Quote Originally Posted by Brandedblade View Post
The simple answer is they can still be trans but the fantasia potion was how they transitioned.

As for a more complex answer, from what I've seen, some people want to explore the concept of being trans and going through the process in a setting that isn't as inherently hostile to them for it. Yes the world of FFXIV has hostile elements to it, but I would imagine it would be a relief for some if the conflict in their life wasn't caused by how others perceive them for that. It can be more interesting of a story arc then simply "Chug the fantasy juice and wake up a lady." Some people like to ground some level of reality into their role play without bringing in all the baggage said reality brings.
Perhaps - just perhaps - the world of FFXIV is so dangerous, and the average lifespan of an adventurer so short, that people on Eorzea (not player characters, who can be as insane as they like, dragging real-life self-manufactured political baggage into a setting that inherently negates its existence) lack the luxury to be completely self-obsessed, unlike the denizens of our modern world. It seems pretty safe to assume that when a wrong turn potentially leads to an encounter with everything from ferocious wolves to disease-belching tentacle monsters - much less worrying that you might starve, die of heat exhaustion, drown, or be enslaved - there's probably little time to muse over whether or not, with the right hair color and makeup, a given male Roegadyn could pull off that lovely dress.