The Three Grand Companies and City States

The Three Grand Companies

Order of the Twin Adder

The Order of the Twin Adder, one of the three Grand Companies of Eorzea located within the Adders' Nest in Gridania, establishes a medium from which the Seedseers can return from their wanderings deep within the Black Shroud and directly oversee not only the safety of Gridania's citizens, but the workings of the local guard.
Both the Gods' Quiver, who defend the forest from external threats, and the Wood Wailers, who protect it from internal strife, have expressed their support of this temporary measure.
There are, however, those within Gridania who would question the ability of the Seedseers, whose duties until now have been limited to various ritualistic proceedings, and doubt whether or not they are fit to lead a nation into war.

Capital: Gridania

Gridania is located in the east of the Aldenard continent, within dense woodlands and coursing rivers. It is well known in Eorzea for its forestry, agriculture, carpentry and leather working trades - a product of Gridania's emphasis on harmony with nature and the forest's Elementals.

The Maelstrom

At the heart of the Thalassocratic Navy lies the Lominsan Armada, composed of nine independent squadrons, the First through the Ninth. The Maelstrom is an extension of the First Squadron, expanding its role as armada flagship and granting it power to administer not only the remaining eight squadrons, but the various merchant fleets that navigate the seas off Vylbrand.
With the reestablishment of the Maelstrom, the Admiral has also begun the move to invoke ancient maritime law, by which she would promote herself to Chief Admiral, effectively expanding her authority to cover not only state and military dealings, but grant her the power to directly command all ships in Lominsan waters, and freely punish any who disobey. Needless to say, the city-state's pirates are not about to take this encroachment on their freedom without a fight.

Capital: Limsa Lominsa

Located on the southern coast of the island Vylbrand, Limsa Lominsa is spread out across numerous surrounding islands, all connected by bridges. The marine city-state is a thalassocracy, currently under the power of the ruling party and its leader, the Admiral. Limsa Lominsa's economy is driven by shipbuilding, fishing and blacksmithing, but largely by the lucrative shipping industry.

The Immortal Flames

Currently, the bulk of Ul'dah's military strength comes from their standing army of mercenaries and the small contingent of the palace guard known as the Sultansworn. To bring order to their ranks and oversee additional wartime training, the Sultana has considered resurrecting the Immortal Flames-an elite force of battle-hardened veterans that once instilled fear in the city-state's neighboring nations during ages past.
This unit would act as a core aspect of the army, essentially bolstering its power, and in effect grant more authority to the Sultana and her advisers--something of which those in control of the city-state's economy--namely the Syndicate--are wary.

Capital: Ul'dah

The city-state of Ul'dah is located in the deserts of southern Aldenard. It is a popular location for visitors to partake in its fighting arenas and gambling halls. The Ul'dahn culture is known for its affluence. Despite historically being claimed sovereign by the sultan, it is under the rule of the Syndicate, an elite group comprising of the six wealthiest and most influential members of society.

Other City States

Ishgard

The Holy See of Ishgard is found in the central region of Abalathia's Spine, the highlands of Coerthas. The archbishop of the Ishgardian Orthodox Church rules as the nation's sovereign. For a thousand years, they have waged war with the great wyrm Nidhogg and his Dravanian Horde.

Ala Mhigo

This city-state is located in the region of Gyr Abania, situated upon the eastern highlands of Aldenard. Though this aggressive nation frequently sought to conquer its neighbors in the west, at the same time it repelled countless invasions from the east in Ilsebard. In the past it succumbed to incursions from the mighty Garlean Empire, it recently has obtained new found peace as it is rebuilding itself into an democratic republic.

Sharlayan

Though not truly a city-state in the strictest sense, the same-named colony of Sharlayan in the Dravanian hinterlands came to be considered among the great city-states as it grew into a major city of learning. However, when Ala Mhigo fell to Garlemald, the Sharlayans decided to return to their northern homeland in a mass exodus, leaving the city abandoned.