Aerslaent

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Aerslaent, meaning "first land", is a remote archipelago in The Northern Empty said to be the homeland of the Sea Wolves tribe of Roegadyn. It is not currently accessible in-game through a playable zone, instanced area, or other format, unlike its' southern neighbor, Sharlayan.[1]

Geography

Very little is known about the land itself, aside from the climate observed in other areas of The Northern Empty.

History

At an unknown point of the Sixth Astral Era, the ancestors of the Hellsguard tribe crossed the sea to Aldenard to settle in the mountains of modern-day Abalathia's Spine. The question of why they left is just as unclear as when.[2]

In year 874 of the Sixth Astral Era, a group of Roegadyn—ancestors to the modern-day Sea Wolves—set sail from Aerslant aboard a ship called the Galadion. This splinter tribe, who would one day be partially responsible for the founding of Limsa Lominsa, was "the last of a mighty armada" now fleeing retribution after taking part in an unsuccessful rebellion against the ruling "tyrant" kings. With their ship damaged and their enemies ruling the shoreline, they turned the Galadion southward in search of a new home.[3]

Culture

Although details are somewhat sparse about the relationship Aerslaent has with the in-game nations of the modern day, known records indicate that the original Roegadyn language is still alive and well in Aerslaent.[4] A species of Troll brought to the settlement of Labyrinthos in Old Sharlayan has also been identified as originating from Aerslaent, and is said to be part of a rite of passage for natives of the land hoping to earn the right to "board the longships."[5]

References

  1. Encyclopedia Eorzea, "The Northern Empty", page 013: "...the Northern Empty--a vast body of water almost entirely void of islands, save for two major chains. The first, and northern-most, is a remote archipelago known as Aerslaent ("first land")--homeland of the Sea Wolf Tribe of Roegadyn."
  2. Encyclopedia Eorzea, "The Roegadyn: History", page 088: "Many, many years prior to this, an entirely different group of Roegadyn had crossed over to the continent and settled in the mountains, where their descendants - the Hellsguard - reside to this day."
  3. Encyclopedia Eorzea, "The Founding of a City", page 095.
  4. Encyclopedia Eorzea,"The Roegadyn:Tongue"
  5. Troll Card "An Aerslaent fiend of towering height, a troll's upper body is covered in bristly hairs, while its lower half is exposed skin with the hardened appearance of pinecone. To the Roegadyn of its home island, this beast is seen as a rite of passage, for those who can defeat one are granted license to board the longships.