RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes

Elysia · **12-03-2014, 09:57 PM**

I'm not sure if this has been asked before, though this is something that has been bothering me ever since I made my Lalafell alt...Â

According to Lalafell lore, it appears that Dunesfolk traditionally made their dwellings upon "the backs of large beasts of burden", but what are these likely to be (Adamantoises) and where are they (in-game)? I've never seen (or have yet to see?) any of them. Are these settlements largely a thing of the past since the Dunesfolk have mostly settled in Ul'dah or in other trading posts across Thanalan?Â

I'm toying with the idea of having my Lalafell character grow up in a family which pulled itself out of the poverty trap by 'selling' this aspect of the Dunesfolk Lalafell culture to curious Eorzean tourists (limited to particular body sizes and weights, of course).Â

Dunesfolk RPers, have you made mention of these travelling settlements in your character's background or do your characters still reside in them? It'd be fun to have a community of Adamantoise-riding Dunesfolk RPers.Â

Shoshopu · **12-03-2014, 10:59 PM**

Shoshopu's own family is the "traditional" type. I've always said they lived on the backs of the adamantoise like the ones you see near Ul'dah. They seem like the only critters that could get remotely big enough for that purpose.

Also, their shells are rather tall so I'd imagine you could have baskets or something hanging off either side of the shell, as well as sitting on top of the shell... like a three-room apartment.

It's not a thing that's represented ingame, however, and I've never seen any specific mention of what the beasts might actually be. I'd imagine perhaps different families/tribes use different animals to suit their needs.

Sounsyy · **12-03-2014, 11:31 PM**

...Unfortunately, the aforementioned beasts of burden on which the original Dunesfolk settlers rode may not have been Adamantoise.

So lore says that the nomadic Dunesfolk Lalafell built dwellings on the backs of "beasts of burden" when on their dessert isles in the far South Seas. When these nomadic people first traveled to Eorzea, they brought their beasts with them and for a while lived there, until seeking permanent settlements in the Thanalan region. Qarn > Belah'dia > Sil'dih + Ul'dah.

However, Fishing lore tells us that Adamantoise are not native to Eorzea and are only a recently introduced species.

Tiny Tortoise Wrote:Not native to Eorzea, the first adamantoise to arrive in the realm is believed to have been mixed in with a shipment of dodo eggs from the Near East. Why anyone would import dodo eggs when there are more than enough of the birds living in Eorzea already is a mystery for the ages... but the whole affair more than likely involves a hungry Qiqirn.

Taking into account that Thanalan has had a permanent Dunesfolk settlement dating back to at least Qarn in the 5th Astral Era, it's unlikely that Adamantoise were the beasts of burden in question. Unlikely, but not impossible, as we don't have a set in stone date for the introduction of Adamantoise to Eorzea. Just text that suggests they are a 6th Astral Era arrival.

What manner of beasts were they? I've absolutely no clue.

Merri · **12-04-2014, 12:27 AM**

(12-03-2014, 11:31 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: What manner of beasts were they? I've absolutely no clue.

Worms. It's why all Dunesfolk learn to walk without rhythm at a young age.

But yeah. Unfortunately, we just don't have any idea what type of beasts they rode upon. It could very well be that whatever beast they did use to travel has since gone extinct, or they died out on Eorzea once the Dunesfolk no longer needed them. Sounds like a question for the lore forums~

Maybe Ferne would grace it with an answer, as it is a very interesting question, and one without any real answer both in-game and out.

My fan theory is that they rode Oliphaunts.
[Image: WE4EjvL.png]

Makes sense if we are to consider them to be like Tolkien's Oliphaunts, which literally had giant towers on their backs.

Gegenji · **12-04-2014, 12:28 AM**

(12-03-2014, 11:31 PM)Sounsyy Wrote: What manner of beasts were they? I've absolutely no clue.

Sounsyy · **12-04-2014, 12:46 AM**

Hmm... /writes a book.

The Migration of Dunesfolk: Of Shai-Huluds and Shoopufs.

On a serious note, I like the Oliphaunt theory. I wonder if Fernehalwes would answer if someone put the question up?

Shoshopu · **12-04-2014, 01:10 AM**

There's no reason some families couldn't switch over later though, right?

Shopu's family history is staying the same but it's interesting to know the adamantoise is not native to Eorzea. Considering the variety of admantoises (bronze tortoises, iron tortoises, giant tortoises... the color variations...) I wonder if they arrived at different times or if the branching occurred after their arrival in Eorzea.

Oliphaunts sound like a pretty fun idea! Likely, even.

Elysia · **12-04-2014, 11:09 PM**

I knew a Dune reference would emerge. Big Grin

Â so I had that semi-epiphanic moment at the Forgotten Springs where I witnessed that grotesque awesome FATE for the first time - "OMG, is this SE paying homage to Frank Herbert?!?!" - and was promptly reminded that worms have always been a staple in FF anyway.Â

Anyway. These are some pretty nifty theories, and I'm quite amazed by the detail and thought that has gone into the speculations! Thanks, y'all.Â

I guess it's safe to say that the practice has largely died out, but there's nothing to stop some Dunesfolk people from attempting to revive it through Adamantoises or Buffalos (the only other creature I've seen large enough for this, but these occur primarily in La Noscea)?Â

Aya · **12-04-2014, 11:36 PM**

The Final Fantasy equivalent of a Jawa Sand Crawler!! I love it ^^

Dunesfolk and beasts of burden

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes