Hello and welcome!
As Aya said, there's a LOT of flexibility for origin. Do you like the desert? How about forests? Grassy/hilly islands with pirates?
Here's some things a person might know, or be partially aware of.
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threa...n-Timeline.
If there's anything specific you'd want to know about, ask away, and we can try to help out!
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edit: To answer above, I lightly touched on this. A lot of the Ala Mhigan refugees tried to move to Ul'dah, due to the city's belief that money can attain social status. While a few Ala Mhigan people were able to do this, many Uldahns also look at the refugees as outsiders, refusing to give them jobs or decent pay.
As Aya said, there's a LOT of flexibility for origin. Do you like the desert? How about forests? Grassy/hilly islands with pirates?
Here's some things a person might know, or be partially aware of.
- 5 years (probably a couple more as of 3.0) ago, the Garleans tried to crash a moon into Eorzea to destroy it. This was known as the Calamity, and scholars around the land cite that it has disrupted much of the aether, ie the life force of all living things. Scars of the battle are still seen in the land.
- The Garlean Empire is a militaristic country that seeks to unite all nations under their leadership. When talks fail, they turn to more...harsh methods.
- The North-Eastern city of Ala Mhigo fell about 20 years ago. Many of the people who escaped have become refugees.
- 25 years ago, the Garleans had attacked Eorzea. This led to the death of Midgardsommr and the aetherial unbalance in Silvertear Lake, which has caused a disruption of aether across the land.
- The city of Ul'dah is ruled by two parties: the Syndicate and the Sultana. The Syndicate is composed of Monetarists, the 6 richest being the Syndicate members. The Sultana (or Sultan) is a royal leader. Currently, the Sultana is Nanamo Ul Namo, of the Ul line.
- Gridania is a forest city in the Black Shroud (also known as the Twelveswood). They are allowed  to live there due to a deal between the Elementals (basically really powerful spirits of nature).
- The city of Limsa Lominsa is home to many pirates and traders, recently led by the new Admiral, Merlwyb.
- After the Battle of Silvertear Lake, Primals, of the gods of the various "beast tribes" were able to be summoned. Primals rip aether from the land to sustain their physical manifestations. They also have the ability to temper (aka touch, drown, etc) followers into worshipping them. Prayer to a primal is an alternate method of obtaining aether.
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threa...n-Timeline.
If there's anything specific you'd want to know about, ask away, and we can try to help out!
--
edit: To answer above, I lightly touched on this. A lot of the Ala Mhigan refugees tried to move to Ul'dah, due to the city's belief that money can attain social status. While a few Ala Mhigan people were able to do this, many Uldahns also look at the refugees as outsiders, refusing to give them jobs or decent pay.