Fair warning, the first few paragraphs are purely to provide a bit of background, and you're free to skip or skim them. Secondly, I'm not a major lore buff or stickler, but I like to write characters who can function without being 'that one in a million exception to the rule'.
This post can be summed up in a question: Can a highlander be Ishgardian, and even a part of the upper-class?
It's a simple and not-so-simple question, but not a question I'd describe as terribly complicated, either. I've been giddy to go to Ishgard forever. From the beginning of ARR (although I did play briefly during 1.0) I've wanted to set foot in Ishgard and I've always considered playing my character as being Ishgardian. Various details held me back from settling on whether or not I should, back in the early stages of ARR, however: There wasn't a lot of information about Ishgard at the time, I wasn't sure how far their isolation went and how plausible it was to play an Ishgardian so far from home, and they seemed to be almost entirely elezen.
Now, I could just be simple and play an elezen. In fact, I'd do so in a heartbeat. But there's something off about their aesthetic, to me, and I can't get over little details, like their run animation. They don't look quite right, or like their concept art depicts them, or that look simply didn't transfer itself well into the game - any number of reasons, given that you're staring at your character for so long (running, especially!), I knew the little nagging issues would grate on me.
A similar problem for playing a midlander. It's a female character, so the aesthetic is worth mentioning. While both male and female highlanders are fairly tall, appear physically capable, carry themselves well, etc. female midlanders are extremely dainty and princess-like, which is largely at odds with my vision of the character.
Well now there's a good deal more information on Ishgard, and we can even go and visit. I've seen midlanders in Ishgard, though it seems to me they're all part of the lower class? I don't think I've seen any highlanders, however. My character is a knight. This is a large part of my interest in Ishgard. It's finally a city estate that really appeals to me on a cultural, societal, and visual level. I adore heavily medieval-themed settings, and while I'm not religious myself, I think religion (especially such as Ishgard's flawed, false church) is really neat in fiction.
I've chatted with a friend of mine about this stuff, but I'd love some thoughts and input. One concern that comes to mind is that, much like the real world, it seems to me knights are from the nobility. That complicates matters further, I should think (though I'm in no way opposed to roleplaying the character as nobility, in fact I almost count on it - a minor noble, perhaps, but noble nonetheless. Well-read, good upbringing, etc.). How does a highlander from Ishgard stand up? How does one being a knight work out, furthermore? Would a midlander work instead, or do you think all roads but elezen are problematic? Even should a midlander work, do you think it would be bad form to play the character as a midlander ICly while using a highlander visually?
I'd really appreciate advice, suggestions, or, if you don't see an issue, a thumbs up! All-in-all I'm more concerned as to whether people will write off my character at a glance, or whether they're likely to be fine with it.
