Really curious how this will play out, as with each patch there will be new dungeons but since Nidhogg is slain, what will SE come up with that will prompt us to revisit a HW zone (aside form Azys Lla) and go, "hey something is going on in here we should look!" and slap a dungeon entrance at that? The Scions are spread too thin right now so it'd be nice to start getting back on track. The Dragonsong War was a pretty big diversion but in the end we gained an ally with Ishgard which is worth the struggle. And Yshtola seems to be all over the place with the main story, warring triad and Alexander... well at least next patch Alex is expected to come to a close.
If I recall, we spent much time on Cortheas dealing with the rising heretics while pursuing the primal Shiva and it escalated us going to Ishgard. I wonder if we'll be spending time in another zone that will be the launch of the new area? Was assuming some ARR zones will start to open up a bit more (there is a cut off pathway very bottom left in Southern Thanalan that leads to an open stretch of desert. And in Cortheas Central, an ixail guarding a gate you cant get past) Maybe a couple sections in East Shroud where imperial troops will start patrolling... in a way it could irritate the Twelveswood causing some kind of mini-calamity in as of itself.
I'm getting far into this game than I have in years, not even XI had me interested in it's full lore aside from the storylines, possibly more than I should but it's fun for me so pardon my rambling. Yoshi-P would you consider creating ONE new area to explore before expansion? Just one, why? It'll tide people over until, give us something to talk about anyway. Make it where you have to get to a certain point in the main scenario before you can enter (3.4/5), Cortheas Central gave us a small glimpse of Ishgard from the distance, this new zone could give us a preview of the new place... or could leave a bit of a mystery too.
I hope Ala Mhigo does have an Aht Urghan vibe to it, I know nostalgia is blinding me right now, but I can practically taste it.
I want to assume crossing the desert would be the next course of action, but can't take to the skies right away since the regions surrounding Ala Mhigo would be under heavy surveillance (or could be more aether currents). Also a change of scenery since we dealt with the biting cold of the north.