Overview
The Lochs is the final and most strategically critical zone in the Gyr Abanian region of the continent of Aldenard, introduced in Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood. A landscape defined by desolate beauty and martial history, it serves as the culmination of the Ala Mhigan liberation storyline. The zone takes its name from the vast, shimmering salt lake, Loch Seld, which dominates its geography. The primary focus of the area, however, is the city of Ala Mhigo itself—the former capital of the fallen kingdom, now a heavily fortified seat of imperial power. The Lochs represents the final obstacle between the Eorzean Alliance and their goal of freeing Ala Mhigo from two decades of Garlean occupation, embodying themes of sacrifice, perseverance, and the heavy cost of freedom.
History & Lore
The Kingdom and the Lake
Historically, The Lochs was the heartland of the Kingdom of Ala Mhigo. The city itself was constructed directly into the mountains, a formidable natural fortress that made it nearly impregnable for centuries. Loch Seld, the great salt lake, provided both a natural barrier and an economic resource. The surrounding highlands were dotted with watchtowers, fortifications, and settlements that supported the capital. This era left behind ancient ruins and crumbling infrastructure that speak to a once-proud and powerful civilization.
Garlean Occupation
Following Ala Mhigo's fall to the Garlean Empire some twenty years prior to the events of Stormblood, The Lochs was transformed into a militarized zone. The Garleans recognized the strategic value of the terrain and fortified it extensively. Porta Praetoria, a colossal gatehouse and fortress, was constructed to control all land access to the approaches of Ala Mhigo, becoming a symbol of imperial control. The natural landscape became a network of supply lines, barracks, and defensive emplacements. The local populace, particularly in the Ala Mhigan Quarter of the city, suffered under harsh rule, with their homes and lives subjugated to the needs of the occupying army.
The Liberation Campaign
The Lochs becomes the final theater of war in the campaign to liberate Gyr Abania. After securing the eastern provinces of the Peaks and the Fringes, the combined forces of the Eorzean Alliance and the Ala Mhigan Resistance must breach the Garlean defenses in The Lochs. The zone is a gauntlet of imperial might, from outlying fortifications to the daunting barrier of Porta Praetoria itself. Capturing these strongholds is not merely a tactical objective but a psychological one, each victory chipping away at the aura of invincibility surrounding Garlemald's hold on the city.
Ala Mhigo and the Royal Menagerie
The city of Ala Mhigo, perched on the cliffs, is the zone's crown and its prison. Within its walls lies the Royal Palace, from which the viceroy, Zenos yae Galvus, rules with brutal efficiency. The climax of the liberation occurs here, culminating in an assault on the palace and a fateful battle in the Royal Menagerie—a grand arena atop the palace where Zenos has unleashed the captured primal Shinryu. This battle marks the turning point, not just for the city, but for the entire conflict, as the Warrior of Light confronts the embodiment of imperial oppression.
Post-Liberation
Following the city's liberation, The Lochs enters a new chapter. The zone transforms from a battlefield into a region facing the arduous task of rebuilding. The scars of war and occupation remain visible in the damaged structures and the traumatized populace. The Ala Mhigan Quarter begins the slow process of recovery, while the former Garlean installations are repurposed or dismantled. The area becomes a symbol of hard-won peace and the ongoing challenges of forging a new national identity from the ashes of conflict.
Geography & Locations
Loch Seld: The vast salt lake that gives the zone its name. Its bleached shores and mineral deposits create a stark, beautiful, and somewhat desolate atmosphere. It serves as a central geographical landmark.
Porta Praetoria: The massive Garlean gatehouse complex that controls the primary land route into the inner reaches of The Lochs and the approach to Ala Mhigo. Its capture is a pivotal moment in the main scenario.
Ala Mhigo: The capital city, built into the mountain face. It is divided into the residential Ala Mhigan Quarter, the commercial and administrative districts, and the elevated Royal Palace. Its towering walls and sheer cliffs make it a natural fortress.
The Royal Menagerie: An ornate, open-air arena at the summit of the Royal Palace. Originally a place for the royal family's exotic collections, it is repurposed by Zenos as the stage for his final confrontation.
The Interdimensional Rift: A strange, otherworldly portal located in the northern part of the zone, providing access to special duties and serving as a hub for certain endgame activities introduced during Stormblood.
Abalathia's Skull: A prominent geographical landmark in the region, one of the peaks of the mountain range that gives the area its rugged terrain.
The Four Arms: A defensive network of watchtowers and fortifications that once protected the ancient kingdom, now largely in ruins.
Gameplay
- Main Scenario: The Lochs is the stage for the final acts of the Stormblood base expansion's main scenario quests, involving large-scale military operations, dungeon unlocks ("Ala Mhigo"), and the final trial series.
- Aether Currents: As with all Stormblood zones, players must locate and attune to aether currents to unlock full flight across the zone.
- FATEs & Hunts: The zone features standard FATEs and hosts Hunt targets for both daily Clan Nutsy marks and weekly Elite Mark bills.
- Gathering & Mining: The mineral-rich cliffs and the unique deposits around Loch Seld provide high-level nodes for Disciples of the Land.
- Endgame Access: The zone provides entry points to high-level duties, including the "Ala Mhigo" dungeon and the trial "The Minstrel's Ballad: Shinryu's Domain." The Interdimensional Rift acts as an entry point for certain special trials.
Trivia
- The name "The Lochs" is a plural reference, likely encompassing both Loch Seld and the smaller bodies of water and reservoirs in the region.
- The design of Ala Mhigo's vertical cityscape, built into a cliff, is a classic Final Fantasy homage, reminiscent of similar locations in earlier series titles.
- The bleached, salt-encrusted landscape around Loch Seld creates a visually distinct environment unlike any other in Gyr Abania, emphasizing the zone's role as a desolate final proving ground.
- After liberation, ambient dialogue and minor quests in the Ala Mhigan Quarter change to reflect the new, hopeful yet struggling state of the citizens.