Limsa Lominsa

"No man may tread upon me, for I am the sea."
-- 77th Admiral of Limsa Lominsa, N'bolata Tyata

On the southern coast of the island of Vylbrand, under the shadow of ancient cliffs worn by the relentless onslaught of the Rhotano Sea, lies the marine city-state of Limsa Lominsa. Said to be blessed by the goddess of navigation, Llymlaen, the city is spread out over countless tiny islands, each connected by sturdy bridges of iron and wood construction, earning her the name the “Navigator's Veil" from traveling bards who have witnessed the city's beauty from afar.

Limsa Lominsa is a traditional thalassocracy, with power lying in the hands of the ruling party and its leader — the Admiral. Its economy is driven by shipbuilding, fishing, and blacksmithing, but the majority of wealth comes from the lucrative shipping industry.

To maintain the safety of its maritime routes, the city employs a formidable navy known as the Knights of the Barracuda. However, even in the waters nearby the city, pirate bands run rampant, reaving and pillaging.

Landmarks

Mizzenmast

Built around the remnants of the Galadion — a legendary battleship whose grounding off the shores of Vylbrand marked the humble beginnings of Limsa Lominsa — the towering Mizzenmast stands at the center of all that goes on in the city–state. The bottom level is a veritable citadel, fortified with yalm–thick stone walls dotted with arrow loops and murder holes to fend off invaders in the event of an attack. On the middle levels can be found both a bustling pub and a cozy inn, while the uppermost levels comprise the offices of high–ranking thalassocratic officials, including the city–state's leader — the Admiral. Limsa Lominsa's airship landing is also located near the top of the tower, allowing for the safe disembarkation and boarding of passengers without the need for pilots to contend with the treacherous air currents swirling in the bay below.

The Octant

This grand outdoor plaza situated below the Mizzenmast earned its name for the resemblance it bears to the revolutionary nautical instrument invented by maritime scientist and "father of modern navigation," Jovanni Gnonno. During daylight hours, the round resounds with the cries of mountebanks, the songs of bards, and the laughter of children marveling at the many talents of mummers' troupes. Yet come nightfall, the plaza assumes quite another aspect. Bedraped by the soft light of the moon, its steps become a private theater for lovers seeking to gaze upon the timeless drama of the heavens.

Pharos Polaris

Erected over decades out of bright white chalk mined from nearby cliffs, this colossal lighthouse is a beacon for sailors braving the night seas, her light providing safe passage through the perilous shallows of Galadion Bay. Few, save the candlekeeps who maintain a constant vigil over the flames, know anything about the pale blue light which emanates from atop the spire. Some say it comes from the maw of an arcane bomb, locked in a cage and tormented until its anger burns bright. Others say the keeps themselves are powerful mages who use their thaumaturgies to capture the rays of the sun each day, only to release them again at night.

Hawkers' Alley

Amidst the pungent aromas of smoke and spice, merchants from the four corners of Eorzea and beyond gather in this corner of the city–state, peddling their tramontane wares to all who would buy, while providing a lifeline for those crafters hailing from the faraway nations of Gridania and Ul'dah.

However, the Markets of Limsa Lominsa are not limited to the cluttered confines of this narrow boulevard. On several of the lesser islands speckled about the bay can be found neighborhoods such as the Frippers Ward and the Leechers Ward—homes to guilds and workshops of innumerable trades. It is within these wards that many adventurers have chosen to set up retainer–run stalls, selling everything from the assorted spoils of their exploits to the fruits of their craft-du-jour.