Actually, it is very possible to travel to Othard even in the current political climate. Far Eastern and Eorzean trade ships have made the journey across the Sea of Jade quite regularly over the last 25 years of Garlean occupation of Othard. It was only within the last year, during Garlemald's War of Succession, that Doma attempted to rebel against Garlemald and to set an example for the other Far Eastern provinces, the Empire razed the city-state. This is the cause of the recent influx of Doman refugees, particularly the Raen Au Ra, who were native to the city-state and its surrounding province.
The Xaela, on the other hand, for the most part live in Othard's other regions. The Azim Steppes northwest of Doma, the deserts to Othard's south, etc. According to Sidurgu of the DRK storyline, when the Garleans first began to occupy Othard 20-25 years ago, his tribe of Xaela journeyed from Othard to Eorzea and wound up in Ishgard. They were greeted with some rather intense discrimination and racial violence, and Au Ra have been incredibly rare sight in Eorzea since. So there is precedence for the Au Ra coming and going in Eorzea, even in recent months, as trade still continues between the continents under Imperial supervision. This is why we have the Far Eastern delegates for the new years celebrations and also why there are still many Far Easterners arriving in Eorzea months after Doma was made example of. In the Ninja questline, the main NPCs even plan on returning to Othard after they are done training the Player Character. That said, the difficulty of getting into Othard from Eorzea has likely increased tenfold since Doma's razing.
Hope this helps! ^^
The Xaela, on the other hand, for the most part live in Othard's other regions. The Azim Steppes northwest of Doma, the deserts to Othard's south, etc. According to Sidurgu of the DRK storyline, when the Garleans first began to occupy Othard 20-25 years ago, his tribe of Xaela journeyed from Othard to Eorzea and wound up in Ishgard. They were greeted with some rather intense discrimination and racial violence, and Au Ra have been incredibly rare sight in Eorzea since. So there is precedence for the Au Ra coming and going in Eorzea, even in recent months, as trade still continues between the continents under Imperial supervision. This is why we have the Far Eastern delegates for the new years celebrations and also why there are still many Far Easterners arriving in Eorzea months after Doma was made example of. In the Ninja questline, the main NPCs even plan on returning to Othard after they are done training the Player Character. That said, the difficulty of getting into Othard from Eorzea has likely increased tenfold since Doma's razing.
Hope this helps! ^^
