Hydaelyn Role-Players

The RPers of FFXIV have been left to interpret many aspects of the lore for which no clear answer is provided by SE. There are also aspects of gameplay which are difficult to understand/use IC'ly. The goal of this thread is to compile a set of questions that RPers have about the lore, or gameplay with regards to RP, and present them to SE via the official forums.

First, post any questions you can think of.

Then, a total of ten will be selected, as not to flood the devs/mods of forums with a huge list of questions that would seem to daunting to address.

Finally the "top ten" will be discussed and edited, so that they're phrased just right.

Afterwards I will post them up on the main SE boards, be sure to BUMP/like the thread so that it gets attention. :cheer:

If there are questions "left on the cutting room floor" which you yourself or someone else asked that you'd like to see addressed, please feel free to create your own thread to ask them on the main forums. If we succeed in getting some answers however, I will likely do a "round 2" of this process, and hopefully get those 'left over' questions in next time.

If you like this idea, please provide a link to this thread to your linkshell and friends.

I'd be interested in a canon answer to the mixed races question. Points can be made for and against, but this isn't the place for that debate and the simple fact of the matter is, we flat-out don't know. Can they crossbreed? If it is possible, how viable are the offspring? If they're viable, what sort of physical characteristics would they have? If they exhibit mixed characteristics, why don't we see or hear about any mixed-race NPCs? How commonly does it occur, if possible?

OK, so that's technically five questions, but they're all related durnit. :afro:

It might be something that they have on a lock down until the story is fleshed out further, but I've always been interested in just how important Magitek is in the daily lives of normal Imperial citizens. Whether the field is restricted to military development and use only, or if the public employs it's uses in their every day lives. Whether or not Garlean cities are sprawling metropolises of machinery, or if their cities are constructed through traditional manners, albeit with Garlean influenced architecture.

From the 2.0 concept art we can infer that their military outposts are very, very advanced, but this says nothing about average imperial cities.

I would like to know more about the Twelve than the descriptions at character creation. Certain ones seem to have been given more attention and detailed information (Nald'thal, Nophica, Halone) and others get little more than a passing mention (Nymeia, Althyk, Byregot) from an NPC here or there. I'm also interested to know (and maybe it's already in existing lore and I've somehow missed it) whether the Garleans acknowledge the Twelve in any way.

I would also like to know more about the history of the races/clans. There is very abstract information that the Elezen were rooted in Eorzea and the Hyur came from overseas elsewhere (going from memory here, this may be somewhat inaccurate), and some NPC in Gridania shows prejudice to Duskwights but it's left obscure whether there's any basis from lore for that opinion or whether he just has a personal grudge.

I hunger for lore.

Verence:

Quote:I'd be interested in a canon answer to the mixed races question. Points can be made for and against, but this isn't the place for that debate and the simple fact of the matter is, we flat-out don't know. Can they crossbreed? If it is possible, how viable are the offspring? If they're viable, what sort of physical characteristics would they have? If they exhibit mixed characteristics, why don't we see or hear about any mixed-race NPCs? How commonly does it occur, if possible?

Can different races crossbreed?

Even if they do provide a simple yes/no answer, it will go a long way into furthering our understanding of that sticky issue. The words chosen there were, I’m ashamed to say, intentional. The question also allows them to expand and go into some details you have questions about, without us specifically asking and possibly affecting their answers.



Endemerrin:

Quote:It might be something that they have on a lock down until the story is fleshed out further, but I've always been interested in just how important Magitek is in the daily lives of normal Imperial citizens. Whether the field is restricted to military development and use only, or if the public employs it's uses in their every day lives. Whether or not Garlean cities are sprawling metropolises of machinery, or if their cities are constructed through traditional manners, albeit with Garlean influenced architecture.

From the 2.0 concept art we can infer that their military outposts are very, very advanced, but this says nothing about average imperial cities.

Does Garlean technology have civic/public use outside of the military in Garlemald?

I think that sums up your questions, yet gives them room to expand on it how they see fit. More specific questions can always be added on later, in reply to whatever they may answer.


Eva:

Quote:I would like to know more about the Twelve than the descriptions at character creation. Certain ones seem to have been given more attention and detailed information (Nald'thal, Nophica, Halone) and others get little more than a passing mention (Nymeia, Althyk, Byregot) from an NPC here or there. I'm also interested to know (and maybe it's already in existing lore and I've somehow missed it) whether the Garleans acknowledge the Twelve in any way.

I would also like to know more about the history of the races/clans. There is very abstract information that the Elezen were rooted in Eorzea and the Hyur came from overseas elsewhere (going from memory here, this may be somewhat inaccurate), and some NPC in Gridania shows prejudice to Duskwights but it's left obscure whether there's any basis from lore for that opinion or whether he just has a personal grudge.

How widespread is the worship of the Twelve?

Is there a mythology about the Twelve that isn’t mentioned in-game? (Holy books, manuscripts, rituals, etc.)

Can you expand on the history and origins of races?


I think those three sum up your concerns Eva.

If any of these sound weird or if you think of a better phrasing let me know! Still looking for more questions

Charging an additional $3 per character slot is absolutely brutal to many role-players who enjoy playing the role of more than one character. Are there any plans to alleviate this additional fee at all with version 2.0 and beyond?

Is there a Dev tag for this stuff?

Going to put this up on the official boards by Saturday.

Posted: LINK

Please reply/like so we get some eyes on it. Also feel free to expand on any of your questions there as well, or on any part of the 'intro' I've written.

*needs a lot more love from the RP community*

Let's make some noise guys the forums are active and players of all sorts (and moderators) are reading them post-patch. Good time to get some exposure. *Rally* DO WE WANT QUESTIONS ANSWERED OR DON'T WE!?

by: Fernehalwes


Greetings OskarHelvig!

Thank you for your post and your interest in Eorzea's lore.

As people who frequent the Localization forums already know, I'm a huge fan of in-game mythology, and always try to ninja as much flavor text into my translations as the lore team will let me. I've been given the OK to answer some of your questions, so I'll try my best to slake your thirst for knowledge (knowing that most of my responses will only just lead to new questions...and the never-ending cycle will continue).
In general, how open-minded is the average Eorzean? (ex. Accept same-sex couples? Those who do not believe in the Twelve?)

Answer: Though many of the races experienced rocky pasts, currently, tolerance is, for the most part, the norm in Eorzea. The main reason behind this being that the region is a veritable melting pot of races who have worked together throughout recent history to survive the hardships thrust upon them. This does not mean that there are do not exist groups which are significantly more closed-minded. For example, while Gridania and Limsa Lominsa are fairly open about having dealings with the some of the more amicable beast tribes (such as the sylphs, goblins, and Qiqirn), the sultanate of Ul'dah are wary of the tribes, in part due to their prolonged conflict with the Amalj'aa.

The same can be said regarding religion. Each city-state has a patron (matron) deity, and most people in that city-state will follow the teachings of that god or goddess. There are, for the most part, however, no strict religious codes that must be followed. Some Eorzeans will choose to worship a deity connected to their profession (for example, weavers often follow Nymeia the Spinner). Some follow the deity associated with their nameday. There are even some Eorzeans who choose not to follow the teachings of the Twelve, but they are few and far between...and often will not admit it. The exception to this rule can be seen in Ishgard, where they take the teachings of Halone very seriously...to the point that the church and state have become inseparable. They go as far as calling those who do not follow the Fury 'unbelievers,' and those who are found to have communicated with the dragons of Dravania (the mortal enemies of Ishgard), are branded as heretics and in some cases executed.

Can different races crossbreed?

Answer: Yes, but it is rare...and often difficult due to cultural differences, etc. which is why you don't see it often. The lore team has informed me that there will be future quests/events that touch on this and other issues, such as love and marriage.

How widespread is the worship of the Twelve?

Answer: See the answer to question 1. As for geographical distribution, worship of the Twelve is, for the most part, limited to Eorzea.

Is there a mythology about the Twelve that isn’t mentioned in-game? (ex. Holy books, manuscripts, rituals, etc.)

Answer: Yes, a great deal of mythology exists. Unfortunately, a lot remains unreleased. The storyline in 2.0 should reveal much more about the Twelve, but until then, I leave you with this Fun Fact: perhaps you have noticed, but in several of the dungeons in La Noscea you will find locations on your maps with names like "Llymlaen's Folly" or "Llymlaen's Trial." These are, in fact, sacred sites for the followers of the Navigator--each representing one of the 12 chapters in the tale of Llymlaen's Ascent. As part of their worship, followers risk their lives to perform yearly pilgrimages, visiting all twelve sites in the order they appear in the tale.

The chapters (in order) are as follows:

Llymlaen's Folly
Llymlaen's Flight
Llymlaen's Tempest
Llymlaen's Clarity
Llymlaen's Resolve
Llymlaen's Bearing
Llymlaen's Trial
Llymlaen's Encounter
Llymlaen's Stand
Llymlaen's Triumph
Llymlaen's Oath
Llymlaen's Ascent

Can you expand on the history and origins of races?

Answer: The lore is there, but it contains far too much information to reveal here on a forum post. However, I 100% understand your desire to learn more about the backgrounds and cultures of the Five Races, and have personally pushed the lore team into looking into some way we cannot get more of that info into the game and up on the Lodestone. In the meantime, (if you haven't already) you can check out a few of the lore posts in the Localization forums, such as this one on Roegadyn names.

Does Garlean technology have civic/public use outside of the military in Garlemald?

Answer: Absolutely. Magitek is the foundation of their civilization and the main reason behind their quick rise to power. Though most of the technology is developed by and for the military, many of the inventions are reworked for civic/public use. Further information on the Garlean Empire will be released from version 2.0, as their presence in Eorzea will become ever more prevalent in the coming months.

Charging an additional $3 per character slot is absolutely brutal to many role-players who enjoy playing the role of more than one character. Are there any plans to alleviate this additional fee at all with version 2.0 and beyond?

Answer: I'm guessing that Bahyone will redirect you on this one.

I hope that helps!

OK, so wait. Let me get this straight.

1. SE is acknowledging its customers exist
   
2. SE is actually listening to them
   
3. SE is recognizing some of them are RPers
   
4. SE is answering the RPers

BRB, head exploding.

I think it's pretty clear this is not the Square-Enix of a few years ago, and that's kind of awesome.

Yeah man, just have to ask them and press on them a little bit for answers instead of just being quiet and waiting.

Now that we got results, maybe we can get more responses/questions?

Round two, go.

I think I'd like to redirect to my original questions but only more specific. I'm positively thrilled that we've received a response, but I would like to hear more specific details. As it is Nymeia is regarded highly by weavers, but to my knowledge no such altars or other landmarks exist for her the way Oschon and several of the others. (yeh I want a Nymeia altar dammit! >.> ) Althyk and Byregot don't seem to get as much attention either. Perhaps as more lands are released and we learn that they are patron/matron deities there? Speculation, but I suppose it makes sense that Llymlaen, Nophica, and Nald'Thal (and Halone) would have more content associated with them than the rest of the Twelve for that reason. It doesn't lessen the thirst for knowledge about the remaining deities though.

With regard to the races and their history, I want to know more specifics. I can appreciate that there's a tolerance between them, particularly with regard to the way some of the nations regard the beastmen tribes. To be very specific, I was wondering about my own race - the duskwight. I would imagine others would want to know a lot about their own races and history of them as well.

Quote:Though many of the races experienced rocky pasts...

This was the part I was hoping they could expand on a bit. I would like to know more about these rocky pasts and what each race is bringing to the table that is Eorzea.

(sorry this was very hastily written from work and perhaps someone can paraphrase something better than "Tell me more about duskwights and Nymeia" XD )

Starting on the same note as Eva's post and diverging, I have a few more.

We know there are "seagull shrines" in Limsa Lominsa, identified as Bethels by an NPC in a cutscene. What's their significance? We know a bit about how Nald, Thal, and Nophica are worshipped / revered, but are there any specific rituals / religious rites observed in Limsa for the worship of Llymlaen?

How does the government in Gridania work? We know the Seedseers guide national policy and the Wailers / Quiver handle internal and external security, but who handles day-to-day stuff like licenses, building permits, passing laws, etc? There doesn't seem to be any body for this.

When was crystal synthesis first introduced to society? Why is everyone so utterly dependent on it? It doesn't seem to provide any benefits to manufacturing other than speed and efficiency - important factors but nothing to grind the wheels of progress to a halt over.

Also, crystals themselves. I appreciate SE doesn't want to tip their hand too much with the whole deaspected crystal metaplot going, but any and all information they'd be willing to provide about crystals, shards, the aether within them, how it gets there, how it's released, and really anything of relevant interest would be awesome.

While we're at it... Necrologos! Where's it from? Who wrote it? How is it that its pages get scattered bloody everywhere? And since it supposedly summons creatures dredged from the seven hells... Are we to assume hell is full of opo-opos, chigoes, and random animals? I mean you gotta admit, monkeys from hell are a LITTLE scary, but...

Back in the day, we had an OOC running joke in AETHER that the Necrologos was actually written by a pissed off farmer who wanted to get even with the guy in the next field over. "Grow better potatoes than ME, will ya? PLAGUE OF RANDOM ANIMALS!"

LATER EDIT: I could have sworn there was specific mention of the hells in the Necrologos leve text, but after a full review it only mentions "Arcane demons" bound within the pages. Either I'm remembering wrong or there's been a ninja edit. Either way, above question can be modified as follows:

The Necrologos is written in Sharlayan. Is it from there? Who wrote it, how, and why? Is it only one book, a collection of specific books, or a catch-all term for books that bind monsters inside of them? How is it there are so many copies everywhere, and their pages get torn out and scattered so often? Why is the term "Demon" used for the decidedly ordinary creatures it harbors?