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

[Terin]

I'm planning to create a brand-new character, who will serve as a placeholder to my future Au Ra, and as someone who obsesses over details (I actually suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, actually), I want to make sure I make everything "just right" for my future character. And, since even when you use Fantasia, your City-State and Starting Class remain unchanged, I want to make 100% I choose the most Lore-friendly options (even if they are ultimately insignificant).

On the one hand, A Realm Reborn really seems to revolve around Ul'dah. It's also the area in which the Au Ra first arrive in Eorzea. It's home to the Immortal Flames -- the Grand Company I think the Au Ra would most easily fit -- not to mention is the starting area for Gladiators, who become Paladins, making it an interesting "origin story" for the character's eventual journey into becoming a Dark Knight.

At the same time, though, the game's story makes a huge point in saying that the Doman refugees are NOT welcome in Ul'dah. As well, given that they've clearly traveled to Eorzea by ship, it might make more sense for them to arrive in Limsa Lominsa. While they don't appear to be pirates by trade, I'll admit, the idea of a two-handed Axe seems a bit more natural to them than a Sword-and-Shield. Yet even then, Limsa Lominsa doesn't seem terribly connected to the Au Ra's plight, and arriving there on ship might seem even more unbelievable than one starting in Ul'dah.

I know that it's all super nit-picky stuff, but it's important to me, because I really want my character to feel "perfect". It's the main reason that I refuse to Race-change this character, because being permanently flagged as having started as a Monk, plus being part of the Twin Adders, I don't think he would ever feel like a "true" Au Ra.

Anyways, please chime in, whatever your thoughts and line of reasoning are! I'm genuinely interested in hearing

[Risvertasashi]

Not even just for Au Ra... the implied story (Although some people RP something different) is that we're all from 'somewhere else'. Adventurers, bound to seek fame and fortune (or whatever else). This especially makes sense given the Doman deepening affiliations with the Adventurers' Guild in Mor Dhona.

So the logical starting point: What would motivate your character to up and leave their homeland and take on life anew, seeking out _____?

Domans are, well, refugees as you say. So that's an easy explanation to start with. I'd contend that Lominsa actually would make sense, though... it's a place where people make their own way and the organization is relatively loose (pirate heritage and all that). Pirate crews, historically, were often very democratic (relative to their time) as well. And most Limsans aren't actually pirates in these modern times; it's just their origins. Moreover, what we do know of Au Ra, they probably come from a harsh religion and thus an unforgiving lifestyle with a lot centering around survival, something that lines up with Lominsa. But ultimately, you could argue for any city-state.

The real question is... where did your character come from? Why? Based on that, then you can examine the values and dynamics of each city-state and decide which makes sense (class only has to weigh in if you want it to). Or you could even just say they landed at such and such a place because of circumstances beyond their control, something that aligns with being a refugee anyway.

With any luck we'll get more concrete details come 2.55, but right now, well, we know what we know which isn't a huge amount when it comes to the Domans, even if we've been following their plight.

Edit to add:
So for class/job... I encourage you to choose what makes sense for your character rather than "makes sense for Au Ra." See, any society needs a variety of roles to be filled to function, even if that isn't what they're known for. To pull in an RL example: Not every American is a Texan. Even in Texas, there are going to be some very shy people, and don't fit some other stereotypes (I'll avoid mentioning more specifics so we don't get political).

Based on your character's upbringing, what sort of arts would they study? Yes, Au Ra and Doman culture will influence this (but we don't know much on this front...), but your individual's story matters even more than that. Aggressive personality with all that implies in background? An axe-wielding warrior makes perfect sense. A similar backstory but more about protecting those close to them with an emphasis on honor? You've got a winning backstory for a Paladin. A more reserved, studious tactician/analytical type? Hello budding Scholar. Unusually shy, but compassionate and wanting to improve the whole war/refugee situation without killing people? Potential for white mage there.

Of course, now I'm stereotyping jobs/classes and even there, there's plenty of leeway.

tl;dr Figure out a story for your character first. Stereotypes are exactly that and don't worry too much about not conforming exactly ：)
And we don't even know very much about what the stereotypes should be yet either.

[myahele]

Isn't Limsa Lominsa the only one of the city-state to pledge support/provisions the Doman refugees as thanks for defeating Leviathan?

Additionally, Yugiri offered to train qualified Lominsans in NIN art as thanks to Merlwyb's support. Then there's also some Doman NINs currently staying in La Noscea.

Also, Limsa Lominsa has musketeers (although that's currently blocked), ACN has the starglobe as a symbol and while not like astrology still generally shares strategy/prediction and mrd also specialized in two hannded axe skills. so all of this combined means that going to ishgard wont be too much of a shock

In the end, La Noscea makes the most sense since it is less prejudiced against Domans and soon to be Au Ra. Actually, it's alot less prejudiced against everybody except for the Sahagin/Kobolds

[Risvertasashi]

Actually, it's alot less prejudiced against everybody except for the Sahagin/Kobolds

I think you found the words I was looking for. Limsa's a bit rough and tumble but, well, everything Myahele said.

[PotatoSalad]

That's a damn good question, OP. I was wondering that myself...

I'd say it depends on the Au Ra and why the hell they're even in Eorzea in the first place. We know nothing about them save for that they may be as old as the Allagans, are not Shiva's descendants, and may or may not be associated with the Dravanian Horde.

Why there is even going to be a mass exodus of far-eastern dragon and/or demon kin to mainland Eorzea is beyond me.

Also, who said that Au Ra are even from Doma or have any propensity to be there in the first place? Othard is a large continent like Eorzea which we know even less about.

The fact that Yugiri Mistwalker's name is decisively Eastern Hyuran leads me to believe that her origins and native life was anomalous and uncommon from most, if not all, Au Ra.

Perhaps she's one of those cop-out "I was adopted by *insert race here* which explains my name!" that I see some people pull in whilst roleplaying sometimes.

All in all, it's pure speculation and as much as many of us, myself especially, are itching to sink our teeth deeply in the bipedal dragonkin's lore we're fishing in the dark with a dim flashlight here.

[myahele]

Since there's 2 tribes/clans of Au Ra then it's possible that one set is more sociable/ have higher numbers (like Midlanders, seawolves, wildwood elves, seeker miqote) and that the clan Yugiri comes from is alot more accepting of Domans/live with them. Whereas the other sub set of Au Ra prefer to remain isolated and might live elsewhere like Hellsguard, Duskwight, keepers, highlanders.

Additionally, Higiri -if you chose to speak to her a few patches back- that Yugiri's people have had is worse than anyone in Doma and probably in any Garlean controlled land. As such Eorzea is the last hope

[Terin]

I guess I go back and forth. I mean, in a PERFECT world, you could start in an Au Ra refugee-camp, somewhere near either Revenant's Toll, or on the outskirts of Ishgard, as a level 1 Dark Knight. Seeing as that isn't the case, though, I can't decide.

As far as "what I envision my character being"... Well, I intend for him to be a Dark Knight. We don't know much about the Au Ra's culture, but I figure, just by looking at them, they'll be a proud race of warriors, sort of the "honorable savages" of the bunch. Which, makes it sort of tough to decide on a starting Class. I mean... I prefer the idea of a Warrior over a Paladin, but maybe a Gladiator over a Marauder, if that makes any sense? Gladiators seem to value honor more than Marauders (who basically just strike me as "Pirates by another name"), yet full-fledged Paladins seem too "regal" to suit the Au Ra, or at least how I envision them.

Still, though, I always wonder if it's worth going the route of following in Cecil's footsteps, leveling as a Paladin until I become a Dark Knight?

[myahele]

I'll have to disagree regarding MRD vs GLD. From what I've seen of the MRD guild they value honor, duty and protecting the weak/innocent. Alot of them are Yellowjackets and serve as a military/police for for Limsa Lominsa. The questline for WAR is also about controlling your inner beast lest it'll consume you....sounds exactly what a potential dark knight must overcome, except in this case it'll be darkness.

The ideal is there, but there's just too much corruption in Ul'Dah for me to take them seriously. Although, there is an appeal going from PLD to DRK.

[Terin]

True, Ul'dah suffers corruption -- interestingly, even the opening cutscene shows guard planting evidence on the intro NPC (Brendt, I think it was?). At the same time, though, Raubaun clearly values honor and might, which is something I feel like might also speak to the Au Ra. Of course, I always think of the Marauders as "Pirates", so maybe I'm undervaluing them. And I do really like the sound of an Au Ra Warrior.

I dunno, maybe others could lend more feedback? I've never really played Gladiator/Paladin or Marauder/Warrior, so more insight into their cultures would be great!

[Belhi]

Ul'dah discrimination comes more from a persons personal value than their origins. Remember that the Flame General started of as an refugee himself and through winnings in the Gladiatorial arena and some wise investments got into the Syndicate.

The discrimination towards refugees has more to do with Ul'dah's value in expecting people to make there own fortunes. While such a view is rather unfair for many refugees as opportunity isn't in great abundance, it underlines much of the distaste Ul'dah has for it's refugee problem.

A player character, regardless of race, is likely to be accepted once they start to prove their value.