Xelphatol is a dungeon

[Altanas]

I am also leaning towards the Xelphatol region being used in 3.x from now on to lead us into the expansion and I think the use of the word "Xelphatol" for the dungeon may be slightly misleading as I think there will be at least two patches after this one for additional exploration of the region before the expansion lands.

There is a reason we cannot just go straight to Ala Mihgo. The current route would mean opening up the Gridania's only wall keeping its enemy out and traversing the foot of an albeit dormant volcano...

Gridania -> East Shroud --> Castrum Oriens // East End Wall -> The Finesand Banks (the foot of a dormant volcano) -> Velodyna River -> Ala Mihgo side of the river -> Gyn Abania -> Ala Mihgo City State -> Ala Mihgo Palace

My concern is that the expansion will feel too samey to Heavensward, the aim being to liberate a city state which we kind of just did with Ishguard. Also airships feature heavily in Ala Mihgo concept art more so than ishguard... so I guess swimming out of the picture.

[EdwinLi]

I kind of expected this since Ala Mhigo areas are in control of the Garlean Empire's Forces. It is basically a means to create a path into the Ala Mhigo zone before the Expansion so we have a means to reach the Expansion area.

[Creltis]

I still find myself heading out into the Shroud to see if anything was done around the Imperial Fort there. Unless it was involved in beast tribe quests and I just don't know about it.

[Morningstar1337]

I still find myself heading out into the Shroud to see if anything was done around the Imperial Fort there. Unless it was involved in beast tribe quests and I just don't know about it.

One of the Sylph quests did involve a FATE in that general area

[myerg]

Omega will be the new SoF :P

[Ceasaria]

The thing I'am thinking is what will be the path to go to the next expansion ?
I mean, for Hevansward,we go to Ishgard first and then we had access to Western Coerthas and Sea of Clouds at the same time to split players I imagine.

But, for the 4.0, will we have access to Ala Mhigo first ?
With the story around this city, I don't think so...perhaps Ala Mhigo will be our final destination.
Then, maybe we will have a new city to discover first, maybe in Xelphatol ? Or maybe in one of the isles, which will be the next Idyllshire ? And why not underearth in Black Shroud in the galleries and anciens cities of Gelmorra which could lead to Gyr Abania ?
It would be interesting to change the standard : 2.0 & 3.0 : City-state at the beginning --> City to build at the end, for 4.0 : City to build at the beginning --> City-state at the end.
I imagine if we start from this new small city in Xelphatol, maybe we will have a path in the Xelphatol Mountains and one other path in Gyr Abania.

[EdwinLi]

I would actually be surprised if they some how made 4.0 include the Garlemald and give us access to the Garlean Empire's capital city.

[Frederick22]

I would actually be surprised if they some how made 4.0 include the Garlemald and give us access to the Garlean Empire's capital city.

Maybe not the capital region but at the the frontier areas.

On the map, all that part covered with clouds, could be another region.

[Nestama]

I would actually be surprised if they some how made 4.0 include the Garlemald and give us access to the Garlean Empire's capital city.

Pretty sure they said that won't be until 5.0 or something.

[Vantol]

Pretty sure they said that won't be until 5.0 or something.

Well, they said at the beginning of 2.0 that they have story planned until the end of 4.0. So by that time we will be done with mother-crystal, primals, warriors of light/darkness, garleans and stuff. 5.0 will be completly new story and place.