Thanalan Thanalan is a region in " Final Fantasy XIV " , located outside of Ul ' dah . Most of its fauna are suited to the desert , including various arthropods and a strange crystalbacked creature called a Coblyn . In its center lies the city - state of Ul ' dah . Geography . Many people , when they think of Thanalan both in - universe and out , are tempted to think of it as nothing but a trackless , sun - baked wasteland . This is far from the truth - while Thanalan is generally arid , it is only the Sagolii Desert proper that can be called desolate and lacking in vegetation . Much of Thanalan is more like a savanna , with somewhat sparse but active plant life which can get notably more lush near major sources of water , particularly in Western , Central and Eastern Thanalan , following the rivers . As a result , the geography varies significantly - from Central Thanalan ' s relatively flat plains to the towering canyons of Eastern Thanalan to the massive dunes in the Sagolii . Ul ' dah . One of the great City - States of Eorzea . Ul ' dahn culture is known for its affluence , and the nation ' s wealth comes from its abundant mineral resources and prestigious clothcrafting industry . Western Thanalan . Coastal landscapes along the Strait of Merlthor . Central Thanalan . A rugged desert along the northwestern walls of the city - state . A rail line runs through the area to facilitate mining operations . Eastern Thanalan . An open savannah extending towards the Black Shroud and Paglth ' an . The Calamity opened a chasm that exposed an ancient tomb . Southern Thanalan . A sprawling desert divided only by hills and Burnt Lizard Creek . The Amalj ' aa have a stronghold deep within the desert . The U tribe of the Seekers of the Sun reside at an oasis on the edge of the Sagolii Desert . Northern Thanalan . Barren mountains rich in ceruleum deposits . The industrial extraction of the substance has given the entire area a perpetual blue haze . The Goblet . This secluded residential district is managed by the Immortal Flames for use by adventurers . Manderville Gold Saucer . A theme park created by Syndicate member Godbert Manderville in hopes of raising Eorzea ' s spirits . Versions . " Version 1 . 0 " . Because of Ul ' dah and Thanalan ' s geographic placement as the middle of the three starting regions , it saw very frequent use by adventurers . Beginners joining their friends were encouraged to start in Ul ' dah due to it being the predominately active city - state , both commercially and socially , bringing new players to the Black Brush area . The addition of Ifrit , the game ' s first Primal , brought veterans to the Broken Water area , and Cutter ' s Cry brought them to Bluefog . Veins of gold , rich gem deposits , and rosewood trees garnered the attention of gatherers of every level . Ul ' dah and Thanalan were so popular over time that players often defaulted to this desert for activities that could otherwise be done elsewhere , such as Guildleves , Behest , and Chocobo Caravan escorts . " Development " . Screenshots of 2 . 0 Thanalan were shown at E3 2012 . Though it looked largely the same as it always has , the addition of railroad tracks near an Aetheryte Camp piqued the interest of many interviewers . There was also an image of a Dragoon fighting a large Coeurl in Thanalan . The only Coeurl in the original game was a notorious monster in Shposhae appropriately named the " Lone Coeurl " . During the Alpha test , concept art of an ancient statue ( now confirmed to be below the Highbridge ) and a few others were mistakenly placed on the promotional site where there should have been in - game screenshots of Ul ' dah .