Have there ever been any non-hyur Ascians? (Might be spoilers inside.)

[Anonymoose]

Yes, one. Travanchet, a black-masked Ascian in Limsa's 1.0 storyline

The Encyclopaedia threw Corguevais, another Elezen from 1.0's Ul'dah, under the "black-mask" tier bus, as well. It may have been the intent all along, though, because I've heard tale that not every shadow that should have been disabled in 1.0 actually was disabled.

Which basically says that they're mostly hyur by choice. Take whatever reading you want on that, charitable or otherwise.

Generous (More Likely) Theory: If they're all the bland bread loaf race, they'll always look believable and fit right into cutscenes. (Remember Asahi going eye-to-eye with a Lalafell?)

Ungenerous (But Funnier) Theory: Hyur most resemble the Ancients (aside from Garleans, arguably) so if you took that form you were less likely to trigger yet another rant from one of the Originals. You're all proud of the work you've done to tweak this new bunnyboi up for some subversive havoc-wreaking and Emet-Selch just walks away shaking his head, "... <mumble mumble> malformed creatures <mumble> pitiful, disturbing, depressing..."