For those interested, here is the original article confirming the new playable race, the Viangaa, http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/blog/000029.html.

Among the race's more notable qualities, due to their smell, they are unable to ride mounts and will aggro all enemies in the field, store prices are 10% lower for them, and speaking to other races is forbidden. Use of the chat window will summon a Viangaa assassin to stalk the player.

I must admit, I read the text of the seasonal quest, but I missed the reference to the Viangaa. Nice catch.