Which City-State (or simply Class) do you think will make the most sense for Au Ra?

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Originally Posted by Beckett

It's going to be hilarious when a new Au Ra player gets to the part of the storyline with the Domans and Yugiri comes on the scene talking about how she has to hide her appearance for fear of being ostracized. "Uh, Yugiri, it's okay. I'm an Au Ra and I'm the Warrior of Light. Half of Eorzea thinks I'm the best person on the planet."

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One of the big points in the archer quest is about how one of your fellows is really racist against you for not being a wildwood Elezen. This is not actually changed if you actually play wildwood Elezen. Its increadibly funny where he talks about you as an outsider who knows nothing about Elezen culture.

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Originally Posted by jomoru

One of the big points in the archer quest is about how one of your fellows is really racist against you for not being a wildwood Elezen. This is not actually changed if you actually play wildwood Elezen. Its increadibly funny where he talks about you as an outsider who knows nothing about Elezen culture.

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So he goes from a racist prick to an elitist prick.

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Originally Posted by LystAP

So he goes from a racist prick to an elitist prick.

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No, he maintains being a racist prick. Its just you know confusing and hilarious.

The thing is, no matter your race you're not a native Gridanian. thats what he doesnt like

To be fair, as you continue those quests you learn why he has a dislike of outsiders. It's not simply a case of racism. That is part of the archer story and both of your archer guild companions coming to terms with their personal issues.

As for the Au Ra, I will be genuinely interested in how they deal with the timeline issues. Explaining how an Au Ra got there prior to the rest of the Domans with be a work around.

Then again I never quite figured out what the deal was with Cid's vision of light when he received his goggles.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

Then again I never quite figured out what the deal was with Cid's vision of light when he received his goggles.

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I'm pretty sure that was you, using the echo to help him regain his memories.

Maybe. I can see how that works but how did he get his goggles then cause the scene seems to be the first time he's wearing them considering Biggs and Wedge's reaction.

I think he started wearing the goggles when he first came to Eorzea, to avoid scaring people. The fact that you give him the goggles in the echo-vision, seems to be mostly symbolic, because you help him see his memories clearly.

Now that we know a bit more about the 2 different Auri clans I'd have to say it depends on which clan you choose.

The Xaela love the thrill of battle (and killing), so either Limsa/ or Ul'dah will be a right fit for them.Based on what we know, a WAR will be perfect for a Xaela, though PLD is just as good choice due to them focusing about valor. Eitherway, the Xaela have the "Noble Savage" trope going for them.

Raen (about solitude and tranquility) IMO fits Gridania, specifically CNJ/WHM

I would assume Limsa-Lominsa would be the best starter state simply because in the intro you arrive on a Boat. Since all the Au-Ra come from another continent known as Othard (Garelan territory) Unless you would be able to pass multiple garlean checkpoints to get into Eorzea it is likely you arrive by Sea or Air, and considering there is no intro to arrive from a stolen garlean airship. I would go with an escaped refugee from the Othard continent.

Noting that Othard is the most Eastern continent leaves me to believe if the world is round and that Eorzea is the most western of the 3 great continents, it would be likely to arrive at Limsa's dock first. Considering Islabard (Garlean territory) is northeast of Aldenard (Eorzea) I would assume it would be easiest to travel Eastward from Othard to Vylbrand (Limsa). Otherwise navigating westward south of Islabard would land you at Gridania's port first. Navigating north above Islabard which is already northeast of Eorzea would lead you again to Limsa first after navigating around Sharlayan territory.

Uldah is the LEAST likely simply because they already rejected the original Doman refugee's and if you had any knowledge of such a thing, which I assume you would since the arrival of Au-Ra into Eorzea territory has only just begun because they found a suitable safe haven from garlean territory you would also have some information on Ul-Dah being a no-go area. Furthermore whichever direction you travel to Eorzea from you would always arrive at Gridania or Limsa's port before Ul-Dah's just by sheer geography.

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Originally Posted by Firepower

Noting that Othard is the most Eastern continent leaves me to believe if the world is round and that Eorzea is the most western of the 3 great continents, it would be likely to arrive at Limsa's dock first. Considering Islabard (Garlean territory) is northeast of Aldenard (Eorzea) I would assume it would be easiest to travel Eastward from Othard to Vylbrand (Limsa). Otherwise navigating westward south of Islabard would land you at Gridania's port first. Navigating north above Islabard which is already northeast of Eorzea would lead you again to Limsa first after navigating around Sharlayan territory.

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Also the Doman's arrived in Vesper Bay, West Thanalan after fleeing Doma. So since Vesper Bay is the channel between Vylbrand and West Thanalan then Limsa would make sense with Ul'dah now being semi-hostile territory.

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Originally Posted by Terin

Spoil away! Really, anything to help me decide. Even when you use Fantasia potions, it keeps track of your starting Class and City-State, so the more I know about the Gladiator/Paladin stories, as well as Marauder/Warrior stories, the easier a decision should be :)

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Oh, sorry, lost track of this thread till the recent posts... without further ado then, my quick summary of the PLD storyline:

SPOILER WARNING SPOILER WARNING SPOILER WARNING SPOILER WARNING

(My memory is a bit fuzzy so forgive me if there are some details that are a little off)

tl;dr version: Lots of stuff about regaining honor and keeping oaths.

The first quest, fitting, it called Paladin's Pledge and the next one Honor Lost. The final quest is called Keeping the Oath. These set the general themes for the quest line.

The first quest opens (and later quests often repeat this as a component) with a trial of sorts. Before Jenlyns, the captain, can teach you, you must proceed to a location, attract certain monsters, and defeat them in battle.

However, Jenlyns talks of how the people used to look up to paladins. Well regarded, valor, honor, etc... in the style of the knights of old in our own world, or at least an idealized version of them. But during the quest, you're approached by a "free paladin" (Solkzagyl)--upon returning to Jenlyns, he reveals that Solkzagyl was the captain before Jenlyns and is a traitor that stole Oathkeeper, an iconic weapon of the elite Sultanasworn and so losing it was a big blow to their reputation.

Of note is that Jenlyns calls him an oathbreaker, among other such terms.

Over the next few quests, Jenlyns is teaching you/waiting for you to get stronger and prepare to eventually win Oathkeeper back, capture the traitor... and so begin the road of restoring the Paladins' honor.

In time, Jenlyns claims to have discovered a link between Solkzagyl and the Monetarists. He sets up a meet so you can face him, but at the parley Jenlyns actually turns on you and accuses you of being in league with the Monetarists and Solkzagyl.

He is only deterred when one of Jenlyns' own tries to kill him, but to be saved at the last moment by none other than Solkzagyl. Jenlyn does collapse, however, and Solkzagyl takes him back to Ul'Dah.

By and by, Jenlyns realizes you're one of the good guys after all and starts planning to get back at the Monetarists who he realizes were playing him. There's a battle to this effect, said to be a blow against the Monetarists but the end is not conclusive. You're given the last of your AF, and off you go to defend the people of Eorzea.

Of course, from Dark Knight's description it will be very similar. A defender of the common people, perhaps moreso than even a Free Paladin, and implying they're (unlike PLDs generally) very willing to get their hands dirty (ends justify the means). So, you can think of both PLD (free paladins, not sultanasworn as much) and DRK as defenders of the people, but differing a bit in methodology and values.

Gladiator storyline isn't really noteworthy here, basically it's an anime-esque rivals story and not nearly as steeped in principles.

WAR/MRD I don't know that much about, other than the premise was defending their seafaring brothers. Maybe someone else can elaborate.

The Au Ra are foreigners in every sense of the word. I doubt they'd arrive at any city-state with a preset idea of what they're really getting into. I'd honestly imagine that they'd pick a locale based on their own personal preference.

For a real world example, it's like saying there is no reason for a native Mongolian to immigrate to Illinois, which is not true as we've got plenty Mongolians doing quite well for themselves over there and else where.

Try to avoid debilitiating Eorzean species/racial stereotypes and use your creativity. Your character is an extension of yourself!

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Originally Posted by Risvertasashi

WAR/MRD I don't know that much about, other than the premise was defending their seafaring brothers. Maybe someone else can elaborate.

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The Warrior storyline is primarily about conquering a great power resting inside you, it isn't about protection but rather about mastery of your body and mind. The Marauder storyline however is heavily steeped in the lore of the Guild and how Marauders came to be the premier soldier of Limsa Lominsa, with the storyline culminating with you slaying an Auroch which has been terrorizing Vylbrand for a while.

Well, I'm going to try to finish the 2.55 storyline today, and hope that will give me a better idea between the two. I've heard there are some big things that happen in the story, so I'm looking forward to seeing what transpires for myself.

Barring any major spoilers, though, I'd be interesting in hearing more of what you guys think?

Also, I'm absolutely 100% set on making a Xaela Au Ra, and he will eventually become a Dark Knight. Thing is, though, I'm still struggling with the identity between "Gladiator vs. Warrior", and both of those seem to fit the Xaela's lore quite nicely. Paladins and Marauders, though... I'm not sure.

The only thing I really wonder about at this points, is what the Xaela would think about Ul'dah, versus Limsa Lominsa. The Xaela seem to be a warring people, and I could see them being drawn to Ul'dah's Colosseum, as well as the Immortal Flames, as people who seemingly value might. Yet at the same time, Ul'dah is also notorious for being a city of wealthy nobles, where even the most valiant warriors rarely crawl out from the slums. The Au Ra certainly have ties there (by way of the Doman Refugees), but those ties are very much in bad blood. My only thinking here is that, perhaps my Xaela's intentions would be to rise through the ranks, and take Ul'dah for himself, out of spite for how his people were turned away?

Then you've got Limsa Lominsa. It's a city that welcomes beastmen, and being a seafaring city, it obviously makes a lot of sense that the Au Ra was arrive here. Now, I've *HEARD* that the leader of Limsa Lominsa (I always forget her name) made mention of taking care of any Domans who arrive later, but to be honest, I don't recollect that. I know the Rogues' Guild is in Limsa Lominsa, which I assume has connections to Lady Yugiri, but I never really played much of the Rogue, so I don't know what those ties actually are, or whether Lady Yugiri lives in Limsa Lominsa now?

With Heavensward drawing ever nearer, I'm more anxious than ever you get you guys' feedback! I've tried reading the Xaela's Lore over and over, trying to get some indication for where they might hail from, but I honestly can't decipher anything.

As far as I remember, Merlwyb (Limsa's GC leader) agreed to send extra provisions/ aid to the Doman refugees in Rev. Toll

Yugiri then temporarily joined the Rogues guild to learn their fighting methods and learn more of their culture and promised Merlwyb once she's got the hang of it she'll also teach qualified members Ninja techniques. So yes, Limsa and Doman refugees have a more cordial/mutually beneficial relationship with each other compared to other city states.

WAR description:

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“On the northernmost edge of Abalathia's Spine exists a mountain tribe renowned for producing fearsome mercenaries...
In former times which saw war waged ceaselessly in Eorzea, the warriors featured prominently on the frontlines of battle. With the arrival of peacetime, however, their art has descended into the shadows of obscurity, where it remains to this day"

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Xaela

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the Xaela, who bloody the land with their endless tribal conflict....the Xaela are free spirits who roam the vast western steppe in close-knit tribes hunting, gathering, and warring as their ancestors have for countless generations.

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I personally think that due to Xaela's wanderlust, love of battle and general hot-bloodedness that they starting out as MRD > WAR just fits the race well. It's been a while, but I think that the are of MRD was originally derived from WARs, it's essentially a watered down version of WAR techs since not everyone can control the Inner Beast.

Although from a gameplay point you still need to level a GLD to get some useful cross-class skills: convalescent, flash and especially provoke. So that might be something to consider down the line

I always assumed the Au Ra would have a unique beginning that wound them up in a city state OR would have them merge into the main storyline several levels in. I mean Au Ra are new to Eorzea cant imagine they just roll into a city state on a wagon or boat like everyone else

For one I believe Doma is just one nation in the Far Eastern continent. Some Au Ra may have lived there until it's destruction, but they may have lived in other areas in the East. I am planning on creating an Au Ra as a separate character who is already apart of my main character's back story. Since Yurgiri is a Ninja I feel most comfortable starting my Au Ra out in Limsa as Rouge/Nin. I do think since the starting nation for them will depend of course on the chosen class. Since Ninja seems like a good starting point, even though the Au Ra obviously aren't all going to be Ninjas like Yurgiri, starting out as a Ninja or even an Archanist would make sense. Of course where anyone ends up who is concerned about the Au Ra's lore, will depend on what class/job they want to start out as, and then will want to create their own backstory to fit in with their choice. Of course it will be very helpful to have some 'cannon' based lore to utilize, I hope that will come before 3.0 is launched.

Well the Raen are stated to be pretty isolationist, so they'd truly have to be the adventurous type - Gridania would probably fit them better, as it's the most peaceful city-state, even if it leans more towards Lawful Neutral than Lawful Good.

Xaela would probably be right at home in Ul'dah or Limsa; both are rife with conflict, even if Ul'dah is more social and economic conflict than anything. They're also home to the Marauders' and Gladiators' Guilds, both professions Xaela are well-suited to, though the Marauders are more "hardcore police / pest control."

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Originally Posted by Seiko769

I always assumed the Au Ra would have a unique beginning that wound them up in a city state OR would have them merge into the main storyline several levels in. I mean Au Ra are new to Eorzea cant imagine they just roll into a city state on a wagon or boat like everyone else

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I do wonder about that, I was hoping a new starting area would be how they would role, I wonder how SE will handle that. I would hate to see them going through the same cutscene as our original characters, sitting in a wagon going to what ever city/state we will end up in. A lot depends on how their arriving here en mass is communicated via lore.

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Originally Posted by Cilia

Well the Raen are stated to be pretty isolationist, so they'd truly have to be the adventurous type - Gridania would probably fit them better, as it's the most peaceful city-state, even if it leans more towards Lawful Neutral than Lawful Good.

Xaela would probably be right at home in Ul'dah or Limsa; both are rife with conflict, even if Ul'dah is more social and economic conflict than anything. They're also home to the Marauders' and Gladiators' Guilds, both professions Xaela are well-suited to, though the Marauders are more "hardcore police / pest control."

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I'm not 100% sure how to google them so can you give me a quick run down of the lawful neutral good etc stuff Ive seen it referenced more than once now.....both times from you I believe XD

I am going to say..
Raen
Conjurer/White Mage
Arcanist/Scholar
Because they are the more peaceful race
Gridania fits them because of the lifestyle
that people there prefer to have.
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Xaela
Gladiator/Paladin
Marauder/Warrior
Lancer/Dragoon
Because these are the more war like jobs
They seem to fit Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah better
(To me)
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Universal
Monk
Ninja
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Succubus types
Thaumaturge/Black Mage
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Over all though it is all a matter of personal choice
Or from an rp standpoint where would my character who is like "this" want to live.. DX my raen lost her home and family, she doesn't want to fight, so she will be going whm all the way

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Originally Posted by Seiko769

I'm not 100% sure how to google them so can you give me a quick run down of the lawful neutral good etc stuff Ive seen it referenced more than once now.....both times from you I believe XD

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It's a reference to the Dungeons and Dragons alignment system. Nine possibilities on the Good / Evil and Law / Chaos axes:

Lawful Good: "Laws should advance the common good." Paladins are designed to be LG, doing the most good they can while also trying to stay within the bounds of the law. Nanamo was an LG, trying to use the law for the common good and willing to change it when it proved to not be serving that purpose, despite the fact doing so would invite scorn and great personal loss.

Neutral Good: "Whatever does the most good." Anyone who cares more about doing good than how they do it falls here. The Scions are designed to be NG, working with the city-states when it's beneficial to do so and acting independently when it's not, but either way they do the most good possible.

Chaotic Good: "Laws can be ignored if they aren't helping people." CGs are more committed to ideals than laws. Vigilantes usually fall here due to their willingness to break the law for the common good, with Batman and Tales of Vesperia's Yuri Lowell being prime examples of CG. Raubahn could be said to fall here, as he's more fervently devoted to Nanamo and her ideals than to Ul'dahn law; he angrily lashes out at Teledji and Lolorito after the coup is exposed not only because of his rage but because he knows they've done wrong and the law can't touch them.

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Lawful Neutral: "Obey the law because it's the law." I say Gridania fits into this because, though individuals might try to be LG, they still have to obey the Elementals' will or suffer their wrath - and the Elementals aren't always nice. Judge Dredd is a perfect example of an LN character.

Neutral: "Whatever seems like a good idea." or "Maintain the balance." Most people fall under the former, while the latter is the usual outlook of fantasy world druids.

Chaotic Neutral: "It's fun, so I'll do it." Captain Jack Sparrow is the CN representative, doing whatever he wants whenever he wants to do it; however he's not actively malicious, merely selfish. Godbert could be said to be CN, helping to fix a priceless antique one second and utterly ruining it the next because he wanted to "improve" it against its owner's wishes, not because he holds any ill will.

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Lawful Evil: "Laws are the tools of the powerful for subjugating the weak." LE characters are malicious, but have ethical restraints. The Garleans are LE from an Eorzean perspective.

Neutral Evil: "Whatever advances my cause." NE characters have neither ethical restraints nor are they completely bent to their impulses, but either way they have no problem hurting others for their goals. Teledji Adeledji could have been said to be NE.

Chaotic Evil: "Whatever causes the most death and destruction." CE characters impulsively wreak havoc wherever they go. That doesn't mean they're stupid or mindless, though - Batman's Joker being a prime example. The Ascians are arguably CE; though they follow an internal hierarchy they don't seem to care much about each other, only spreading as much death and destruction as possible.

Oversimplified:

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pu...graph_3756.png

The Y axis represents Good / Evil, the X axis Law / Chaos.

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Originally Posted by Cilia

Mega Snip

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Thanks for humoring me XD I wanna get into RP like D&D but it hasn't happened yet. Seems like a pretty dang good labeling system though. One of the board games I play um....Talisman has a mega simplified version of that each char is good bad or neutral and certain actions can sway that. Certain things on the board are also affected by your alignment.

I feel like I'm revealing my inner nerd right now XD

Hmm, anyone else care to chime-in with their thoughts? :)

Au Ra are not a beastmen race, right? So they should be welcome in each of the city states. Having said that: I think Raen would fit more with Gridania as they prefer a life of solitude and seclusion. What is Gridania if not isolated and secluded from the outside world?

Xaela on the other hand seem to fit more in Limsa especially. Their wandering nomad style of living is something they have sort of in common with the pirates of Limsa.

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Originally Posted by Trystane

Au Ra are not a beastmen race, right? So they should be welcome in each of the city states. Having said that: I think Raen would fit more with Gridania as they prefer a life of solitude and seclusion. What is Gridania if not isolated and secluded from the outside world?

Xaela on the other hand seem to fit more in Limsa especially. Their wandering nomad style of living is something they have sort of in common with the pirates of Limsa.

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Not to mention the Raen are typically more peaceful/passive in lifestyle while the war like Xaela would get along just find in a nation of pirates and bandits.

Yeah, at this point I'm only thinking about the Xaela. Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah just have such wildly different cultures, it's difficult to peg which one makes more sense. It's more difficult because I've always had a soft-spot for Ul'dah because I love its aesthetic design, but obviously, it's a pretty shady area as far as Lore is concerned.

I imagine my Xaela being a violent, warmongering type of guy, eager to rise to power and command legions of powerful warriors to one day take back his home, or carve a new one out in Eorzea, by force. In some ways, both cities cater to that fantasy, but in other ways, they both seem a stretch, too...

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Originally Posted by Terin

Yeah, at this point I'm only thinking about the Xaela. Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah just have such wildly different cultures, it's difficult to peg which one makes more sense. It's more difficult because I've always had a soft-spot for Ul'dah because I love its aesthetic design, but obviously, it's a pretty shady area as far as Lore is concerned.

I imagine my Xaela being a violent, warmongering type of guy, eager to rise to power and command legions of powerful warriors to one day take back his home, or carve a new one out in Eorzea, by force. In some ways, both cities cater to that fantasy, but in other ways, they both seem a stretch, too...

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I think Limsa would be best for a Xaela because even though the Admiral is technically the leader of Limsa in truth most Pirates do their own thing and are allowed to do their own thing so long as the Code isn't Violated. Ul'dah on the other hand has the Sultanate in charge and The Syndicate running the show. The Syndicate would be the biggest objection that the Xaela would have and the Raen likely wouldn't tolerating them either.
Limsa with its laissez faire government, vague laws, and only the most basic of creeds governing it would be right up their War Mongering, Free Spirited, Nomadic life style.

I think any city-state can work for an Au Ra adventurer. I believe Gridania will suit my Au Ra WHM very well.

Only Raen came from Doma anyway, the Xaela will be able to fit in with any city-state because they are already wanderers :).

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Originally Posted by Chiramu

I think any city-state can work for an Au Ra adventurer. I believe Gridania will suit my Au Ra WHM very well.

Only Raen came from Doma anyway, the Xaela will be able to fit in with any city-state because they are already wanderers :).

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The RP for my Xaela is going to be that The Xaela have been here since the end of the 6th astral era just shrouded in their ancestral magics to appear as other races.

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Originally Posted by Kaiser-Ace

The RP for my Xaela is going to be that The Xaela have been here since the end of the 6th astral era just shrouded in their ancestral magics to appear as other races.

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I am RPing my Xaela to accept the fact that she will always be treated as an outcast because of her race, but she doesn't care, as a WHM she just wants to help people regardless of what they think of her ^^.

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Originally Posted by Terin

Yeah, at this point I'm only thinking about the Xaela. Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah just have such wildly different cultures, it's difficult to peg which one makes more sense. It's more difficult because I've always had a soft-spot for Ul'dah because I love its aesthetic design, but obviously, it's a pretty shady area as far as Lore is concerned.

I imagine my Xaela being a violent, warmongering type of guy, eager to rise to power and command legions of powerful warriors to one day take back his home, or carve a new one out in Eorzea, by force. In some ways, both cities cater to that fantasy, but in other ways, they both seem a stretch, too...

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I admit I'm partial to Limsa Lominsa however there are other things that could be considered. Iirc there is some old lore that claims the Hellsguard are a small clan of Roegadyn that have carved out a home in the north of Abalathia's Spine. It is clan tradition to enter the mercenary trade; thus the Hellsguard took to giving themselves easily remembered names made up of words in the common tongue. They are a common sight on the streets of Ul'dah, earning a living as sellswords or bodyguards. By using this it can easily be stated that your character also went to Ul'Dah plying his trade as a mercenary picking up skills as a GLD, eventually WAR and after making a name for himself. Allowed in to Ishgard for his service in Corethas and the Steps of Faith, taking up DRK once there to achieve his goals.

Not sure if it matters but another thing to consider is the GC equipment offered by the flames has a certain brutal appeal to them.

Well, I finally finished the Storyline, and even though I definitely think Limsa Lominsa makes a lot more sense for Au Ra now, I think I'm actually leaning towards Ul'dah more than ever.

The climax of the story is just *SO* powerful, I really think it will play into the story even more.

My Au Ra comes to Ul'dah seeking glory in the Colosseum as a Gladiator, but winds up being more of a glorified policeman. He eventually finds his way to becoming a Warrior, but after "that stuff that happens", is forced into retreating to Ishgard. Fueled by anger and resentment, he would be eager to turn to the power of Darkness, and fitting with the Lore behind the Dark Knight, would do so with the intention of returning to Ul'dah, and doling out some serious justice.

I think it's just more compelling when Ul'dah is viewed as sort of your "home", where if it's just "that place you've visited a couple of times", I worry you wouldn't feel quite as connected to what happens. This character is also from Ul'dah (even though he joined the Twin Adders instead of the Immortal Flames), and with Ul'dah being my personal favorite city, seeing what all happened was shocking and powerful. It has be more motivated to play Heavensward that I've ever been, and I feel like my future Au Ra character should share the same motivation, I think.

Although, for those less personally-invested, yeah, Limsa is probably the more "fitting" location :P

I thought that the Au Ra was meant to look more like demons rather than dragons? The meaning of the horns and the tail is more towards a demonic appearance.

Think about it.

Ul'dah, the city of Thaumaturgy is against the Void.
Gridania, the city of Conjury and smack dab in the middle of the Black Shroud where the elementals reign. Even the Ala Mhigans can't stay in the forest.
Limsa Lominsa, the ever oh so joyful city of cutthroats and traders. Even those lizard people (Jar Jar Binks) are accepted there and the goblins. The domans were also welcomed there.

So, unless our demonic Au Ra people are very friendly and were magically accepted by both side of the black and white magicians as well as the elementals......

Limsa Lominsa is your best bet.

Mor Dhona. Everyone should start in MD as a Au Ra and have to scrape their way to the lowbie areas to better exemplify the trials it was for the Domans and the Au Ra.

Agreed, I totally wish they'd have opened up Mor Dhona as a starting area (on the other side of the lake, perhaps?), or even a new Au Ra settlement.

But of the three *existing* starting City-States, that's where the dilemma comes from. I do wonder if perhaps Limsa Lominsa would make a better location than I'm giving it credit for...

Alright, so I'm probably going to use my next free Fantasia on this character to turn him back into a Miqo'te, simply because I missed having my old character. But I *AM* still planning to start a new character, and honestly, I still need advice.

I mean, on one hand, Ul'dah makes sense because it's kind of the center of stuff going on in the 2.X storyline, and I like the idea of heading to Ishgard with the intention of going back and busting Raubaun out. At the same time, though, I sort of wonder if that's poisoning my view of what "makes more sense"? I mean, if you start in Limsa Lominsa, you do arrive on ship, so maybe it could be explained away as you arrived from Othard, before the rest of the Doman refugees left en masse?

Like I said, I totally intend for his main to be Dark Knight, but I feel like even the decision between Gladiator/Paladin and Marauder/Warrior kind of factors into the overall "feel" of the character. Do the Xaela seem more like prideful Gladiators who might wind up serving the Sultansword as Paladins? Or are they wild, piratey Marauders, who eventually embrace the path of Warriors? For that matter, do you think the Maelstrom or the Immortal Flames fit, one more than the other?

It depends on the character's personality. A personality that is, in part, determined by his upbringing. Which means his clan. Some of clans are mystics, some are warriors, some are archers. If I were rolling a Xalea and he/she was from say, from the Gesi tribe. The Gesi tribe is defined by their way of hunting using spears and slings, so I might opt for him/her to go to Gridania as a Lancer. The Mol worship elder gods and have shamans, so any magic class works for them. Qalli seem like they'd be excellent bards. To be honest, as the Xalea have their names based on the Mongolian language, I can't help but feel that a lot of them would be great archers.

But I digress. Pick a clan that you like, and if the clan seems more like they fit your image of the gladiator/paladin go with that, or they seem more like a marauder/warrior, go with that.

EDIT to add:
Also, I think it would be safe to assume that your character got to Eorzea before the Doman refugees did. Things probably went to pot after you left. As for why you left? Up to you. My raen left his home simply to see the world and try to find himself as he's an awfully shy guy.

While I didn't follow naming conventions (I'm an avid roleplayer, but in this game I'm playing on a non-RP server), I just needed to drop in here and say:

TILL SEA SWALLOWS ALL BBY!