A question regarding travel as it pertains to the story...

[Hazama999]

This is something that pops in my mind from time to time, particularly when a character from a distant place (and I know that distances in-world are much, much greater than represented in-game) just... shows up.

Given the ubiquity of the aetheryte system, when exactly (unless explicitly stated) are we meant to assume that a character traveled via rudimentary means and routes? Does Lyse, for example, use an aetheryte to take herself between the frontlines and back to Mor Dhona and vice versa, or does she undertake "journey" every time?

Of course, I realize that there are areas you wouldn't really be porting in and out of, be it due to some disturbance in the force or some other reason.

[Veloran]

Sometimes aetherytes are used, sometimes they're not. It seems like most other non-WoL characters basically operate on the 1.0 anima system where they can't just spam teleport everywhere all the time, and intercontinental teleporting is extremely rare if not impossible for the vast majority of people.

[WhiteArchmage]

As Veloran said, the WoL is stated to have large amounts of Anima, which is what lets them teleport anywhere at any time. "Regular" people are limited into how much and far they can teleport; plus that you need to attune to an Aetheryte before porting to it means that whenever a character needs to go to a new area, they must do so through regular means.

Also, some characters, like Thancred, literally can't teleport because you need a basic ability to manipulate aether, in this case your own.

There's a point which I forget that it's mentioned that the Doman forces who could teleport to Eorzea, did so. As far as speed of transportation (and the subsequent "When can we assume characters teleported or not"), that's always "at the speed of plot": characters and entire armies are as fast as the plot needs them to be.

[MoofiaBossVal]

It is my understanding that the WoL might be the only character who is teleporting around in the story. IIRC the Scions took a boat ride from Kugane back to Limsa.

In the 5.3 MSQ, there is a segment where the characters are trying to quickly return to a place with an aetheryte that they had been to before, but rather than teleporting to the aetheryte, they have to fly/run all the way there. To me that implies that aetherytes for long distance teleportation aren't really a thing, only a game mechanic.

The only time we see NPCs using aetherytes in the story is when they are raiding a beast tribe stronghold and use an aetheryte to port a very short distance into an inner sanctuary to fight a Primal.

[Kuroka]

Sometimes aetherytes are used, sometimes they're not. It seems like most other non-WoL characters basically operate on the 1.0 anima system where they can't just spam teleport everywhere all the time, and intercontinental teleporting is extremely rare if not impossible for the vast majority of people.

Actually the fisher quests mention how the true guild leader was once at Kugane when he was young and can just teleport there - it is a thing, not not too often as not everyone has that unlimited anima we do lol.

Considering how small the fee is the network should be used plenty...

[Veloran]

Actually the fisher quests mention how the true guild leader was once at Kugane when he was young and can just teleport there - it is a thing, not not too often as not everyone has that unlimited anima we do lol.

Considering how small the fee is the network should be used plenty...

What quest is that mentioned in? I believe it, but like I said it's very rare and probably requires a lot of built up anima for it.

[Kuroka]

What quest is that mentioned in? I believe it, but like I said it's very rare and probably requires a lot of built up anima for it.

im logged out so i gotta check database....

Edit: there https://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/w...awning_Grounds

Edit: hmmm seems to differ in english...? maybe im just tired and confuse some other gatherer or crafter but someone mention that for sure... ill look...

[YianKutku]

Sometimes aetherytes are used, sometimes they're not. It seems like most other non-WoL characters basically operate on the 1.0 anima system where they can't just spam teleport everywhere all the time, and intercontinental teleporting is extremely rare if not impossible for the vast majority of people.

A few unnamed NPCs are said to be able to do it. Specifically, Hien sent over the troops (mostly shinobi, if I recall) that could teleport straight to Eorzea first, to participate in the Ghimlyt Dark battle. Usually armies don't do this because you don't split an army in normal circumstances, but in this case any help is good, especially since Doma is safe from Garlean invasion at the moment post-Seiryuu's Wall.

Having said that, the word used was "few", meaning it is indeed very rare.

[Erendis]

The number of shinobi that could teleport for Ghimlyt Dark was limited because not many of them were in Eorzea and attuned to aetherytes there (only refugees that arrived with Yugiri).

[MoofiaBossVal]

The number of shinobi that could teleport for Ghimlyt Dark was limited because not many of them were in Eorzea and attuned to aetherytes there (only refugees that arrived with Yugiri).

My understanding is that whenever Hien and his retinue go to Eorzea, they are flying on the Yol. So he can only bring a small number of elites.

That begs the question: how long does it take for them to travel from Yanxia to Ala Mhigo? It appears that the 4.4 and 4.5 MSQ takes place over the course of a few days. Even if Hien had a 1 day headstart, he's still flying across the continent on a bird very quickly. Either the birds can travel at jet speed, or Aldenard isn't really a huge continent and the distance isn't that great. But didn't the boat trip from Limsa to Hingashi take a month? In which case the birds would have to be flying at jet speeds, or Hien had a REALLY LONG headstart, and the MSQ took place over weeks.