Think Xaela make more sense to start in Ul'dah, or Limsa Lominsa?

[Terin]

I've asked this before in other threads, but just wanted to have a more clear, concise question.

I'm going to be race-changing this character back to his original Miqo'te self, and creating a new Au Ra character (with the same appearance as this character has now). My end-goal with him is to be a Dark Knight, but in the meantime, I want to focus *PURELY* on choosing Lore-friendly choices. Or at least, as much as possible.

On one hand, starting as a Gladiator in Ul'dah just really plays into the story well. For one, your first encounter with the Scions is Thancred, it's based literally right next to the Scions' hideout, and joining the Immortal Flame and also the Sultansworn as a Paladin, really makes a lot of sense. The whole story becomes about corruption and betrayal, and then when you flee to Ishgard, it actually makes sense; you're effectively left without a home, and for all intents and purposes, without a Grand Company. Plus, having witnessed the deep betrayal firsthand, it makes that much more sense to become a Dark Knight, taking on a mentality of "The law failed me and my people, so now I'm going to operate outside of the laws of men".

On the other hand, though, Ul'dah is also a very frivolous place. The Xaela seem like a pretty brutal, tribal people, and for as much as Raubaun seems to embody that, the rest of Ul'dah seems very complacent. I mean, their primary trade is in Goldsmithing, and they are extremely isolationist. Limsa Lominsa, on the other hand, seems to have a little more "rugged" culture. The Xaela are supposed to be nomadic, warring tribes, and Ul'dah's people don't seem don't seem quite as ambitious about expanding their borders, whereas Limsa Liminsa is a seafaring nation, so the "nomadic" lifestyle seems like a pretty good fit. Plus, I mean, should the Au Ra even *be* that personally invested in what happens to Ul'dah or the Immortal Flames? Maybe they're *supposed* to be outsiders looking in, instead of truly making Ul'dah their "home".

At the same time, though, if you're a resident of Limsa Lominsa and a member of the Maelstrom... does it really make sense for Ul'dahn's Monetarists to force you into fleeing to Ishgard? Furthermore, when the other GC leaders just up and leave, that might feel more awkward, whereas if you're a member of the Immortal Flames, then of *course* you're going to stick by Raubaun.

Although less Lore-oriented, I also try to take into account the different AF and GC sets. Paladin armor definitely seems a strange fit on the Xaela, whereas the Marauder's armor is almost a perfect match. Of course, the Maelstrom's set is firmly in the line of "Pirates", whereas the Immortal Flames' armor is very much Gladiator-inspired; both of the GC sets look awesome on the Au Ra, although my preference is more towards the Immortal Flames' gear.

I dunno... like I said, I'm really just at a loss. I want this to be a "perfect" character, where everything lines up. Even though I know you can technically change Grand Company, and your starting-class doesn't really have that much effect on the overall story, it's still something I want to consider carefully. Especially when you peer through your journal at the Inn, I want it to all "gel" together fluidly, but still befitting of a Xaela.

[DreadRabbit]

I can say having started from Ul'dah originally when I joined, the...*ahem* events of 2.55 definitely hit even harder than it probably would have otherwise. Same with Thancred's scenario. Having started the journey with him primarily helping you made the turning of events in ARR involving him sting that much more too. And was that much more thrilling when you turned things around. So if you haven't made a character starting in Ul'dah yet, I'd say go for that.

At that same time, it makes sense for the Monetarists to back you into a corner no matter what Grand Company/City you're from purely because you're the Warrior of Light and they see you as a threat. The Sultana trusted you even more than she trusted Rhaubahn in a way. And you're a beacon of hope for all peoples in all the city states. With you defamed, you no longer stand in their way and can't as easily unite the refugees for example. So if you want to start in Limsa because you like Marauder better, I'd say go for that instead.

As for the Xaela thing...the "brutal, tribal" aspect to me is more about the tribe you hail from. I haven't gotten far in HW yet so I haven't seen Au Ra NPCs yet, but for my understanding of Xaela I've been looking at this: http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Xaela

That link has quick blurbs about all of the known Xaela tribes, naming conventions, and explains each tribes' behavior. While quite a few of the tribes are indeed more "brutal" (for example, you have the two warring tribes who are constantly trying to overwhelm the other, or the all female tribe that casts out its males as soon as they're born), there are actually a good number of tribes that are more peaceful or even gave up their nomadic way of life. The tribe I chose to change my surname to (and therefore the tribe my character is from) is Malaguld, which make it a point to accept any Raen that have been persecuted or exiled from Doma. There's a tribe where the men take care of the house and home while the women hunt, and there's a tribe that decides its leader through a game of chess (exhibiting that they almost honor mind over brawn).

So really as far as crafting your character, you just have to decide what kind personality you want him to have alongside how you want to play. We're all products of our environment, so I say pick the gameplay aspects you enjoy most first and evolve your character around those choices rather than the other way around.

[Terin]

I guess my thinking is something like this...

My Xaela starts out kind of a warmonger. Very much a brutal, tribal warrior, who values "the old ways", and sets out to conquer new lands, very much a "might rules all" sort of character. Over time, he grows to value Eorzea and its people, and no longer seeks to conquer, but defend it. After the stuff that happens in 2.55, though, he instead goes to Ishgard with his fixes fixed squarely upon the Monetarists, and rather than seeking "justice", seeks vengeance, which probably blends into the Dark Knight lore. I imagine him being the kind of character that sees himself more as a leader, and particularly after the events of 2.55, returns more to his original ideal that he should be ruler of a small, powerful army, essentially a "Chieftain" of his own tribe.

....Okay, probably pretty in-depth, hah. But I feel like it's just kind of the "vibe" I get from looking at my guy, like "that's the kind of character he'd be". Kind of a loud, arrogant guy by nature, but comes to care deeply for his friends; quick to anger, and always eager for a fight, but prepared to kill or even die for his friends.

[DreadRabbit]

Well then if that's the case then yeah, the adventurer friendly vibe that Ul'dah gives, but still steeped in everyone for themselves vibe is probably what your character would be going for. Coin is king in Ul'dah, and we know that so long as you've got the coin there very rarely do your motives get questioned. So it would be easier for a character looking to build themselves up in that way to do so there than anywhere else.

[Terin]

True... but then, I figure my Xaela would be more of the mindset of "Might controls everything". In a lot of ways, Raubaun kind of embodies the ideals that I would think would suit the Xaela, but Ul'dah is also fairly lavish, maybe even "weak" in some respects, whereas Limsa Lominsa seems like someplace that more defiant personalities would fit in. More of a "I don't take no crap from nobody" sort of character might find it difficult to make their way in Ul'dah... but then, on the other hand, maybe that's what makes him journey all the more notable?

Like I said, I just want to carefully consider all the angles before making a choice. Even if the choice doesn't "technically" matter all that much, I just want to have the most consistent narrative.

Only other thing is... I actually do like Y'shtola as a character, and she doesn't get nearly enough screen-time, in my opinion (I've not experienced much of the Heavensward story, so not sure if that changes). Thancred is obviously hugely important in the 2.0 storyline, so it makes sense that interacting with him further cements the story, but then, I feel like Y'shtola could better "handle" the more hot-blooded personality of a Xaela... maybe?

[Mhikail]

You'd be loved over here in Balmung lol. I really like your idea's.

[DreadRabbit]

I do agree that seeing that dynamic between Y'shtola and a character of the personality you're going for would make for a more interesting narrative. Like not only can she go toe-to-toe with that kind of person, but perhaps your character's interactions with her would help him "cool down" for a time? Like help easing you into joining the scions rather than "hey, this would be good for you because I say so!" In this case it could actually be beneficial because Y'shtola could see the potential in your character while reigning in his more brutish tendencies.

Then everything in 2.55 blows up in his face and he reverts to his "might is right" mentality while searching for his friends.

Though do keep in mind that while a wider variety of people are accepted in Limsa on a wider scale, there's still a strict militaristic presence there. They just happen to be open-minded enough to make use of...alternative employment

[Terin]

Hmm... Anyone else care to chime in?

[sciondar]

One thing that I didn't notice get mentioned about Uldah is the focus on the colosseum. If your character is of the mind that might is right and potentially wanting to create his own tribe then wouldn't it stand to reason that he would want to show his might as a gladiator in the colosseum? That is how Rauhban attained his power. Either way you decide sounds like you'll have a lot of fun with it.

[Nikkori]

Hm... i'd say it's a toss up, though personally, given that xaela are wanderers, fond of their freedom, and like to fight, i think limsa lominsa would be a good point to start at too, given its pirate history, the fighting, and being a sea port, lots of easy travel, having to watch your back and such. Ul'dah would be a good fit as well, though I think Limsa would be the better fit overall.