Eorzean Races, Aging and Maturity

[Bonbori]

Yet, the one male face with facial hair is that of a wrinkled old man...

If I'm not wrong, that face was used by both of the Nuhns we've encountered in game. So maybe they're not actually old, just really really really... tired? n_~

For a good example of someone who looks way older than he is (and it's probably stress-induced): YoshiP

[Iscah]

I think we're supposed to assume that all races age at a human-like rate, unless it's specifically stated that they do not.

Miqo'tes' looks stop aging at about 20. It's actually in the lore.

They still age, but their looks remain young.

There's nothing in the lorebook page on Miqo'te to indicate this.

Unless it's supported elsewhere, the idea may come from Y'shtola's profile, which doesn't give her actual age but just describes it as "the hands of time ever stopped on twenty and three" - however, I've seen this brought up elsewhere that it's some kind of Sharlayan enchantment that simply makes her appear younger than she actually is. (And likewise being used by the other Scions - eg. possibly why 32-year-old Thancred suddenly looks older after losing the ability to use magic. Though of course there are other factors there.)

Really ? I did not know that ! That explains a lot about F'lhaminn, I always wondered why Minfilia's adoptive mother looked so young lol

According to her profile, she's only 37.

I do remember reading that Elezen age slower than other races, but only by a factor of like ten years, with a relatively normal life span otherwise.

Something like that. 10%-20% is a good estimate. (eg. Edmont, who is 59 but probably looks more like 50.)

Then there's the Padjal who are stuck at looking the age of a preteen while at least being able to live a few hundred years. Kan-E-Sena being the exception as she used a spell that makes her look older so the other leaders would take her seriously.

Not sure about that with Kan-E. I think she's just using makeup to look older.

She shouldn't need to be concerned about looking like an adult to be taken seriously among the leaders, when there's a Lalafell in the group. Though it might make more sense for dealing with other people in Gridania, where Lalafells are uncommon - but then on the other hand, Padjals are more familiar and highly respected.

If I'm not wrong, that [older] face was used by both of the Nuhns we've encountered in game. So maybe they're not actually old, just really really really... tired? n_~

I double-checked - yes they do both use that face. So does X'rhun Tia from the red mage quests. (U'odh Nunh is 43; X'rhun would be around that age but I don't have the second lorebook for his profile or M'rahz.)

I think it makes sense that older, more battle-experienced males are able to hold their position and not get pushed out by someone young and fiery, but inexperienced (see: M'zhet Tia). It's a matter of skill in battle, not raw physical strength.