Mapping the Realm: an Eorzean Atlas Mapping the Realm: an Eorzean Atlas
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Mapping the Realm: An Eorzean Atlas Mapping the Realm: An Eorzean Atlas Introduction Eorzea is the setting for the massively-multiplayer online role-playing game A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV Online. The game was announced at the E3 Conference in 2009 and launched on September 22, 2010. In the original form, the game was nearly unplayable, but with some internal restructuring, a new producer and new team, the game was relaunched as A Realm Reborn on August 27, 2013. Haydaelyn Haydaelyn, the world of FINAL FANTASY XIV, is divided into three great continents: Ilsabard and Otheard (both controlled by the militaristic Garlean Empire), and Aldenard. The latter continent and its surrounding islands serve as the realm of Eorzea. There are five playable regions of Eorzea: Thanalan, The Black Shroud, La Noscea, Mor Dhona, and Coerthas. Each of these regions (except for Mor Dhona and Coerthas) is divided into several zones. Thanalan The desert nation in the south of Eorzea, Thanalan became home to hundreds of refugees from regions conquered by the Garlean Empire. The sultanate of Ul’dah sits as city-state of Thanalan, ruled by Sultana Nanamo Ul Namo and her captain of the Immortal Flames, Raubahn Aldynn. Ul’dah The jewel of the desert, the city-state of Ul’dah sits in the south of the desert region of Thanalan. The city is very affluent, creating great disparity between the residents and refugees. It is divided into two zones, the Steps of Nald and the Steps of Thal, the names taken from the city-state’s patron diety Nald’thal. Central Thanalan The zone immediately east of Ul’dah, Central Thanalan is typically the first area players who start in Ul’dah will explore once stepping from the city-state. It consists of three areas: Spineless Basin in the south, with a connection to Southern Thanalan, Black Brush in the north, with a connection to Northern Thanalan, and The Clutch to the east, with a connection to Eastern Thanalan. Southern Thanalan “Southern” is a bit of a misnomer as the zone exists to the east of Ul’dah, but it is the southernmost of the non-city-state zones. The zone is comprised of Broken Water in the north, with a connection to Eastern and Central Thanalan (as well as housing the refugee city of Little Ala Mhigo), Zanr’ak in the centre, the Red Labyrinth to the west, Zahar’ak to the east, and the vast Sagolii Desert to the south. Eastern Thanalan This zone exists in the easternmost area of Thanalan and is home to the strongest monsters in the region. It consists of Drybone in the west, housing the settlement of Camp Drybone and connections to Central Thanalan, Sandgate to the south, with a connection to Southern Thanalan, Wellwick Wood to the northeast, with a connection to South Shroud in the Black Shroud region, and The Burning Wall to the southeast. Northern Thanalan The northernmost zone in Thanalan, this area is covered in a blue smoke from the underground mining operations. It consists of Bluefrog to the south, housing the settlement of Camp Bluefrog as well as a connection to Central Thanalan, and Raubahn’s Push to the north, last bastion in Thanalan before the militarized Mor Dhona. Western Thanalan This zone borders the sea to one side, so is much lusher than the rest of the region. It is comprised of Hammerlea in the south, with a connection to Ul’dah and Central Thanalan, the Footfalls in the north, which contains the town of Vesper Bay where one can charter a ship to the aqua capital of Limsa Lominsa, and Cape Westwind in the northwest, an outpost of Garlean soldiers. The Black Shroud Forest thick and full create a canopy over this region to the east in Eorzea. With connections to the deserts of Thanalan and the frigid wastes of Coerthas, this region houses the nation of Gridania, ruled by the Elder Seedseer Kan-E-Senna and her Twin Adder soldiers. Gridania The forest nation that serves as city-state to the Black Shroud region. Like many towns and settlements in the forest, its structures are constructed in reverence to the nature that surrounds. The patron deity of Gridania is the Matron, Nophica. Central Shroud The central area of the region, it is also one of the most dense areas in the Black Shroud. It consists of Jadeite Thick to the northeast, with a connection to Gridiania and most likely the first area a player who starts in Gridania would enter, Greentear to the east, with a connection to East Shroud, Bentbranch to the south, which houses the settlement of Bentbranch Meadows and a connection to South Shroud, swampy Sorrel Haven to the west, and The Standing Corses to the northwest, with a connection to North Shroud. South Shroud The area southernmost in the great forest and bordering Thanalan. Silent Arbor In the north contains a connection to East Shroud and borders the settlement of Quarrymill, immediately west of Quarrymill is the area known as the Upper Paths, which also contains a connection to Central Shroud. Urth’s Gift lies to the east, Snakemolt and the Lower Paths surrounding Rootslake to the south, housing the settlement of Camp Tranquil and the connection to Eastern Thanalan. East Shroud The easternmost area of the Black Shroud, the zone is covered in tremendous overgrowth. To the west lies the Honey Yard and Nine Ivies, with a connection to South Shroud. North of those are the Bramble Patch, a hazardous trail to the Sanctum of the Twelve. Moving east you’ll reach lands controlled by the Sylphs, Larkscall and the Sylphlands. North Shroud Directly west of Gridania and the northernmost area of the Black Shroud. This zone contains Treespeak to the southeast with a connection to Gridania, Peacegarden to the northeast, Proud Creek to the north, and Alder Springs to the southwest, housing the settlement of Fallgourd Float as well as connections to Central Shroud and the start of the path north to frozen Coerthas. La Noscea Southern region of the island of Vylbrand off the western coast of Aldenard, La Noscea is known for its great grassy plains. The thalassocracy of Limsa Lominsa is the region’s city-state and is commanded by Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn and her soldiers, the Maelstrom. Limsa Lominsa A great fortress connected to several small islands on the southern coast of Vylbrand. Favoured by its patron deity Llymlaen, this city-state enjoys isolation from much of the realm, but also has to endure the ever-present threat of pirates in the area. Middle La Noscea Located centrally in the La Noscea region, this area is most likely the first a player would go to should they start in Limsa Lominsa. It contains Zephyr Drift to the south, with a connection to Lominsa and Lower La Noscea, Summerford in the centre, and Three-Malm Bend to the north, with connections to Western and Eastern La Noscea. Lower La Noscea Seaside Lower La Noscea is composed of three areas: centrally located Moraby Bay, with a connection to Lominsa, Cedarwood to the north, with connections to Middle and Eastern La Noscea, and The God’s Grip to the south, with a connection to Western La Noscea via ship from Candlekeep Quay. Eastern La Noscea This zone is divided by the great Agelyss River and contains western Raincatcher Gully to the west, with connections to Upper and Lower La Noscea, and the Bloodshore to the east, with connections to the latter and Lominsa via ship from Costa del Sol. Upper La Noscea A northern zone of La Noscea, the traversable areas surround the great Bronze Lake. To the west is Oakwood, with a connection to Western La Noscea. To the east is the area named for the lake, containing connections to Eastern and Outer La Noscea. Outer La Noscea The northernmost zone of the region. It houses three zones: The Long Climb to the southwest, containing the settlement of Camp Overlook as well as a connection to Upper La Noscea, Iron Lake to the southeast, overlooking the lake that bares the same name and also containing a connection to Upper La Noscea, and the U’Ghamaro Mines to the north. Western La Noscea On the western coast of the island lies this zone, home to Aleport and its surrounding area Skull Valley in the centre with a connection to Upper La Noscea, Quarterstone to the southeast, housing the settlement of Swiftperch and a connection to Middle La Noscea, Halfstone to the west overlooking the Sapsa Spawning Grounds, and the Isles of Umbra to the south. Mor Dhona Located centrally on the continent, Mor Dhona is the home of Silvertear Lake where the remains of a great Garlean airship lie entangled with the remains of the primal Midgardsormr where they fought to mutual destruction. The region has become a stronghold of the Garlean Empire and is very treacherous. Frogfens in the west contains connections to Northern Thanalan as well as the settlement known as Revenant’s Toll and a connection to Coerthas. North Silvertear to the east surrounds the lake of that fateful battle, and The Eight Sentinels to the southeast lies as the solitary road to the great Crystal Tower. Coerthas The northernmost traversable region on the continent, the Coerthas Central Highlands are a desolate and snow-locked zone. Bolder Downs to the southwest and Dragonhead to the southeast contain connections to Mor Dhona and North Shroud respectively, Providence Point to the north and Natalan to the east are home to powerful monsters. Whitebrim to the west borders onto the Sea of Clouds.