Observation: Post- Impact, does Mor Dhona become a lush jungle?!

[Syrokko]

My bet is that...

Mor Dhona will become a lush jungle where Odin will roam.

And Coerthas will be a snowy mountainous area where Behemoth(s?) will be found.

[Rhivryn]

It was stated earlier by someone that dragons don't like ice or something, yet on the official page for Mor Dhona it flat out says that Midgardsormr summons "a host of dragons [that] flew in from the northwestern reaches of Dravania."

I was going to say that perhaps that screenshot may have been added simply because of the mention of Dravania. But that seems unlikely.

I do agree that the Behemoth screenshot is most likely in some place like northern (snowy) Coerthas, or perhaps a southern part of Dravania, and that the Crystal Tower is being seen from a distance.
From all the evidence it does look like Mor Dhona is lush again in ARR.
Coerthas is essentially the next zone over. With that in mind, the altitude could (and does, even in 1.0) change quite dramatically, hence the snowy mountain tops above the clouds, yet still remain in relatively close enough proximity of the Crystal Tower for it appear as big as it does in the Behemoth shot.

EDIT: I discovered this like 20 minutes after I posted; it may answer some questions about the dragons and the icy beast tribes. It was a quote from Yoshida.

"I don't want to spoil the ARR story, but I can say this:

The dragons of Dravania are classified as a beast tribe. Nidhogg is not a primal, but a king among the dragons. Likewise, Midgardsormr--known as the Keeper of the Lake--while not a primal, is a revered existence among dragonkind. Just as men have worshipped kings throughout history, so too have the dragons."

[Sakasa]

The dragons of Dravania are classified as a beast tribe. Nidhogg is not a primal, but a king among the dragons. Likewise, Midgardsormr--known as the Keeper of the Lake--while not a primal, is a revered existence among dragonkind. Just as men have worshipped kings throughout history, so too have the dragons."

But I also like to point buy the very legend that named him it stated he was chosen by gods of the human tribe and given that title. So in many ways he is similar to the archon but was infact a different tribe. And our specific archon (stating because we have no evidence if Louiseux and the like are also archon or some other reflection of the gods) did also summon monster to fight in his stead. So making him not a primal IE immortal in the sense that he can be revived with Aether alone, doesn't specifically make him not mythical and/or lesser god-like in power just not the same caliber as that of what we know as primals. So instead of commanded the dragons that we saw could still be summoned entities like that of Atomos and the voidkin.

Also about the snow covered mountains I like to point out that even though we saw Mor Dhona was flat in the sense that the player elevation never adjusted it wasn't a low elevation compared to Coerthas because the ravines that are clearly substantial seemed to flow out sea from how the map is displayed and with what ever spring dried up, clogged, or what ever made the flat lands we were on when we traversed Mor Dhona. So in the wake of the megaflare Mor Dhona could be now quite mountainous specially if its enough destruction to reveal the tower that the mnk npc was talking about if it was infact part of the coming crystal tower. And if it was part of it I would assume that mean the crystal tower grew (magically or mechanically) since it was first revealed.

[HiirNoivl]

You guys have some interesting theories about the forested area.... But my logic keeps telling me that if the snowy area wasn't in Mor Dhona they wouldn't have put that picture in the Mor Dhona page right next to the picture of Midgarsormr and the battle of Mor Dhona. =/

So in response to the thread title I'm gonna have to say "No." for now.

[Inzoum]

The Hyur WAR is still missing his helm and a weapon which were left behind when they were sent forward.

Naw, actually he got those after October 31's save, that's all. They didn't carry over to ARR.

[Duuude007]

Naw, actually he got those after October 31's save, that's all. They didn't carry over to ARR.

... off topic much?

[Zantetsuken]

It was stated earlier by someone that dragons don't like ice or something, yet on the official page for Mor Dhona it flat out says that Midgardsormr summons "a host of dragons [that] flew in from the northwestern reaches of Dravania."

I was going to say that perhaps that screenshot may have been added simply because of the mention of Dravania. But that seems unlikely.

I do agree that the Behemoth screenshot is most likely in some place like northern (snowy) Coerthas, or perhaps a southern part of Dravania, and that the Crystal Tower is being seen from a distance.
From all the evidence it does look like Mor Dhona is lush again in ARR.
Coerthas is essentially the next zone over. With that in mind, the altitude could (and does, even in 1.0) change quite dramatically, hence the snowy mountain tops above the clouds, yet still remain in relatively close enough proximity of the Crystal Tower for it appear as big as it does in the Behemoth shot.

Not just 'Some Place' in Coerthas.. the concept art for the behemoth in the snow is actually ON the map


Its right next to the #3 -- and it points to a dot with the exact location. (though it might be a zone marker)

My bet is that[...]
Coerthas will be a snowy mountainous area where Behemoth(s?) will be found.

Yeah, that's a safe bet...

[Warlock]

Not just 'Some Place' in Coerthas.. the concept art for the behemoth in the snow is actually ON the map


Its right next to the #3 -- and it points to a dot with the exact location. (though it might be a zone marker)




Yeah, that's a safe bet...

Damn nice that seems to be the revamped Coerthas map huh.. so all those floating chained pieces of land will be there ..and also that active volcano quite interesting.. i can't wait to explore that place

[NoloeTazier]

Damn nice that seems to be the revamped Coerthas map huh.. so all those floating chained pieces of land will be there ..and also that active volcano quite interesting.. i can't wait to explore that place

The floating-chained land is an Imperial Frontline base. The picture above the Behemoth's Lair picture might be Bahamut's Labyrinth, if it is then it blows my theory that the Labyrinth is in Dravania or Sharlayan. It says "Fort destroyed by a dragon, Makes dungeon inside."
This is a destroyed Ishgardian Fort which might be the outside of the dungeon.

[Rane]

Reading through some lore and there were some things that were puzzling me. There is info in the game (monk quest NPC as people have stated) which places the crystal tower underground in Mor Dhona. However I cannot accept that this area has turned completely into an icy mountainous area directly next to the Shroud and Thanalan, it doesn't fit even in the fantasy world. The terrain simply does not match Mor Dhona.



Looking at this again, the behemoth is at a very high altitude mountainous area, what I think is that it's the upper part of the massive crystal tower that is being viewed in the distance from another area. The white clouds that blend in with the icy mountains give the illusion that it's closer than it really is.

This is a factual shot of what Mor Dhona looked like before the game.
(before the airship dragon battle incident)


Compare the old terrain..


..with the terrain where the characters are featured in A Realm Reborn trailers





Left: Original FFXIV opening - Right: ARR trailer clip

Check out the opening shot of Mor Dhona where the camera shoots out from the forest in original opening movie of 1.0 at 1:52.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag2cRTU-Og8

Now look at the clips where the chocobos run through the forest and water out into the sunlight in the ARR trailer starting at 0:34.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYMrFXcqvk4





So my theory.. whatever happened "cleared the air" in Mor Dhona allowing it to begin turning back into what it once was and the Crystal Tower has also risen up in this area. This explains what the characters see when the Hyur does his infamous 100 emotions at once face at 0:46
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYMrFXcqvk4




As I've said before I believe these are scenes from the 2nd part of the cutscene where the characters have just arrived in the future at the same area. The Hyur WAR is still missing his helm and a weapon which were left behind when they were sent forward.

The ending scene for 1.0 was very dark and bittersweet. The future clips are full of sun light, white clouds, vibrant greens. I think the opening scene for ARR is going to contrast the disastrous ending of 1.0 and a destroyed Mor Dhona to a bright and lush green Mor Dhona to give a sense of wonder, hope, and adventure to a realm "reborn."

Nice post, Ursus! I think you're right. I think that the "whoa, wha?...hell yeah!...OK seriously now" hyur has just seen the Crystal Tower in the distance for the first time. And as you said, It looks like he's in Mor Dhona. I wonder if he reappears in the same place that he vanished during the world's destruction? If so, then this could be one of the first things he sees.

Also, Yoshida said something regarding the second ARR trailer that supports your theory that the opening cutscene to 2.0 will contrast sharply with the dark, depressing ending to old XIV.

The themes of destruction and rebirth are more powerful than ever for FFXIV, and so what better time to drop a few keywords in the trailers to hint at what’s on the way in the wake of the coming catastrophe. I think it’s a little something special for those playing the game now, since it shows the worlds of the current version and the future version side by side in a way that hasn’t been done before.

I can't wait to explore Mor Dhona in ARR!