Lupin - make it a playable race!

[Nestama]

While ARR could definitely use finetuning (it was dreadful orz), it really shouldn't be retconned. The trip in the wagon when we first start our journey wasn't the issue of ARR, after all (nor was the beastman thing an issue). But yeah, I agree that they didn't handle Yugiri's surprise very well... I also agree that it would be even more jarring as a more blatant "beastman." Edit: I think there is a clear distinction between Lupin and Au Ra, though. >>;

Which is why I made the (unlikely to ever happen) suggestion of having new races start in a different location and then move to Eorzea during the 'Envoy' quest (can start as any Class, but can't do the Class Quests until after you arrive in Eorzea. Envoy quest is level 14, if I recall). Like a newbie instance/zone for Ruby Tides.

Doing that would probably also open Kugane up for seasonal events (in the city).

[MoroMurasaki]

Which is why I made the (unlikely to ever happen) suggestion of having new races start in a different location and then move to Eorzea during the 'Envoy' quest (can start as any Class, but can't do the Class Quests until after you arrive in Eorzea. Envoy quest is level 14, if I recall). Like a newbie instance/zone for Ruby Tides.

Doing that would probably also open Kugane up for seasonal events (in the city).

While I agree this is a workaround in theory I feel like there are issues since during ARR and HW the climate of Doma and presumably to a lesser extent Othard as a whole is significantly different than it is now.

There's also the issue of those characters having been to Kugane long before they ever reach that part of the story which would undoubtably change their reactions when they get there in SB. They would have an Aetherite in an area they shouldn't, they would die if they ever exited the city because the enemies would kill them instantly, they would be swimming in the Ruby Sea then not be able to swim any more for 60 more levels... continuity would demand so much work that it doesn't seem worth it from a business perspective just to add a race that so far deviates from the status quo it likely wouldn't see a lot of use.

Also - fantasia. I get a bottle with every new character I start. What's to stop me from starting as a lala in Ul'dah and then fantasiaing into a Lupin?my starting city has already been chosen. I'm there. Either the game will ignore that I'm a member of a beast tribe (thus breaking immersion) or boot me to this other area when I log back in after completing the transformation.

I dunno. Overall every way people try to make Lupin fit in the story at an early point just doesn't work to me.

[MOZZYSTAR]

Which is why I made the (unlikely to ever happen) suggestion of having new races start in a different location and then move to Eorzea during the 'Envoy' quest (can start as any Class, but can't do the Class Quests until after you arrive in Eorzea. Envoy quest is level 14, if I recall). Like a newbie instance/zone for Ruby Tides.

Doing that would probably also open Kugane up for seasonal events (in the city).

While some games do that, FFXIV is clearly not designed for that as we unlock new areas and new level caps in each expansion. You're essentially suggesting they rework the entire game just to make Lupins possible. Basically, that's what all the work-arounds add up to: too much work to integrate beastmen as playable characters and essentially retconning or hacking up lore. On top of that, no classes start in Othard so no one (including Lupin characters) would start in Doma or the Fringes, which is where they would be acceptable. It still wouldn't make a difference if they were to then travel to Eorzea as an envoy at that time because Eorzea was still terrified of beastmen at the start of ARR.

[Nestama]

You're essentially suggesting they rework the entire game just to make Lupins possible.

Which is why I said it was unlikely (I also think it's still mainly just Ul'dahns who are 'scared' of beastmen. Limsa Lominsa hired Mamool Ja from 'The New World' to assist in rebuilding after the calamity). I also had any new race on mind and not exclusively the Lupin. If every new race is just going to start in the same three cities without any of the NPC's seeming to care what you are until you reach the expansion that race was released with... then I'm just going to go right ahead and say this is something WoW does better :T

[MOZZYSTAR]

Which is why I said it was unlikely (I also think it's still mainly just Ul'dahns who are 'scared' of beastmen. Limsa Lominsa hired Mamool Ja from 'The New World' to assist in rebuilding after the calamity).

I started out in Gridania... Gridania was also scared of beastmen. Limsa has Merlwyb at the helm so of course they grabbed those beastmen by the jewels and showed 'em who they're messing with. However, I think the citizens did show fear toward beastmen, like Sahagins, if I recall correctly.

I also had any new race on mind and not exclusively the Lupin.

That would be why I said "beastmen" in this sentence (as opposed to Lupin exclusively): Basically, that's what all the work-arounds add up to: too much work to integrate beastmen as playable characters and essentially retconning or hacking up lore.

then I'm just going to go right ahead and say this is something WoW does better :T

Good for WoW.

[DamianFatale]

Which is why I said it was unlikely (I also think it's still mainly just Ul'dahns who are 'scared' of beastmen. Limsa Lominsa hired Mamool Ja from 'The New World' to assist in rebuilding after the calamity). I also had any new race on mind and not exclusively the Lupin. If every new race is just going to start in the same three cities without any of the NPC's seeming to care what you are until you reach the expansion that race was released with... then I'm just going to go right ahead and say this is something WoW does better :T

Ishgardians are a bit scared of Au Ra. Your point is?

[Nestama]

Which has me repeat: sometimes the lore in this game is just too restrictive for its own good. I didn't mind the lore behind SMN's not being able to summon complete Primals (because of potential clutter... though now they can summon Demi-Bahamut for a brief time and we'll be able to summon Primals for their Astral Flow in Heaven-on-High. Looking forward to hearing the lore behind that), but to make it nigh impossible for a playable race that deviates from 'human but with X' just doesn't sit well with me.

Unless they opt for a Beastman glamour that transforms you (not something like the Vanu Vanu costume) into one. I'd be fine with that option.

Ishgardians are a bit scared of Au Ra. Your point is?

until you reach the expansion that race was released with...

Ishgard is HW, which is also when Au Ra were released. You point is?

[MOZZYSTAR]

Sometimes the lore in this game is just too restrictive for its own good.

...That is what lore is there for... If you don't like the lore and you are totally bent on playing beastmen, then maybe this game isn't quite for you...


Look, I get it. The limitation sucks. Sylphs are great, Ananta are great, moogle are amazing. Would I like to play one? Hell yeah. Would I like to see more beastly traits in our future races? Heck yes, but it depends on the traits and how far pushed. It would drive me up the wall of SE couldn't even adhere to their own story. If they somehow manage to make it work without breaking the lore or gutting the game: great. I'm all for it. Chances are that it's not very realistic unless the made an entirely new game.
P.S. Glamour options would probably be just as bad as people saying "put ears on an elezen and you got a viera," so... bad argument for your case. xD;

[LalafellDown]

The Japanese would never approve, not enough boobs or human features.

[Corue]

I don't think it's fair to base races off the ARR story.

Have you guys played as an Au Ra? A lot of the content is dumb if you're an Au Ra. You're supposed to be some foreign exotic race that nobody has seen before and nobody cares or bats an eye. Even Yugiri goes "I can't show my face in fear of how people will react" while literally sitting across the table from another unmasked Au Ra in public.

Just make a beast race that have had a long history of being in a civil society that closely emulates the societies of the human-like races which allows the other races to tolerate them albeit grudgingly. "muh lore" is saved.