On the history of New Zones (MSQ spoilers)

[bushymark]

I have some confusion about Idyllshire and the Hinterlands that I am hoping I can get some help cleaning up.

Throughout the MSQ, the ruins, library, and Idyllshire itself is referred to as "Sharlayan," now abandoned. It is stated that Alph and Shtola were born there.

Are we in Sharlavan at this time? Has it been abandoned and are the Sharlayans no more? If so, why is this the "Dravanian" hinterlands?

The AST job quests seem to disprove this, as you interact with individuals said to be representing others .... but where do they come from? Does anyone know on the map where we are exactly and what the story is behind it?

Thank you in advance for any help

[Zohar_Lahar]

The Sharlayan you see in the hinterlands was a colony they created in Eorzea, which for some reason was considered an Eorzean City-State despite being of a foreign country.

[bushymark]

Thank you Zohar!

Are Sharlayans not natively from Eorzea? According to this map (http://www.ffxivinfo.com/images/maps...aps-eorzea.jpg), were we in Sharlavan & is Sharlavan the city state? Or is that the home of the Sharlayans and the Hinterlands and Idyllshire are further East?

[Tayolynn]

Looking back in 2.0's MSQ, the Dravanian Hinterlands and Idyllshire may be Sharlayan related, but different from the area that rumored "disappeared" along with it's scholars according to Minfillia. We'll probably learn more if we are to find Minfillia again and may even meet the infamous Krile.

[bushymark]

You know what? Google is my friend .... http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Sharlayan

Thank you very much for pointing me in the right direction!

[Cilia]

I believe they also said the Sharlayans who abandoned the colony in Dravania retreated across the northern seas.

[Balipu]

Yes. As it is mentioned in the very first astrologian quest as well, there is THE Sharlayan which had the Island of Baldesion and everything before Nabriales messed it up and there was Sharlayan a Dravanian colony that was the home for the brightest minds in Eorzea before it was turned into a junkyard by the greedy little gobies.

[Anonymoose]

The way Koji Fox likes to explain it is to compare it to Portland. People from Portland, Maine traveled the Oregon Trail and at the end of it founded a new city. What did they decide to name it? Portland. (Not New Portland, because nobody cares if you're confused.)

Sharlayan is an island in the north (off the map, we think, like Meracydia in the south). They established a colony in Eorzea, also called Sharlayan, which prospered enough to be considered a city-state by certain standards. When the Garlean Empire invaded in 1557, the Sharlayans tried to be diplomatic, but peace talks fell through and the colony decided to get the hells outta dodge in 1562. You visit that colony; we've never seen the motherland.

[Dalvy]

Think of it this way.

Sharlayan island where Leveva comes from = Spain. The motherland that has existed for a few thousand years.
Hinterlands where Alphi comes from = Philippines. Mother country didn't own the land, just occupied it for a very long time. Withdrew when things went to shit.

[Viridiana]

The way Koji Fox likes to explain it is to compare it to Portland. People from Portland, Maine traveled the Oregon Trail and at the end of it founded a new city. What did they decide to name it? Portland. (Not New Portland, because nobody cares if you're confused.)

Also, people from Portland in this example are called Portland. Try to keep up.