Sex between the Races Lore?

[Cybylt]

The metamorphosis of dragons was in the first encyclopedia.

We've seen dragons of Bahamut and Tiamat's brood in Coil and Aszys Lla, they follow the same morphology we've seen in Hraesvelgr and Nidhogg with the one possible exception of the 'Coeurl' Dragons which are land-bound dragons that develop agility rather than heavy defensive shells. The metamorphosis chart says the Brobinyak which we see among Nidhogg's brood is the stage before that, though.

"Her remaining brood can still be seen soaring through the skies, the wanderlust of their progenitor flowing strong through their veins."

Bahamut and Tiamat do feel like the most obvious draw because of titles, but they don't hold exclusive claim to day/night dichotomies and to our knowledge they'd only ever lived in Meracydia, and the Au'ra had lived on the Othardian continent since at least the time of Allag. There's also a pretty fundamental gap in the whole idea in that dragons came to the world after the sundering, and au'ra have counterparts on the reflections indicating the race was present before it.

[TheMightyMollusk]

I wouldn't take mythical dragons as an indication of real dragons having existed until you can prove that we've had real dragons on Earth at some point.

[LineageRazor]

Unfortunately that item description only states, "A popular >>>theory<<< is that Odin acquired the blade upon slaying an Auri warrior who was the first ever to notch his theretofore unsullied plate."

In fact, we know this theory to not be true - at least, not exactly. Odin would not have acquired the blade - he would have been acquired BY the blade. Zantetsuken is the true primal, as we discovered in the Odin trial quests. We also later learned that Zantetsuken was one of the weapons created in Baldesion Arsenal. It's been a while since I ran through the Baldesion Arsenal quests, but I believe that it was stated that the Arsenal was created by the Allagans. So, in order of appearance: Allagans -> Arsenal -> Zantetsuken. This means that the Auri warrior in the legend probably does not predate the Allagan Empire.

I wouldn't take mythical dragons as an indication of real dragons having existed until you can prove that we've had real dragons on Earth at some point.

Ah, but we HAVE had real dragons! Dinosaurs!

I'm being flippant, but it's likely the case that the widespread dragon legends likely have do with the fact that dinosaur bones can be found pretty much all over the world.

In regards to kujoestars's remark that all irl creatures that reproduce asexually also reproduce sexually, consider that FFXIV dragons are VERY unlike irl creatures. Irl creatures need sexual reproduciton in order to mutate and evolve over generations - but FFXIV dragons mutate and evolve within their own (considerably long) individual lifespans. This could well negate the evolutionary advantage that sexual reproduction brings to the table.

It's worth noting, though, that in spite of this, dragons for some reason choose to be gendered, and choose to pair off into mated pairs (such as Tiamat and Bahamut). Whether these mated pairs actually do reproduce sexually, or only do it for companionship is unknown.

[kujoestars]

I wouldn't take mythical dragons as an indication of real dragons having existed until you can prove that we've had real dragons on Earth at some point.

In fact, we know this theory to not be true - at least, not exactly. Odin would not have acquired the blade - he would have been acquired BY the blade. Zantetsuken is the true primal, as we discovered in the Odin trial quests. We also later learned that Zantetsuken was one of the weapons created in Baldesion Arsenal. It's been a while since I ran through the Baldesion Arsenal quests, but I believe that it was stated that the Arsenal was created by the Allagans. So, in order of appearance: Allagans -> Arsenal -> Zantetsuken. This means that the Auri warrior in the legend probably does not predate the Allagan Empire.

Posted too slow, but FASCINATING!!!! That means the Allagan creation theory IS possible (and the Allagns locked up a LOT of dergs......)

Ah, but we HAVE had real dragons! Dinosaurs!

I'm being flippant, but it's likely the case that the widespread dragon legends likely have do with the fact that dinosaur bones can be found pretty much all over the world.

In regards to kujoestars's remark that all irl creatures that reproduce asexually also reproduce sexually, consider that FFXIV dragons are VERY unlike irl creatures. Irl creatures need sexual reproduciton in order to mutate and evolve over generations - but FFXIV dragons mutate and evolve within their own (considerably long) individual lifespans. This could well negate the evolutionary advantage that sexual reproduction brings to the table.

It's worth noting, though, that in spite of this, dragons for some reason choose to be gendered, and choose to pair off into mated pairs (such as Tiamat and Bahamut). Whether these mated pairs actually do reproduce sexually, or only do it for companionship is unknown.

Hmm, fair point. Although, there is the question on whether or not men-turned-dragons gain their reproductive physiology or not.

[MikkoAkure]

Posted too slow, but FASCINATING!!!! That means the Allagan creation theory IS possible (and the Allagns locked up a LOT of dergs......)

The fact remains that neither the Allagans nor the dragons have been to the First. While the Allagans did portal their way to a different shard, there's no evidence they did so with the First and none of the other Allagan creations exist there. There are no Ixal, Ananta, chimera, etc. An au ra in Ishgard vehemently denies being related to dragons at all and the lorebook explicitly denies a connection.

[Gula]

I wouldn't take mythical dragons as an indication of real dragons having existed until you can prove that we've had real dragons on Earth at some point.

We got Komodo dragons that's enough.

[Iscah]

The First has "dragons" - the glider-type enemies that look like lizards until they go into attack mode.

It's not clear if they have any relevance to the alien dragons of the Source or if they're just something unrelated that visually resembles them.

Also there is no in-game reason to draw a connection to Au Ra being something special, beyond their appearance. They don't have extended lifespans or special powers or anything. As far as we're told, they're just another variety of oddly-shaped-but-otherwise-normal human.

[kujoestars]

The fact remains that neither the Allagans nor the dragons have been to the First. While the Allagans did portal their way to a different shard, there's no evidence they did so with the First and none of the other Allagan creations exist there. There are no Ixal, Ananta, chimera, etc. An au ra in Ishgard vehemently denies being related to dragons at all and the lorebook explicitly denies a connection.

Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but the First has an iteration of the Crystal Tower, yes? Because of alternate timeline shenanigans. I still need to actually see for myself, but the fact it’s there leaves the possibility. Maybe not as likely, but there given the non-linear nature of time between Shards.

Also, unless there is another Au Ra in Ishgard who isn’t Sidurgu, you’re flat out wrong on that . Sid never “vehemently denied” relation to dragons; only angrily described the reason his family was slaughtered. He really had nothing against dragons at all and I doubt he knows himself if there’s relation or not (though obviously he’d have to deny it to avoid being murdered like his family regardless). The lorebook entry on Au Ra is also straight up word-for-word the Character Creation description, which just says it’s debateable, so it doesn’t “explicitly confirm” there’s no connection. EDIT: I checked the pages I found again and actually it straight up says NOTHING about their ancestry besides the Azim/Nhaama thing. That’s an even bigger strike against your claim. :|


A point I somehow forgot to mention before is that if you look at the wall on the exterior of the Dawn Thrown, the carving of Azim’s face looks VERY draconic because aside from the obvious Auri horns, the face is distinctly muzzled like a stylized version of some dragons’ faces. I don’t have the screenshot on my current device, but it stood out for me enough when i got to that cutscene to snap a few shots. I’ll see if I can post later.

Basically, I’m VERY suspicious of the two First Brood members we see and hear exactly zip about. It’s possible they have the Auri traits other dragons don’t have.

Also there is no in-game reason to draw a connection to Au Ra being something special, beyond their appearance. They don't have extended lifespans or special powers or anything. As far as we're told, they're just another variety of oddly-shaped-but-otherwise-normal human.

Appearance is literally all that’s special about them. Still doesn’t rule out distant ancestry though. ;p

[Iscah]

Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but the First has an iteration of the Crystal Tower, yes? Because of alternate timeline shenanigans. I still need to actually see for myself, but the fact it’s there leaves the possibility. Maybe not as likely, but there given the non-linear nature of time between Shards.

There is indeed a Crystal Tower on the First, but its reason for being there has nothing to do with the Allagans. If you don't know the details yet, all will be explained in time.

[Kidria]

The Crystal Tower on the First is literally the one from the Source, just from a different time, as the Exarch explains when you arrive to Crystarium. That wouldn't allude to Au Ra being Allagan made, as The Kingdom of Voeburt of the First was established before then and were lead by the Drahn(Au Ra). I believe the ancient Ronkan empire of the First also had Drahn royalty? I'd have to go back on on the Qitari quests to confirm that.