Hydaelyn at large (is there a compilation of info yet?)

[Alice_89th]

So its cool to see maybe real world still being a big source of geographical/climate/fauna - flora/ inspiration.

The real world definitely seems to be the inspiration for a lot of the descriptions. Especially when you look at a lot of the botany items, their descriptions match a lot. (the origin of potatoes Popoto's and rice, for example).

Like you mentioned, Eorzea seems to take the spot of Europe, with some equivalent of America to the west and 'the East' being middle/east Asia. Aloe is mentioned in game to be native to the southern continent and in the real world it is native to Africa, so that matches as well. I am not sure whether anything matches Australia...

Ilsabard wouldn't really fit with this comparison though, as it is described as being (on) the northern continent. But there is nothing north of Europe unless you want to count the north pole. Looking at the world map however, the Garlean Empire seems to be where our Russia would be. So maybe they mean that by north? Then again, it doesn't have to match.

There is one thing that confuses me though. Aldenard is described as ''the westernmost of the three great continents''. Yet item various descriptions and quests seem to hint at there being something even more western. Whether that there really is a yet unexplored continent ... I don't know. I know it called the 'new world', but that could both be a hint at that it is yet unexplored, or another parallel to America

In the same way, the description says ''the westernmost of the three great continents''. But even if we leave out 'the new world' there is talk of northern, southern, and eastern regions. Then again it does say great continents, so maybe there are smaller ones as well?

[Kyan]

Then again it does say great continents, so maybe there are smaller ones as well?

The three Great Continents are Aldenard, Ilsabard and Othard, with Aldenard being the westernmost of the three, correct. But yes, there are more lands in all directions, such as Meracydia to the South, and The New World which you were talking about.

As to an Australian counterpart, maybe it is the Island of Bianaq (which I cannot seem to place)? I can only dream! As a proud Australian, I long for kangaroo beastmen and platypus mounts...

[Alice_89th]

That makes me curious how many other places are be

Hmmmm, maybe I can go through some more item descriptions and see whether I can find anything that hints at an equivalent to Australia. New items have been added as well, so maybe there is some new info to be found.

[Enkidoh]

From what I understand, Meracydia is the Australia-equivalent in Hydaelyn - it's an island continent in the south that is regarded as a mysterious 'great south land' (although it should be noted that the ACN class apparently originates from there, meaning the inhabitants are not 'primitive' by any stretch, given ACN uses geometry and esoteric mathematics to generate their spells.

In some respects, FFXIV is following FFXI's lead which also used Earth's continents as a loose basis for it's geography (FFXI's world of Vana'diel featured a Europe/UK/Africa-inspired region similar to Eorzea called 'the Middle Lands' where the original game started and was based aroud, with a barely inhabited continent to the West that was regarded somewhat like North and South America immediately after European contact, a mysterious Australia-like continent to the south, a continent to the East that featured a Persian-inspired 'near East' and an Japan-inspired 'Far East', and a frozen continent to the north that was heavily Norse inspired (specifically, it's filled with barbaric races of giants and Toliken-inspired orcs).

So far, all the information about Hydaelyn seems to strongly suggest that it's geography is set out in a similar manner.

[Kyan]

From what I understand, Meracydia is the Australia-equivalent in Hydaelyn - it's an island continent in the south that is regarded as a mysterious 'great south land'

Is this the theme song?

Hehe. In other news, I have now finished all my New Year's celebrating, and although I am quite sleep deprived, I am about to finally get my FFXIV on! Hope you all had a wonderful beginning to 2014, and thanks for the contributions, discussions and likes in this thread. I am far from completing most of the class quests, so I appreciate all the extra information being added specifically to the wider world of Hydaelyn! I will aim to add the extra information from Heavensturn soon, to the OP.

In the mean time, I wonder if there's a way to entice dear ol' Nedrick into sharing any knowledge about maps of the rest of the world... How to melt an Ironheart?

[Kyan]

Question: In the fate "The Eyes Have It," Steropes is mentioned to have been at Turtleback Island. Is this located on the Eorzean map?


Ah, was that something to do with skirmishes?

[NoloeTazier]

Question: In the fate "The Eyes Have It," Steropes is mentioned to have been at Turtleback Island. Is this located on the Eorzean map?


Ah, was that something to do with skirmishes?

Yeah Turtleback island is part of the Cieldalaeh island chain south east of Vylbrand (Limsa) where Skirmish was allowed to take place. One of the monsters we fought being a Cyclops/Steropes. Chances are they were shipped here to be used in training exercises and were able to escape during the Calamity.

[Myranda]

Yeah Turtleback island is part of the Cieldalaes* island chain

Right as you are, whoever made that translated map did an atrocious job reading the Eorzean. Mor Dhol instead of Mor Dhona?? Doerthas????

Other errors I spot:

Sharlavan --> Sharlayan
Hafaem Halfmoon --> Yafaem Saltmoor
Gyn Abania --> Gyr Abania
Theuearl --> The Pearl
Mazlava --> Mazlaya

I think I need to make my own version of the translated map at this point, as there's other marked features that aren't even translated too.

[NoloeTazier]

Right as you are, whoever made that translated map did an atrocious job reading the Eorzean. Mor Dhol instead of Mor Dhona?? Doerthas????

Other errors I spot:

Sharlavan --> Sharlayan
Hafaem Halfmoon --> Yafaem Saltmoor
Gyn Abania --> Gyr Abania
Theuearl --> The Pearl
Mazlava --> Mazlaya

I think I need to make my own version of the translated map at this point, as there's other marked features that aren't even translated too.

Indeed I had many maps saved and just copied/pasted the first one I had saved without looking at it too much. It's one of the oldest maps because people didn't have the Eorzean Alphabet down pat lol. So yeah it's funny reading it.

[Kyan]

Not officially confirmed - as far as I can tell - but I'm sure you've all seen the screenshots/translations/etc.


Othard, one of the Three Great Continents, conquered by the Garleans, has a nation called "Doma" on its shores. Yugiri, pictured, is a refugee of her homeland, with her and her countrymen seeking sanctuary in Eorzea. I look forward to learning more about Doma, and Othard.

Thinking out loud: Many people are saying that Doma could hint at the inclusion of Samurai because of the name connection to FF6 - this speculation is interesting. But, I would like to point out, that I do not think Othard is the same as the Far East - purely because of the way the East is referred to as "the East" and Othard as "Othard" in various in-game contexts. I believe Othard and the East/Far East are two separate entities. Also, we see a lot of "samurai-esque" links through Heavensturn - a Far Eastern tradition.

Though, that's not to say that Doma does not also have Samurai. We will not know until we learn more!