Gridania Gridania is one of the city - states in " Final Fantasy XIV " , located on the Aldenard continent . It is located in the midst of the Black Shroud , a dense forest also known as the Twelvewoods that serves to filter out those hostile toward the Elementals and those in cooperation with them . Gridania is by far the most unified of the city - states . Its guilds all work in cooperation with each other under the guiding hand of Kan - E - Senna , who brought back the Order of the Twin Adder . Profile . In the eastern reaches of the Aldenard landmass , home to vast , dense woodlands and coursing rivers , lies the forest nation of Gridania . The cityscape is a mosaic of labyrinthine waterways and great wooden structures , so gracefully constructed they seem a part of the surrounding environment . The Gridanian emphasis on natural harmony has led to its preeminence among Eorzea ' s city - states in trades such as forestry , agriculture , carpentry , and leatherworking . Gridania is also home to the Wood Wailers , a militant band of polearm - wielding sentries charged with the protection of their homeland . The favored goddess of the citizenry is Nophica , the Matron , but great faith is also placed in the wisdom of the Seedseers — young oracles who guide the nation based on the will of the forest ' s elementals . The elementals in the Twelvewoods around Gridania pervade all aspects of Gridanian culture . The Gridanians respect , and even fear , the elementals for the power they wield , and appease or communicate with the elementals through festivals and ritual dance . The elementals in the woods guard and watch over observant Gridanians , and would normally control creatures of the forest and use them to attack outsiders . A sort of barrier called the Hedge prevents outsiders from being subject to this violent elemental nature , called " woodsin " or " woodwrath " . The Hedge occasionally falters , however , and when it does , those affected with woodwrath need to be purified through ritual dance . Landmarks and Services . New Gridania . Gridania Aetheryte Plaza . A raised platform where the city - state ' s Aetheryte Crystal is located . Chocobo stables are located between this plaza and the Carline Canopy . Carline Canopy . A tavern and Adventurer ' s Guild run by Mother Miounne . Players starting in Gridania will initially be working under her . Inn and Levequest services are also available . Airship docks are located in the back of the establishment . Carpenters Guild . Responsible for Gridania ' s timber industry , Carpenter s can study their craft in this hall . Quiver ' s Hold . These barracks in an eastern vale serve as the Archers ' Guild . Adders ' Nest . The headquarters of the Order of the Twin Adder . Players who are affiliated with that Grand Company can obtain tasks , goods , and create a Free Company here . Blue Badger Gate . A gate at the south end past the Carline Canopy , this exit leads to the Jadeite Thick in the Central Shroud . White Wolf Gate . A gate at the western end , leading to Sorrel Haven in the Central Shroud . Due the dangerous creatures that live there , access is restricted to travelers who have authorization . Old Gridania . Shaded Bower . The main commercial hub of Gridania , several NPC merchants have assorted basic goods . In addition , Market Boards and retainer Summoning Bells are available for players here . Wailing Barracks . These barracks are the home of the Wood Wailers , who operate the Lancers ' Guild here . Leatherworkers ' Guild . Also known as Atelier Fen - Yll , this building serves as a guild for leatherworking . Botanists ' Guild . Located at the western end , this facility is dedicated to botany and horticulture , and owns the Greatloam Growery . Stillglade Fane . This sanctuary is the home of the Conjurers ' Guild , where initiates are trained in communing with the elementals . Westshore Pier . Located outside the Wailing Barracks , this pier offers ferry services to the East Shroud . Yellow Serpent Gate . The main point of entry to / from the North Shroud . Versions . " Final Fantasy XIV " . Gridania and Limsa Lominsa are about equal in popularity in terms of starting nations , both at a disadvantage to Ul ' dah ' s convenient geographic placement and population density . However , Gridania has seen far more traffic due to Louisoix ' s exclusive presence here , drawing primal hunters from all over to initiate and repeat quests . Access to the battle for " To Kill a Raven " has attracted even more attention in recent days as well , although the recent addition of Skirmish has given Limsa Lominsa more business than usual . " A Realm Reborn " . Player reception of Gridania as a starting nation has been poor , many complaining about the layout of both the town and the outlying Black Shroud region . Because of this , Naoki Yoshida and his team have made its complete redesign one of the top priorities for 2 . 0 . In the Seventh Umbral Era , it is expected that either this region or the adjacent region of Mor Dhona will be " ground zero " for the landscape - changing catastrophe . Images of the redesigned region were released at E3 , including concept art of a completely redesigned town and gameplay screenshots in a more open forest area . Unlike the current city - states , the new town will have an Aetheryte crystal in the middle of the town square , rather than in a secluded area on the edge of town . Early leaks from the alpha test show that Gridania has been divided into two areas , called " New Gridania " and " Old Gridania " . The town has undergone aesthetic redesigns , but is largely the same . Many of the inaccessible areas have been opened up , such as the garden below the Botanist ' s Guild . The largest changes , as shown in other videos , can be found in the outlying Black Shroud region . Musical themes . " Wailers and Waterwheels " plays in Gridania during the day time and " Dance of the Fireflies " plays during the night time . Other appearances . " Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call " . Gridania appears as the Field Music Sequence for " Serenity " .