Give Highlanders eyebrows already

I'm OK with this, but only if we can call them 'Highbrows'.

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Originally Posted by wereotter

Wonder if it will be possible to tell if they have his in-game model eyebrows or not... hard to tell with the hat, but I’m willing to bet the eyebrows exist in the animated promo art only.

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That'll be funny if he did had eyebrows.... Which he'll be the ONLY MALE highlander with eyebrows. Imagine being the WoL without eyebrows, and some random NPC guy has em but you don't. Feels bad being the main character.

https://ih0.redbubble.net/image.7079...1000,075,f.jpg

Showerthought: Why does a Highlander who devotes his life to being a healer need to shave his eyebrows off to be intimidating? Like???? "Grrrr I'm scary, sit still while I fix your broken bones."

i hear arguments about "lore"

but the entire point of your character is that you can give them whatever backstory they want. what's so wrong about having a male highlander who does not observe that particular custom/tradition and does not shave their eyebrows? and this presents another oddity: why do the highlanders of the 1st shave their eyebrows? i thought the cultures of each race were supposed to have drastically diverged from one another compared to their counterparts on the source.

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Originally Posted by grinkdaboy

i hear arguments about "lore"

but the entire point of your character is that you can give them whatever backstory they want. what's so wrong about having a male highlander who does not observe that particular custom/tradition and does not shave their eyebrows? and this presents another oddity: why do the highlanders of the 1st shave their eyebrows? i thought the cultures of each race were supposed to have drastically diverged from one another compared to their counterparts on the source.

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It makes sense when you develop and need to use the same models to cut costs and time.
Also people would scream they want to use the eyebrows on their characters as well.
See what happened with the midlanders stubble that was shown in benchmark and in promo (in-game videos) and it's still not in game.
They still trying to figure a way to implement it according to Yoshi in a recent interview.
The game's engine and code is utter trash and won't allow for such additions easily.
Perhaps another Dalamud event to allow a relaunch with a new engine or a new Online FF made from scratch could allow things we always wanted.

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Originally Posted by Riardon

It makes sense when you develop and need to use the same models to cut costs and time.
Also people would scream they want to use the eyebrows on their characters as well.
See what happened with the midlanders stubble that was shown in benchmark and in promo (in-game videos) and it's still not in game.
They still trying to figure a way to implement it according to Yoshi in a recent interview.
The game's engine and code is utter trash and won't allow for such additions easily.
Perhaps another Dalamud event to allow a relaunch with a new engine or a new Online FF made from scratch could allow things we always wanted.

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If it really is an engine and code issue, they could just as easily make a facepaint option that Actually looks like eyebrows and not caterpillars on my Highlander's face. Honestly, the longer it goes without my race of choice having a base cosmetic issue, the more jaded I become about it.

I'm still waiting for this to be implemented. It's been a request since the days of ARR. I also guarantee that there would be an uptick in the number of people playing a Highlander male if the eyebrow issue was resolved. I've tried to play one from time to time but the eyebrow issue is always a deal-breaker.

What lore?

SE, think about all the Fantasia sales you're missing out on.

what’s wrong with no eyebrows?

you could role play as guile and it could be crazy accurate

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Originally Posted by MsQi

What lore?

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Part of me wants to respond to this with "exactly" because of how dumb it is, but it's "canon" in the lore that apparently every single Highlander male shaves their eyebrows off to look "intimidating," even the healers, the old men and the scholars, even the warrior of light if he were a Highlander.

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Originally Posted by IsaacMerquise

Part of me wants to respond to this with "exactly" because of how dumb it is, but it's "canon" in the lore that apparently every single Highlander male shaves their eyebrows off to look "intimidating," even the healers, the old men and the scholars, even the warrior of light if he were a Highlander.

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I found the reference on a wiki and I guess it was from a lore panel, but it sounds more like an excuse made up on the spot for a technical issue. I wouldn't be surprised if it were intended as a joke.

But still, in a pluralistic society where a lot of the population are disconnected from their ancestral homes and cultures, it is incredibly unlikely that a portion wouldn't disregard certain traditions, especially those that aren't religious based. It doesn't "break lore" when a person moves to another country and decides to stop practicing certain traditions they grew up with.

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Originally Posted by MsQi

I found the reference on a wiki and I guess it was from a lore panel, but it sounds more like an excuse made up on the spot for a technical issue. I wouldn't be surprised if it were intended as a joke.

But still, in a pluralistic society where a lot of the population are disconnected from their ancestral homes and cultures, it is incredibly unlikely that a portion wouldn't disregard certain traditions, especially those that aren't religious based. It doesn't "break lore" when a person moves to another country and decides to stop practicing certain traditions they grew up with.

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From a lore standpoint, all highlanders are refugees. There’s a difference in attitudes between someone who moves countries in times of peace and someone who is forced to flee their country as their culture is eroded away back home by a foreign power.

From a gameplay standpoint, all races only have a certain amount of facial features values and for some reason or another it seems that adding more values taxes the system more and would lead to cutting down the amount of characters we can see on our screen at once. Unless something changes, it’s likely the old spaghetti code will never be fixed.

If you are curious about the lore side of it, you can read about in this thread (it's fun to read anyway):

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Originally Posted by Anonymoose

One of the things that always seemed to be implied by Version 1.0, but rarely explicitly supported, was that some clans branched directly from others, and rather recently. For example, the Hellsguard all but surely branch from the Sea Wolves and recently adapted to the volcanic Farreach. Highlanders seemed to be Midlanders that stayed in the harsh mountain regions after the Sixth Umbral Calamity's floods receded, becoming stronger and bulkier where the air in thin and life is hard (ignoring that when this happens IRL, people tend to get shorter, too). This was contradicted in ARR, though; it is said that Highlanders domesticated the common sheep during the Age of Endless Frost - over a thousand years before.

So let's stick to confirmed facts!

The Highlander tribes of Gyr Abania have long been a violent lot. This, and the influence of northern dialects a la the Roegadyn, gave rise to their present naming conventions (see sticky). Remnants of ancient spiritual traditions remain the form of wooden talismans (often woven into their underclothes) and tattoos (sacred as they are intimidating). The brute, tribal aesthetic can also be seen their food; simple (but impressive) dishes such as large aldgoat steaks, well-seared but never overcooked. There were also some mentions tooth-filing and eyebrow-shaving as means of seeming more intimidating in combat, though these have gone unmentioned for a while.

They arrived in Gyr Abania following the floods of the Sixth Umbral Calamity (following a comet that many believed to be a sign from Rhalgr), putting the Highlanders in a prime position for history to record them as the first peoples to re-enter Eorzea after the waters receded. (This also being why they're called high-landers; the builders of mountain strongholds.) For over a thousand years, these mountain tribes warred over what little arable land existed. It was Anshelm Cotter, a tactical genius, who finally united what tribes didn't scatter before his advance (1100).

Ala Mhigan history, if relevant to your highlander:

Thus united, Ala Mhigo was raised mainly by Highlanders. Seeing as it was right on the land bridge leading into Ilsabard, they made sure that Ala Mhigo was a mighty bastion capable of repelling foreign invasion. Their military might being one of the few things they could export led to Ala Mhigan sellsword companies springing up in nearly every city-state to be used in their conflicts against one another. Unfortunately, Ul'dah's trade empire (with many ships) considerably undermined their ability to charge tolls on traders coming through the secure land bridge (1190).

Hoping to claim fertile land by conquest, King Manfred attempted to conquest the Black Shroud (1468), almost crushing the Gridanian forces before being driven back by a fledgling alliance of Eorzean city-states rallied by Ishgard, knowing that should Gridania fall the Ala Mhigans would be at their gates (and the already had the Dragonsong War to contend with). This would come to be known as the Autumn War (1469).

In the austerity that came after the wars, dissatisfaction with the crown swelled. The Fists of Rhalgr - the monks - gained considerable political influence. To forestall the erosion of the monarchy, the Fists were declared the state religion and given great influence. For at time this enmeshing of religion and state indeed led to stability, but King Theodoric would try to sever their influence (1546). He would declare himself above Rhalgr, ordained by the Destroyer's master, Nymeia. But this was simple pretense; when they Fists of Rhalgr protested, he brutally crushed them; all in temple, be they priest or refugee, burned (1552).

Growing paranoid, Theodoric's rule became more and more tyrannic. The executions began with rival claimants to the throne and moved ever downwards towards even smallfolk of any noteworthy wealth. His fears were only confirmed when even the queen turned against him, a conspiracy betrayed by a single noble. The brutality spurred the people to action, overthrowing their leader in a "popular revolution" defied not even by the king's own guard, the Corpse Brigade.

Unfortunately for the people, the rising tensions and violence had been encouraged from the shadows; gentle manipulations by spies of the Garlean Empire loyal to Gaius van Baelsar. As soon as Theodoric had been slain, the Imperial army sprung their trap, taking the city without a great battle or siege. Any who did not surrender or join the Resistance fled.

You can learn the nitty-gritty about Autumn War, the Fists of Rhalgr, and the fall of Ala Mhigo from Erik at the Pugilists' Guild.

The fall of Ala Mhigo caused a massive flood of Highlander refugees into the Black Shroud and Thanalan; moreso the latter, as the Elementals can be rather picky about who is allowed to stay, and where. Version 1.0 lampshaded the lack of female Highlanders (this being why Yda and Minfilia look like Midlanders) by saying that many of the daughters of Ala Mhigo stayed behind to fight in the Resistance, being no less skilled at arms.

As has ever been the case, many make their way as sellswords (and now adventurers), but thanks to the recent and radical distribution caused by the fall of Ala Mhigo, you can find a few Highlanders doing just about anything, just about anywhere to get by.

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Originally Posted by Sounsyy

Anonymoose did an excellent job of summarizing Highlander (and Ala Mhigan history) lore above. I figured I'd drop in to provide source text for Moose's summary. Lore specific to the Highlanders from the lore book and in game can be found below. If you're wanting your Highlander to be from Ala Mhigo and are curious to know more about Ala Mhigo's history and how the refugees have come to be treated in Eorzea, I have a similarly structured Ala Mhigan Lore Compilation that I'm currently in the process of adding to/editing with lore book information. Still, should give you a good idea of things.

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At the very beginning, the Male Highlanders didn't have any eyebrows what so ever. From what we heard back in the day, it wasn't due to a Technical Issue that the Highlanders don't have real eyebrows, but a design choice they made when they were creating the characters and races we know today. This was then later added to the Lore.

It was through the 2.0 Character creator that they implemented a "Tattoo" version of the eyebrows, so that players could get at least something.

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Originally Posted by MikkoAkure

From a lore standpoint, all highlanders are refugees. There’s a difference in attitudes between someone who moves countries in times of peace and someone who is forced to flee their country as their culture is eroded away back home by a foreign power.

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Not all, and many have integrated into Ul'dahn society. This tradition is tied to being Highlander, not Ala Mhigan. it probably pre-dates Ala Mhigo.

Your character shows up wearing an outfit that is somehow common to both clans yet currently worn by neither, suggesting that you have ties to a society that is somehow separate from the two clans, perhaps a very old society. As an adventurer you are likely an independent thinker and have less of an interest in tradition. Treating lore as if it's a natural law, that predetermines your every move, breaks it more than anything. That's not what lore is.

Technical issues are real issues but citing lore for something like this shows disrespect for lore.

I wonder why the "Highlanders" of the 1st shave their eyebrows too?

To scare off sin eaters, obviously. The ridiculous line of thought transcends realities ...except for Ran'jit, because reasons

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Originally Posted by MsQi

Not all, and many have integrated into Ul'dahn society. This tradition is tied to being Highlander, not Ala Mhigan. it probably pre-dates Ala Mhigo.

Your character shows up wearing an outfit that is somehow common to both clans yet currently worn by neither, suggesting that you have ties to a society that is somehow separate from the two clans, perhaps a very old society. As an adventurer you are likely an independent thinker and have less of an interest in tradition. Treating lore as if it's a natural law, that predetermines your every move, breaks it more than anything. That's not what lore is.

Technical issues are real issues but citing lore for something like this shows disrespect for lore.

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In this case, the lore set up 10 years ago has already determined what highlanders look like. Players can headcanon all they want about their WoL but the devs already had made the decision that they won't have eyebrows bc lore so that's how it is and that's how it's reflected in the world. Not sure how lore being reflected by gameplay being reflected by lore means there's any disrespect.

The lorebook calls out highlanders in Eorzea being refugees of Ala Mhigo. Other than Godbert and his son who are kind of their own thing, I can't think of any NPCs who are completely culturally integrated into Ul'dah. All the major highlander NPCs in the MSQ constantly bring conversation back to Ala Mhigo so it's clear that they're not over it. There are a few who lament that Little Ala Mhigo is a pitiful display of people holding onto past glory, but well they probably don't have eyebrows either because gameplay reasons but I'm sure if someone asked Koji he would make something up.

And I don't think adventurer starting gear being the same for highlanders and midlanders hints at anything more than "this is what hyur player characters get when they start". The book says they wear cotton reinforced with leather because it's simple but useful and long boots reminiscent of the race's time in Ilsabard. I don't think it's supposed to provide deeper meaning than that and doesn't mean that your character is some special society between cultures. That's a bit of a reach.

Lore should enhance customization, not limit it.

Lore should let you remove your highlander's eyebrows if you want to give them a story related to why their eyebrows are missing, such as shaving it in solidarity for their lost homeland, but people should have the creative freedom to decide if that makes sense for their character.

How can anyone argue "the lore" when lore-wise, Miqo'te are meant to be in lower numbers & mostly female, yet everyone and their mother is a miqote & alot are males.
Same goes for Roe.

The lore changes all the time & SE isn't some small indie company- they just choose to ignore requests like this, such as "give better customization options/ highlander eyebrows/viera hats & shared hairstyles/ give Au-Ra horn choices/ Give players NPC hairstyles" it's always "if enough people ask" or "it's a technicaly difficulty" Well, Enough people ask daily & we're not buying the technical difficulty excuse.

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Originally Posted by HeyMcFly

How can anyone argue "the lore" when lore-wise, Miqo'te are meant to be in lower numbers & mostly female, yet everyone and their mother is a miqote & alot are males.
Same goes for Roe.

The lore changes all the time & SE isn't some small indie company- they just choose to ignore requests like this, such as "give better customization options/ highlander eyebrows/viera hats & shared hairstyles/ give Au-Ra horn choices/ Give players NPC hairstyles" it's always "if enough people ask" or "it's a technicaly difficulty" Well, Enough people ask daily & we're not buying the technical difficulty excuse.

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My feelings exactly, it blows my mind that we can't have base cosmetic features or aura horns that aren't tied to a face type but we can get a new 24 dollar recolour of a carbuncle mount as well as an 18 dollar butterfly dress. It's super disheartening. I also hard agree with Esmoire two posts up, lore should enhance character customization, not take away from it.

Just gonna go ahead and necro my own post to remind square that their own lore is stupid and it should be changed to give us the option.

Pacifists and healers exist, all people who have no reason to want to look intimidating. Highlander men aren't the only race in Ala Mhigo so why does the culture only affect them? Furthermore, they can be born outside of Ala Mhigo and the culture, or just not follow it in general. And also Highlander women still grow their eyebrows, why don't they get to look "intimidating" like the men do?

absolutely- totally agree. i mean the lore is there, but you as a player are the warrior of light - a unique. the lore doesn‘t necessarily apply to us players, since everyone has their own background story. so yes, you technically could be a highlander with eyebrows. im sure not every highlander follows that tradition, even if thats just a few of them.
also do add on to this, there are many things breaking the lore in this game.

I'll never forget how male miqote and female roegadyn were never meant to be playable, but eyebrows are just too much. This might sound bitter, and it's because I am. I swear, I'm either going to die on this hill of eyebrowless men or get banned trying.

Imagine having lore that says you can't have eye brows. That must be the reasoning for bunnies not wearing hats as well. Funny thing is I like the bunny faces but hate the weeb ears , not sure why we cannot have options to hide them, as well as options for everything else all the way down to something so simple as eye brows. top kek

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Originally Posted by HotPixels

Imagine having lore that says you can't have eye brows. That must be the reasoning for bunnies not wearing hats as well. Funny thing is I like the bunny faces but hate the weeb ears , not sure why we cannot have options to hide them, as well as options for everything else all the way down to something so simple as eye brows. top kek

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The lore says that highlanders shave their eyebrows off. Gotta have something to begin with in order to shave it off. lol Sort of contradictory, really. Logic would dictate that we should have the option to keep them.

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Originally Posted by Vahlnir

Logic would dictate that we should have the option to keep them.

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That's literally all I've wanted. The OPTION to add or remove them. Surely it shouldn't be too difficult to attach a texture to two of the four options and have the other two bald. Hell, I'd do it for them for free. I'd also like to point out that this robs any male Highlander player the option to use any facepaint except the caterpillar brows if they don't want to look like Lurch from the adams family.

I hope they add an Eye brow option like Au ra
they could even reuse Midlanders eye brows and face 3 miqote for Godbert face