Why are Alphinaud and Alisaie rather short for Elezen?

[KokonoeAiyoko]

It is said that they are both 16 so they should be taller, are they just outside of the norm?

[Anonymoose]

Childhood can last longer for Elezen (because Elezen can potentially live longer than the other races), so even though they have sixteen years on them, they might be more youthful than the average sixteen year old. If there's a discrepancy, that'd be my guess as to why.

[Cilia]

Well, that and teenagers tend to be somewhat shorter than adults in fiction so people know they're teenagers.

Plus, while highly unlikely they might just be kind of short. Perhaps their mother was a hyur?

[Ninimo_Babamo]

Plus, while highly unlikely they might just be kind of short. Perhaps their mother was a hyur?

Best Elezen insult ever? "Your mother was a Hyru!"

[Samcaesar]

I think it's an age thing and also a want to keep them still identical looking. If they aged them up (And please SE never do this) then they'd look a whole lot less like identical twins.

[WellFooled]

I think it's an age thing and also a want to keep them still identical looking. If they aged them up (And please SE never do this) then they'd look a whole lot less like identical twins.

I wouldn't mind if they aged them as time goes by. It already seems odd to me that someone as young as Alphinaud is taken so seriously in the story (leading a company, negotiating with world leaders) if he got an older appearance I think it would make it more believable for me.

[Belhi]

I wouldn't mind if they aged them as time goes by. It already seems odd to me that someone as young as Alphinaud is taken so seriously in the story (leading a company, negotiating with world leaders) if he got an older appearance I think it would make it more believable for me.

If you think of societies in the setting we are talking about and the fact that Alphinaud is basically part of an influential and rich Shalayan family, is social status makes up for his age. Alphinaud's family supplies a good portion of the Scion's finances. His words hold clout because his family holds clout.

He is a young noble basically and acts much like a young noble would. He assumes power and authority because it was the world he was raised into. Arrogent yes, but his heart is in the right place. Remember he did help that young refugee girl find her parents back in 2.3 and he is usually pretty respectful of people.

I mean, do people really want a humble Alphinaud? The would seem pretty weird to me.

[WellFooled]

If you think of societies in the setting we are talking about and the fact that Alphinaud is basically part of an influential and rich Shalayan family, is social status makes up for his age.

I mean, do people really want a humble Alphinaud? The would seem pretty weird to me.

I don't want his personality to change (well, kind of! But you know, in character progression kind of way :P) but I wouldn't mind if he was older or if the story drew attention to his age somehow. As it is, he talks down to world leaders and no one bats an eye. Imagine if a 16 year old walked around the White House arguing with the President about foreign policy. No matter how right the 16 year old might be, someone would eventually tell him it was time to find his parents.

[Samcaesar]

I don't want his personality to change (well, kind of! But you know, in character progression kind of way :P) but I wouldn't mind if he was older or if the story drew attention to his age somehow. As it is, he talks down to world leaders and no one bats an eye. Imagine if a 16 year old walked around the White House arguing with the President about foreign policy. No matter how right the 16 year old might be, someone would eventually tell him it was time to find his parents.

It really depends on their intelligence, and as smug as Aplhinaud is, he does know politics to some degree fairly well. Plus talking about age/appearance being associated to credibility in concerns to this FFXIV's universe seems a little difficult when Lalafell are a thing.

[Belhi]

I don't want his personality to change (well, kind of! But you know, in character progression kind of way :P) but I wouldn't mind if he was older or if the story drew attention to his age somehow. As it is, he talks down to world leaders and no one bats an eye. Imagine if a 16 year old walked around the White House arguing with the President about foreign policy. No matter how right the 16 year old might be, someone would eventually tell him it was time to find his parents.

There is two factors to consider here. Firstly, this is a very different setting to modern day. We are in a suedo medieval setting with noble houses and monarchies. In such a setting young members of the ruling families of such houses would be expected to represent their family. Further, remember several Gridania's leaders are often physically younger than Aplhinaud. Kan-E-Senna is physically somewhere between 14 and 16 years old.

The second to consider is if a 16 year old of enough influence went to talk to the President of America and argue about Foreign policy, he would likely talk to the kid because influence and connections trump age. Anyone who was stupid enough to risk offending a high ranking visitor by telling them it was time to find his parents and likely offend a foreign dignitary would be kicked out of the diplomatic corp.