Map Thread/Discussion

[kablizzy]

I just figured that since Ordallia is east of Ivalice, and we know exactly where that is, and Ordallia is West of Galtea, and we know exactly where both of those are, there wasn't much "up in the air" about it, but rather what all is in the middle - We know the ends, we just don't know the actual part of Ordallia.

[Diethe]

Tis true as well Blizz. There's a lot of 'Ordallia' in the middle that may possibly be there. I believe Balthier makes a link between his Galtea and FFT's Orient (Or Ikoku), but we'll deviate a bit from there. We're sort of making Ordalia the powerhouse here, one of the only civilizations who didn't rely on technology and relied on faith pre-cataclysm, so when technology was lost and everyone else was limbless, Ordallia took over much of the continent.

There are several references, namely Vaan being told by Balthier to check out the Cache of Glabados (So maybe he could make a small appearance?) Still a lot up for speculation but for now we make our own solid version we stick to.

[Smash]

What exactly is the Cache of Glabados and was it worthy enough to have Balthier show up as cameo in War of the Lions?

[Diethe]

It's an artifact that's pretty much open for speculation and something that links the past to the present. It isn't interdimensional (Like Cloud coming from another world). Just transported through time and how Balthier mentioned he came from the past.

Anyway, really the only map refuting all the points, probably the closest to a canon map would be this:



But of course, we aren't playing canon and we're as blind and speculative as anyone else.

[kablizzy]

Oh, of course. Basically, what I was wondering is that, if we were being Canonical, I suppose it'd be closer to this? With a questionable amount of stuff in the middle, of course. Basically, I just think it'd be nifty to have a map around that players look at and go, "Oh, Holy Crap. Someone made a map for this!"

[Schwerpunkt]

We kind of are making a proper map that links Ivalice proper to the places we remember from FF12.

It just happens to be on the most backburner of backburners because it's so tangential and so unimportant that creative juices are better utilized elsewhere.

[kablizzy]

Of course, it's definitely not of much importance. Just one of those 'kinda cool' things.

[Schwerpunkt]

Oh, definitely. Especially if we can point to the map and say "here be Sky Pirates!" or what-have-you. It's useful to players who want to have character histories from further east, y'know?

[Smash]

I kinda want a good map myself too, but I guess everyone agrees that the latter conjoining of the two continents is the most acceptable so..

[Diethe]

Compromise is the best way. Plus, most of what we have on FF12 is still intact so the cataclysm is very open for being blown up. It's easy to edit, at least. If you notice Smash my map base is sprite-y.

[Diethe]

Well I'm happy with my lore and sprite progress for the day so let's get back to planning how the map would look.

I was thinking of implementing the more lore friendly map, which will also make the central wastes of Ordallia SO SO MUCH bigger. We could put elements like roving towns that transport entire cities for weeks to get to Rozarria (Eastern Ordallia), deathstalkers and the other stuff and culture we talked about with Smash and Schwer in the spriting threads. Anyone ever played Breath of Fire 3 with this almost endless desert? Basically, like that. Ordallia of course is able to keep power in check from both sides of its empire through military governors and the bulk of his army in the east.

Any way we could fit Jylland (Modern Day Ivalice) into this? Sorry for the bad scaling but you get the idea. Ivalice is way way smaller than this compared to the right map.

[kablizzy]

Through my research, Ordallia is huge, but most of it is that desert wasteland. The populous parts are towards the West and South and East, likely along river basins (Think Egypt and the Nile culture that formed around it). That said, the actual populated parts of Ordallia are very, very dense and prosperous. If I get some time, I'd be glad to work with you on a semi-Canonical world map at some point soon.

[Schwerpunkt]

There's no such thing as a "canonical" map. Unless you're Yasumi Matsuno, you've probably never even seen the full world map associate with FFT. It simply doesn't exist and any attempts to "recreate" it are going to fail.

As I see it, trying to create an exact replica of Matsuno's world isn't even an option. Not only is it extremely probable that we're far out in left field, the attempt to emulate his work rather than create something new with the world means we're landing firmly in fanfic territory. Yeah, we have to work with Ivalice's known variables (because that seriously cuts down on the learning curve and makes the game vastly more accessible). Yeah, we can sprinkle in some references to other FF kingdoms and polities (y helo thar al-Kadiyyah), and we borrow some characters for the learning curve, but FFSim is not FFT.

I also feel like I need to point out that there's still a shitton of worldbuilding to do without map expansions and such. Maybe we should finish what's on our plate before we scoop out more.

[kablizzy]

Eh, it's the same as we did with Romanda, just expanding it eastward. But you're right, this isn't a priority.

[Diethe]

Either way we can add a bit more, a bit less to the map. We can always blame the world shifts on the cataclysm. I'll try to come up with more or less a 'world map' with a tiny Ivalice and Galtea. Rough stuff for fun.