"Man" and races of Eorzea

It has been mine and a few others' assumptions that the races in Eorzea are all considered the same species. NPCs such as the Primals refer to all of the PC races as "Man" and the fact that there is the assumption that cross-race bred characters are also able to breed is another. So far, what we know of the reason why it is low is because of cultural frowning upon. Nothing to state it's because it would produce sterile children, etc.

Or are they different species that "Man" is used abstractly?

If they were different species, the viability for mixed children would be much lower, but we do know there are some mixes out there as confirmed by the lore team. So yes, the 5 player races are indeed races (although due to the vast anatomical differences, I'd call them breeds) are of the same species.

As far as interracial relationships go, there does seem to be a large cultural taboo for it, even more than same-sex relationships. My guess stems from the fact that the races each value vastly different lifestyles and climates, which probably puts them at odds with other races, or even clans within their own race.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...12#post2254212

Selfishly plugging one of my own posts where I answered with sources, please forgive. Not some of its contents have been contested by otheres but the dev link is there as well for you to make up your own mind.

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Originally Posted by Velox

If they were different species, the viability for mixed children would be much lower, but we do know there are some mixes out there as confirmed by the lore team. So yes, the 5 player races are indeed races (although due to the vast anatomical differences, I'd call them breeds) are of the same species.

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Well, horses and donkeys are different species, but still close enough to crossbreed easily enough. The mules resulting from that crossbreeding are usually infertile, but viable in all other respects. So I'm not sure we can take just the existence of a few mixed-breeds as clear proof of being the same species (though it certainly suggests a likelihood that they are).

However, in this post:

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Originally Posted by Fernehalwes

Yes, but it is rare...and often difficult due to cultural differences, etc. which is why you don't see it often.

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Fernehalwes cites "cultural differences" as the main reason why it's rare/difficult. So, is the strength of the cultural taboo based in part on the infertility of cross-species offspring? Or is it simply a matter of each race having a cultural preference for their own kind?

I think it's more likely that we're different races/breeds/subspecies of the same species, but it's not 100% clear.

"Man" refers to the Enlightened Races: Hyur, Elezen, Mi'qote, Lalafell, Roegadyn. "Beastman" refers to the beast tribe races: Amalj'aa, Ixal, Kobold, Sahagin, Moogle, Dragonkin, Goblins, etc. "Beast" refers to races that have not achieved conscious thought and intelligence: all the other mobs in the game.

I think it's like Horses and Donkeys, or Lions and Tigers, or Whales and Dolphins. Closely related, can interbreed (though uncommon), and the offspring can only rarely reproduce. Couple that with the social taboo, and you really get the picture of it almost never happening, and it not leading to an ultimate mixing between the five (now six?) races.