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

[Enkidoh]

Well, there was already one instance of a npc in the game having come from Othard, although he was a Garlean soldier and his actual home city state was never revealed, other than that he was born in Othard (the highlander hyur engineer at Castrum Occidens during the cutscene that plays when you take an airship for the first time - the same scene where Nero executes the Ala Mhigan spy).

As well, the long-mentioned city-state of Radz-at-han apparently is located on Othard as well, a nation that has long traded with Eorzea, especially Ul'dah, despite being under Garlean control. In any event it's going to be interesting to see how the new story goes into filling in the blanks about the eastern most continent.

[Kyan]

As well, the long-mentioned city-state of Radz-at-han apparently is located on Othard as well

Actually, Radz-at-Han is specifically described on items and in quests as the capital of the Island Nation of Thavnair - also known colloquially as the Near East. I do not think Thavnair is a part of Othard, given it is an island.

[Enkidoh]

Really? All the information I'd read on the subject stated that it was a near-Eastern city state on 'a continent across the Jade sea' (which Othard definitely fits the bill), and states Thavnair is a separate location, (that's how FF Wiki states it anyway, although I know shouldn't rely on that as an accurate source ).

In any event, I believe you, but I'm just trying to work out which is correct (damnit, where are Moose, Catapult and the rest of the Loremasters when you need them? ).

[Catapult]

(damnit, where are Moose, Catapult and the rest of the Loremasters when you need them? ).

Here's my problem: We don't have a full-blown map of the planet. For all we know, Othard could be to the west... and to the East. There is simply too much missing information for me to make north or south of it.

It may be time to call on that Astronomical Society of Eorzea...

[Kyan]

Here's my problem: We don't have a full-blown map of the planet. For all we know, Othard could be to the west... and to the East. There is simply too much missing information for me to make north or south of it.

Completely agree, which is why I am careful to note what is my speculation. I have listed things based off of information from in game (or official website) sources. But without a map, it is hard to know... I would love to have an exclusive sneak-peak at the world of Hydaelyn! Shut up and take my gil!

What I can speculate on though, in terms of location, is that I believe Othard to be closer to Aldenard (possibly connected by land bridge, with Ilsabard as well), with Thavnair slightly beyond Othard, and with the Far East beyond Thavnair. Why?

Othard and Ilsabard being connected to Aldenard: Goblin pilgrimages to these lands, and the pest fish species introduced into Aldenards waters. Okay, not a lot of solid evidence. But the world map we currently have does seem to indicate a land bridge in the North East of some description, or more to Aldenard if it is an island continent.

Trade agreements. We see Limsa Lominsa mentioning trade agreements several times with both Radz-at-Han and the Far East in a variety of plots and quests. I understand that Limsa Lominsa is a nation of pirates, huzzah, but I do not see them willing to supply goods for coin with the Garlean Empire or its conquered nations, which Othard and Ilsabard have been stated to be. Perhaps Othard, sandwiched between Thavnair and the Far East, and us, will be the easier of the three Great Continents to "liberate" if we strengthen our bonds with the East? That is, of course, if my speculations on location are correct.

[NoloeTazier]

Kyan is correct, Thavnair is an island... though it may be a part of the same region as Othard, sort of like Vylbrand and Aldenard make Eorzea. So they may be similar in cultures, the whole Final Fantasy samurai/ninja/blue mage/etc societies we associate with the "east."

[Myranda]

Yeah it's def an island with Radz-at-Han as the capital. The OP of this thread has the sources listed already if you want to see for yourself (most relevent the item descriptions for Adamantoise Shell and Thavnairian Mistletoe). Mint Lassi does refer to it as "city-state" though, so there may be a conflation of terms here. What is 100% clear though is that it's definitely separate from Othard.

[Kyan]

Yeah it's def an island with Radz-at-Han as the capital. The OP of this thread has the sources listed already if you want to see for yourself (most relevent the item descriptions for Adamantoise Shell and Thavnairian Mistletoe). Mint Lassi does refer to it as "city-state" though, so there may be a conflation of terms here. What is 100% clear though is that it's definitely separate from Othard.

Myranda, it bothers me that I have seen it referred to as "city-state" and "capital" and not had something jump out at me for being weird. Thanks for pointing it out! I am actually going to make a post about that on the localisation forum, as this could be an error, and I would like to know the answer. If Thavnair has more than one "nation" on it, well, that would be interesting! Yet, I don't get that feeling.

[Kyan]

Yeah it's def an island with Radz-at-Han as the capital. The OP of this thread has the sources listed already if you want to see for yourself (most relevent the item descriptions for Adamantoise Shell and Thavnairian Mistletoe). Mint Lassi does refer to it as "city-state" though, so there may be a conflation of terms here. What is 100% clear though is that it's definitely separate from Othard.

It seems the recently added Jalzahn agrees with Radz-at-Han being a city-state.

He also invented Thavnairian mist - the elixir which helps us infuse spirits into our weapons!

[Kyan]

Kyan is correct, Thavnair is an island... though it may be a part of the same region as Othard, sort of like Vylbrand and Aldenard make Eorzea. So they may be similar in cultures, the whole Final Fantasy samurai/ninja/blue mage/etc societies we associate with the "east."

Yeah it's def an island with Radz-at-Han as the capital. The OP of this thread has the sources listed already if you want to see for yourself (most relevent the item descriptions for Adamantoise Shell and Thavnairian Mistletoe). Mint Lassi does refer to it as "city-state" though, so there may be a conflation of terms here. What is 100% clear though is that it's definitely separate from Othard.

Radz-at-Han claims the entirety of Thavnair as its territory, much as Limsa Lominsa and Ul’dah claim to have dominion over the smaller settlements throughout La Noscea and Thanalan respectively. Alas, this means that the current description of Thavnairian mist is incorrect and must be revised with a future update. Hope that clarifies things!

Hello team, in the patch notes, it says [Jalzahn is a Far Eastern alchemist]. In game, Jalzahn clearly states that he comes from the Near Eastern city-state of Radz-at-Han. I am certain the Far East and the Near East are two separate countries?

They are indeed different places, and you'll find that Jalzahn's origins are now correctly described in the patch notes. Thanks!

Well, that well and truly solves that little riddle about Radz-at-Han, though that cheeky pudding has me laughing at his round-about answer (which I bolded) about the Near and Far East. Different places isn't quite different countries, is it? Still, we know Thavnair is an island so it is definitely separate from Othard in that regard. Here's hoping for more translation/typo/errors about other regions of Hydaelyn in the future!