An encyclopedia of the Far Eastern continent of Othard, compiled from the accounts of merchants, scholars, and recent refugees arriving on Eorzean shores.
> Era Note: This geographical and cultural record reflects the state of the world during the Seventh Astral Era (Current Day). Much of the continent currently suffers under the iron rule of the Garlean Empire, and accurate information is increasingly difficult to procure.
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Far to the east of Eorzea, across the Jade Sea, lies the continent of Othard. Often referred to simply as the "Far East," it is a land of sweeping plains, towering peaks, dense jungles, and deep spiritual traditions. Unlike the geographically fractured realm of Eorzea, Othard boasts ancient, unified cultural identities, though these have been severely tested in recent decades.
Currently, Othard is a continent in chains. Over the past quarter-century, the Garlean Empire has systematically conquered its sovereign nations, transforming independent kingdoms into Imperial provinces. With the recent and catastrophic failure of the Doman Rebellion, a heavy silence has fallen over the continent, broken only by the steady march of magitek reapers.
Once the shining jewel of Othard, the kingdom of Doma was a beacon of culture and martial prowess situated in the lush, river-fed region of Yanxia. Doma was renowned for its majestic castles, paper-walled manors, and sprawling rice paddies.
Tragically, Doma is now a cautionary tale. Following a recent war of succession within the Garlean Empire, the people of Doma saw an opportunity to reclaim their freedom and staged a massive rebellion. The Empire retaliated with overwhelming, merciless force. Doma was razed to the ground, its leaders scattered or executed, and its surviving populace subjected to draconian punishments. It is from this shattered nation that Lady Yugiri and her contingent of refugees recently fled, seeking asylum in Eorzea.
North of Yanxia lies a seemingly endless expanse of rolling grasslands known as the Azim Steppe. It is a harsh, untamed land where the Garlean presence is relatively light, not out of mercy, but out of logistical frustration. The Steppe is the ancestral homeland of the Xaela, a nomadic clan of the Au Ra. The harsh climate and the fiercely territorial nature of the native tribes make the Steppe a dangerous frontier for Imperial legions and foreign merchants alike.
Situated at the crossroads of Othard and the neighboring continent of Ilsabard, the desert kingdom of Dalmasca was once a wealthy hub of commerce and culture. Its capital, Rabanastre, was considered a marvel of architecture. However, Dalmasca was one of the first Othardian nations to fall to the Garlean Empire. Now a subjugated province, its people suffer under heavy taxation and strict Imperial law, its former glory buried under the boots of occupying legions.
South of Yanxia lies the humid, treacherous jungles of Nagxia. The dense canopy, venomous wildlife, and unforgiving terrain have prevented the Garlean Empire from establishing a firm foothold here. The local populations lack a unified government, living instead in tribal villages. They employ brutal guerrilla warfare tactics to harass Garlean supply lines, making Nagxia a perpetual thorn in the Empire's side.
While not technically on the Othardian mainland, the archipelago of Hingashi is deeply intertwined with Othard's culture. In stark contrast to the conquered mainland, Hingashi remains completely independent. To avoid Garlemald's wrath, the island nation operates under an extreme isolationist policy. Only the single port city of Kugane is open to foreign vessels, heavily monitored by the isolationist samurai government. They have formally turned a blind eye to Doma's destruction to preserve their own peace.
Othardian culture is profoundly different from that of Eorzea, deeply rooted in reverence for nature, duty, and spiritual harmony.
Eorzeans worship the Twelve, but the people of Othard practice an animistic faith centered around the Kami. They believe that gods and spirits reside in all things—rivers, mountains, ancient trees, and even well-crafted tools. There is no single central church; instead, the landscape is dotted with shrines where locals offer prayers, incense, and rice to appease the spirits and seek their blessing. They believe that a harmonious life prevents the Kami from becoming restless and causing natural disasters.
Othard is famous for its unique disciplines of war, which prioritize discipline, speed, and spiritual focus over heavy armor and brute strength.
Samurai: The traditional knights of the Far East. Wielding finely folded steel katanas, samurai follow a strict code of honor and duty known as Bushido. In Doma, they served the ruling lords, but with the nation's fall, many have become masterless ronin, wandering the continent or turning to mercenary work.
Shinobi (Ninja): Where samurai fight in the open, shinobi operate in the shadows. Masters of espionage, assassination, and covert warfare, these agents utilize mudras—hand gestures that channel aether—to perform incredible feats of ninjutsu. Doman shinobi are widely considered the deadliest in the world.
While Eorzean magic often seeks to command aether through raw will or formulaic incantations (such as Thaumaturgy or Arcanima), Othardians practice Geomancy. Geomancers view aether as the lifeblood of the star itself. By reading the flow of the land, wind, and water, they harmonize with the environment to coax forth powerful natural magics. They are as much astrologians of the earth as they are mages, often serving as advisors to local lords to ensure castles and villages are built in aetherically stable locations.
Othard is home to several races. The dominant population consists of Hyur (often possessing distinct Far Eastern features) and Roegadyn. However, Othard is uniquely known as the homeland of the Au Ra, a race possessing curved horns and scaled skin.
The *Raen** clan, possessing white scales, largely assimilated into Doman and Hingashan society, living peaceful lives as warriors and merchants.
The *Xaela** clan, possessing black scales, remained on the Azim Steppe, adhering to their ancient nomadic traditions.
Note: Due to their draconian appearance, the Au Ra are currently treated with severe superstition and fear in Eorzea, a prejudice that Doman refugees are currently struggling to overcome.
To understand modern Othard is to understand subjugation. The Garlean Empire views the Far Easterners as savages in need of Imperial enlightenment.
Under Garlean rule, native Othardians are treated as second-class citizens. They are heavily taxed, stripped of their ancestral lands, and often conscripted into the Imperial army to fight on distant fronts, ensuring they cannot rise up at home. The teaching of martial arts, the forging of katanas, and the open worship of the Kami are heavily restricted. Eorzeans who complain of Imperial encroachment in Mor Dhona have little concept of the totality of the Empire's grip; in Othard, the Garlean boot has been firmly on the continent's neck for over two decades.
Note concerning the Garlean occupation: Due the overwhelming strength of the Xaela tribes the Garleans are not able to conquer the lands.