How much do we really know about Thavnair? Is the any more info aside from the descriptions on ingame items?
We know a good bit! So this is going to be a long post! Here’s my compilation post on Thavnair Lore from the RPC if the forum format is easier to read than tumblr’s!
Thavnair, or as its more commonly referred to in game, the “Near East,” is an island nation in the Jade Sea between Aldenard and Othard. Radz-at-Han is Thavnair’s capital city and is home to Thavnair’s ruling houses and nobles. Thavnair is likely located closer to Hydaelyn’s equator, as it possesses unbearably hot climates, and a desert and jungle regions. The Thavnairians seem to prize education, science, and history like the Sharlayans. Ul'dahn alchemy is primarily born of Thavnairian origin, for example. The Eorzean city-states of Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa both trade with Thavnair regularly.If a person is from Thavnair, you would say they are “Near Eastern” or “Thavnairian.”If a person is from Radz-at-Han, Thavnair’s capital city specifically, you would say they were “Hannish.”
Coultenet: “We would have sent word sooner, but the Braves afforded us no opportunity. When they fell upon us in the market, it was all we could do to escape. Tataru found her way to you, of course, but we were forced to seek shelter aboard a Hannish vessel.”
Ocher Boulder: “Yet now that you are here, I sense that you have surpassed me once more… No, do not tell me─you trained with the Hannish, did you not?”
Hoary Boulder: “Your eyes do not deceive, brother! Aye, I have studied the Trials of the Braves, and drunk deep of the souls of mine enemies!”
Jalzahn: “Legend tells that, when the world lies upon the brink of destruction, brave souls who bear the Light shall arise to banish the Darkness. These heroes are known by myriad names, but in my native Radz-at-Han they are called the “Zodiac Braves.”
Thavnairian tradition holds that the Zodiac Braves gathered light to their weapons by vanquishing formidable foes. ‘Tis my theory that the heroes were in fact absorbing souls.If your weapon is to realize its potential, you must have it drink deep of the souls of slain foes.Of course, not every soul is created equal, and so it follows that not all creatures will serve our purpose. Indeed, the Zodiac Braves themselves were very particular as to which foes they chose to vanquish.
In the interests of efficiency, you would do well to seek out adversaries of like nature. For this, you might refer to the “Trials of the Braves,” a collection of sacred texts that tell of the heroes’ deeds.The books are common enough in Radz-at-Han, but having recently formed my theory, I did not think to bring them with me, alas. Though, with trade flourishing between our lands, mayhap there is a local merchant dealing in imported wares who has them in stock.”
Of Hydaelyn’s three known zodiacs, Thavnair has its own, based on the IRL western zodiac.At the start of the Zodiac Weapon questline we are tasked with collecting twelve Atma, crystalline objects from Thavnairian legend. These are taken directly from the western Zodiac.
Atma of the Bull (Taurus)
Atma of the Twins (Gemini)
Atma of the Crab (Cancer)
Atma of the Maiden (Virgo)
Atma of the Scales (Libra)
Atma of the Scorpion (Scorpio)
Atma of the Archer (Sagittarius)
Atma of the Goat (Capricorn)
Atma of the Water-bearer (Aquarius)
Atma of the Fish (Pisces)
The “Song of the Zodiac Braves” is also a Thavnairian legend.
“In an era long since ended,When chaos reigned o'er all the land,Did valiant souls take up the fightTo bring forth Light and cast out DarkThey numbered twelve, no more nor less.”
Gerolt: “In ages past, terrible demons known by the name “Zodiac” would appear in our world. But when they did, a hero wieldin’ a shinin’ weapon would arise to strike the fiends down. Do ye know that particular tale?”
Jalzahn on the Kaiser Knuckles: “When cataclysm loomed over the Near East, the hero Mirza arose to defend the people from fell fiends. Once he had torn the monsters apart, he raised a mighty empire- and fashioned a pair of weapons such as these from his foes’ claws!”
Jalzahn on the Nirvana: “After long years spent spurring worldly desires, a Near Eastern hierarch rose to a higher state of being. And as he did, life itself quickened within his trusty staff, the very twin of which you now hold!”
Ahldskyf: “We’re in the process of resupplying in preparation for the long journey east across the Sea of Jade to the small island nation of Thavnair, and its capital city Radz-at-Han. My intention is to fill our hold with high-quality flour, a rarity on Thavnair, and sell it to the upper-class merchants there for ten times its value here on Vylbrand. However, the Orion’s owner, my employer, doubts the wisdom of my plan. He says flour is flour, and that the merchants of Thavnair would not be able to discern La Noscean flour from the less expensive Ul'dahn variety that they already import, giving them no reason to pay more for our product.Truth be told, I expected he might have his misgivings, so I had a solution ready─I would have the ship’s cook bake some bread using La Noscean flour and offer it as a gift to the ruling houses of Radz-at-Han, telling each house that the others had found its flavor to far surpass that of bread made from Ul'dahn sunset wheat. The nobles would have no choice but to agree, of course, and, not wishing to be outshone by their peers, demand that their kitchens also stock La Noscean flour.”
Ahldskyf: “The nobles of Radz-at-Han are obsessive about their odor. I suppose it comes from living in a land that is subject to the incessant beating of the sun’s harsh rays. The sweltering days and muggy nights leave nearly everyone on the island drenched in a perpetual patina of malodorous wetness. To cope, they spend absurd amounts of coin on all manner of fragrances and perfumes - and as luck would have it, one of the most prized is scented with none other than Althyk lavender!You see, my friend, the plant is very rare, with most wild varieties nigh on impossible to find in even the most fertile corners of Eorzea, let alone an isolated rock in the middle of the sea!”
Either Love Them Or Kill Them: “A fellow merchant recently arrived on a ship from Radz-at-Han has fallen in love with the marmots which scamper about the Thanalan deserts and believes that the noble houses of his hometown will follow suit. He has expressed his interest in purchasing several of the furry beastkin and has bid our organization assist him. The Seventy-seven Caravans do not have the means to pacify and capture the rodents, but will pay decent coin to anyone who does.”
Camel Hair: “Thick, brown hair of a Near Eastern monstrosity known as the camel. Dubious reports from sailors claim the beast stands thrice as high as a chocobo, can speak the tongues of man, and has massive humps upon its back which may contain water, wine, or even gold.”
Lodestone: “Alchemy’s establishment as a tradition in Eorzea dates only to recent history. It was born primarily of ancient techniques and knowledge brought from the Near East, but has come to contain elements of Lalafellin herbalism and Miqo'te occultism as well. The primary tool of the alchemist is the alembic.”
The Cure: “The alchemists at Radz-at-Han claim to have developed a cure-all from the leaves found growing atop the heads of mandragoras, increasing demand for the item tenfold. There is, however, one catch - the leaves must be plucked from a living specimen. The Orion will be leaving port for Thavnair in a few suns’ time, and is offering a premium price for any pacified mandragoras delivered before the ship sets sail.”
Yumah Molkot: “In response to recent fluctuations in the market, the [Brugaire Consortium] is sourcing these arms from the city-state of Radz-at-Han, far across the Jade Sea. I should note at this juncture that these are no ordinary weapons—they are fashioned from a peculiar stone called Giantsgall, a material traditionally used in the making of Near Eastern arms. I caught glimpse of one such blade hanging on the hip of a Twin Adder officer returning from a drill, and humbly asked if I might examine it up close. Let it suffice to say that I was duly impressed by the craftsmanship.”
The Cieldalaes to See Combat: “Giantsgall - a variety of stone found only on Thavnair, possessing exceptional hardness. Its name is derived from a legend that tells of a Far Eastern hero who voyaged to the selfsame island and there vanquished a savage giant. A nearby stone drank up the slain giant’s blood and gall, thus receiving of its strength.”
Thavnairian Silk: “This silk has been spun from thread created by a worm found only on the Near Eastern island of Thavnair.”
Thavnairian Mist: “A concentrated elixir blended in the Near Eastern island nation of Radz-at-Han.” (Invented by Jalzahn)
Jalzahn: “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jalzahn, and I hail from the Near Eastern city-state of Radz-at-Han. I am an alchemist by trade. It has been my life’s work to study the enhancement of arms through soul infusion. Verily, Thavnairian mist is one of the fruits of my toils. Upon learning that the elixir had come to some prominence in Eorzea, I journeyed here with the intent of exploring new possibilities in my research. I want but for a subject to proceed.”
Mint Lassi: “A cool and refreshing drink made from cultured milk. Popular in the Near Eastern city-state of Radz-at-Han for its ability to offset the blistering heat of the Thavnairian midday sun.”
Rolanberry Lassi: “A sweet and tangy drink made from cultured milk. Popular in the Near Eastern city-state of Radz-at-Han for its ability to soothe the burn of heavily spiced dishes.”
Han Lemon: “A foul, bitter fruit found growing on the Near Eastern island of Thavnair. While typically avoided by the residents of Radz-at-Han, it is a favorite amongst chocobos, and is known to restore feathers to their original hue.”
Thavnairian Onion: “A pungent, tear-inducing vegetable that thrives in the alkali sands of Near Eastern Thavnair. While typically avoided by the five races, it is a favorite amongst chocobos.”
Stalk of Ramie: “A variety of swift-growing grass native to the Near East. The stalks can be dried and processed into thin threads which, when spun together, can be woven into a cloth not unlike hemp.”
Adamantoise Shell: “The shell of a giant tortoise originally native to the island of Thavnair, but now found living throughout Eorzea.”
Tiny Tortoise: “Not native to Eorzea, the first adamantoise to arrive in the realm is believed to have been mixed in with a shipment of dodo eggs from the Near East. Why anyone would import dodo eggs when there are more than enough of the birds living in Eorzea already is a mystery for the ages… but the whole affair more than likely involves a hungry Qiqirn.”
Adamantoise: “Native to the Near Eastern island of Thavnair, adamantoises were long thought to be impossible to domesticate. However, through the efforts of Ul'dahn zoologists, a handful of the colossal scalekin have been successfully trained to accept riders.”
Coeurl: “Native to the jungles of the Near East, coeurls were only recently introduced to Eorzea, brought over from faraway lands such as Thavnair by Ul'dahn nobles who thought to breed them as pets. Now, but a handful of skilled tamers living in recluse on the Pearl are said to be able to train them.”
Warlion: “Early in the Sixth Astral Era, lions were brought over from the Near East and trained to serve as battle mounts for the Sultansworn of Ul'dah. Deemed unbreakable, those not sold to the Coliseum for venationes were released into the deserts of Thanalan where they eventually reverted back to a feral state.”
Cornu: “Of the zu much is known, for their migration between Eorzea and the Near East provides many opportunities for observation. The vilest among these birds of prey is the Cornu, who has made himself maddeningly scarce to learned eyes that would pry from it the secrets of its savage heart.”
Heavensward Sightseeing Vista #023 The Nidifice: “A nest of great migratory birds that travel with the seasons from the Near East to Eorzea and back again in search of warmer climates. It is here that they lay their eggs, raise their young, and teach them to take to the skies before making the journey anew.”
Thavnairian Mistletoe: “A variety of parasitic plant that is commonly found growing on the stout acacia trees of Thavnair. The inhabitants of Thavnair’s capital city of Radz-at-Han have a strange custom that states if two people meet underneath a sprig of mistletoe, they must each give the other one of their shoes.”
Wild Onion: “A pungent bulb vegetable native to the Near East.”
Wizard Eggplant: “A firm purple-skinned vegetable indigenous to the mountains of the Near East. A common wives’ tale claims if you eat too many of this vegetable, you will turn into one.”
Sun Lemon: “A sour citrus fruit indigenous to the Near East.”
Apricot: “A variety of stone fruit borne over from the Near East. Its orange flesh is at once sweet and tart.”
Gysahl Greens: “A leafy vegetable indigenous to the Near East. While too bitter for most people’s tastes, chocobos are known to enjoy the flavor, and thus the greens are often used as fodder for the animals.”
Fufucha: “Research has proven that much of the gysahl greens presently grown in Ishgard are in fact Near Eastern.”
Basyle: “Over a century ago, Near Eastern gysahl greens were brought over to Eorzea. Thanks to its hardiness, it thrived in our realm, becoming so ubiquitous that it displaced many indigenous species. Species such as the Coerthan gysahl, which fairly disappeared. And indeed it would’ve, had the Botanists’ Guild not continued cultivating it as a strain suited to cooler lands.”
Going a bit above and beyond the lore into some theorycraft. Usually when Thavnair gets referenced, there is talk about its inspirations. If we look at the names of what few Thavnairian NPCs we see in game (Mirza, Jalzahn, and Ardashir) we find that the etymology of the names Mirza and Ardashir are both Persian. Jalzahn doesn’t seem to have any real world etymology, simply having its roots in FFXI’s Aht Urghan, another Middle Eastern styled city-state. We can also look at foods such as Lassi, which is commonly found in northern India and Pakistan, as well as apricots which are thought to originate around Armenia, which was later taken over by several Persian empires.So if you’re looking at creating a Thavnairian character, look into Persian names, with possible Indian influences.
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