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Official site update (Gridania, Ul'dah, World Map) - 5/20/2010
Rajen
Member Posts: 689
Title says it all...
http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/
Finally something on Gridania, been waiting forever for information on it.
I wonder that since they have been added that they might be playable in the upcoming closed beta.
Comments
They won't open them up before the very end of the beta, most likely open beta if ever. For the testing no more than one area is needed, and they don't want to spoiler the testers nor us with all the details before the retail is out.
Anyway, I wanted to post this to show the differences between the Alpha lightning and real lightning:
Like I have said before, the difference is quite large.
Looks like Africa with a larger Madagascar on the other side, and Europe is NE of Africa instead of NW lol...
can you tell I'm a geography major and spend too much time looking at maps?
map looks lovely though
ROFL.. I said the same thing about Africa and Madacascar being on the wrong side...
Or perhaps South America after the next big quake separates Chile...
"If I'd asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have said a faster horse." - Henry Ford
yeah, and it looks like the East Africa Rift system after it has rifted apart after a very long time lol
Ripped the Nation Emblems from the site this morning and all the text for each city-state as well for our LS forums. Thought I'd share them here if anyone would like the info to post elsewhere or for personal use.
Gridania
"Each tree, each shrub, each leaf, each blade of grass - we treat them as our own sons and daughters. And for that we are loved by this wood." ~ master conjurer and prophet, O-Guna-Por
In the eastern reaches of the Aldenard landmass, home to vast, dense woodlands and coursing rivers, lies the forest nation of Gridania. The cityscape is a mosaic of labyrinthine waterways and great wooden structures, so gracefully constructed they seem a part of the surrounding environment.
The Gridanian emphasis on natural harmony has led to its preeminence among Eorzea's city-states in trades such as forestry, agriculture, carpentry and leatherworking. Gridania is also home to the Wood Wailers, a militant band of polearm-wielding sentries charged with the protection of their homeland.
The favored goddess of the citizenry is Nophica, the Matron, but great faith is also placed in the wisdom of the Seedseers - young oracles who guide the nation based on the will of the forest's elementals.
Limsa Lominsa
"No man may tread upon me, for I am the sea." ~ 77th Admiral of Limsa Lominsa, N'bolata Tyata
On the southern coast of the island of Vylbrand, under the shadow of ancient cliffs worn by the relentless onslaught of the Rhotano Sea, lies the marine city-state of Limsa Lominsa. Said to be blessed by the goddess of navigation, Llymlaen, the city is spread out over countless tiny islands, each connected by sturdy bridges of iron and wood construction, earning her the name "The Navigator's Veil" from traveling bards who have witnessed the city's beauty from afar.
Limsa Lominsa is a traditional thalassacracy, with power lying in the hands of the ruling party and its leader - the Admiral. Its economy is driven by shipbuilding, fishing and blacksmithing, but the majority of wealth comes from the lucrative shipping industry.
To maintain the safety of its maritime routes, the city employs a formidable navy known as the Knights of the Barracuda. However, even in the waters nearby the city, pirate bands run rampant, reaving and pillaging.
Ul'dah
"Everyone here is after something - fame, notoriety, power, money. Me? I'll have the whole bloody lot." ~ self-made Lalafell and former Syndicate Member, Cicidoa Sosodoa
The bustling commercial hub of Ul'dah sits amid the desolate desert landscape of southern Aldenard. The city is organized strategically around the dome-shaped citadel at its center. Its towering fortifications and protective outer walls are visible for malms in all directions, and serve as a stark deterrent to would-be besiegers.
Visitors from every corner of Eorzea come to Ul'dah to partake in the city's famed recreation, most notably the fighting arenas and gambling halls. Ul'dahn culture is known for its affluence, and the wealth of the nation comes in a large part from its abundant mineral resources and prestigious clothcrafting industry.
Historically, it is the sultan who claims sovereignty over Ul'dah, but true power is wielded by the Syndicate, an elite group of six of the most influential and richest members of society. Nald'thal is the patron deity of the city, and two great halls, devoted to his two aspects, can be found in the eastern and western sections of the city.
Ripped the World Map also. You can find a larger version by clicking the link!
Massive World Map Image
"Visitors from every corner of Eorzea come to Ul'dah to partake in the city's famed recreation, most notably the fighting arenas and gambling halls."
I wonder if this city will be the home of the new "pvp ballista" type area?
and btw, can any race start anywhere like in xi, or will your starting race determine your starting city? thnx
What wonders me, is the fourth nation... Maybe something like jeuno?
I still believe there is going to be a 6th if not 7th race yet to be announced...
Of course you can start anywhere. There's no silly limitations.
3 starter cities are Gridania, Limsa-Lominsa and Ul'dah. Ishgard on the mountains is the Jeuno "hub city" of XIV (from what I've seen, it's not a snow city).
On top of that, there's the ruins of Ala Mhigo as well as Sharlayan, but there's no info about that city yet. It might be in ruins as well.
Also, more alpha <> beta comparison pics.
Those beta pics look awesome not just compared to alpha, but compared to anything. Hope my comp is up to it.
Nice to see those comparisons Hyanmen, should satisfy most of those who were nitpicking at the alpha client.
Also does anyone know if there's been a full translation of the map yet? I know the alphabet used is the same 26 letters we use, they've just made up some new characters for the letters.
http://www.ffxivmaps.com/img/character_map.png
The 4 cities are Limsa-Lominsa, Ishgard, Gridania and Ul'dah. There's also 2 ruined towns(?), Sharlayan and Ala Mhigo.
There are 10 regions.. so there's quite a bit of land out there for us to explore. They are
Xeiphatoi/Xelphatoi (above ala mhigo and gridania)
Gyr Abania (directly above ala mhigo)
Coerthas (below Ishgard
O'dhomoro/O'ghomoro (not sure about this one) (above La Noscea)
Dravania (near Sharlayan)
La Noscea (Area surrounding Limsa Lominsa)
Mor Dhol (below the lake)
Ihanalan (above Ul'Dah)
The Black Shroud (below Gridania)
Uagl'h'an (I've no clue, it's probably something else than U- though) (right side of Ul'Dah)
Awesome, thanks for the quick response! Seeing all the regions listed like that the map seems a lot bigger.
Also cue a slew of signatures using the Eorzean font, hehe.
WooHoo more XIV info.. Looks like it's a pretty big damn world too. I hope my gtx285 will render it at max...
"If I'd asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have said a faster horse." - Henry Ford
I like the sound of Ul'Dah most right now. Sultan being the leader and focus on clothcrafting and minerals.. the whole middle-eastern theme sounds very appealing.
Actually, from the description, I'd say Ul'dah is a plutocracy/plutarchy (with a few wealthy merchants running the show) and the sultan is probably just more of a figurehead.
I agree though, Ul'dah sounds most appealing out of the 3 choices. I've never been a huge fan of the pirate motif Limsa Lominsa has going, and Gridania sounds like the typical forest-folk tribe motif we've seen in fantasy since the genre was created.
Most probably. I doubt it'll be that simple in the end though, there must be some kind of conflict going on for the story to start off.
It would be really cool if they added a couple more races. I forget the name of the blue people from 10?
I already pre-ordered two ps3 copies and one pc copy. Will be spending close to $3k for a new pc to run this on high. December couldn't come sooner!
I have to admit, I really am liking what I am seeing. There may be hope yet.
END OF LINE_
~V