General Lore Questions

[Virella]

Limsa still has an issue with slave trade. If I recall the pirates there still actively engage in it. I vaguely recall some of the Limsa starting quests having slavers involved. Not to mention, uhhh... Sastasha is filled with female, highly likely, sex slaves.

 

There's quite a bit of that sort of slavery going on in Limsa. Pleasure barges appear to have women against their will on it as well. Hardly openly though I'd imagine, given the laws and the firm stance the Alliance has on it.

 

Ul'dahns used to endorse slavery as well, just look at Copperbell Mines. The hecatonchires were called thralls. But as far as I recall, it's not an active thing. I'm not sure, given Ul'dah is not my best part of lore knowledge!

 

 

As for branding? No idea. Maybe someone else knows more on it. If I find something on it, I will let you know!

[Theryl]

I can imagine Ul'dah having some form of debt peonage, given its focus on money and hyper-capitalist nature. Not slavery, exactly, but you're not allowed to quit your job until your debts are paid off and since you get paid in scrip that's only good at the company store or are strongly "encouraged" to use the shops your boss owns the odds of getting out of debt are slim.

[Kilieit]

Limsa has the hardest stance against slavery in the form of the Dutiful Sisters of the Edelweiss, who usually outright kill slavers if they find them. It's the "finding them" part that usually thwarts them, though - along with "isolating them successfully from their networks because we can't actually fight an entire pirate fleet on our own and the Maelstrom's support for our operation is shaky even though we've been in this city longer than them".

 

Ul'dah seems to look the other way. The basic principle Ul'dah operates on is that if you have enough coin, almost anything is legal. There's nothing in place to stop very rich business-owners from owning or trading slaves.

 

As per others' reply I think indentured work is a norm, both in Ul'dah and elsewhere. Rowena's House of Splendors is operated entirely based on it (she pays off women's debts to third parties, and in exchange, the women become indentured workers for her - the idea being it's a better life for them than being chased by debt collectors, and she gets to profit off their work in the mean time. You can spot these women in Revenant's Toll / Idyllshire because their names all end in -na, as per Rowena's rules).

 

It's unlikely anyone - even actual slaves in Ul'dah - would be branded or in chains because, as mentioned, slavery is illegal and any operation has to have a cover story for if it's discovered. Oh, you think this maid is here as a slave? Oh no, she's just a friend here as a favour! You think these men are working in my mine without pay? No no, I'm sending it home to their families! A brand or chain would give away these excuses in a heartbeat; they want lies that can be covered up with forged paperwork, under-duress consent statements, and bribery of officials.

 

Outside Eorzea, however, it's important to note that these rules may not apply. If you're asking for a character's backstory, you may wish to leave the continent that they originated from as vague as possible - I'm sure these practices could exist somewhere on Hydaelyn, we just don't know where.

[Sounsyy]

Slavery in Eorzea and Abroad

 

 

Hello, I was wondering if anyone would know if slaves are a thing in Eorzea. If they are, how are these slaves distinguished from normal people? Do they have a certain branding on somewhere on their bodies?

 

Slaves are definitely a thing, despite slavery being illegal in all Eorzean nations. As such, they likely wouldn't have any distinguishing marks to separate them from paid workers so that such illicit activities could better fly under the radar. At the very least, if slaves are being branded, I wasn't able to find any evidence of such markings - though any hypothetical brands would be unique to each slave trading ring.

 

Here's what I could find on Eorzea's slave trade, though. Hope this helps!

 

 

Limsa Lominsa

 

The Code

Written by Admiral Agatzahr Roehmerlsyn in the Year 966, the "Code" is Limsa Lominsa's guiding constitution. It is composed of three very basic principles. Many admirals have introduced new laws (as well as establishing a Thalassocratic Charter) since, but what few true laws Limsa Lominsa has can all be attributed as addendum to the Code. Those who violate this simple ruleset face heavy consequences - exile or death at the hands of the 'Cuda or Upright Thieves (now known as the Dutiful Sisters of the Edelweiss). More lore on Limsa's government and the Code can be found here.

 

From a buccaneer background himself' date=' Admiral Agatzahr invited the strongest of the warring crews to the negotiation table. Through bartering and threats, he secured their solemn oath to put an end to the fighting. More miraculously, however, he put forth a code of conduct which every corsair would have to honor: [b']No crew would cheat another of its plunder, nor rob a fellow Lominsan, nor sell fellow men into slavery.[/b]

 

Though the code itself was revolutionary, its enforcement was perhaps more so. The best of all crews came together and founded the Upright Thieves, a shadowy organization that punished those who broke the code. Admiral Agatzahr’s rules became as law to the pirates not because they were imposed from above, but rather because they were enforced in every back alley and bad tavern. Thanks to this, peace returned to Limsa.

Now, most folk, an' I'm assumin' yer among 'em, know that not long after Limsa's foundin', the city was overrun by a motley collection o' pirates an' thieves. But as wild as that lot were, it soon became clear that they'd all end up killin' each other if they didn't lay down a few rules─an unspoken code o' conduct, as it were.

 

One, ye don't bite the purses o' yer fellow Lominsans; two, ye don't rook a crew out o' their spoils; an' three, ye don't trade culls like they was chattel. I'll admit the finer points o' the Code are a mite murky, but most agree on those three, at least. Now, ye might be thinkin' none o' that amounts to a sack o' dilberries now the Admiral's outlawed piracy, but in the back alleys an' black markets where Merlwyb's grip ain't so tight, the code's still alive an' well. An' just as the law is enforced by the Yellowjackets, the Code is regulated by us rogues.

 

Slave Trade and the Black Market

Obviously, being a nation of pirates, marauders, freebooters, and convicts - there are more than a few who can't be arsed to follow even the limited infringement of the Code upon their personal liberties. There's only one thing Lominsans love more than loot, and that's their freedom! So there are those who infringe upon the freedoms of other Lominsans. These are the slave traders. They violate both the Code and Thalassocratic Charter to sell Lominsans and foreigners on the black markets to lands transmarine - possibly even to Garlemald.

 

While there are numerous independent pirate factions who do this, one of the biggest offenders are the Serpent Reavers, pirates who have sold their souls to Leviathan. While some of their captured slaves make it to market, others are kept as sex slaves (Sastasha), while others are given to the Sahagin to offer to Leviathan. All Sahagin worship Leviathan (yes, even Novv) and they believe drowning shorewalkers pays a due to their god.

 

As for Limsa's Black Market (or the Qiqirn Black Market), it's not entirely illegal transactions. There was a time in Limsa's recent history where Hawkers' Alley was nearly entirely "black market" goods. Merchants and arms traders from nations all over would come to Limsa to procure items they could not find anywhere else. While Mealvaan's Gate's assessors have limited a good deal of this trade (especially after Merlwyb became Admiral) some of it still goes on both in the city and in more discreet places around Limsa Lominsa and very little is done to stop it.

 

Few pirates sink to such depths of depravity as Doesmaga. It has been six years now since he was exiled from Limsa Lominsa for engaging in the worst kind of black market trading.

So' date=' the Yellowjackets told you something of her history with Doesmaga, did they? Perhaps it would be best if I told you the entire tale. Doesmaga's banishment was the result of a surprise inspection that revealed his involvement in an underground slave trade. The assessor that stepped aboard the pirate's merchant ship spoke of finding dozens of unwashed unfortunates crammed into that squalid hold. Among these prisoners was a young Miqo'te, destined for some black market auction block.[/quote']

That we do. From the descriptions given to us by the escaped villager' date=' we've determined that these lawbreakers are members of the Jolly Merchants─a pirate crew in possession of an official privateering license. ...'Twould appear, however, that privateering has been naught but a screen behind which to hide their illicit activities. One can only imagine how many other Lominsan citizens have fallen prey to these wicked slavers...[/quote']

Ye'd think these pirates'd never even heard o' the code. Pillagin' honest culls an' dippin' their wicks in the slave trade? They're headed the right way for a good stabbin'.

Your aid─and confidentiality─in this matter is greatly appreciated. We can now focus on coordinating with the Yellowjackets to free those unfortunate folk already sold into slavery.

Listen' date=' we're 'eaded to Aleport, all right? That's where me an' me shipmates gather to take stock o' the “merchandise,” an' decide what gets sold where. Ye see, some buyers want only lads, while others is lookin' for lasses. As long as we keep these rich bastards 'appy, we make more coin than we ever did scrappin' with the Empire's war galleys! Not that you care about that, I s'pose. What matters to you is that ye'll be loaded onto the Jolly Merchantman, sailed off to gods know where, and Limsa'll be a distant memory.[/quote']

Hmph. Hidin' their operation in plain sight. Bold as brass' date=' aye, but it's an old slaver's trick. See, even if some cull recognizes the “merchandise,” only a single handler gets boned. The rest o' the crew just whistles, all innocent-like, while their mate is marched off to cry cockles.[/quote']

 

Carvallain's Pleasure Barges

Slavery may be illegal, but prostitution is not. That's not to say that there isn't a seedier side to Limsa's sex worker trade or that every sex worker is there by choice, but that the majority of the many "pleasure barges" operate legally. Afterall Carvallain, Captain of the Kraken's Arms, (who controls the majority of the sex trade) is all about "legitimate" business ventures. Speaking of legitimate businesses, Carvallain's exotic herbal remedy shop The Seventh Sage, which is a front for his less-legitimate business ventures, apparently sells some aphrodisiacal oils and herbs - a reference to his continued hold on the sex trade.

 

I'm stiff as a rock.

There are oils which can help...

 

Known for its aphrodisiacal properties' date=' sap from the vines of the rarely seen ocean roseling has become increasingly popular on the pleasure boats anchored in the bay off the Captains Ward. The Brugaire Consortium will handsomely reward anyone willing to travel to Bloodshore and procure several specimens.[/quote']

Captain Rhoswen says she'll let me choose our next target' date=' and I've already got my eye on a pleasure boat run by the Krakens.[/quote']

And with the coin made from the beans' date=' I should have enough to fill the Orion's hold with Thanalan tea leaves, which I will bring back here to Limsa Lominsa - tea being the preferred drink of the city-state's many pleasure barge patrons.[/quote']

Crates of freshly picked oranges waiting to be delivered to Galadion Bay's pleasure boats are in danger of being infested by rats lured by the sweet smell of the fruit. Drive back the vermin until the chocobo caravan arrives.

A plush heart-shaped bed far more sophisticated than those found on Limsa Lominsa's pleasure barges.

Ah' date=' feisty. We'll fetch a fine price for that one from the pleasure barge captains.[/quote']

May I ask' date=' were you, at any time, able to discern who these pursuers were? The amount of effort put into your capture would suggest they are more than mere pirates looking to sell you to slavers.[/quote']

Didn't see where that other fair-skinned lass buggered off to. Ones as that' date=' though, oft end up on the pleasure barges, if ye catch me drift.[/quote']

Me? As much as I would like to indulge myself on the pillows of Rhotano pleasure barges' date=' there is a congress to be held in the Vault, and all the prominent houses have been summoned.[/quote']

Our warships may as well have been bloody pleasure barges for all the good they did. Seven hells...

 

Examples of legal sex work can also be found in Gegeruju's Manor in Costa del Sol. According to various levequests by workers under his employ, the Ul'dahn plutocrat apparently pays quite well. It may be quite preferable to the pleasure barges in Galadion Bay? Anyways, not much obvious signs of slavery here.

 

An important client of Master Gegeruju's─one Aismurl Goldmember─is visiting Costa del Sol to complete a sizable business transaction. To ensure that things go smoothly, the master has prepared a special incentive for his guest...and she requires proper escort to Hidden Falls.

 

 

Ul'dah

 

The Hecatoncheires

Ul'dah has a long history of utilizing slavery. One of the most well known examples are their use of beastmen, such as the Hecatoncheire Gigants. My theory is that, on top of mining valuable resources for Ul'dah during the Thorne Dynasty, they were also crucial in the relocation of the city-state to it's current location atop the recently conquered Sil'dih. More on this can be found here.

 

Similar to the giants' date=' the hecatoncheires were also once thralls of the gigas. Some three hundred years ago, however, history tells that these gigants were sold as slaves to the Thorne Dynasty. Their monstrous strength controlled by means of ensorcelled helms, the hecatoncheires were forced to toil with pick and hammer in Copperbell Mines.[/quote']

 

Amalj'aa and Slaves/Tempered Servants

While the act of tempering by any beast tribe can be viewed as slavery, the Amalj'aa take it one step above, many factions of their race believing all non-believers and races of man are "slave races" made specifically to be consumed by their primal god, Ifrit. Making the Amalj'aa likely one of the largest contributors to Thanalan's modern slave trade.

 

A unit of Amalj'aa raiders has forced their way into the Golden Bazaar in search of slaves and supplies. Aid the Brass Blades stationed in the hamlet in fending off the attackers.

Each new fire-seared slave feeds the inferno of their god's powers' date=' and, in turn, the flames of Ifrit's altars bless the zealots of Zanr'ak with unholy strength.[/quote']

They are naught but ghosts of a fading past─so lacking in strength they resort to consorting with the slave races.

M-Mercy! Mercy' date=' I beg you! The will of our god is overwhelming! Spare my life, and I shall become your slave instead![/quote']

 

Modern Slavery in Thanalan

Illegal, but when has that stopped anyone? The slave trade in Thanalan happens mostly under the table, and references to it here are much more scarce than they are in Limsa Lominsa. It's possible that the slave rings are related - Ul'dahn wealthy buying slaves from Limsa, or Lominsan slave traders taking slaves from Thanalan to sell elsewhere. We do know that the Brass Blades attempt to put a stop to any human trafficking rings they find, but are not always successful.

 

From providing deadly force to both sides of a bloody conflict to selling beggars and orphans as glorified slave-soldiers─Ul'dah has its share of unscrupulous merchants' date=' but none have made dealing in death their business quite like Memeriga.[/quote']

Aye' date=' we've no shortage of greedy sods, some who'd probably sell their own mothers into slavery if the price was right.[/quote']

Prone to bouts of sibling jealousy' date=' those two, but they're good girls at heart─all the more admirable considering their origins. Stolen from their parents when they were just babes, and sold into a trade where no woman deserves to go. My unit found and freed them, but sadly, the Brass Blades are not in the habit of taking in children. Granted their freedom, they made their living on the streets. Where many turn to selling their bodies, they honed their smarts and their fighting skills. When they returned to me years later as women grown─strong and beautiful─I swore that I would have them! In my regiment, that is...[/quote']

 

Ul'dahn Sex Trade and Pillowhouses

Again, exactly like it is in Limsa prostitution is a perfectly legal enterprise in Ul'dah. In fact, it's widely held that the quality of Ul'dah's pillowhouses far outstrip those of Limsa Lominsa. Indulging in said trade is going to cost a pretty sum - much like everything else in Ul'dah.

 

Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern on the Onyx Lane also employs “dancers” for the enjoyment of their miners and patrons. The vaunted Songstress of Ul'dah, F'lhaminn, was once one of these Amajina dancers. It’s also important to note that while some of the dancers were open to sex-work, the patrons were not allowed to touch them. And while the guild in ARR no longer plays host to the dancers, you can still find dancers in Amajina's employ distracting the crowds in the Ruby Road Exchange. More on that topic can be found here.

 

Here' date=' this is your reward. I suggest you enjoy yourself while in Ul'dah. Partake of our fine food and drink, the gambling halls, the pillowhouses. The city is your oyster![/quote']

You flatter me' date=' dear. If it’s a touch you want, might be your coin’ll buy it? Shall I wait for you ‘round the back then?[/quote']

So wealthy is Ul'dah that coin has become not only the city’s primary means of social stratification' date=' but how disagreements are settled and even, in many instances, the guiding principle of its ethics. No vice is barred to those who can afford them; in fact, they’re no vice at all once paid for. Drinking, gambling, and whoring are all perfectly acceptable to anyone who can afford to indulge — in fact, even encouraged by the Order of Nald'thal. After all, what moves coin drives commerce. Even crimes can be overlooked for a substantial enough fee, provided they don’t inhibit trade: Ul'dah’s only unforgivable sin.[/quote']

 

Noxius

While not strictly "slaves" the noxius are prison fighters on Ul'dah's Bloodsands. They are made to fight beasts, gladiators, and other noxius in order to earn winnings that can be put towards buying their freedom. Raubahn Aldynn himself was a noxius for eleven years until in 1570, after winning one thousand matches, earned not only enough money to buy his freedom from the Marasaja Pit, but also to buy the Coliseum and earn his seat on the Syndicate.

 

In the Coliseum' date=' spectators are driven to a frenzy by bloody competitions ranging from single combat betwixt gladiators, to bouts pitting ill-equipped prisoners against terrifying beasts from exotic lands. Illegal gambling on the outcome of matches is a favorite Ul'dahn passtime, as well as the city's worst-kept secret.[/quote']

Aye' date=' they let criminals take to the bloodsands now an' again - them what's caught murderin', thievin'. piratin', an' whatnot. Ain't winnin' what gets 'em turned loose, though. Fight's got to turn enough profit for them to buy their freedom. And that ain't no modest sum.[/quote']

 

 

Garlemald

 

Annexed Slaves

Garlemald is perhaps one of the worst offenders of slave trading in Eorzea and the world at large. As annexed peoples have no rights or citizenship, the Garlean Empire has no qualms relegating them to camps and forcing them to perform hard labor or sex-work until they are spent.

 

While most of the firsthand accounts of this occurring come from Ala Mhigo, an actively defiant territory of the Empire, remember that both Legatii, Gaius van Baelsar and Nael van Darnus, were active participants in the annexation of Ilsabard and Othard, and that the treatment of the Ala Mhigans, likely reflects the treatment faced by many of the nations who resisted Imperial rule and were ruled over by Baelsar and Darnus until their demise.

 

And while Garlemald is never explicitly implicated in Limsa's slave trade, the quotes above often reference black markets far and abroad. Whether they mean Meracydia, the Near East, or the Far East is never said, but it's highly possible that the Empire still benefits from these illegal transactions.

 

All men seek truth' date=' be they children of Eorzea and freedom, or slaves born into imperial bondage.[/quote']

When Ala Mhigo fell' date=' they put my family in a camp. Bein’ a lad, I was made to do hard labor, while my mother an’ sister were made to do far worse…[/quote']

He spoke of rapid fortifications being made in Ala Mhigo' date=' and of Ala Mhigans being driven by lash and brand to make them. He painted a godless picture, and I fear the reality of it even worse. A spy must needs smother his own feelings─to deny all that defines him. He had to stand by and watch Ala Mhigans beaten and worked and starved to death. It is enough to drive any man mad…[/quote']

[Aldotsk]

Midlander Hyur Question who are from Doma:

 

Is it assumed that only brown/black haired and brown/black eyed Hyurs exist in Doma? How about other hair colors with different eyes?

 

There was no actual speculation about this but kind of assumed that it's Japanese/Oriental themed looks for the Doman Hyurs, yes?

[Valence]

It could be reasonable to assume so, but that doesn't mean it's a stated fact either. So far, the Doman NPCs we have seen sure seem to exhibit dark hair (Oboro and his group, Karasu, etc).

 

Though even IRL, asians don't ALL have dark hair, even if it's pretty unusual, and very rare for very light shades.

 

I also wand to add that even when the lore states something like "Keepers of the Moon exhibit dark eyes and fur, and pale complexion", doesn't mean it's the case for all. Firstly, the character creator offers way more options, and that's already telling since it still tries to stay within the race flavour. Secondly, ingame models tend to exhibit different features than the lore standard (for the case of Keepers again, the generic Coeurclaw NPCs for example often have grey/white hair and dark skin).

 

So all in all, at best, you could get a general rule, but I really doubt it would cover every individual.

[Silfur]

I've decided to ask this here because I don't think it's worth making a completely new thread just for this. orz

 

One of Sounsyy's posts mentions that runes and patterns can be woven/drawn into clothing to enhance/protect the user from the magic that they are casting, if I remember correctly.

 

I'm currently commissioning someone for a drawing of my character and I wanted to include the symbols he has drawn into the inside of his own clothing to protect himself and I was wondering if there are any in-game examples (images) that I could base them off of.

[Valence]

This is for now part of fanon lore rather than anything factually based or shown in lore (the only tattoos we have in lore for now are all cultural and/or aesthetical but don't seem to hold any magic power for their users).

 

Nothing however seems to go against the possibility of it, but I highly doubt that you will find anything ingame for the aforementioned reasons.

[Kilieit]

I... think... the items of clothing in question are the spellcaster AF1 sets? I have a faint recollection of SMN, SCH, and BLM artefact outfits being described in quest texts as having been woven in such a fashion as to protect and/or enhance the user. I don't really have any quotes on hand so I can't confirm, but maybe that's a place to start looking?

[Valence]

We definitely have many lore references about materials protecting from or enhancing magicks. This is also something that appears in garlean armour coatings like gold.

 

About skin drawn arcanima patterns doing exactly that though, nothing as far as I know.

[Sounsyy]

One of Sounsyy's posts mentions that runes and patterns can be woven/drawn into clothing to enhance/protect the user from the magic that they are casting, if I remember correctly.

 

I'm currently commissioning someone for a drawing of my character and I wanted to include the symbols he has drawn into the inside of his own clothing to protect himself and I was wondering if there are any in-game examples (images) that I could base them off of.

 

I think you're referring to this post where I talk about the myriad ways monks, black mages, and scholars of Nym enhanced their aether conduction via soft metals and patterns woven into the fabric or stitching of their garments.

 

Recovered from the Floating City of Nym by an intrepid adventurer' date=' this garb was identified as being of Nymian design, believed to have been invented in the latter part of the Fifth Astral Era. An experimental uniform issued exclusively to the scholar elite, the crystal tubes attached to the forearms could be infused with the wearer’s own aether. This allowed the scholar to later call upon ready resevoirs of mana to amplify the potency of her spells, although manipulation of energies stored in such fashion is thought to have required a degree of control possessed only by the most accomplished savants.[/quote']

A raiment of the black mage. Resplendent after two thousand years' date=' this garb from the Fifth Astral Era is shot through with hex-spun mythril. Such innovations give away this seemingly innocent piece of clothing as the invest for summoning creatures from the void - that otherworldly plane which makes sport of the sanity of man.[/quote']

Goetia attire was originally worn by high-ranking Mhachi magi who were particularly skilled in enslaving the denizens of the void. Though appearing featureless from a distance' date=' [b']closer inspection reveals subtle arcane patterns in the cloth - runes and symbols woven with thread soaked in the blood of pact-bound voidsent.[/b] These patterns are said to amplify the power of the wearer, elevating the destructive potential of the caster’s spells to truly catastrophic levels. Infused with such potent properties, the authenticity of the robes becomes glaringly apparent when compared to the many imitations merchant seek to hawk as genuine relics of ancient Mhach.

Only elders of the Fist of Rhalgr are permitted to don this attire. Though the thread used in its creation is the same as that woven into the standard temple habit' date=' the veteran monks looming the tantra cloth imbue each stitch with concentrated energy, resulting in a significantly higher rate of aetherial conductivity. A monk’s chakras are thus greatly expanded when swathed in such material, but without the training required to moderate the excessive outpouring of aether, an unseasoned wearer would bleed out his entire life essence in a matter of moments.[/quote']

 

I went to go investigate each of these outfits, particularly the Wizard's and Goetia Attire. I checked both the art books and in game rendering, and it does not appear that these patterns are rendered visibly. The Goetia Attire does have snakes stitched into the boots and gloves, and there's some sort of artistic pattern on the bill of the hat and front flap of the Goetia coat, but I'm not sure if that's what the lore book is referring to?

 

 

Otherwise, even upon closer inspection, I could not find any arcane patterns/glyphs sewn into the clothing. So this looks like an "in-lore" thing only, so feel free to render your patterns however you see fit! You could probably take image references (for scholar/summoner/arcanist specifically) from the geometries shown in the tomes? Sorry I couldn't be of more help! ^^;

[Silfur]

snip

 

Ah, thank you! I knew I had seen that you had written about it somewhere!

 

I just found the part about the Goetia Attire in the lore book and realized that I really need to start putting page markers in. orz

 

My character spent time training as an Arcanist before studying Thaumaturgy and then eventually turning to the 'dark side' so it'd make sense that he knows how to draw geometries. It's a shame that they don't actually show the patterns and such. I think they'd actually look really cool considering that Black Mages have a limited selection of cool looking gear.

[Shion]

Two quick questions while working out my character's backstory.

 

1: Does Ishgarde own Coerthas? The three city-states I've been to (I'm only level 18) all seem to own the land in their surrounding regions, but it's my understanding that Ishgarde's gates have been closed to the outside world, so is Coerthas actually theirs or not?

 

2: Are all of the refugees from Ala Mhigo in Ul'dah poor or is it conceivable that some wealthier ones have fled to Ul'dah too?

[Unnamed Mercenary]

Two quick questions while working out my character's backstory.

 

1: Does Ishgarde own Coerthas? The three city-states I've been to (I'm only level 18) all seem to own the land in their surrounding regions, but it's my understanding that Ishgarde's gates have been closed to the outside world, so is Coerthas actually theirs or not?

 

2: Are all of the refugees from Ala Mhigo in Ul'dah poor or is it conceivable that some wealthier ones have fled to Ul'dah too?

 

1. I don't think most of the cities actually own their surrounding land. Not in the sense that they'd sell it. Their armies protect the borders. (Grand Companies). Many of the other locations are other camps/settlements/hamlets.

 

2. No. There are some wealthy and well-to-do Ala Mhigans. Raubahn is one of them. Sounsyy has some great posts about Ala Mhigo going into details. The Bloodsands are also one of the ways some Ala Mhigans achieved wealth. We just happen to see a lot of poor refugees because people with more resources wouldn't be out on the streetss.

[Shion]

Thanks!

[Sounsyy]

1: Does Ishgarde own Coerthas? The three city-states I've been to (I'm only level 18) all seem to own the land in their surrounding regions, but it's my understanding that Ishgarde's gates have been closed to the outside world, so is Coerthas actually theirs or not?

 

Coerthas is still considered the territory of the Holy See of Ishgard. Ishgard did withdraw from the Eorzean Alliance roughly twenty years ago following the fall of Ala Mhigo and they did close the city gates to defend against a rise in dragon attacks and left their land to be ravaged by Dravanians and Garleans until quite recently. However, Coerthas fell under the protection of the four High Houses during this time, despite what little their resources stretched thin were able to accomplish.

 

If you're looking to learn more about Ishgard, there's a good amount of info at the bottom of this post.

 

 

2: Are all of the refugees from Ala Mhigo in Ul'dah poor or is it conceivable that some wealthier ones have fled to Ul'dah too?

 

Most Ala Mhigan refugees, especially those in Ul'dah, are poor or destitute. There are a few exceptions, but very very few - Raubahn being the most notable. There's multiple reasons for this:

 

The first is that prior to the revolution and subsequent fall to Garlemald, the King of Ruin spent the better part of five years executing any Ala Mhigan with noble blood and any wealthy families or merchants. So what few were spared the purge then either ended up losing their possessions during the Garlean invasion or were forced to sell whatever they could as refugees in foreign lands.

 

Secondly, it's been twenty years since the fall, and in Ul'dah many of those years were spent without access to any honest labor. Even today, many Ul'dahns perceive Ala Mhigans as lazy or unsavory, and deny them employment. Furthermore, Ul'dahns only measure a person's worth by their material wealth, of which Ala Mhigans no longer have any. They cannot afford the exorbitant price of citizenship, access to medicines, or the price of hearth or market stall. So most Ala Mhigans are forced to live outside the city.

 

So, it is entirely possible for a wealthy Ala Mhigan to exist in Ul'dah, but they have a lot of things stacked against them - and in the case of those few exceptions who did manage to make or maintain their wealth on Ul'dahn blood money (Raubahn, for example, spent over a decade as a prisoner forced to fight in the bloodsands), they are resented by their own people, most of whom have been significantly less fortunate.

 

You can find out more about how Ala Mhigans are surviving in the various city-states in this Ala Mhigan Lore Compilation. Hope this helps!

[Shion]

Those links are wonderful Sounsyy, thank you!

 

I have another question that may seem a bit silly. What does the patron deity chosen at character creation actually mean as far as lore? I chose Azeyma pretty much at random when I started since I didn't know much of anything about the setting, but my character is from Coerthas so would that cause problems with Ishgard's devotion to Halone? Or is the deity choice basically just a birthstone without much to it?

[Kilieit]

Yeah, it basically doesn't mean anything unless you want it to. I don't think any of my characters actually worship the deity I assigned them as guardian. In gameplay terms, the main thing it affects is whose symbol appears on your side of the chapel if you ever get a Ceremony of Eternal Bonding done.

 

It's not like a birth stone, though - there are already month assignments for the deities based on your character's nameday month (not their guardian deity):

 

January (1st Astral Moon) - Halone

February (1st Umbral Moon) - Menphina

March (2nd Astral) - Thaliak

April (2nd Umbral) - Nymeia

May (3rd Astral) - Llymlaen

June (3rd Umbral) - Oschon

July (4th Astral) - Byregot

August (4th Umbral) - Rhalgr

September (5th Astral) - Azeyma

October (5th Umbral) - Nald'thal

November (6th Astral) - Nophica

December (6th Umbral) - Althyk

 

You'll hear NPCs refer to this on rare occasions - for example, during the 2016 Valentione's event, an NPC referred to Aghural as having been born under Althyk's watch, because his DOB is in December. His guardian deity is Byregot.

[Shion]

Gotcha. I figured it didn't mean much but I just wanted to be sure. Thanks! 

[Sounsyy]

What does the patron deity chosen at character creation actually mean as far as lore? I chose Azeyma pretty much at random when I started since I didn't know much of anything about the setting, but my character is from Coerthas so would that cause problems with Ishgard's devotion to Halone? Or is the deity choice basically just a birthstone without much to it?

 

It's essentially whatever you/your character ascribes to it.

 

The same can be said regarding religion. Each city-state has a patron (matron) deity, and most people in that city-state will follow the teachings of that god or goddess. There are, for the most part, however, no strict religious codes that must be followed. Some Eorzeans will choose to worship a deity connected to their profession (for example, weavers often follow Nymeia the Spinner). Some follow the deity associated with their nameday. There are even some Eorzeans who choose not to follow the teachings of the Twelve, but they are few and far between...and often will not admit it.

 

The exception to this rule can be seen in Ishgard, where they take the teachings of Halone very seriously...to the point that the church and state have become inseparable. They go as far as calling those who do not follow the Fury 'unbelievers,' and those who are found to have communicated with the dragons of Dravania (the mortal enemies of Ishgard), are branded as heretics and in some cases executed.

 

If you're wanting to know more lore about Azeyma you can find that in this link.

 

 

Hope this helps!

[Rinh Panipahr]

What sort of names would Hyur Ishgardians have? Would they have Elezen-ish fake French names, actual French names, or just typical Midlander names?

[John Spiegel]

What sort of names would Hyur Ishgardians have? Would they have Elezen-ish fake French names, actual French names, or just typical Midlander names?

 

A run around Ishgard hyur names yields:

 

Redwald

Rothe

Herewart

Aelmer

Eustacia

Haimirich (said he's from Ul'dah but serves House Foretemps, captain of the Oschon's Raiders).

[Shion]

What sort of names would Hyur Ishgardians have? Would they have Elezen-ish fake French names, actual French names, or just typical Midlander names?

Surrounded by Elezen as they are, I named Jeanne under the impression Elezen naming conventions would rub off on Ishgardian Hyur. Now that I've actually been to Coerthas though, I haven't noticed many French-sounding Hyur, so I suppose it's still normal Hyur names for them?

 

I have another quick question. Or well, more just clarifying to make sure I understand things right? Is this accurate?

-Hydaelyn the Mothercrystal is located in the core of the planet.

-Zodiark was ejected from the planet and became the moon.

-The Calamities are the Ascians trying to get Zodiark to regain his power?

[Yian Kutku]

Am I missing something, or are there no chairs in the Forgotten Knight?

[Gegenji]

Am I missing something, or are there no chairs in the Forgotten Knight?

 

Nope. In fact, I think that's part of the running gag (or something) about why there's no RP in Ishgard: not enough places to sit.