Singing Springs

This article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus.

(However, this is speculation drawn up by what is presented of the region in Encyclopedia Eorzea (Volume 1, released at Fan Festival Las Vegas, 2016.))

General Geographical Information

The Northern Empty, a region located far north of Abalethia's Spine, is comprised of a small collection of islands, of which house both the Aerslaent, of "First Land" of the ancient Sea Wolf Roegadyn clan, and "Old Sharlayan", home to the nation of the same name, to the far north and west, respectively. Upon the latter chain lay an island with several inactive volcanoes, known simply as "Azeyma's Pearl". Known for its incredibly fertile landscape and ore-rich mountains, several dozen hamlets have been established, with economics focused heavily on mining and trade to its motherland, Sharlayan. Among the lesser populated, but largely known of these villas lay the Singing Springs.

Located on the heel of a now-inactive volcano, named after the town's founder Frydfyr Haerhimalson, Singing Springs is a diverse town whose livelihood rests primarily on its popular springs. Heated geothermically through both fire-aspected crystals deep within the earth, as well as the nearby fiery mountains, the town's famous waters are one of the few for several thousand malms appropriate enough for one to submerge the flesh into safely. While many of the springs located closer or further away from Mount Frydfyr, and are unsuited due to their extreme temperatures or acidity, the Singing Springs is completely safe to enjoy, much to the delight of any soul traveling through the area. Originally, the Springs was intended to be but a temporary respite for Haerhimalson's weary group as they escaped the wrath of a Sea Wolf warlord some several centuries past, however records show that it was the Fourth Calamity of Ice which kept the occupants settled there permanently. Aptly named after the highly potent crystals in the area, whose charge was so massive that they hummed with power, the Springs became but a humble fishing and mining town over the passing ages.

While much of the land around Singing Springs is near akin to a wasteland, particularly around Mt. Frydfyr, it is the earth itself that gave Singing Springs its overall wealth. There are far and few ores that have yet to be found beneath the surface of the land, ranging from gold, to mythril, to platinum, and then some. What stones and jewels that the community, made in bulk of miners, can salvage and pry from the rock below are shipped to other locale, most notably the capital of Sharlayan. Because of this symbiotic relationship with the motherland, the workers of Singing Springs make it a forefront goal to provide the highest quality of minerals, ores, and gems to its most prominent partner in trade, giving it a fantastic reputation. Many miners in the Northern Empty area oft aspire to becoming one of the many who journey down to the Springs, hoping for a chance to be accepted into its working throng.

However, the digging of earth is hardly the Springs' only asset. Perched on some of the only hospitable hot springs on the island, the oceanside hamlet is home to a paradise of relaxation and revelry that has become exceedingly popular over the past few years. While many in the Sharlayan homeland consider trips to Singing Springs frivolous and pointless as a front, largely due to an "all work and no play" mentality within Sharlayan culture, it hardly prevents many of them from feigning illness and going anyway. Rich merchants from the capital visit the Singing Springs and their immaculate spas for pampering and fine treatment, while thrillseekers might find more succor in the infamously difficult casino, the Blackjack. Fine cuisine has also become a feature to the Springs, as with more refined purses comes more refined pallets. Not seeking to disappoint, several restaurants have cropped up in the town, each claiming to be more succulent than the last. There is no doubt that the springs themselves, are the glittering center of Azeyma's Pearl--and no place takes greater advantage of it than Gabranth Resort, the most well-known and notorious of its sort north of Costa Del Sol. Taking up perhaps the largest section of land in the town, it hosts an expansive inn, a series of spas, several dozen diving pools, fine dining facilities, a pristine beach on the outskirts, and a rather extravagant greenhouse. Owned by a woman whom most might refer to as "disgustingly rich," Lady Gesalt Ironblade takes no small merit to ensure that her precious facility is the best her money can muster, and oversees nearly every aspect from her quarters atop the highest floor of the area. Lavishly designed and breathtakingly beautiful, no less than five dozen Sharlayan architects were commissioned for the design alone, and nearly every able-bodied constructor in the area recruited to put it together.

Though nearly surrounded by volcanic wasteland, some flora and fauna does manage to grow within Azeyma's Pearl, though it is hardly the sort one would wish to meet. Typically composed of scalekin, who favor the harsh clime around the foot of the fiery mountain, and other fire-aspected creatures, many locals avoid leaving the protected safety of their bay along the sea. Molten flan occasionally make an appearance nearby the mouth of the sleeping crag, though their presence is rarely seen away from it as wandering too far from their heat source causes them to harden into obsidian. A great deal of gil can be seen spent on specimens of this unique branch of "Flan Obsidian" which is thought to have rare aetheric properties and is often used in the creation of various wards, particularly those used to fend or fetter Voidsent. While scarce, there are some various types of hardy trees which have survived the highly acidic soil, and populate the area--a highly surprising number of these are Ash, Willow, and Pine trees, all of which are uniquely adapted to the environment.