Inter-species Procreation.

[Nodem]

Auladyn seems like a fitting name to me.

[Valence]

Cross-breeds are confirmed canonically possible. However, consider that there's no way to represent this in your actual representative avatar. You'd be relying on people examining you, noting your search comment and then acting accordingly.

 

Generally speaking, you can expect a large number of people you might interact with to just ignore it and treat you like your base species. If that's worth the hassle of having to constantly remind people, and the potential stigma of people just avoiding you (since Au Ra are supposed to be "new" to Eorzea, meaning your parents are also a super rare meeting and romance) then go for it.

 

I work around this with Edgar by intentionally making his Keeper attributes dominant and the differences brought on by his Seeker blood very subtle, so when the inevitable explanation time comes, I can play it off as them simply not noticing because they were hard to spot to begin with.

 

This is an acceptable way to skip around it, but it does lend itself to two other potential hang-ups: The first is that you're telling someone their character isn't attentive enough to catch this in the first place, and the second is that if it never comes up, it's a worthless trait in 95% of your RP. That ties back to what someone else said about examining why you'd want to do it in the first place.

 

Universal "you" in this paragraph, not calling anyone out specifically. I just want to highlight that even the solutions offer potential problems.

 

I wouldn't call it 95% worthless most of the time... Especially in that example between Seeker and Keeper, which would imply a really, really interesting twist to explore between both societies, that are complete opposites. Be it a seeker mother with a keeper father, or the other way around. It brings up a lot of considerations on what was the childhood of the character, how they were seen by both sides, etc...

 

This is why cross-breed with different races doesn't work in fantasy, in my opinion. At some point, someone's half-roe, half-lala offspring is going to mate with an au ra and then what the fuck do you even call that abomination?

 

That's also why I asked in some other thread I don't remember if cross breed offspring are fertile or not.

 

If not, that tends to solve half the issue at least, can't go past the first generation...

[FreelanceWizard]

It's yet one more circumstance of the game showing one thing and the official commentary being contradictory to both what we're shown and in this case, directly what we're told.

 

So, cross-breeds can happen, but it is exceedingly rare. Tolerance is the norm, but everyone's racist. Same-sex is okay, but cross-race is not. And then there's the static NPC cross-race relationships we're shown (specifically the miqo'te arguing with her hyur lover over eating oysters so they can bang) not to mention Alphinaud being hot for teacher.

 

There's also, when you finish the 3.2 MSQ, the hyur woman in the Rising Stones who appears to rather enjoy the company of roegadyn men, possibly two at the same time. Her sister, conversely, seems rather disturbed by the idea -- though given earlier dialogue between those two, there seems to be more going on there than just simple racism.

 

The read I have on it is that cross-race is looked down upon for a variety of reasons, and it varies based on where, exactly, you are. Limsa, Gridania, and Ul'dah are relatively liberal, with the social consequences of a cross-race relationship being akin to the dev comment ("An elezen? Why, I never! Why couldn't you have found a nice hyuran girl?"). Out in the outlying villages, though, the racism is likely more severe, producing situations like the one in the WP HM prelude quest (and yes, you could argue that's about homosexuality, but we've never once heard NPCs complain about that, whereas racist NPC chatter does appear now and then). Adventurers are likely to be extremely open-minded sorts by virtue of what they do, so they're more likely to be accepting than the average individual. Those who interact with adventurers regularly may have a similar perspective.

 

One point I'd make is that MCKF has pointed out in interviews that the lore team intentionally makes things ambiguous. This is just a fact of life in the XIV lore.

[Warren Castille]

 

I wouldn't call it 95% worthless most of the time... Especially in that example between Seeker and Keeper, which would imply a really, really interesting twist to explore between both societies, that are complete opposites. Be it a seeker mother with a keeper father, or the other way around. It brings up a lot of considerations on what was the childhood of the character, how they were seen by both sides, etc...

 

That's also why I asked in some other thread I don't remember if cross breed offspring are fertile or not.

 

If not, that tends to solve half the issue at least, can't go past the first generation...

 

It becomes harder and harder to justify these sorts of things as you go backwards in the timeline, though. Adventurers showed up in huge quantities around the events of 1.0. If your hypothetical character is in their twenties now, that means they were conceived around the time Ala Mhigo fell, which is before that influx.

 

A miqo'te mixbreed would more-than-likely be raised as one or the other, not a mix. In Keeper society, being the child of a Nunh or a Tia wouldn't mean anything at best or lessen you in the eyes of the tribe at worst. Your father figure, in a matriarchal society that emphasizes the female component, would more than likely not be teaching you culture from another society. You could argue that all of these things somehow happened, certainly, but it stretches the suspension of disbelief.

 

It's not any better in the reverse, either. A Keeper mother in a Seeker culture would similarly not be spreading the culture of their tribe when surrounded by alpha-males and breeding stock. If we've going to the "Eorzea is racist as hell" angle, it'd also be either ignored or at worst, suppressed since it would sully the tribal lineage. Admittedly, that conclusion is based off of the stereotypes we're shown, but both Keeper and Seeker lore seems to denote that Ethnic Heritage means more than anything to them, which is why Nunhs exist in the first place.

 

You absolutely could decide to play one of these mixes. There are undoubtedly real-world equivalents people could draw on for inspiration or support to show it could happen. The more likely part is how Edgar mentioned: You downplay it most of the time and only bring it up if things go in the direction where it would become relevant.

 

Concession time: I'm not drawn in by the various half/kin/other templates people add to characters, so my obvious biases are fairly obvious. That being said, I wouldn't tell anyone not to do these things, I'm just wanting to let people know the trail ahead might be rougher than it could be otherwise. Grognards gonna grognard, but it's with good intentions.

[Dat Oni]

This is why cross-breed with different races doesn't work in fantasy, in my opinion. At some point, someone's half-roe, half-lala offspring is going to mate with an au ra and then what the fuck do you even call that abomination?

 

Answer: Not happening.

 

Because the Laladyn is probably sterile.

[Warren Castille]

This is why cross-breed with different races doesn't work in fantasy, in my opinion. At some point, someone's half-roe, half-lala offspring is going to mate with an au ra and then what the fuck do you even call that abomination?

 

Answer: Not happening.

 

Because the Laladyn is probably sterile.

 

Source that statement, please. At least one other person is looking for confirmation on it.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

This is why cross-breed with different races doesn't work in fantasy, in my opinion. At some point, someone's half-roe, half-lala offspring is going to mate with an au ra and then what the fuck do you even call that abomination?

 

Answer: Not happening.

 

Because the Laladyn is probably sterile.

 

But there is always at least one person who will say "but mine isn't." They might claim their character is a one in a billion chance that "just happened to be able to." It happens in every RP community that has multiple races to choose from.

[Warren Castille]

This is why cross-breed with different races doesn't work in fantasy, in my opinion. At some point, someone's half-roe, half-lala offspring is going to mate with an au ra and then what the fuck do you even call that abomination?

 

Answer: Not happening.

 

Because the Laladyn is probably sterile.

 

But there is always at least one person who will say "but mine isn't." They might claim their character is a one in a billion chance that "just happened to be able to." It happens in every RP community that has multiple races to choose from.

 

...you know, I was just about to click back here and edit something in to that extent. Look at the sheer number of roleplayers using multiple jobs, are literally voidsent, know more about Primals than the Scions, and any other number of completely batshit ideas folks are latched onto.

 

Lore has not and will not every stop any RP community.

[Askier]

I don't think its a big deal. If someone wants to play a half and half they should. This is fun and to some rpers that type of character is fun.

 

Most half-breed I've met don't bring it up outside the first meeting and I can't recall a time where it ever detracted from the rp session.  

 

This is like real life. We can debate till we are blue in the face about it. But it won't change anything really. We will run into half-breeds, especially the miqo'te mix, for years to come.

[Valence]

 

I wouldn't call it 95% worthless most of the time... Especially in that example between Seeker and Keeper, which would imply a really, really interesting twist to explore between both societies, that are complete opposites. Be it a seeker mother with a keeper father, or the other way around. It brings up a lot of considerations on what was the childhood of the character, how they were seen by both sides, etc...

 

That's also why I asked in some other thread I don't remember if cross breed offspring are fertile or not.

 

If not, that tends to solve half the issue at least, can't go past the first generation...

 

It becomes harder and harder to justify these sorts of things as you go backwards in the timeline, though. Adventurers showed up in huge quantities around the events of 1.0. If your hypothetical character is in their twenties now, that means they were conceived around the time Ala Mhigo fell, which is before that influx.

 

A miqo'te mixbreed would more-than-likely be raised as one or the other, not a mix. In Keeper society, being the child of a Nunh or a Tia wouldn't mean anything at best or lessen you in the eyes of the tribe at worst. Your father figure, in a matriarchal society that emphasizes the female component, would more than likely not be teaching you culture from another society. You could argue that all of these things somehow happened, certainly, but it stretches the suspension of disbelief.

 

It's not any better in the reverse, either. A Keeper mother in a Seeker culture would similarly not be spreading the culture of their tribe when surrounded by alpha-males and breeding stock. If we've going to the "Eorzea is racist as hell" angle, it'd also be either ignored or at worst, suppressed since it would sully the tribal lineage. Admittedly, that conclusion is based off of the stereotypes we're shown, but both Keeper and Seeker lore seems to denote that Ethnic Heritage means more than anything to them, which is why Nunhs exist in the first place.

 

You absolutely could decide to play one of these mixes. There are undoubtedly real-world equivalents people could draw on for inspiration or support to show it could happen. The more likely part is how Edgar mentioned: You downplay it most of the time and only bring it up if things go in the direction where it would become relevant.

 

Concession time: I'm not drawn in by the various half/kin/other templates people add to characters, so my obvious biases are fairly obvious. That being said, I wouldn't tell anyone not to do these things, I'm just wanting to let people know the trail ahead might be rougher than it could be otherwise. Grognards gonna grognard, but it's with good intentions.

 

Well that's exactly the thing that can make it interesting: not a dual education or anything silly like that, but a character that will have the opportunity or choice (or not) to go explore the other side of his/her legacy and bring some shenanigans in the process. Can be trite as hell, or rather nice if fleshed out properly. Or the character can just say fuck you to his/her upbringing and go to the other side he/she never knew. Or, the character can also be the direct target to mockery, bullying, whatever you fancy.

 

It's with that in mind that I think cross bred characters can have a justification to be played. If it's just "because rule of cool/edginess", well yeah... Of course.

[111]

One thing to mention is that it doesn't have to be 50/50.

 

Evangeline is short and has stubby ears for an Elezen, there might be a Hyur somewhere back in her history.

 

A tall Highlander might have some Roe in them (-wink-) or a short Miqo'te some lalafell. After a few generations you likely wouldn't be able to tell.

[111]

This is why cross-breed with different races doesn't work in fantasy, in my opinion. At some point, someone's half-roe, half-lala offspring is going to mate with an au ra and then what the fuck do you even call that abomination?

Tiger Woods.

[Telluride]

 

 

A tall Highlander might have some Roe in them (-wink-)

 

I -almost- declared this for Nathan's bio when I was creating him, to explain just why the Highlander nose looks so square, and why he was so tall... but I just left his father as an unknown. Makes it easier that way, with some RP opportunity that could maybe come out of it.

[desmond28]

The main question has been answered but I'll add my two cents' worth.

 

I don't run into this too often myself. For my character I do play as a half-breed, but it is likely never to come up in RP. I don't even list it on my wiki. I think he's probably told three people in his life. The fact that his mother was a Seeker plays a huge role in his personality and how he views miqo'te. The fact that he is a half-breed is a basis for his intolerance for racial remarks or comments.

 

It can really enhance RP and his history caused a great RP session to be an awesome three day session with a miqo'te character mine was keen on.

[Warren Castille]

Well that's exactly the thing that can make it interesting: not a dual education or anything silly like that, but a character that will have the opportunity or choice (or not) to go explore the other side of his/her legacy and bring some shenanigans in the process. Can be trite as hell, or rather nice if fleshed out properly. Or the character can just say fuck you to his/her upbringing and go to the other side he/she never knew. Or, the character can also be the direct target to mockery, bullying, whatever you fancy.

 

It's with that in mind that I think cross bred characters can have a justification to be played. If it's just "because rule of cool/edginess", well yeah... Of course.

 

I agree with everything you've said here. The realest challenge is trying to convince people that you're going to do the story justice, instead of doing what the strawmen and other contemporaries have done with the thing, which is usually "I thought it would be cool, but it has zero narrative impact on my character, I just thought being a half-vampire would be AWESOME."

 

Again as a concession, this is true for any "special" template someone adds to their character. We're a bunch of jaded motherfuckers who will still probably give benefit of the doubt, but I can speak with some small certainty more than a few people see special templates, roll their eyes, and then wait to see if the concept is worth their time. What a pessimistic view, I know, I know.

[111]

Well that's exactly the thing that can make it interesting: not a dual education or anything silly like that, but a character that will have the opportunity or choice (or not) to go explore the other side of his/her legacy and bring some shenanigans in the process. Can be trite as hell, or rather nice if fleshed out properly. Or the character can just say fuck you to his/her upbringing and go to the other side he/she never knew. Or, the character can also be the direct target to mockery, bullying, whatever you fancy.

 

It's with that in mind that I think cross bred characters can have a justification to be played. If it's just "because rule of cool/edginess", well yeah... Of course.

 

I agree with everything you've said here. The realest challenge is trying to convince people that you're going to do the story justice, instead of doing what the strawmen and other contemporaries have done with the thing, which is usually "I thought it would be cool, but it has zero narrative impact on my character, I just thought being a half-vampire would be AWESOME."

 

I mean.

 

That's ok, isn't it? A player isn't under any obligation to do a concept justice, or prove themselves to anyone. If they want to be a half vampire because it's cool, more power to them. They might have their own group of half unicorn/vampire/demon friends they RP with, and dats fine. 

 

Obviously there are a lot of special and unique things in the game that we just haven't been shown yet. Vampires or half dragons or whatever are kind of silly, but If it works for you, then go wild.

[111]

By the way my new character concept is half dragon, half chocobo, all attitude.

 

Please look forward to it.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

Well that's exactly the thing that can make it interesting: not a dual education or anything silly like that, but a character that will have the opportunity or choice (or not) to go explore the other side of his/her legacy and bring some shenanigans in the process. Can be trite as hell, or rather nice if fleshed out properly. Or the character can just say fuck you to his/her upbringing and go to the other side he/she never knew. Or, the character can also be the direct target to mockery, bullying, whatever you fancy.

 

It's with that in mind that I think cross bred characters can have a justification to be played. If it's just "because rule of cool/edginess", well yeah... Of course.

 

I agree with everything you've said here. The realest challenge is trying to convince people that you're going to do the story justice, instead of doing what the strawmen and other contemporaries have done with the thing, which is usually "I thought it would be cool, but it has zero narrative impact on my character, I just thought being a half-vampire would be AWESOME."

 

I mean.

 

That's ok, isn't it? A player isn't under any obligation to do a concept justice, or prove themselves to anyone. If they want to be a half vampire because it's cool, more power to them. They might have their own group of half unicorn/vampire/demon friends they RP with, and dats fine. 

 

Obviously there are a lot of special and unique things in the game that we just haven't been shown yet. Vampires or half dragons or whatever are kind of silly, but If it works for you, then go wild.

 

There's nothing wrong with it all all. Until it turns out that the person playing that half-whatever character is having trouble finding like-minded peers to RP with. Instead, they'll blame the game or the general community for not accepting their character.

 

Situations like what I just wrote above happen way too often. And then people usually start looking for someone to blame because it's easier than owning up to a weird concept. It goes back to finding RP vs waiting for RP. To some degree, everyone has their limit of what they'll accept in the game and it doesn't always mesh.

[Nodem]

By the way my new character concept is half dragon, half chocobo, all attitude.

 

Please look forward to it.

 

I've only heard tales of the mythical Au Ra Bo... But I didn't know they were true...

 

That'd be crazy to see... Au Ra in a chocobo suit?

[Caspar]

Well that's exactly the thing that can make it interesting: not a dual education or anything silly like that, but a character that will have the opportunity or choice (or not) to go explore the other side of his/her legacy and bring some shenanigans in the process. Can be trite as hell, or rather nice if fleshed out properly. Or the character can just say fuck you to his/her upbringing and go to the other side he/she never knew. Or, the character can also be the direct target to mockery, bullying, whatever you fancy.

 

It's with that in mind that I think cross bred characters can have a justification to be played. If it's just "because rule of cool/edginess", well yeah... Of course.

 

I agree with everything you've said here. The realest challenge is trying to convince people that you're going to do the story justice, instead of doing what the strawmen and other contemporaries have done with the thing, which is usually "I thought it would be cool, but it has zero narrative impact on my character, I just thought being a half-vampire would be AWESOME."

 

I mean.

 

That's ok, isn't it? A player isn't under any obligation to do a concept justice, or prove themselves to anyone. If they want to be a half vampire because it's cool, more power to them. They might have their own group of half unicorn/vampire/demon friends they RP with, and dats fine. 

 

Obviously there are a lot of special and unique things in the game that we just haven't been shown yet. Vampires or half dragons or whatever are kind of silly, but If it works for you, then go wild.

I mostly think relying upon precedent to determine your opinion about a player's similar concept is prey to selection bias and hindsight, but I think it's sort of unavoidable. Mostly I just do what was suggested before and reserve judgment, tease out what purpose the character elements serves in the type of rp they want to play, and then make suggestions as to how to fit it in to the setting, and if they like them cool, if not, still cool. There is a reason for every character element, even one as simple as "I like it," so by my reasoning, it's not impossible to understand what the player wants from their character and help them execute it within the framework of the setttng. Or they can just do whatever they like because while I too have preferences, I try not to allow myself to feel threatened by the preferences of others.

 

I think it's interesting that from my perspective the most common and commonly accepted mix of seeker/keeper would be the most difficult to actualize give their radically different stomping grounds, marital culture and even supposedly hours of activity, lol. But physical similarity makes it really a breeze to draft up I think.

 

As for the idea of mixed race characters, I won't say much because in a sense it's a fantasy analogue for my own situation, lol. What's exotic for some and cliche for others is mundane for me. But in the modern, real world, these matters tend to be far less dramatic. Suffice to say, in a setting such as this, it is inconceivable to me that such mixes would not exist commonly, but it's vague lore and I make no assertions as to what the overall situation is due to the internal contradictions. I do suspect however it is a more subtle sort of racism than is commonly asserted on here.

 

Y'know, the whole schtick of people wondering what race you are, getting the themepark version of both cultures, parents disapproving, never really accepted in either social circle. 

 

... Oh god. I'm cliched!

[111]

Well that's exactly the thing that can make it interesting: not a dual education or anything silly like that, but a character that will have the opportunity or choice (or not) to go explore the other side of his/her legacy and bring some shenanigans in the process. Can be trite as hell, or rather nice if fleshed out properly. Or the character can just say fuck you to his/her upbringing and go to the other side he/she never knew. Or, the character can also be the direct target to mockery, bullying, whatever you fancy.

 

It's with that in mind that I think cross bred characters can have a justification to be played. If it's just "because rule of cool/edginess", well yeah... Of course.

 

I agree with everything you've said here. The realest challenge is trying to convince people that you're going to do the story justice, instead of doing what the strawmen and other contemporaries have done with the thing, which is usually "I thought it would be cool, but it has zero narrative impact on my character, I just thought being a half-vampire would be AWESOME."

 

I mean.

 

That's ok, isn't it? A player isn't under any obligation to do a concept justice, or prove themselves to anyone. If they want to be a half vampire because it's cool, more power to them. They might have their own group of half unicorn/vampire/demon friends they RP with, and dats fine. 

 

Obviously there are a lot of special and unique things in the game that we just haven't been shown yet. Vampires or half dragons or whatever are kind of silly, but If it works for you, then go wild.

 

There's nothing wrong with it all all. Until it turns out that the person playing that half-whatever character is having trouble finding like-minded peers to RP with. Instead, they'll blame the game or the general community for not accepting their character.

 

Situations like what I just wrote above happen way too often. And then people usually start looking for someone to blame because it's easier  than owning up to a weird concept. It goes back to finding RP vs waiting for RP. To some degree, everyone has their limit of what they'll accept in the game and it doesn't always mesh.

True that!

 

It goes both ways, like you said. (heh, both ways) I think sometimes this Forum gets a bad rap for being intolerant of anyone who doesn't strictly follow lore. Which is true to an extent.

 

But coming on and complaining that people won't accept your character is equally annoying. I've seen a lot of both on this site. I think a good rule for people is~

 

The more unique or lore breaking your character, the more people will have problems with it. Don't make a character outside of the lore unless you're prepared to deal with that fact. If you are, then go hog wild.

[Faye]

And for those bashing the idea of RPing a half-breed character, to the OP and anyone else who may be potentially interested, fuck 'em. There's nothing really "special snowflake" about it beyond them not having actual character models in game; they wouldn't be any stronger or more skilled than pure-blooded characters and I don't think it would be wholly unlikely for them to exist, be it the product of a relationship or a night of passion. Even if it's just for aesthetic purposes (though I wouldn't recommend it, as there'd be a combination of cultures there to explore, and even if they've only known one of their parents there'd still be social issues to face with prejudices against cross-breeding), once again, it doesn't break any lore or make your character OP, so I fail to see how it's problematic. Role-play however you please. Just keep in mind that between societal pressures and biological challenges, crossbreeds are rare, so filling all eight of your character slots on the server with crossbreed characters is ill-advised.

[allgivenover]

Do whatever you want, though I'd be hesitant myself to write like... a Lalafell/Au Ra. Or basically Au Ra/anything. What would it even look like?

 

For a while I had an alt that was 1/4th Elezen 3/4 Hyur, I basically did it to have a french surname.

[111]

Do whatever you want, though I'd be hesitant myself to write like... a Lalafell/Au Ra. 

 

[Nodem]

Do whatever you want, though I'd be hesitant myself to write like... a Lalafell/Au Ra. Or basically Au Ra/anything. What would it even look like?

 

Well I'm screwed... Since Aoi's child will only be half Au Ra...

 

As for your question, it'd depend how you'd want it to look but there's lots of way to go about it. Even in real life genetics there are dominate and recessive traits. It could be as simple as choosing a dominate side, as mentioned prior. Maybe a super short au ra for half lala? Might explain the 'boy' Fem Auri that we see walking about.