(07-03-2015, 09:50 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: Gridania is inland, too far from the Rothlyt Sound,Â
So, in short, no. All known Eorzean ports are on Aldenard's western coastline.
While it's not explicitly stated, we know that there is a network of creeks and rivers within the Black Shroud, and there are ferries that bring people across those rivers, so it isn't a leap to think they may have an inland port for trade purposes.
Thanalan has lighthouses and docks all over the place, so it isn't a stretch to think they get a fair amount of nautical traffic going in and out of Ul'dah, so I wouldn't go as far as to say we don't know of any ports in the East.Â
Ala Mhigo may have had ports as well, seeing as how Gyr Abania is described as harsh terrain. Historically, in places of harsh terrain, large cities depend on water routes for their goods because they can't exactly get what they need from the land. This applies to Ul'dah as well. There's no way Ul'dah's entire trade network is based around caravan traffic, especially with Brass Blades frequently harassing merchants who go through Thanalan by foot/chocobo/carriage. Thanalan's arid biome, occasional docks and lighthouses, and financial success lend themselves to the idea of a nautical economy, even if the game's lore never comes out and says "Thank the gods for all these boats and all this money". Maybe they don't have maritime prowess at the level of Limsa, but it certainly would be possible for someone to emigrate to Aldenard through Ul'dah.
