How has Ishgard been feeding itself?!

[Branson Thorne]

Just echoing a few replies here, but if we're talking their survivability when it comes to feeding or caring for itself, I think it's pretty open to actual trade agreements. It's just not up for opening their gates and receiving help from outside sources.

 

In their minds I think it's kind of like a prideful "This is our fight, this is our problem, we will handle it ourselves" approach.

[Aduu Avagnar]

I just want to echo the sentiments of the fact that it looks like there are plenty of still green area's and just seems to be the highlands that got affected by the permanent winter. Given Coerthas was an Alpine region, they are most likely growing their own foods such as gourds, potatoes, carrots etc. Foods that survive in a relatively harsh climate. that as well as the meat, and most likely imported grains means that there is nothing to suggest that they are starving.

[V'aleera]

I also recall a gathering leve that involved digging up fertile patches of dirt to be transported to areas more suited for growing crops.

 

Also, considering the iron grip they have on the population and export of chocobos (in addition to all their other goods), I don't think Ishgard has much to worry about trade-wise.

[Tiergan]

Also worth considering is that five years ago, Coerthas wasn't a frosty winter wonderland. It's likely that their entire ecosystem is undergoing massive changes due to the nuclear-winteresque impact of Dalamud. Failing that, Coerthas is also more than just one zone, so it's possible that the bulk of their farming and herding happen elsewhere.

 

 

Piggybacking off of Warren's post...

 

 

This was the 1.0 map of Coerthas, which was still an alpine region - cold, snowy winters and such - but wasn't yet completely frozen over pre-Calamity. As you can see, the region hasn't changed much in 2.0, and SE has pretty much confirmed that Heavensward will re-open up these other outside regions as new Coerthas zones.

 

 

Anyways, the Coerthas Lowlands to the south as well as the Miller's Glade region in the Fields of Glory to the East were actually farmlands in 1.0. Sheep/Karakul provided wool for clothing and textiles, as well as milk and meet. The lowlands were fed by the runoff waters of the White Maiden. There were also several hamlets in the surrounding areas, Falcon's Nest, which in 2.0 we learned was frozen over solid when the Snowcloak glacial shift came in from the west. Then Owl's Nest in the East, which in 2.0, access has been blocked off.

 

Here's also a few snippets of Fishing and food item description lore on how Ishgard might feed themselves and what:

 

Maiden Carp

Large schools of these dark silver fish can be found in the White Maiden and her tributaries. Their tendancy to gather in great numbers makes them quite easy to catch, and as such they have been a staple for those living in the Twelveswood since the time of the first settlers.

 

Leafy Seadragon

Though once found all across the five seas, seadragon numbers are now but a mere fraction of what they once were, due in part to Ishgardian culling parties.

 

Emporer Fish

This giant freshwater fish lives out its adulthood feeding in the Indigo Deep before returning all the way back up to the head of the White Maiden to spawn. Its eggs are considered a delicacy among Ishgardian nobility and the Ul'dahn elite, and this has led to severe overfishing of the species. Now it is believed that only a few hundred remain.

 

Dzemael Gratin

Passed down through generations by the Dzemael family, this dish consists of thinly sliced popotoes and eft tails baked in a creamy white sauce.

 

(Dzemael Gratin is a bit of a lore flub actually. Popotoes are from the New World, and the New World was only recently discovered 16 years ago by Merlwyb. So it's not possible for this dish to have been made with popotoes for "generations" likely another tuber or root vegetable substitute.)

 

Knight's Bread

A hard, leavened rye bread traditionally eaten by the knights of Ishgard.

 

Trapper's Quiche

Eggs, cheese, and chopped eft blended together and baked in a flaky crust. A favorite amongst Ishgardian nobles.

 

Crowned Pie

A galette-style pie decorated with a golden crown and served at Ishgardian festivals.

 

 

As for what Isghardian farms and gardens might be growing:

 

Coerthan Carrot

A long orange root vegetable commonly grown in the rocky alpine soil of the Coerthas region.

 

Dzemael Tomato

A rare crossbreed of ruby tomato developed and perfected by House Dzemael botanists.

 

Alpine Parsnip

A long white root vegetable indigenous to the mountainous region of Coerthas.

 

Faerie Apple

A tart variety of apple commonly found growing in the cool mountain passes of Coerthas.

 

Mirror Apple

A sweet yet sour variety of apples native to Coerthas. When polished, the skins become so shiny it is said one can see their own reflection in them.

 

Pixie Plums

A tart fruit commonly grown in mountain orchards in the Coerthas region.

 

Rye

A dark variety of rye grass commonly found growing in the higher elevations of Mor Dhona and Coerthas.

 

 

Hope this helps! ^^

 

 

EDIT: Also interesting fact, since I saw mention of sky fishing in here, none of the Sky Fish have lore stating that they are eaten. In fact, some of the larger sky fish are actually (mistakenly) thought to be Dravanian beasts.

 

These maps make me confused where Mor Dhona and the Shroud are on those maps. :V

[Sounsyy]

 

These maps make me confused where Mor Dhona and the Shroud are on those maps. :V

 

Mor Dhona zone line was in the very south of the map, where "Coerthas Central Lowlands" is written. And the Shroud exit is over in the East next to the Compass and Briar Lake.

[Marisa]

 

These maps make me confused where Mor Dhona and the Shroud are on those maps. :V

 

Mor Dhona zone line was in the very south of the map, where "Coerthas Central Lowlands" is written. And the Shroud exit is over in the East next to the Compass and Briar Lake.

I wonder if it would be entirely out of the question to squeeze the lowlands back in between Mor Dhona and the Highlands? Like, I'm guessing they wouldn't want to throw off the current leveling zone-flow, but... I dunno, sure would be cool to have that zone again.

[Chill Man]

Dragon meat. A lot of dragon meat.

[Khadan]

Dragon meat. A lot of dragon meat.

 

That's disgusting.

 

AND HERESY. *torches and pitchforks*

[Aduu Avagnar]

Dragon meat. A lot of dragon meat.

 

That's disgusting.

 

AND HERESY. *torches and pitchforks*

 

but yeah, dragon meat and alpine food grown in the more untouched regions methinks

[Lamia]

I've actually used this very question in Levinth's character. He's a tradesman, and seeks to expand his trade empire across the lands of the three city-states in order to ensure Ishgard has a steady supply of goods. Being the heir of a noble family, and a 'born and raised' ishgardian, he sees the task of helping to sustain his home city as something that is simply expected of him. I wouldn't be surprised if other 'stranded' ishgardians were also doing something to help their mother nation, despite being stuck in other lands.

[Marisa]

Dragon meat. A lot of dragon meat.

 

That's disgusting.

 

AND HERESY. *torches and pitchforks*

I think dragon meat would taste like alligator. It's not great, but it's edible and you can make it better by adding spices and whatnot. Basically the same idea as goat meat. Although it tastes nothing like goat meat.

[V'aleera]

In my headcanon, Ishgardians will eat dragon meat when they're deployed and rations are running low. But they won't ever talk about it.

[Marisa]

Guys. How did nobody else find this.

Cabbage. Ishgardians eat cabbage. 

 

And oranges? 

[V'aleera]

Actually I believe those are Gysahl greens. One of the Botanist levequests has you weed the area out and references the vegetables being grown for chocobo consumption.

 

http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Salad_Days

[Marisa]

Actually I believe those are Gysahl greens. One of the Botanist levequests has you weed the area out and references the vegetables being grown for chocobo consumption.

 

http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Salad_Days

But it proves that you *can* grow crops in Coerthas, anyhow.  

 

Also, this doesn't prove they eat dragons, but it's worth noting, 

 

Finally, two more things: firstly, I mentioned that dragons probably taste like alligator, but I forgot that Ishgard literally has alligators, and those are totally edible. Also, there are karakuls everywhere, which is basically a sheep. Meaning Ishgard might have things like haggis or gyros.