARR.

[Kirol]

That's about it! How's that scarf keeping you warm?

Keeping me nice and toasty! Especially important with the cold weather.

Azurymber pretty much summed it up. Dravania, Gyn Abania, and Xelphatol are all regions similar to Thanalan, Black Shroud, Mor Dhona, etc.
Just wonder what kind of a place Sharlavan is.

http://www.ffxivmaps.com/img/region-eorzea-small.png

That's a good map to look at; You can see the region names, the landmarks, etc. Regions are named in Black, Cities in Red, and landmarks in lighter letters.
Something else to look up and wonder about are the unused areas and dungeons of 1.0, such as Hengr's Crucible, Dragon's Aerie, Mistbeard cove western area, red ant nest, Peacegarden Croft, Moraby hollows, and many others.
There are many beautiful hidden areas, and of course a number of trees which glow when you approach them in the black shroud... many interesting things which were never properly implemented.
Sure makes you wonder what their plans were... I'd very much love to know, if they're not going to be used. I'd like to know what might have been.

[Nanaya]

I'm only a little worried about how this would be depicted in comparison to the Garleans.

Lorewise, most Garleans aren't attuned to magic, but are highly technologically advanced, quite adept at the sciences. Obviously they have no need for gods, they've attained everything on their own power and innovations. My concern is then this game has the underlying tone of "Faith and Mysticism = Good, Science and Technology = Bad".

If it's only certain areas however, I'm all for this. I personally envisioned from the beginning that Gridania would be a Windurst-like fantasy setting with spirits and gods, while Ul'dah would be more of a secular, steampunk city, especially with Cid involved. Every nation has their own way to fight back against the Imperials, basically. You go Gridania, expect a lot of spiritual tropes, Ul'dah, trying to catch up with the Garleans technologically with their deep merchant pockets. Limsa pretty much lays in the cut, so I can't really imagine they'd be picky about any method.

[Kirol]

While Ul'dah would be more of a secular, steampunk city, especially with Cid involved.

But Cid is from the Empire, after all.
Don't get me wrong, IRL I'm quite the follower of the late Christopher Hitchens, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy theocratic basis within the confines of a story. May be that our world doesn't have a Creator or a plan, but Hydaelyn sure does.
Besides, Gridania is Windurst, Limsa is San'Doria, and Ul'Dah is Bastok. We all know that.
However, let's not get caught up in such matters. FFXI is not FFXIV. As I have maintained from the start, I do not want FFXIV turning into FFXI.
I'd like it to procure its own lore, its own classes separate from any other Final Fantasy (Hence why I liked the class system) and its own world. It needs to be a Final Fantasy in its own rite.

Let's get one thing straight - it's not FFXI-2. It's FFXIV.

Still, your latter point rings true. Each nation has its own play on things. Gridania lays deep in Mysticism, what with its elementals and moogles adding to its local lore.
Ul'dah, indeed, is the financial centre of Eorzea, but at least from the lore we're given it would seem that most aren't willing to part with their money.
Limsa, though... It seems is lacking in such a thing; They're a bunch of hardy pirates, explorers and mercenaries.
Still, let's steer this back on track to the Deity side of things.

[Nuru]

Actual woodsin with a counter, where a HNM spawns once a certain level is reached, right near one of the started zones. So that new players might adventure out and see some giant tree-spirit thing roaming around and shaking the screen (anyone remember the first time they came across hnm ram in la theine in ffxi?)

The great deku tree has summoned you! :3

[Jinrya-Geki]

Ifrit: are supernatural creatures in Arabic and Islamic cultures. They are in a class of infernal Jinn, spirits below the level of angels, noted for their strength and cunning. An ifrit is an enormous winged creature of fire, either male or female, who lives underground and frequents ruins.

... I wouldn't mind seeing a female Ifrit... could be more "hot" than Shiva >.>

[Matsume]

Keeping me nice and toasty! Especially important with the cold weather.

Azurymber pretty much summed it up. Dravania, Gyn Abania, and Xelphatol are all regions similar to Thanalan, Black Shroud, Mor Dhona, etc.
Just wonder what kind of a place Sharlavan is.

http://www.ffxivmaps.com/img/region-eorzea-small.png

That's a good map to look at; You can see the region names, the landmarks, etc. Regions are named in Black, Cities in Red, and landmarks in lighter letters.
Something else to look up and wonder about are the unused areas and dungeons of 1.0, such as Hengr's Crucible, Dragon's Aerie, Mistbeard cove western area, red ant nest, Peacegarden Croft, Moraby hollows, and many others.
There are many beautiful hidden areas, and of course a number of trees which glow when you approach them in the black shroud... many interesting things which were never properly implemented.
Sure makes you wonder what their plans were... I'd very much love to know, if they're not going to be used. I'd like to know what might have been.

Thanks for that map :"3

edit: just noticed Girdania is spelled "Grandia"

[ZakarnRosewood]

Don't get me wrong, IRL I'm quite the follower of the late Christopher Hitchens, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy theocratic basis within the confines of a story. May be that our world doesn't have a Creator or a plan, but Hydaelyn sure does.
<snip>
Still, let's steer this back on track to the Deity side of things.

I like to see lore of gods and goddesses in a story. Especially when the gods will directly influence the world and are clearly known to the residents of the world. I'm looking forward to more to come from the lore of the Twelve and the interaction between them and the Primals. I picture them like the demons to the gods.

does anyone know what the relation is between the gods and the primals?