Viera and Hrothgar Megathread

[Halivel]

Technically, like others have said, the player character is an exception. It's not like there are really hundreds or thousands of male viera actually leaving the forest, it's just player character, and a potential handful of NPCs. Other player characters aren't really canon, specifically not racial distribution and population. However, when it comes to things like a playable Garlean, for example, this excuse is made for their exclusion. Even though, as others have stated, the player character is an exception.

Tbh I feel like with Garleans the real issue isn't the fact they're from enemy side or something, it's more that Garleans can't utilize aether, and all jobs do use it, even physical ones. That said... we're getting Reaper, which is basically an angry Garlean farmer, and plus yes, player is an exception, so why not. Not that it will ever happen at this point, apparently, but lore-wise there aren't really that many reasons for making Garleans not available for playing, if they ever wanted to implement them in future.

[Jandor]

However, when it comes to things like a playable Garlean, for example, this excuse is made for their exclusion. Even though, as others have stated, the player character is an exception.

It's not just that the surrounding lore doesn't make sense, the actual main story itself would be verging on farcical if played through as a Garlean.

[Tyssyn]

Not really, look at Cid, he defected. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that another Garlean would defect.

[RyuDragnier]

Tbh I feel like with Garleans the real issue isn't the fact they're from enemy side or something, it's more that Garleans can't utilize aether, and all jobs do use it, even physical ones. That said... we're getting Reaper, which is basically an angry Garlean farmer, and plus yes, player is an exception, so why not. Not that it will ever happen at this point, apparently, but lore-wise there aren't really that many reasons for making Garleans not available for playing, if they ever wanted to implement them in future.

MOST Garleans can't utilize aether. Some can in fact use it, but they are few and far between. So having a playable Garlean wouldn't be a problem in that lore aspect. The problem would be more hiding the 3rd Eye, since that's kind of their main thing. Eorzea wouldn't exactly just accept a Garlean out of the blue...but after destroying Praetorium, they'd look more kindly upon one likely. Though I'm still of the mindset that people can always pretend their WoL is half-garlean, since interspecies children is possible (though incredibly rare).

[Iscah]

Not really, look at Cid, he defected. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that another Garlean would defect.

Yes, but the difference is that he is a fixed character and the story can dwell on the fact that he is Garlean but well-known as a defector and already known to most of the people he deals with, plus he keeps his third eye hidden with a costume set by the game designers. Likewise for Lucia.

Make it the player character who may or may not be Garlean, and if Garlean may or may not make any effort to disguise that fact, and either they need special dialogue written for them or it's just left strangely un-remarked on.

It's odd enough having Hrothgar when the beast tribes are talked about in such negative terms, but that seems to be handwaved by them being a race that has apparently always existed and always been regarded as "men" despite their appearance. You can't make the same excuse for Garleans, an existing race with an existing reputation.

[Duskane]

Doesn't help they have just appeared all over the story as just elezen or Hyurs with a pearl on there forehead

[Jandor]

Not really, look at Cid, he defected. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that another Garlean would defect.

It is beyond the realm of possibility that the main character would be a Garlean defector and no one on either side would ever mention it though.

[HeyMcFly]

I hope female Viera also get more Viera-themed hairstyles (alongside the modern aesthetics hair)

I've even spent the morning drawing up hairstyle designs I'd personally like to see on Viera- basing them off of tactics & xii- I'll post later if anyone is interested

As much as I'd love a redmage hat on my Viera- I'm also okay with not getting hats as long as the SE designers still give Viera unique hairstyles- particularly ones with the filigree ear diadems you see occasionally. I think if more effort was put towards adding headpieces/ feathers/ hair jewelry, etc. on future hairstyles I myself, wouldn't want to cover it up with a hat.

I know I don't want the remaining vanilla hairstyles on Viera

[Halivel]

MOST Garleans can't utilize aether. Some can in fact use it, but they are few and far between. So having a playable Garlean wouldn't be a problem in that lore aspect. The problem would be more hiding the 3rd Eye, since that's kind of their main thing. Eorzea wouldn't exactly just accept a Garlean out of the blue...but after destroying Praetorium, they'd look more kindly upon one likely. Though I'm still of the mindset that people can always pretend their WoL is half-garlean, since interspecies children is possible (though incredibly rare).

Well, there are several half-Garleans in the story, so it shouldn't be an issue in their case. Most also don't have 3rd eye (due to it apparently being recessive gene so it has low chance to appear in mixed couples), so if we pretend that WoL is mixed, they likely wouldn't have 3rd eye anyway. Another thing is though - they don't seem to have an established design. Most Garleans we saw a taller Elezens and Hyurs, rather than something separate. It probably would have made more sense to add them as a clan to existing races, rather than as a separate one (even though they are its own race).

[Iscah]

Well, there are several half-Garleans in the story, so it shouldn't be an issue in their case. Most also don't have 3rd eye (due to it apparently being recessive gene so it has low chance to appear in mixed couples), so if we pretend that WoL is mixed, they likely wouldn't have 3rd eye anyway.

At which point your character is now indistinguishable from a Hyur, so you just need to play as one and claim to be half-Garlean in your character notes.