A question of origins

[Myranda]

I often wonder myself about the full extent of "Eorzea". We know that it's part of the continent of Aldenard, but in contemporary usage, it seems to refer only to the realm formed by the six "modern" city-states of Ala Mhigo, Gridania, Ishgard, Ul'dah, Limsa Lominsa and Sharlayan.

Meaning to say, the northern parts of the continent, like Xelphatol and the Farreach, don't seem to be part of the realm, and islands like the Ciedalaes and Mazlaya also don't seem to be part of Eorzea. I reckon though that these regions are, at the very least, culturally influenced by the city-states, if not under their direct political control. I reckon, for example, that the Ciedalaes, are under the thalassocracy's protection, as implied by the Maelstrom's organisational chart: the Sixth Squadron is named after the Ciedalaes.

To a certain extent, the question of which countries belong in Eorzea mirrors our own real-world queries over who belongs in "Europe". Is Turkey, for example, part of Europe or Asia? Or both?

Generally speaking, it's considered to be all of Aldenard, but inclusive to the surrounding islands so that Vylbrand is also part of it. I'd say that includes Xelphatol and Farreach, there's just not major presence by the 5 races there (as far as we know? Xelphatol is made of canyons and home to the Ixal, not sure we have any information on Farreach). The Cieldalæs are absolutely under the Lominsan banner, as Skirmish was held there in 1.0: Hullbreaker Isle is also on the outskirts of the chain.