Near East

Near East

Type

Region

Within

Hydaelyn

“

The Near East is a cultural region of Hydaelyn inclusive of (but not limited to) the island of Thavnair and its capital city, Radz-at-Han. The exact location is unknown, but it lies to the east across the Jade Sea. Many animals now found in Eorzea originate in the Near East, including Lions, Zu, Coeurl, and Adamantoise.

— In-game description

Near East is a region in Hydaelyn.

See also: Thavnair and Far East

Geography

Cape Mete

In the year 912 of the Sixth Astral Era, Captain Maetistym the Lithe, a native of Limsa Lominsa, declared his discovery of a sea route to the nation of Hingashi. The place he claimed was the Far Eastern nation was eventually found to be an island situated between the Sea of Jade and the Bounty. To immortalize his foolish mistake, the cape the captain made land upon was later named with the antiquated term for “dream.”

The Bounty

The Bounty is the name given to the sea south of Ilsabard. Its aptly named waters—teeming with an abundance of ocean life suitable for the dinner table—are considered to stretch as far as Cape Mete in the west, and to Thavnair and the Corvos Narrow in the east.

There are numerous smaller islands in the Bounty, one of which contains partially undersea ruins,  Alzadaal's Legacy, constructed by Alzadaal III, a previous satrap of Radz-at-Han, to serve as a treasure vault.

Thavnair

Main article: Thavnair

Main article: Radz-at-Han

Larger even than Eorzea’s Vylbrand, this island in the east of the Bounty is home to the city-state of Radz-at-Han. With the city’s port open to all nations, Radz-at-Han comprises one corner of the trade-relations triangle that exists between Eorzea, the Near East, and Hingashi.

Uznair

The entirety of this small island to the south of Thavnair is the property of House Sener, a wealthy family of skilled alchemists. Docking at Uznair is strictly forbidden unless one has secured the proper permissions in advance.

The Anchorite At Corvos

Main article: Corvos

On the northern shore of the Corvos Narrow stands an enormous right foot, remnant of an ancient monument. Legend has it that the left foot was planted on Thavnairian soil, supporting a colossal statue that once straddled the Narrow itself. Whether the victim of malicious intent or simply the ravages of time, the spectacle of this immense sentinel has since been lost to the ages.

The Corvos Narrow

The Corvos Narrow flows between Thavnair and the continent of Ilsabard. If legends are to be believed, the now-ruined Anchorite statue once loomed over the strait, a massive foot on each coast. Whatever the truth of the matter, rum-addled sailors are fond of using the phrase “scratching the crotch” to describe passage through these waters.

The Drown

This stretch of ocean lies between the Sea of Ash to the west, and the Sea of Jade to the north. A treacherous region of violent currents and frequent storms, the Drown is haunted by the ghosts of many a sunken crew. Despite its perils, however, those who travel often between Eorzea and the Far East still consider it preferable to clashing with the Garlean navy.

Sirensong Sea

Main article: The Sirensong Sea

Seafarers believe this sea to be the domain of sirens—monstrous maidens with enchanting voices who lure sailors to their doom upon jagged rocks. Taking advantage of such superstitions, some have used the area to house exiles and convicts. It is said that the government of Radz-at-Han once maintained a prison island here, but has since abandoned its operation.