Lifespan/age of different races?

[YianKutku]

I'm a bit puzzled as to why Elidibus WANTED us to stop the Warring Triad. Powerful Primals running amok sounds like just the kind of recipe for Chaos the Ascians crave - especially since the First was pretty close to primed and ready for a Rejoining. A great time for a Warring Triad-inspired Calamity to strike! Back then, Elidibus was all vague and secretive, so it could be assumed that it all played into his "maintaining the balance" or whatever his mysterious agenda was. Since then, though, it's become pretty clear that he's just as gung-ho about the Rejoining as anyone, so it's really odd that he used one of his pawns in this way.

I suppose Unhulkai might STILL be a pawn, and that the whole goal was to insert him as a trusted ally in our group to exploit us from within later on - but if Unhulkai is conscious of this, he's REALLY good at hiding it.

I'm always mildly amused that Unukalhai insists that Elidibus seeks balance as his first priority, and then also sends us to kill the Primal of Balance on Elidibus's instructions.

(Yes, I know Sophia isn't actually the same (or even the correct) type of "balance". It's still funny.)

[Theodric]

I'm a bit puzzled as to why Elidibus WANTED us to stop the Warring Triad. Powerful Primals running amok sounds like just the kind of recipe for Chaos the Ascians crave - especially since the First was pretty close to primed and ready for a Rejoining. A great time for a Warring Triad-inspired Calamity to strike! Back then, Elidibus was all vague and secretive, so it could be assumed that it all played into his "maintaining the balance" or whatever his mysterious agenda was. Since then, though, it's become pretty clear that he's just as gung-ho about the Rejoining as anyone, so it's really odd that he used one of his pawns in this way.

I suppose Unhulkai might STILL be a pawn, and that the whole goal was to insert him as a trusted ally in our group to exploit us from within later on - but if Unhulkai is conscious of this, he's REALLY good at hiding it.

Well, there's the potential that he is very much genuine in his desire for balance and that his aim is different from that of his brethren. Alternatively - or perhaps in addition to that - I suspect it was also very much a case of Elidibus seeking to isolate Varis to make him easier to manipulate. I think he was banking on Regula dying one way or another to achieve that goal. They were close friends for decades after all and it's a real shame that it all takes place in a side story that has yet to be referenced since. Especially when it was originally planned to be part of the MSQ's until raiders demanded a change to the way content was unlocked...

[Stepjam]

Primals represent umbral aspect, and the umbral calamity already occurred. The warring triad at full power might have become unstoppable, destroying the source, something the ascians do not want.

[kujoestars]

I just wanted to see a race lifespan discussion and ended up seeing a convo on so much info I need to catch up on without spoiling.

On Au Ra, for some reason I feel like they may have a slightly longer lifespan than Hyur, but maybe it's just me thinking about reptile physiology and stuff). I will say though, Xaela probably have way shorter averages than 50 because of how often they kill each other though. XD

When I get to Stormblood and Azim Steppe, I am going to do a count of how many Xaela with the "old" face there are.

[MikkoAkure]

I just wanted to see a race lifespan discussion and ended up seeing a convo on so much info I need to catch up on without spoiling.

On Au Ra, for some reason I feel like they may have a slightly longer lifespan than Hyur, but maybe it's just me thinking about reptile physiology and stuff). I will say though, Xaela probably have way shorter averages than 50 because of how often they kill each other though. XD

When I get to Stormblood and Azim Steppe, I am going to do a count of how many Xaela with the "old" face there are.

There’s been nothing to suggest that au ra have anything other than a hyur lifespan. Additionally, they are mammals and not reptiles since they’re able to have offspring with hyur (at least according to legends).

[kujoestars]

There’s been nothing to suggest that au ra have anything other than a hyur lifespan. Additionally, they are mammals and not reptiles since they’re able to have offspring with hyur (at least according to legends).

Fair enough on lifespan; I just wanted to check. Although, I will say that evolutionarily, mammals descended from reptiles. Specifically therapsids, reptiles with many mammalian traits. So for me, it's not too big a stretch to think Auri are more intermediate (i.e. mammals with some reptilian features and physiology). Especially considering we most definitely have warm-blooded reptiles in FFXIV even ignoring the dinosaurs and dragons (looking at you, Feral Crocs).

[MikkoAkure]

Fair enough on lifespan; I just wanted to check. Although, I will say that evolutionarily, mammals descended from reptiles. Specifically therapsids, reptiles with many mammalian traits. So for me, it's not too big a stretch to think Auri are more intermediate (i.e. mammals with some reptilian features and physiology). Especially considering we most definitely have warm-blooded reptiles in FFXIV even ignoring the dinosaurs and dragons (looking at you, Feral Crocs).

I know the fantasy genre as a whole tends to play loose and fast with the rules of interbreeding between species but it seems like a stretch to extend it to different branches of the animal tree. In our world, different species generally can’t breed together. There are exceptions for those closer together (like horses and donkeys or tigers and lions) but it’s not always successful and the end result may have severe chromosomal issues at worst and be sterile at best.

Even among mammals, XY aren’t universal sex chromosomes and the closest living mammals to reptiles (platypus) have 10 sex chromosomes.

All that said, this is a fantasy game still so anything can happen that the writers want to happen.

[SannaR]

Just keep in mind that yes they might look reptilian they aren't. Still not fully sure how being at least on the source partly voidsent makes it so that they do have scales. I know the devs want us to go with the whole they're half voidsent thing, but that doesn't explain how they'd still have look the same on the 1st. Unless the screw up on the 13th happened while the sundering wasn't finished. Course concerning voidsent can seem to live a long time it could give the Au Ra a lengthier life span. Though at least on the source I'd say the Raen probably have a better chance at a longer life.

[Iscah]

Having scales doesn't immediately mean they're reptilian, either.

Armadilloes and pangolins are two examples of mammals with body armour, and horns or antlers are also mammalian traits (though Auri horns don't neatly match the characteristics of either).

[xxvaynxx]

Pretty sure au ra have the same lifespan of hyurs, could be wrong though.
They could possibly live longer.
Miqote have the shortest life span of all the race based on what the lore book says.