What's your character's back story?

[TinyRedLeaf]

My issue with this is that Hydaelyn, the "mother Goddess", is essentially Earth itself. This is incredibly pagan and "Wiccaish". From what I gather, Wiccans worship Mother Earth.

In principle, a role-play character should be separate from the player's actual identity and beliefs, in the same way the different roles played by a movie or TV actor are not actual representations of the actor's beliefs and personality.

In practice, of course, it's not always the case. I'd be lying if I claimed my character didn't end up being some version of me in real life, despite my best efforts at imagining him as his own person.

I'm curious, though, about how you're internalising the broader themes that define this world's cosmology, because it is, in fact, very different in philosophy and motivation from Judeo-Christian monotheism. This is a potentially sensitive topic, so I'd kindly request that all posters to keep replies civil.

The key point is that FFXIV emphasises the need for balance. Too much light or darkness is not good, either way. The two concepts may be in conflict, but they are also co-dependent.

[Iscah]

My issue with this is that Hydaelyn, the "mother Goddess", is essentially Earth itself. This is incredibly pagan and "Wiccaish". From what I gather, Wiccans worship Mother Earth.

Sorry I didn't reply to you on this earlier. I wrote most of a response but then the page crashed, and then I got caught up in the new patch discussions and forgot to come back to this.


I think we're approaching the question from very different angles. As far as I'm concerned, it's a fantasy world completely separate from our own, so we start from scratch. It has its own cosmology and there's nothing 'wrong' with God-as-we-know-Him not existing in it.

The reason we wouldn't worship an Earth-mother-goddess isn't because it's an Earth-mother-goddess or because it's something that other religions worship (otherwise we're in trouble because other real-world religions do have a similar concept of God to us), but simply because she isn't God.

However, in the game's fictional universe, the Earth-mother *is* a real goddess (or something like one) that our character has seen and spoken with.

If you try to put the Christian God - who does not co-exist with other 'good' gods - into this universe, what does that make Hydaelyn and Her blessing upon our character? Why is She the one addressing us as her beloved child?

It seems much simpler to accept what is presented to us in-game, than try to rewrite it to fit God where there is no space for Him to be. Hydaelyn takes the role that He would have if He existed in this universe, even if her exact form and the scope of her power is different. And if you have to compromise what God is and does to make Him fit within the game's universe, then is it even still Him?


Of course most Eorzeans don't worship Hydaelyn herself, but the Twelve (who the game hints may or may not actually be real, but people believe that they are). I have no issue with the idea of my characters praying to these lesser gods, because it's what they know. I feel like the parallel is more about the intent than the exact form of the gods? So whether my characters are praying to Thaliak for wisdom, or to Oschon for a safe journey, or giving thanks to Nophica, it's all some form of prayer to [a god] and they do it with the same intent that I would have in praying to God for any of those things.

You could still consider us learning of Hydaelyn as "a higher true god beyond the Twelve" as part of your narrative, if you want to look at it that way?

[Stormfur]

Stormfur was found as a mi’qitten by a noble knight during a raging snowstorm in Northern Coerthas. That knight’s name was Gremagne. Upon arriving in Eorzea, the registrar misheard Stormfur’s last name, and Greymane he became. Although he was raised by a noble, he shuns extreme shows of wealth and opulence, instead preferring to demonstrate his worth and cement his place in the world through his heroic deeds rather than just talking about them.

Trained to follow his caretaker’s footsteps, Stormfur became a paladin. He was raised on stories of The Fury, chivalry and courage so he holds these values near and dear to his heart. He abhors injustice and vehemently fights against the mistreatment of the downtrodden. Despite his considerable work toward brokering peace in Coerthas, his adoptive father disowned him after Stormfur elected to side with the dragons, seen as an affront to his fellow man.

[AdventZero]

My character is the daughter of an Ishgardian knight, who was relieved of duty do to injuries, and a gridanian womon, who makes potions. At a young age my character tended to wander about filled with wanderlust, always wanting to see what's past those trees, over that hill, down that river, just anywhere and everywhere. Her father taught her what he could of the sword, and her mother taught her many other useful skills, and at age (15, she's from a medieval-ish setting) she set out to be an adventure. Growing up to stories of knights and Ishgard she fancies herself a "knight" and will fight for her two homes and justice when and where she can. However, having a commoners upbringing, she is not skilled at more complex things, like magiteck(?) and politics, so she doesn't enjoy having to do so, ever.

"I am the blade of this world, where there is clear evil, I will slay it. But I am not it's voice, when words are needed, that is another's role to play." She will often say.

[Amaya-Asha]

A shy mage who was asked to help heal one day. Nahla with a bit of reluctance agreed with the hope of learning more about herself.

Place of birth: unknown
Family: Orphan left on the door step of Whitemage
Occupation: Craftswoman "Artisan"
Hobby: Divination of Arcana cards
Likes: naps, tea, cakes, reading, fine clothes, healing, (no particular order)
Dislikes: long queues, coffee, ugly glams (no particular order)

[Aeilyi]

My cat is on a quest for world domination and has this obsession to try and challenge almost anything he sees. Even if it means he'll get his butt kicked. He's also a treasure hunter with terrible luck and a cracked cluster addict. Despite his various attempts at riches and world domination, he is the poorest cat in Eorzea, just scraping by. World domination is an expensive campaign. xD

[SummonerSenah]

Senah's family is pretty typical for Khas: they live on the outskirts of Xaela land and seek out contact with non Auri peoples. In fact, Senah grew up in a poly household with an Au Ra mother, an Au Ra father, and a Keeper of the Moon Mi'qote father, hence her first name following Keeper conventions rather than Xaela conventions. Her family makes a living running a zoo and taming certain beasts to make them battle companions (which is how Senah has a pet panther, among other things). Senah left her home to explore more of the world and see what other kind of creatures exist.

[Bacent]

Bi-polar tank (Pld - good moods/Drk - every other mood)
Takes care of Chocobo
Never goes anywhere without his chocobo suit
Often isn't where people thought he was and will just show up out of random
Likes the colours Blue, and Chocobo
Collects music to try to silence the earworm he has and if often heard humming songs he's heard at any point in his adventures

[Exiled_Tonberry]

I was kicked out of the house and was on my way to sell my body to Ul'dah, but some old man got in my way so...

[TinyRedLeaf]

Lyland was born in one of the islands of the Ciedalaes archipelago.

His home village is an outpost and safe harbour for the Maelstrom and passing ships. The village was virtually destroyed by the tsunami summoned by Leviathan, the same disaster that wrecked much of western La Noscea.

His teacher and guardian, a retired roegadyn arcanist, was among those killed in the tidal wave. The survivors eventually managed to rebuild their homes. Lyland subsequently left home to further his studies in arcanima, in Limsa Lominsa.