lalafell? Roegadyn? Elezen? .....highlander?

[FJerome]

That was my point.

I don't understand what you're trying to say? Shatotto wouldn't follow the ABB syllable rhythm of a plainsfolk lady's name written or pronounced in either Japanese or English.

[Eloah]

I don't understand what you're trying to say? Shatotto wouldn't follow the ABB syllable rhythm of a plainsfolk lady's name written or pronounced in either Japanese or English.

What I was saying was that lalafellian names are broken into individual syllables similar to kana in japanese. In both cases, english and japanese, the syllables are Sha-to-to (シャ-ト-ト), which fits with the female plainsfolk naming scheme. But in both cases an extra "linguistic marker" is added to pay homage to Shantotto from XI. In english this is the double consonant, similar to names like Michele/Michelle or Mitchel/Mitchell, in english it can be more personal preference, but the name doesn't change. In japaness however a small tsu (ッ) is added instead. This is a practice done on a few words and names to make them sound "cuter", or more endearing, Yukki, Yujji, Mikko, etc. Which, seeing as how she was a lalafell it makes sense, but also, and this is mere speculation, if Shatotto's personality is similar to Shantotto's than trying to make her appear cute instead of life threatening might of been the reason, but that's just an outlandish thought.

Anyway I hope that clears it up a little.

[Vexander]

In any rate, many statues in old shrines still confuse me. The statues in Qarn, for example, have nice long tails but don't look like Miqo'te or Auri peoples. :/

I took the statues in Qarn to be a representation of something other than a race, though. Perhaps even inspired by tales of Voidsent since they were designed to protect Qarn from outsiders. Its not as if we assume winged lions and an angel race existed in Amdapor. Sometimes a statue is just an artistic work, rather than an indication of a race.

Or maybe Qarn had Amal'jaa residents and the statue was modeled after an Amal'jaa-Hyur halfbreed.

[Daemius]

So I just finished catching up on the flavor text for my minions. The Cait Sith doll had an interesting tidbit:

The clockwork rendition of an enigmatic cat spirit from the pages of Midlander mythology, Goldsmiths' Guild guildmaster Serendipity crafted this life-like figuring to bring joy to those children who were orphaned in the Calamity

I guess we can't completely rule out midlanders as a part of Mhach society seeing as Cait Sith is part of their mythology