Ul'dah

Ul'dah is a city-state in Final Fantasy XIV located in the deserts of southern Aldenard. It is the most wealthy of the city-states, its flag bearing scales as a symbol of their commercial significance in Eorzea. The city-state was once exclusively populated by Lalafells, and the royal family is of this race, but the prospect of wealth attracted all peoples from across the world. The majority of the Syndicate members are Lalafell.
The destroyed nation of Nabaath Araeng appears to have been its counterpart in the First.
==Profile==
The bustling commercial hub of Ul'dah sits amid the desolate desert landscape of southern Aldenard. The city is organized strategically around the dome-shaped citadel at the center. Its towering fortifications and protective outer walls are visible for malms in all directions to deter would-be besiegers.
Visitors from every corner of Eorzea come to Ul'dah to partake of the city's famed recreation, most notably the fighting arenas and gambling halls. Ul'dahn culture is known for its affluence, and the nation's wealth largely comes from its abundant mineral resources and prestigious clothcrafting industry.
Historically, the sultan claims sovereignty over Ul'dah, but true power is wielded by the Syndicate, an elite group of six of the most influential and richest members of society. Nald'thal is the city's patron deity and two great halls devoted to his two aspects are found in the eastern and western sections of the city.
===The Syndicate===
The culture and politics of Ul'dah has greatly been dominated by trade and profiteering, affording the Syndicate a significant power base. Influence and most importantly wealth are the criteria for membership, and seats on the Syndicate can be bought. Syndicate members typically fell into two camps: Royalists who supported the monarchy, and Monetarists who prefer to displace the monarchy and exert more control over the city-state. Though Sultana Nanamo Ul Namo is officially the head of state in Ul'dah, her power has been eroded by the largely Monetarist Syndicate, reducing her to a figurehead.
As of the events of A Realm Reborn, the Syndicate was chaired by the following:
*Raubahn Aldynn - General of the Immortal Flames
*Lord Lolorito Nanarito - Chairman of the East Aldenard Trading Company
*Teledji Adeledji - Head of the Mirage Trust
*Dewlala Dewla - Director of the Milvaneth Sacrarium
*Fyrgeiss Loetkilbsyn - Chief Foreman of Amajina & Sons Mineral Concern
*Godbert Manderville - Proprietor of the Manderville Gold Saucer and master goldsmith
General Raubahn is the lone Royalist on the Syndicate, and earned his place thanks to using his winnings from a high-stakes gladiatorial match to purchase both the Coliseum and a seat on the Syndicate.
==Landmarks and services==
===Ul'dah - Steps of Nald===
====Arrzaneth Ossuary====
Located near the Gate of the Sultana, the Ossuary is a source of knowledge for the city, as its many books make evident. It also serves as the home of the Thaumaturge's Guild.
====Platinum Mirage====
This small casino is owned by the Mirage Trust, headed by Teledji Adeledji. It is also the home of the Pugilist's Guild.
====Hall of Flames====
The headquarters of the Immortal Flames. Players who are affiliated with that Grand Company can obtain tasks, goods, and create a Free Company here.
====Ul'dah Aetheryte Plaza====
Tucked away in an alcove near the Hall of Flames, the city-state's Aetheryte Crystal can be found here.
====Ruby Road Exchange====
The avenue contains both a Linkshell Vendor and a Delivery Moogle. A dancing troupe can be found here.
A lift will take players to either the Chamber of Rule or the Airship Docks.
====The Quicksand====
A tavern and Adventurer's Guild run by Momodi. Players starting in Ul'dah will initially be working under her. Inn and Levequest services are also available.
====Gate of the Sultana====
This westbound exit leads to Western Thanalan.
====Gate of Nald====
This northeasterly gate leads to Central Thanalan.
===Ul'dah - Steps of Thal===
====Sapphire Avenue Exchange====
The main commercial hub of Ul'dah, several NPC merchants have assorted basic goods. In addition, Market Boards and retainer Summoning Bells are available for players here.
====Sunsilk Tapestries====
This business is home to the Weaver's Guild where Adventurers may learn the art of weaving from the guildmaster, Redolent Rose. It is owned by Lord Lolorito Nanarito of the Syndicate.
====Miners' Guild====
====Goldsmiths' Guild====
====The Coliseum====
An arena dedicated to gladiatorial sports. To that end, the Gladiators' Guild is in charge.
====The Gold Court====
====Royal Promenade====
====Scholars' Walk====
Located off the side of the Royal Promenade, this hallway leads to the Alchemists' Guild.
====Gate of Thal====
This easterly gate leads to Central Thanalan.
===Weather===
Ul'dah's climate may exhibit any of the following weather conditions:
Weather	Frequency
 	40%
 	25%
 	20%
 	10%
 	5%
===Maps===
Ul'dah - Steps of Thal - Merchant Strip map from FFXIV.png|Steps of Thal - Merchant Strip.
Ul'dah - Steps of Thal - Hustings Strip map from FFXIV.png|Steps of Thal - Hustings Strip.
Ul'dah - Steps of Nald map from FFXIV.png|Steps of Nald.
Ul'dah - Steps of Nald - Airship Landing map from FFXIV.png|Airship Landing.
==Activities==
===Duties===
Dungeon
Level 80
Item level 490
Airship Landing (x10 y11) 	
Long have the sweeping plains of Paglth'an been home to the nomadic Amalj'aa. Though the herding of livestock keeps them constantly on the move, the permanent settlement of Zolm'ak forms the seat of power and center of their society. It is there the Telophoroi would wreak destruction, dispatching a vast host comprised of both imperial soldiers and tempered dragons, with Lunar Bahamut at its head. Yet even against these heretofore unimagined foes the Amalj'aa stand strong, with Estinien, the recently freed Tiamat, and the Eorzean Alliance at their side and eager to turn the tide.	Long have the sweeping plains of Paglth'an been home to the nomadic Amalj'aa. Though the herding of livestock keeps them constantly on the move, the permanent settlement of Zolm'ak forms the seat of power and center of their society. It is there the Telophoroi would wreak destruction, dispatching a vast host comprised of both imperial soldiers and tempered dragons, with Lunar Bahamut at its head. Yet even against these heretofore unimagined foes the Amalj'aa stand strong, with Estinien, the recently freed Tiamat, and the Eorzean Alliance at their side and eager to turn the tide.
Level 30
Airship Landing (x10 y11) 	
Level 15
The Quicksand (x11 y9) 	
Level 50
Steps of Thal (x11 y13) 	
==Version 1.0==
Ul'dah was the most densely populated city in the game. Its geographic placement between Limsa Lominsa and Gridania made it a commercial hub for adventurers in spite of the barrenness of the outlying region. It was the place where the Main Scenario quests converged after the brief narratives unique to each city-state were completed. It was the the Source equivalent to the Grand Duchy of Jeuno, the main difference being that it is a starting nation.
Ul'dah saw some of the worst server instability because of its player population density, including instances where the entire Thanalan region would crash. The Inn, originally accessed via the Quicksand (Ul'dah's Adventurer's Guild), was shut down for several weeks shortly after its release, attributed to the traffic in the area straining the server. Square Enix was unable to get it to function until they created a "back door" in the Gold Court, the core of the city.
Between the lag, the resulting player complaints, and a general desire to evenly distribute player activity, Square Enix developed the Mercantile House feature to attempt to spread players to the other two city-states, but a few factors made this futile:
*It was easier to set one's Retainer from within Ul'dah's Market Ward.
*The long-established population density made it easier to find parties in Ul'dah; this was far more important in Legacy as the game did not yet have a Duty Finder or the realm-wide Party Finder feature.
*Many Linkshell communities made Ul'dah their gathering spot as a result of general player density, which led to a feedback loop of people grouping in Ul'dah, though Linkshells making their normal gathering spot Ul'dah, thus drawing more people in, and so forth.
*The more popular Grand Company of the three is Ul'dah's Immortal Flames, primarily due to the aforementioned conveniences, which once again led to a feedback loop.
==Development==
Like the other city states, Ul'dah as a whole is largely intact, and contrary to what is shown in the footage of Bahamut's rampage at the end of 1.0, it was not directly damaged by the Calamity (or at least not to the extent the cinematic implied). It has, however, been redecorated and some spots have been modified, such as the addition of the Immortal Flames headquarters in the wall where the Market Wards once stood. The Milvaneth Sacrarium is currently inaccessible, being attributed to damage from the Calamity. The addition of jumping allows players to quickly drop to from the upper to lower levels in the Gold Court.
The brothel aspect to the Miner's guild has been removed; although the stage is still there, it appears the performers have moved to the Ruby Road Exchange.
In concept art of Nanamo Ul Namo's throne room and the Syndicate meeting table, the Syndicate members are all depicted as Hyur, despite the majority being Lalafell in the published version of Final Fantasy XIV.
==Musical themes==
"A New Hope" plays in Ul'dah during the daytime and "Sultana Dreaming" plays at nighttime.
==Other appearances==
===Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call===
Ul'dah appears as the FMS for "To the Sun".
===Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade===
==Behind the scenes==
Ul'dah has seen the worst effects of the Seventh Umbral Era, being the only city-state to endure full-scale invasions of powerful Deepvoid. After the final save maintenance, chocobos could be ridden in town.
As of 2014, Ul'dah's Aetherite is set as the home point for 27.82% of the players, make it the most popular Aetheryte in the game.http://imgur.com/a/pEzlr
==Gallery==
Uldah ARR 01.jpg|Ul'dah in A Realm Reborn.
Uldah ARR 02.jpg|Ul'dah in A Realm Reborn.
Uldah ARR 03.jpg|Ul'dah in A Realm Reborn.
Uldah ARR 04.jpg|Ul'dah in A Realm Reborn.
Ul'dah FFXIV Art 3.jpg|Concept art.
Ff14-uldah-promo.jpg|Artwork of Ul'dah NPCs.
Frondale's_Hallway.png|Frondale's Home for Friendless Foundlings Hallway.
==See also==
*Ul'dah's Main Scenario Quests (version 1.0)
==Citations==
fr:Ul'dah
pt-br:Ul'dah
Category:Thanalan locations in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Central Thanalan locations in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Western Thanalan locations in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Towns
Category:Nations in Final Fantasy XIV