Viera as the next new race~ Show your support

[JunseiKei]

Um, no. It's listed under Au'ra concept art because they created it on the side for fun during the Au'ra concept art process. The actual concept itself had nothing to do with Au'ra though. Those are 100% legit 14 crafted concept Viera race, created for fun, knowing it wasn't being put in the game in the near future. More than likely done because of the feedback they had up to that point with the fanbase desiring Viera and the artists thought they'd take a shot at a few concepts.

Considering it was being showcased with all of the other Au Ra concepts and labelled in the art book as such (viera, demonic/draconic with male and female even split up, viangaa, and beastly). While being in the artbook for Heavensward, which becomes quite silly if they, as you put it, knew it wasn't being put in the game in the near future.