Lore revelations about the Viera

[KingOfCheese]

Thanks to the final part of the Ivalice raid, a wealth of lore has been revealed about the Viera. Thing is, this information only appears if you speak to the Wandering Dramaturge after meeting Fran. After that, he does not seem to repeat it. Fortunately, I saved that information and have quite a bit to share.


As expected, our new race is divided into two clans, the fair-skinned Veena Viera and the darker-skinned Rava Viera. Currently, it isn’t known how the two clans differentiate from each other culturally, though both are reclusive wood dwellers regardless. Like their Ivalice counterpart, these Viera live and die in the woods and do not suffer trespassers. It’s a code called the “Green Word”. So, it’s not surprising that to leave the wood is to be branded as an outcast and be forever denied by its people. Apparently, Viera who chose to live outside the woods is a new development. In the past several generations, it was unheard of.

But the most interesting thing revealed is the social differences between genders. Like the Miqo’te Keepers of the Moon, the Viera is a matriarchal society. The females are those who reside in the villages and take care of hearth and family. They also nurture the wood itself, by removing fallen trees, planting seeds and eradicating vermin. It’s estimated that eight in ten of Viera born are women, so they outnumber them by a large margin.

As for the males, their lives are quite lonely. When reaching adulthood, male Viera are to become “Wood-warders”, protectors of the forest. After they become Wood-warders, they would shun contact from anyone for the rest of their lives. Only every three to five summers would they return to their village to sow their seed and take any young boys under their wing. Otherwise, they keep to themselves and are even expected to do everything by themselves, be it gathering food, making medicine, crafting clothes and weapons. They live alone and die alone.

So male Viera are so rare that most never see one. They can’t be found in any village and it’s not known if any male outcasts live in city. They basically don’t exist to normal people (Which is going to make it awkward when the expected horde of them appear in Eorzea in a few months).

While the Viera’s relationship with the outside world is one of indifference, the kingdom of Dalmasca have not ignored them. Several kings have tried to subdue the Viera, but always failed. Now, the kingdom tolerates their independence, if they don’t take up arms against the crown. They’re also very welcoming for any Viera who chose to leave the wood.

And to finish this all off, Viera can live up to two centuries and retain their youthful appearance. But do learn from Vaan’s mistake and never ask them about their age.


So yeah, plenty of material to work with in preparation for Shadowbringers. Personally, I find it funny that as a male Viera, being a hikikomori in Hydaelyn is not just an option, but it’s mandatory.

[SannaR]

At least it seems like there is a chance for young males to be taught some things before being taken away to become forest protectors. I wish some people in the general section didn't take the whole they're never seen as a sign that the males wont be playable. It's more of a no one has seen one because up to this point no one has lived to tell the tale that's not another Viera. I want to say the clan names are new though? Which is good if true but also means that we still have wait til at least next month to get anything more.

[Sounsyy]

You can talk to the Wandering Dramaturge at various points in the questline to get this info and more, especially after finishing the follow-up wine quests.

There's a little bit more info on the Viera, which I've compiled here: Viera Lore

[Darkplanet]

I was gonna post this all as well so thanks for posting. But he does in fact repeat it specifically after completing the side story quests after you finish the main raid story.

A few other interesting points “though it is not until at least the thirteenth nameday-when the individual moves from adolescence into adulthood-that the individual’s gender becomes apparent”

They also use the term “revealed that a viera kit is a male/recently discovered jacks still living amongst the females”

Also an interesting line about the seperation of male and female viera and why they don’t coexist that is up for various interpretations; “the value of coexistence will not be found ‘neath a loincloth. Long has our kind endured understanding that the distance ‘twixt two bodies does not dictate the distance ‘twixt two souls.”

I just find it interesting the male and female viera “Kits”/children are indistinguishable gender-wise and they seem to make a point of that males may even be “hidden” around the females and they have to be found. At first I thought they would make the male and female viera distinctly different in physical apperance but it seems they are likely quite similar in apperance. But who knows I’m just thinking out loud. And this is a stretch I know, but maybe part of the reason no males are seen is because they are mistaken for female viera. Really just a thought is all.

Also I briefly looked up some info on the etymology of Veena and Rava, veena is an Indian string instrument. And Rava isn’t as clear but seems to have roots in India as well. But really idk.

[WhiteArchmage]

I want to say the clan names are new though?

They are not, Veena and Rava Viera clans existed in XII (with the Feol introduced in Revenant Wings) they were just not mentioned often because the skintones ARE pretty similar.

Besides that, I'm REALLY interested in the naming conventions If we go off XII, Viera tend to have 4 letter names and a fondness for "R", "J", and "N" sounds (Kjtn, Nera, Jote, Mjrn, Fran), but who knows if males share the exact naming convention (since they're virtually indistinguishable until adolescence) or how they differ from females.

[Dagget]

Well, I imagine the playable Viera in 5.0 will allow first and last names, like the other races. The random name generator might be interesting, though.

With Garlemald North and Northeast of The Shroud and the Viera woods appearing to be to the East, I wonder if the upcoming Calamity we trigger will force the Viera out into the open, perhaps an exodus filtering into the Shroud?

[KageTokage]

We already know they live north of Rabnastre in the Golmore Jungle, but I'd assume they also live in that forest area previewed for Shadowbringers (Which is presumably somewhere northwest of Rabnastre).

I also seriously doubt the calamity we're being warned about is actually going to happen when it's implied to be bad enough to end the world entirely.

[Dagget]

Since Zenos was seen killing a Bangaa in the Shadowbringers trailer, I wonder of Fran will be there in the MSQ as well, and not just hidden away behind a raid. Would make some sense, just as Yugiri was seen in the MSQ before Heavensward and the Au Ra reveal.