Geography of Hydaelyn

[Kage]

We have this map (taken from bluegartr forums from the 3.0 cutscene)

Some more maps

 

Note that the large western continent has not been named, and is only considered the New World. Merlwyb and her crew find this (as mentioned in Over the Horizon in the Library). The old myth of Aldenard, Ilsabard and Othard does not mention this western continent. Aldenard, Ilsabard and Othard are named because they are the -biggest- and Aldenard is the smallest. Comparing the New World to Aldenard... perhaps Aldenard is not one of the biggest...

 

Which landmass is Othard? We know it as the Far East. Most likely not -shown- yet...!

 

I imagine Ilsabard encompasses the landmass known as The Garlean Empire but do we have actual in-game references to these locations?

 

((At the moment, GamerEscape says Ilsbard is to the northeast of Aldenard and http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Hydaelyn says Ilsabard is to the northwest. I'm more inclined to believe GamerEscape))

 

((Intended to serve as resource / theory crafting thread. *lights up Sounsyy signal for some help*))

 

NEW MAP 2/20/2017

[Valence]

Aah nice that'e exactly what I was looking for and asked about on Heavy RP the last day!

 

Invaluable info to me.

 

Do Aldenard seem land connected to Garlemald? Likewise, is Garlemald land connected to the other landmass on the east next to it?

[Sounsyy]

 

Red - Aldenard

Green - Ilsabard

Blue - Othard (you have to look really closely but you can see the edge of the continent there.)

Purple - Thavnair

Orange - Meracydia

Pink - The New World

 

 

The small city-state of Garlemald is located in Ilsabard, but the Garlean Empire controls all of Ilsabard and Othard since the Year 1552 of the Sixth Astral Era.

 

And yes, the Three Great Continents (Aldenard, Ilsabard, and Othard) are connected by land bridges which are visible on this World Map as well as the Eorzean Map. Aldenard has always been speculated as being the smallest continent, so I believe the term "Great Continent" refers to the fact that these three "great" continents are great because they are connected - a super continent if you will.

 

 

Hope this helps clarify things! ^^ Lemme know if you have more questions!

[Kage]

Do you have any quest or other text log to reference ilsabard's location?

 

Someone is wrong on the internet. >.> <.< Insisting that Othard is what is referenced as The Garlean Empire.

[Sounsyy]

Do you have any quest or other text log to reference ilsabard's location?

 

Someone is wrong on the internet. >.> <.< Insisting that Othard is what is referenced as The Garlean Empire.

 

Smack 'em in the face with this will ya?

 

Continent Locations:

 

 

Ilsabard

In the name of the Twelve and all that is good' date=' you must cease this folly at once! The Ixal and Amalj'aa are not enemies! [b']Your enemies lie in the northeast—the Empire![/b] They are the true threat to Eorzea. What will come of quarreling amongst yourselves!?

 

To the north, on the continent of Ilsabard, the Republic of Garlemald begins overwhelming nearby nations with their iron war machines, seizing their land and consuming their cultures. In the year 1552, the leader of the republic, Solus zos Galvus, declares Garlemald an empire and appoints himself emperor. The new imperial army, now swelling with the might of countless assimilated nations, methodically subjugates the eastern continent of Othard and the remaining lands of Ilsabard, welcoming those nations willing to bow to imperial rule, while erasing those which refuse the Garlean standard.

 

Until some fifty years ago' date=' Garlemald was a remote and sparsely populated nation which held little more than a fraction of the [b']northern continent of Ilsabard[/b]. But with the arrival of a technological golden age and the concurrent emergence of a brilliant young legatus—now the reigning emperor—in the span of a single generation Garlemald established itself as one of the most formidable forces in all of Hydaelyn.

 

 

Othard, the Far East

One nation after the next fell before their relentless onslaught' date=' first those of the northlands, followed by the sovereign states of the [b']eastern continent, Othard[/b].

 

The eastern nations were the first to feel the newborn empire's mighty fist. It was during this campaign that the emperor witnessed firsthand the destruction wrought by the primals—an experience that led to an imperial mandate for their annihilation.

 

A hard' date=' bitter fruit found in the forests of [b']far eastern[/b] Doma. While typically avoided by the five races, it is a favorite amongst chocobos, and is known to lighten the red hues of their feathers.

 

A small freshwater fish originally from the eastern continent of Othard. It is said that the first dark sleeper was introduced to Eorzea by an exiled Lalafellin prince who wished to once again experience the luxuries of his homeland.

 

 

Thavnair, the Near East

I just posted this the other day.

 

 

Meracydia, the Southern Continent

A thick' date=' spiny-leaved cactus indigenous to the [b']southern continent of Meracydia[/b]. The Miqo'te are known to treat severe burns with the cool gel-like substance found inside the leaves.

 

This freshwater fish, known for its voracious appetite, is originally native to the southern continent of Meracydia. As its only natural predator is man, dark bass numbers have risen greatly in recent years, especially due to the increasing popularity of the faerie bass.

 

Quality materials crafted by the skilled alchemists of Eorzea are highly sought-after in the faraway land of Meracydia. The Seventry-seven Caravans is currently preparing a shipment bound for the southern continent via Limsa Lominsa' date=' but is still far from meeting its quota. Alchemists with the skill to craft the items are being sought to assist in the creation of the remainder of the order. Those interested are to speak with Caravan stockist Claroise Auberle for details.[/quote']

 

 

The New World, the Western Continent

Believed to have hitched a ride on the hull of a trade ship, the acorn snail is an invasive species originally from the New World, far to the west. As it has few natural predators in Eorzea, its numbers have exploded in recent years.

 

Though there is some debate as to whether or not Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn and her League of Lost Bastards were the first Eorzeans to discover the western continent, there is no denying that their navigational charts were instrumental in establishing the major trade routes of today.

 

 

The Old World, Sharlayan

We of the Circle are not possessed of the power to quell such quarrels. We can but stir men to wakening with words born of ancient truths. From far to the north and west have we traveled' date=' from a place where knowledge floweth as water from a riverhead. Hither have we come to save this realm from a great sorrow that lieth all too near.[/quote']

[Kage]

Issues came with this.

Ilsabard is north of Eorzea, Othard is the one to the north-east (we can even see a part of it shrouded in clouds on the Eorzea map labeled "The Garlean Empire").

 

Me:

Both locations "Ilsabard being northeast of Aldenard" and Othard being the "easternmost continent" are taken from Gamerescape's pages http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Ilsabard and http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Othard. I see no reason not to believe that Ilsabard is being shown in the map as "The Garlean Empire" instead of Othard.

 

http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Hydaelyn

 

Me:

So if Ilsabard is -northwest- as this wiki editor claims, does this mean it is part of the New World continent to Aldenard's west as shown in the space map or is it not more likely that someone made a typo on the wiki you want to use?

 

At this point, the only thing I can think of is that Ilsabard is completely -off- the maps we see.

[Sounsyy]

At this point, the only thing I can think of is that Ilsabard is completely -off- the maps we see.

 

But... Kage... I just circled it? Ilsabard and Aldenard are connected by the landbridge in the northeastern region of Gyr Abania. The continent is north of Aldenard, and extends further north to the north pole than what we can see on map because lolcloud placement, but it also extends east to connect with the Far Eastern continent Othard, which I also circled. Think of it like Europe and Asia.

[Kage]

At this point, the only thing I can think of is that Ilsabard is completely -off- the maps we see.

 

But... Kage... I just circled it? Ilsabard and Aldenard are connected by the landbridge in the northeastern region of Gyr Abania. The continent is north of Aldenard, and extends further north to the north pole than what we can see on map because lolcloud placement, but it also extends east to connect with the Far Eastern continent Othard, which I also circled. Think of it like Europe and Asia.

I meant, by humoring the post by saying that Ilsabard is -just- north and Othard is to the east (and once again humoring how Othard is the landmass connected to Aldenard).

[Kage]

New things by Anonymoose.

 

1. The little island up northwest is not Sharlayan. It's indeed farther. It is not just across the Bloodbrine

 

Why would Lord Jannequinard think I had information on the whereabouts of a handful of unbelievers from across the Bloodbrine Sea? I am an astrologian' date=' not a fortune-teller. I cannot simply look to the stars and scry the location of the viscount's guests...unless his guests are dragons, that is.[/quote']

 

2. To confirm that Ilsabard is not to just the north or the northwest...

A Hyuran Path Companion to a sylph from 1.0 in the Quest Together We Stand, The Black Shroud is too close to Imperial territory (Ala Mhigo and the landbridge) and suggest getting to safer ground, such as south, east, or even north across the Bloodbrine.

 

If Ilsabard was to the North, that would be bad advice

[Sounsyy]

2. To confirm that Ilsabard is not to just the north or the northwest...

A Hyuran Path Companion to a sylph from 1.0 in the Quest Together We Stand, The Black Shroud is too close to Imperial territory (Ala Mhigo and the landbridge) and suggest getting to safer ground, such as south, east, or even north across the Bloodbrine.

 

If Ilsabard was to the North, that would be bad advice

 

The quote in question:

What will you do now? Will you flee the forest?

Living this close to the Empire's borders, you only invite another attack. Why not move your tribe east or south? Or perhaps north, across the Bloodbrine Sea?

 

Interestingly, each of the path companions has slightly different suggestions for destination and only the Midlander mentions heading that far north. The Roegadyn suggests heading to Coerthas actually. The Miqo'te and Elezen suggest only to the South or East. The Lalafell Male asks the Sylphs to take him with them lol. Not that that's meant to discredit what you're saying. I'm in full agreement. Ilsabard is to the northeast across the Gyr Abanian landbridge and extends north and east away from Aldenard and towards Othard. Sharlayan appears to be the only landmass directly north of Eorzea far across the northern Bloodbrine sea, far off any maps we have seen in game.

[Sounsyy]

Kage and I were talking about it last night, and the general accepted travel time by boat from Vylbrand to Meracydia is at least a fortnight, though based on how outrageous most NPCs view the claim of such a travel time, it's more likely to take close to a month or more by boat. Here's the quote:

 

Its name meaning "stalwart" in the Lalafellin tongue, this deep-sea predator is not only massive, but deceptively fast. Some sailors swear that a mahi-mahi can make the journey from Meracydia to the Cieldalaes in less than a fortnight, though knowing most sailors, that claim may be slightly exaggerated.

 

 

EDIT: Here's why I say over a month travel time by boat-

Real world Mahi-mahi are known to travel at speeds of up to 50 knots (that's about 57 mph), however most vessels from the Age of Sail circa the 16-1700s I've researched only reached speeds of 10-15 knots. So while a Mahi-mahi may be able to swim from the Cieldalaes to Meracydia in a fortnight, mathematically, it'd take a Lominsan galleon about 3x as long to cover the same distance. Hence, why I say that by boat, it takes closer to a month if not more to reach Meracydia.

[Kage]

Even if they weren't exaggerating, a fortnight is still 16 suns (2 weeks). That's still quite a long time by sea. @_@

 

Edit: In current real world comparison, depending on ship length, weather conditions etc, some sailing trips from Newport Beach CA to Hawaii took about 16 days. A rough distance estimate between Hawaii and Newport Beach about 2491 miles, and 2163.73 nautical miles. (2491 malms)

 

So I was doing (flimsy) math and at 10 knots (depending on conditions whatnot), sailing for 16 suns, that's about 4.4k miles. @_@

[Temmi]

Is there any information on Sharlayan, the "Old World"? The wiki says it's on a continent to the north, but I don't see it at all.

 

What do we know about its location?

[Kage]

Is there any information on Sharlayan, the "Old World"? The wiki says it's on a continent to the north, but I don't see it at all.

 

What do we know about its location?

We don't know much. From what we've gathered though, the Sharlayan island is not on any of the maps. It's far north across the Bloodbrine.

[Sounsyy]

Is there any information on Sharlayan, the "Old World"? The wiki says it's on a continent to the north, but I don't see it at all.

 

What do we know about its location?

 

Sharlayan is an island, or island chain rather (Isle of Val is part of Sharlayan but separate island from Sharlayan), in the north Bloodbrine Sea. It has not appeared on any maps as of yet. But it is far to the north above the Farreach.

 

They’re always trying to learn about everything. They went to Eorzea so they could gain knowledge on that place so of course they probably sent parties into Dravania to study up on them and they would have known about the dragons as well. Their whole thing is they’re a city state of knowledge and they gather it and use that knowledge. They send people out everywhere around the world and bring it back to their island nation. Sharlayan in Eorzea was basically an outpost. So saying they weren’t connected would be a lie because it was more to educate people.

 

-Sharlayan

-Sharlayan Summary

 

 

 

EDIT: Sharlayan Lore Dump

 

Sharlayan, the Old World

Sharlayan, the Old World, is a city-state on an archipelago in the northern Bloodbrine Sea. A nation that prizes knowledge, learning, history, magic, and science, Sharlayan has been the world's frontrunners in all fields of study. It deplores violence and as such has no military. It considers Eorzeans at large to be barbarians, but dedicated a colony to study their continent, peoples, and history none-the-less. This colony was situated in Dravania and was also called Sharlayan. However, 15 years ago, it was abandoned overnight after 5 years of peace negotiations with the Garlean Empire, following the fall of Ala Mhigo, fell through.

 

The Old World spans across several islands, though we know of only one such named one - the Isle of Val, home to the Studium and its Students of Baldesion. Here it was that young scholars of Sharlayan would bury themselves in their chosen studies. Exceptional intellects who went on to become masters in their chosen field adopted the title of "Sage" and received the "Mark of the Sages" tattoo found on the Sharlayan members of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and other Sharlayan NPCs we've come across such as Moenbryda, G'raha, and Rammbroes. Unfortunately, the isle of Val was destroyed along with the Students of Baldesion in an attack by immensely powerful magicks.

 

 

We of the Circle are not possessed of the power to quell such quarrels. We can but stir men to wakening with words born of ancient truths. From far to the north and west have we traveled' date=' from a place where knowledge floweth as water from a riverhead. Hither have we come to save this realm from a great sorrow that lieth all too near.[/quote']

 

They’re always trying to learn about everything. They went to Eorzea so they could gain knowledge on that place so of course they probably sent parties into Dravania to study up on them and they would have known about the dragons as well. Their whole thing is they’re a city state of knowledge and they gather it and use that knowledge. They send people out everywhere around the world and bring it back to their island nation. Sharlayan in Eorzea was basically an outpost. So saying they weren’t connected would be a lie because it was more to educate people.

 

Sharlayan is an island nation situated within an archipelago to the north of Eorzea. Like the city-state that its citizens would go on to form in Dravania as a colony of their homeland' date=' Sharlayan is dedicated to scholarly study and the archiving of history. The Forum that governs the nation is a staunch opponent of military intervention, leading to the abandonment of their Eorzean colony in the year 1562 of the Sixth Astral Era after peace talks with the Garlean Empire fell through.[/quote']

 

Louisoix’s eldest son was an influential member of the Forum, the body responsible for shaping Sharlayan policy, and he, like so many of his colleagues, was a staunch opponent of military intervention. It was, he believed, the duty of his countrymen to chronicle world affairs, not to interfere in them.

 

When the steel-clad wolves of the Garlean Empire descended upon Ala Mhigo, it was Fourchenault and his fellows who had attempted to parley a peace. In the bitter wake of the failed negotiations, however, they saw no recourse but to forsake the colony they had built within the borders of the war-threatened realm. Following five years of elaborate and painstaking preparation, the plan to evacuate the settlement’s entire population to the northern archipelago of their homeland was put into motion. In the year 1562 of the Sixth Astral Era, the city of Sharlayan—a renowned center of learning, situated in the Dravanian lowlands—became an uninhabited shell in the space of a single night.

 

While the inhabitants of Sharlayan held an abhorrence of our war with the Dravanians' date=' the style of their architecture speaks of more than neutrality. Rumors have spread among the denizens of camp about secret sympathies of the scholars towards the dragons, which was written in code on the walls of their buildings. I find these to be absolute rot, and ask of you to bring back pieces of Sharlayan flagstone so I may put such conspiracies to rest.[/quote']

 

Led by Louisoix' date=' the Circle of Knowing organization was active from Year 1562 of the Sixth Astral Era until the events of the Calamity ten years later. After Louisoix's disappearance, the remnants of the Circle of Knowing combined with the remnants of the Path of the Twelve to form the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.[/quote']

 

The Arkhitekton

Once home to Sharlayan masters who fashioned aetherytes within its halls, this workshop is now home to the Illuminati, a nasty band of goblins who would wield the ancient technologies within for their own nefarious ends.

 

The Answering Quarter

This Sharlayan settlement stretches across the western banks of the Thaliak. Home to Saint Mocianne's Arboretum and a center for education and scholarly pursuits, it hearkens back to the cities of learning that flourished in bygone times.

 

I never cease to be impressed by the buildings in Sharlayan' date=' made of sturdy stone and vastly different from the architecture of the Pillars. Ere it was abandoned, the city-state was known for effective fortification techniques to protect their scholars against Horde attacks. Mayhap there is knowledge yet to be found within those walls to fortify our own bulwarks. Journey to the Dravanian hinterlands and bring back samples of Sharlayan flagstone so I may better learn what kind of materials were used.[/quote']

 

The Cenotaph

A towering monolith erected in tribute to the great scholars who have passed on, leaving behind the knowledge that has shaped the realm. The names of countless men of learning are etched in the mighty stone, along with the motto of Sharlayan: "Knowledge Seeks No Man."

 

The Tipped Ewer

The spot where the melted snows of Abalathia's Spine flow emerge from their source to descend down the mountain, forming the countless tributaries that come together as the mighty Thaliak River. The name is said to come from the deity whose name the river bears and the magicked pitcher from which poured the waters of knowledge.

 

The Thaliak River is a shining symbol of the Dravanian hinterlands - the great mother who blesses the land with the gift of water. But where the gentle and generous mother brings life' date=' the cruel and merciless father - an oversized crustacean who rules over the Thaliak with an iron claw - brings only death. The great glutton will pounce on anything that moves, and chop up his prey with his tail pincers faster than you can say "ouch." If you don't keep an eye on that tail of his, you'll be feeding the fishes in bite-sized chunks.[/quote']

 

Great Gubal Library

A massive library constructed by the Sharlayans to house the wealth of knowledge they had amassed in their travels across the realm. Though the vast majority of the tomes that once lined its shelves were carried back to the motherland in the exodus, it is said forbidden texts still slumber in sealed-off vaults below.

 

Built by the learned men and women of Sharlayan' date=' the Great Gubal Library is the grandest repository of knowledge in all of Eorzea. Lining its towering shelves are tomes beyond count, gathered from the farthest reaches of the realm. Like the city-state, however, the library was abandoned by its caretakers when they fled to their motherland in the face of Garlean invasion. And now, fifteen years since its doors were sealed, you will be the first soul to set foot within its halls. Your destination is the forbidden section deep within the library, where lies your objective: the fruits of Matoya’s research on the aetheric converger.[/quote']

 

The Orn Wild

A primeval forest that stretches across the northern reaches of the Dravanian hinterlands, its rich verdure sustained by the pristine waters of the Thaliak. Nigh untouched by the hand of man, its wilds stand between those who would make their way to Sharlayan without braving a trek across the forelands.

 

Saint Mocianne's Arboretum

This botanical garden built by the Sharlayans once was home to fauna and flora collected from across the realm, the study of which yielded numerous discoveries regarding our natural world. Sadly, it was abandoned in the exodus, the teeming life within left to run wild and unchecked.

 

Saint Mocianne's Arboretum once housed the greatest collection of flora and fauna the realm had ever known. Alas' date=' in the wake of the Exodus it was left to the elements, and the wildlife within now roams its halls unchecked and untamed. A band of treasure hunters hopes to brave this leafy labyrinth in search of a cache more valuable than gold, that could ensure Idyllshire's prosperity for years to come. But will their search of this savage garden yield fortune, or end in failure?[/quote']

 

The Sage's Cataract

As the Thaliak River stretches north towards the Orn Wild, it spills over this grand waterfall. In the past, students would compete to see who could swim closest to the cataract's edge without succumbing to its powerful torrents. A ban on entering the waters was eventually imposes after too many accidents.

 

The Path of Knowing

This colossal bridge was once a bustling artery for researchers, students, and curators commuting to and from the Great Gubal Library. Its stone pillars suffered significant damage when the Calamity reshaped the land, causing a portion of the walkway to crumble and collapse.

 

The Daggers

An area of the hinterlands where clusters of stone columns shaped like daggers protrude from the earth. The scholars of Sharlayan had long been engulfed in a heated debate over whether the name was too simple and colloquial, but a different one was never decided upon as the proposals began to exceed the columns in number.

 

Time and again' date=' the residents of Idyllshire have come under attack from a huge, hairy beastkin - imagine if you crossed a Roegadyn with an opo-opo, and had it row a ten-tonze galley for a twelvemoon. I scoured the Sharlayan annals for a record of such a monster, and finally found it - it's a Gigantopithecus, a fierce beast native to the tropical jungles of the Cieldalaes. It was brought here as a youngling by a Sharlayan scholar, who raised it in a specially constructed glasshouse in some vain attempt to research its ecology. But when the exodus came, the callow whelp didn't think of taking his pet with him. Now it falls to the Clan to pick up the pieces.[/quote']

 

You'll never guess who put the bounty on Stolas's head - it was sent by a Sharlayan astrologian' date=' all the way from his homeland across the seas. He lived here before the exodus, conducting his scholarly experiments. In one such trial, he used his magicks to bind an owl to him as a familiar. The test succeeded, but by some quirk of fate, the owl gained a prodigious intelligence, outstripping even that of its master. But when the exodus came, the owl revolted. It attacked its master, stole a tome of forbidden knowledge, and escaped into the hinterlands. It seems the tome contains secrets of such cataclysmic power that, for the safety of the realm, this owl cannot be suffered to live.[/quote']

 

Another request sent by a Sharlayan scholar from the safety of his homeland. The fellow's uncovered an ancient prophecy' date=' saying that in the end of days, a deathly knight will rise from the grave and bring death and destruction to Dravania atop an ashen steed. If the scholar is right, and this "end of days" does indeed refer to the Seventh Umbral Calamity, then this supernatural horseman should already be among us, but I don't see any death and destruction around here. Well, no more than normal, anyway... Honestly, I think it's all a pile of chocobo plop. There was an adventurer passed through the other day, said she'd seen a headless horseman out in the hinterlands when she was hunting for treasure... but believe you me, you can trust those looters as far as you can throw them![/quote']

 

We had forests* like these on the Isle of Val. My grandfather and I used to go for walks together when I could prise him away from his work.

*Krile says this quote while walking through the chocobo forest, which consists largely of caelumtrees, tall alpine trees with large exposed roots and bear edible fruit. These trees. while once believed to have thrived only in marshlands such as Yafaem and other waterlogged areas, have now adapted to alpine climates and rocky soil. I think Krile's description of caelumtree forests being common on the Isle of Val, as well as its geographical location, are the best indicators of its biome, which is likely either Alpine or perhaps Taiga.

Tailfeather

Founded by hunters who came to the frontiers in hopes of snaring the wild chocobos of the forest, this settlement and those who call it home are shielded from the eyes of the dragons by the canopy of the majestic caelumtrees that rise high above it.

A segment of the hard exposed root of a caelumtree. Scholars of botany are unclear as to why such a large portion of the caelumtree's roots grow above ground in a similar fashion to the mangroves of Mor Dhona' date=' despite the lack of marsh-like conditions in the Dravanian forelands. Some, however, have concluded that the area must once have been submerged in water for an extended period of time─a time in which the trees adapted. And though the waters have receded, the roots remain the same.[/quote']

Though slightly bruised from its long fall' date=' this caelumtree fruit appears ready to eat.[/quote']

 

Regrettably' date=' the Students of Baldesion's headquarters - and the Isle of Val itself - were obliterated by a magick of immense power.[/quote']

 

Q: We’re told that the Sharlayans helped rebuild the aetherytes in A Realm Reborn, but a long time ago, like 2010, we were told that those aetherytes were there when people arrived and perhaps that’s why they chose to settle. Who made those?

 

MCKF: Nobody knows! Even the Sharlayans don’t know. Maybe it was the Allag, maybe it was people before that. It could have been a lot of people. They were there, they were useful, and after people come back to rebuild after Calamities, they rebuilt around these useful things. Sharlayan was able to adapt it, but they have no idea who created it. In the Dravanian hinterlands, there’s actually an aetheryte factory. I don’t think it’s named on the map, but go look for it.

 

The aetherytes currently found in each of the city-states were reconstructed following the Calamity by Sharlayan engineers. These engineers were the only ones who possessed the skill and knowledge necessary to do so' date=' and so they were richly compensated for their services. These are not an original Sharlayan design, but the product of research into existing aetherytes constructed in ancient times by civilizations unknown.[/quote']

 

Ever has man coveted knowledge, and none more so than that of his fate. Thus did he labor to master the skill of foresight—but initial efforts bore little fruit. That is, until he looked to the stars above, which foretell the coming seasons, and learned to read the heavens.

 

Though this gift is known today as astrology, the people of Sharlayan saw fit to not only read the stars, but to write their movements as well. By attuning their aetherial energies to that of constellations, they learned to wield magicks with heretofore unseen properties. Thus was astromancy born—a new form of magick which grants its users power over fate. Employing a star globe and divining deck in their miraculous deeds, fortune always smiles upon these masters of arcana.

 

The “mark of the sages” is attributed to persons whose knowledge in a given field has been recognized by the Sharlayan scientific community. To bear it is an honor that belongs to the most elite of our scholars.

 

Publication: The Five Ages─An Eorzean Chronology

Author: Lewphon of Sharlayan, master theologian and astrologist

 

Penned in the Year 233 of the Sixth Astral Era to weave together the disparate histories of the nations of Eorzea with a common thread─the thread of time.

 

A symbol of long life and femininity' date=' this autumn fruit was originally brought from their home land to Eorzea by the Sharlayans.[/quote']

 

 

 

Links:

-Lore Train: Inked

-Geography of Hydaelyn

-History of Towns in Eorzea

-Sharlayan Astrologian Lore

-In Louisoix's Wake

-Aetheryte Lore Compilation

[Therese Villefort]

 

Red - Aldenard

Green - Ilsabard

Blue - Othard (you have to look really closely but you can see the edge of the continent there.)

Purple - Thavnair

Orange - Meracydia

Pink - The New World

 

 

The small city-state of Garlemald is located in Ilsabard, but the Garlean Empire controls all of Ilsabard and Othard since the Year 1552 of the Sixth Astral Era.

 

And yes, the Three Great Continents (Aldenard, Ilsabard, and Othard) are connected by land bridges which are visible on this World Map as well as the Eorzean Map. Aldenard has always been speculated as being the smallest continent, so I believe the term "Great Continent" refers to the fact that these three "great" continents are great because they are connected - a super continent if you will.

 

 

Hope this helps clarify things! ^^ Lemme know if you have more questions!

 

Do you have sources for the positions of thavnair and maracydia, or are these just your guesses?

I once made a map based on what i knew for my guild, pleased to see much confirmed.

 

 

I want to point out, this is HEAVY guesswork, just on what i read on various sources.

 

 

It might be, that what you circled purple is simply part of Othard, orange is actually thavnair and meracydia lies way farther to the south, out of sight of the map. Just a possibility i wanted to point out.

 

That is, if you have no sources that state otherwise.

[Sounsyy]

That is, if you have no sources that state otherwise.

 

It's a fair point, the Meracydian continent looks extremely close to Aldenard, a fact which has troubled me for some time. That said, I don't have verbatim sources from devs saying that these are what the continents are. But what I do have is lore stating Meracydia lies across the southern seas and that Thavnair lies specifically in the Sea of Jade. Also, that Thavnair is a very small island. The orange circled continent/island fits neither of these specific descriptions - being quite large and firmly within the bounds of the Sea of Ash. Therefor, shaky process of elimination: Meracydia. Trust me, I don't like its depicted proximity either, but until we do get an official confirmation on this map, it's the most likely choice. ^^;

 

 

We're in the process of resupplying in preparation for the long journey east across the Sea of Jade to the small island nation of Thavnair' date=' and its capital city Radz-at-Han.[/quote']

[Therese Villefort]

I figured it's the same size as Vylbrand, but yeah, thats a sensible answer. ^^

[Kage]

http://gamerescape.com/2016/04/28/lorecast-7-get-to-the-chowder/

 

East of Ala Mhigo, there’s a land-bridge leading into what has been identified only as Garlean territory. The other continents are oft spoken of, but in vague terms. Some interpreted the land-bridge as leading into Ilsabard, which both continues north but connects to Othard in the east, while others have interpreted it as Othard itself, continuing east with Ilsabard connecting to it directly north. Can we clear that up?

 

A:

 

KF: First, I want to clear up your pronunciation of Oth-ard.

 

A: Oh, no!

 

KF: I don’t think we’ve ever really said it anywhere.

 

F: Funny that pronunciation comes up, back when we did that pronunciation thing you told us Dzemael was closer to Zay-mail but in Heavesnsward it’s ze-My-l.

 

KF: That‘s wrong! That is wrong! I need to … go and burn … It’s Zay-mail!

 

A: Now that you mention it, though, when Gaius first lands in Vylbrand, the voiced guy does say Othard. It stuck in my head because in another language he says he’s from Rabanastre.

 

KF: Guess where Rabanastre iiis! There’s also a line in the Japanese version where they name-drop Dalmasss— It’s not in English, but that’s where it is and maybe someday we’ll be seeing some of . But yes, that land bridge connects directly to Ilsabard. You cannot get to Othard from there without going through Ilsabard. So there’s the land bridge and it goes into Islabard .

[Kage]

NEW MAP 2/20/2017

 

New map for your consideration.

 

[Nero]

As glad as I am that Square Enix finally committed to a world map (though it only took them four years to do so), I find it hilarious that Garlemald has apparently turned Ilsabard into Beijing. Must be why they all wear helmets.

[Kage]

I think it's true that this isn't the whole world map though it's a large portion. We're still missing something of the New World.

 

... could someone translate it >.>

[V'aleera]

I like how they have the Divine Guardians circling the island east of Doma (Hingashi?); here's hoping they're the new series of Ex trials for Stormblood.

 

The absence of the New World and Meracydia is unfortunate, and the trick they pulled with Ilsabard seems kinda lazy. But we do now know the exact location of Thavnair and Rad-atz-Han so that's nice.

[Valence]

They aren't going to set things in stone for good aren't they? I understand it from their perspective. It gives you leeway to do whatever you want for the next expansions and stories to have a blank map around, and revealing it progressively only when they need it. And it's more teasing that way too.

[Kage]

I wonder just how much Byakko etc presence on the map means. We have dragons and sea serpents and a kraken (but not near Limsa) on the old map.

 

There are guardians and that massive figure in the swarm of miasma and clouds over Ilsabard and the Empire. There is a Bismarck though. Maybe?