Question for the Devs, please; what City or Class makes the most sense for the Xaela?

So, I've posted here in the past, and I'm sure some of you probably remember. Long-story short; I have OCD (actually diagnosed), and as much as I *LOVE* FFXIV, I've had a hard time really committing to the game since Heavensward came out, because I'm trying to decide which Class and/or City "fits" best for my Xaela to start out as.

I realize that Xaela were always kind of intended to become Dark Knights, but that still leaves the hiccup of determining where to start. With most Races and Clans, you can see their cultures kind of gravitate towards certain classes or cities, or at least general regions. The Xaela, on the other hand, are still largely kind of a mystery, as are the Raen for that matter.

What is the Xaela culture like? Would they gravitate more toward Ul'dah, as Gladiators and Paladins? Or more towards Limsa Lominsa, as Marauders and Warriors?

Obviously, the creative role-player can come up with a reason to make anything work. I also realize that none of these options will ever fit *PERFECTLY* for the Xaela, as they don't technically exist on Eorzea until much later in the game's story. Again, though, I'm just looking for what fits *BEST*, and thus far, I've been unable to reach any sort of conclusion.

I'm not asking for some officiall, definitive "Well, all Xaela would naturally start here", so much as as a vote of support like "We think this city or class probably resonates the most with the Xaela culture". As simple as it may sound, that alone would completely settle my mind, and let me finally get on with actually playing my character and enjoying the full scope of the game!

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Originally Posted by Terin

What is the Xaela culture like? Would they gravitate more toward Ul'dah, as Gladiators and Paladins? Or more towards Limsa Lominsa, as Marauders and Warriors?

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http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...=1#post3039574

Read about their tribes. They're all over the place.

True, but it's still sort of the same deal; there's nothing really indicative of which Class or City they might favor. There's one Tribe that references Ishgard, but since we can't start there, it doesn't much help with the initial decision.

Probably, Doma. The Au Ra comes from out of Eorzea, form the Othar continent. Doma is a city state in this continent. Au Ra are based on Asian culture (japanese and mongolian). Cities from Eorzea are not their homeland. So, probably, this means the Samurai class or ninja, since they come from than land (Yugiri (Raen) is a ninja, so, maybe Xaela are Samurais). The Dark Knigh in fact suits them, but I don't remember now the origin of the Dark Knight (maybe it is ishgard).

But, Doma is no in the game yet (maybe in the future) and you can choose only between the first three cities as your city state.

Maybe you choice could be ninja and Limsa Lomisa. As Yugiri and their ninjas stablisehd his first guild here (no samurai yet, but maybe in the future...).

The Au Ra in the little ladies day event was from a merchant family that came to Ul'dah so that might be a good place to start?

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Originally Posted by ChandraNoctis

The Au Ra in the little ladies day event was from a merchant family that came to Ul'dah so that might be a good place to start?

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Indeed. "What is the reason for your character coming to the city?" I think is the most important factor in determining which city to pick. I picked Ul'dah for the reason of trade. Of course, the other cities could work just as well for that. But Ul'dah seemed like the place to go if I wanted to make it big.

I'd say limsa.

You're character had some sort of a massive fight with the rest of their family, got sick and tired of all the crap they put ypu through, and hopped on the next boat out of the country and added up in a port city across the ocean. Now you're free to follow the path you wanted to instead of what your family wanted you to do.

With a back story like that, it opens you up to play whatever role you want.

It sounds like you want your character's backstory to include your starting city as well, so... Mine may/may not be a stretch due to lore reasons (I haven't had someone proofread it yet ;; ), but here's how I fit things in:

My character's tribe was one of those that was defeated and absorbed by the Jhungid tribe. In an attempt to save their daughter from being forced into war against their rival tribe, the Kharlu, her parents entrusted her care to a small group of merchants, which was to traverse from the eastern coastlands to the colony of Sharlayan. She was only an infant at this time, unnamed and with no record of her past. When at last the merchant group arrived at their final destination, they actually ended up attempting to sell her as a servant. The buyer ended up being from a very small family of a forgotten tribe of Keepers of the Moon: and that family happened to be particularly adept in the field of Sharlayan astrology. They gave her her first name, as well as their clan name. (My character actually started as a Miqo'te and I had to think of a way to make the name still work, so... ;;;; ) They regarded her as being blessed by Nymeia for having safely made it all this way and for having fallen into their hands rather than the hands of someone who would use her as a slave. Naturally, they began to teach her Sharlayan astrology... and it became apparent that she had an incredible talent for harnessing the powers of celestial aether. As her power grew, it eventually caught the attention of the Forum, which began to show concern at the fact that such a young Astrologian could harness the power that she could. Eventually, they set out to apprehend her. Worried what might happen to her at the hands of the Forum, her family, when she was around 7 years old, made the painful decision to send her off again with a group of merchants: this time to Ishgard. This time, they sent with her a letter that she was to serve as an assistant at Ishgard's Athenaeum Astrologicum (a place with which the family had plenty of friendly and scholarly correspondences), and that, due to "safety concerns", she was to wear the masked, hooded cloaks she was sent with at all times. (A being with horns and scales in Ishgard, especially the Pillars would, after all, prove problematic.) She lived here the remainder of her childhood, until shortly after the Calamity, when increased activity from the dragons put the city on high alert. Word got out among the High Houses (which, of course, eventually reached the Heavens' Ward) that there was a "child of sin" among them, and a witch hunt began. With the aid of the only friend she was able to make throughout her stay there and yet another merchant's carriage that was arranged for her, she was forced to flee into the night, seeking refuge in Gridania. She continued to study Sharlayan astrology and practice it in secret, while aiding the Conjurer's guild and learning the arts of conjury herself.

Aaaand that's about as condensed of a version as I can get it. ;;;; It's a lot longer and more complicated than that, but that's the gist of it. To be honest, a lot of me trying to figure out her backstory was built around me trying to fit the things I had imagined for her in with what the game presented. Still a lot of tweaking to be done, but I feel like the rough outline there MIGHT be solid enough. ;;;;

So yeah. I started in Gridania as a WHM intending to main AST, and that's how I managed to (sort of) make it work. ;;;; You might actually have better luck if you request that this thread be moved to the Lore forums. Not that this was a bad place to ask this question, but you'll probably find a lot better insight there.

Which city makes the most sense entirely depends on your character itsself.
You come from outside of Eorzea, so think about how/why you came here. By ship always makes sense, just the way the Domans who are also from Othard did as well.
If you came by land instead, Gridania probably makes more sense, as it is the closest to the northeastern continent which you'd have to cross.
With airships, pretty much anything goes.
Are you a fleeing refugee with nothing left but their clothes, or someone wealthy who came to Eorzea for his trades (so maybe start in Ul'dah instead)? Although this is probably the least likely for a Xeala.
As for guilds: the same. We know there are mage Xeala, physical fighters, etc.; so anything goes. It's like asking "Which weapon is a Hyur most likely to use?"..any. Any, is the answer.

I dunno, I feel like most races, besides Hyur, generally gravitate towards certain cities. Miqo'te, for example, only have their own settlements in Thanalan, so Ul'dah makes a little more sense than the others, to me. Elezen are generally more grounded near Gridania, while Sea Wolves are definitely bound to Limsa Lominsa (Hellsguard strike me as being drawn more towards Ul'dah).

I suppose my thinking is that, Yoshi-P has said before that he thinks the Dark Knight really fits the Au Ra, so I just wonder if maybe there has been any indication that the Au Ra -- Xaela, specifically -- would be more welcome in one city than another? Or for that matter, if Xaela should start in Ul'dah, just to further drive the "event" of 2.55, which might push them further towards becoming a Dark Knight?

Okay, as the linked thread says: the Xaela are based on a Mongolian way of life.
Taking that there are options for all places.
Black Shroud: Mongolians conquered Moskovia and it resulted in a new 'breed' of the mongolian steppe and the moskovian forests. Your Xaela could be something like that, an offspring of steppe and forest life. On top of that, Gridiania has archers, and the Mongols were best known for their skill in mounted archery combat.
Limsa Lominsa: enough grass to have the herds of horses graze, and is viable considering Mongols conquered parts of Korea and China, which were close to the ocean.
Uldah: Rather barren for mongol hord, and lore wise a bit weird considering Uldah is using advanced technical progress to sustain itself, something the Mongols never did, nor did they converse with people in this stage of technical progress.
Just a take from a history student :)

If you actually had OCD, you'd make sure to post in the appropriate section for this, which is "Lore". No need to make a story to mooch an answer.

This is actually the third or fourth time they've posted this question I think over the course of the year. No need to be rude. That's also not how OCD works.

Well, not getting my hopes up, but... it would sure be nice to get an answer -- or even opinion -- from one of the Devs :)

A dev answer probably isn't forthcoming, but since Xaela culture is based on those of the Mongolians (and miscellaneous other steppe cultures) you can probably do some extrapolation.

If I had to just go off the cuff, the sparse and arid Thanalan region would feel the most "close to home" for many of the tribes, although they might feel Ul'dah's high walls and labyrinthine politics distasteful. Still, those kinds of situations might make for a more compelling character hook. Also worth noting: The Immortal Flames Allied Seal armor look great with Xaela scale colors.

Conversely, while the Shroud natives might turn a distrustful eye to a visitor as strange as a Xaela, the guilds of Gridania practice nothing if not familiar arts to one such as them. Foraging, tanning, archery and spear-fighting go hand in hand with the nomadic lifestyle, and as far as Conjurers are concerned: If Xaela spirituality bears any resemble to the Tengri shamanism of the ancient Mongols (and there's perfectly good reason to assume as much), they might view the Seedseers as nothing less than long-distant brethren, one with the wood as they are one beneath the sky, to put it poetically.

I can't think of a whole lot to connect them with Limsa-Lominsa, but it's easy to imagine the far-ranging Xaela finding friendship with the far-sailing Sea Wolves, and "marauder" certainly describes a favorite pastime.

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Originally Posted by Vidrian

<historical facts>

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I like the cut of your jib.

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Originally Posted by Terin

I dunno, I feel like most races, besides Hyur, generally gravitate towards certain cities. Miqo'te, for example, only have their own settlements in Thanalan, so Ul'dah makes a little more sense than the others, to me.

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Miqo'te also have a very deep and long history with Gridania (the mooncat ones). The non-beady-eyed Lalafell are equally common in Gridania AND Limsa, and so on.
Also keep in mind that Au Ra are not from this continent (well, the others aren't originally either, but they've lived on Aldenard for hundreds to thousands of years, at least). So Au Ra can't gravitate to certain cities because there ARE no Auri settlements in Eorzea yet.

True, there's no "canon" starting point for Au Ra, I just figure there might be a "best" fit for them. Like... I could see the Raen fitting in pretty well in Gridania, at least based on the short blurb of their clan's biography on the character-creation screen. Xaela, on the other hand, I feel like could just as easily fit both Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa, but in other ways, don't really fit either.

Like I said, I wish there was some kind of "official" response. I know that the Au Ra aren't really canon prior to ARR ending, but again, just trying to make the best with what we have to work with. Clearly, the Devs put a ton of thought into their racial background, what with all those tribes they listed. Perhaps they have an answer for "Well, it isn't a PERFECT fit, but <X> city-state is a little closer to what we envisioned for the Xaela".

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Originally Posted by Terin

True, there's no "canon" starting point for Au Ra, I just figure there might be a "best" fit for them. Like... I could see the Raen fitting in pretty well in Gridania, at least based on the short blurb of their clan's biography on the character-creation screen. Xaela, on the other hand, I feel like could just as easily fit both Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa, but in other ways, don't really fit either.

Like I said, I wish there was some kind of "official" response. I know that the Au Ra aren't really canon prior to ARR ending, but again, just trying to make the best with what we have to work with. Clearly, the Devs put a ton of thought into their racial background, what with all those tribes they listed. Perhaps they have an answer for "Well, it isn't a PERFECT fit, but <X> city-state is a little closer to what we envisioned for the Xaela".

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They put alot of work into making each city mutiracial in contrast to most games and particularly ff 11. Each character starts as an outsider who has traveled to that city. So trying to get the Devs to play match character to city is going against the intent.

Not necessarily. We're clearly not going to be visiting Othard any time soon, so they might be able to shed a little more light on what the Xaela are really like. We have a ton of history behind their clans, but we don't know all that much about how they speak, or what they value. Individual players can always come up with their own lore-friendly stories, but most races still have kind of a "default". Like I said, Miqo'te generally are pulled to Ul'dah (well, Seekers of the Sun in any case), Elezen are generally found near Gridania... that sort of thing. The Xaela aren't really found anyone on Eorzea yet, but perhaps the Devs might have some idea which city they might initially gravitate towards/

Even if it's as simple as "This Terin guy has been whining for an entire year, let's just come up with an answer to shut him up" :P

It doesn't matter...

"The Elezen once claimed sole dominion over Eorzea, their presence predating that of the other races,"

You are all trespassers anyway. SO GET OFF MY LAWN!

Judging how the devs treat the WoL (i.e. making them a silent protagonist, leaving it up to the player to interpret their actions/decisions), an answer like what you're looking for is unlikely. At best you'd get a response like 'any of the cities are fine since they're not native to Eorzea'.

For me personally I'd go with Limsa if you intend to start as a Tank before going DRK, since the MRD background seems more alluring for a tribe accustomed to bloodshed and the like (for instance, the guild owner asks if you're prepared to be covered in the blood of your enemies).

Really should have gone with Lore forum either way if it's a dev response you're looking for. That place seems to get the most responses to stuff like this. Don't get your hopes up though.

Personally, I'd say if you really can't decide on one, just say your Xaela came with the Domans and go with Limsa Lominsa.

There are as many Miqo Npcs in Limisa as the other two cities. So no that's not true at all. The point of not having racial cities means the intention of the Devs is NOT to have "Race x gravitates towards here" but rather to show a greater level of diversity than other games.

I dunno; most races definitely gravitate towards certain areas. There are the occasional NPC's who venture out, for sure, but there are always exceptions. The only race who really doesn't fall into that are Midlanders. The Au Ra don't really gravitate towards anywhere right now (at best, Ishgard), but since new characters still have to start somewhere, it'd just be awesome to have some guidance.