The Player Character: Where are they from?

[Nialle]

I just assumed we were from some podunk town out in the boonies somewhere who headed to the big cities for adventure.

[Balzaque]

im still really confused about this, what is there out in the world outside eorzea and the empire? what are the possibilities for our characters origins?

[Xila]

The narration says that Eorzea is one of five continents. It is made clear in 1.0 and again in 2.0 that the adventurers are not from Eorzea. At this time we know nothing of the other continents except the empire, which it also is clear that they are not Eorzean either. It is possible the adventurers are from those other places, and also it is possible the empire has already assimilated the other continents. Perhaps that is why the adventurers don't mind fighting against the empire, and perhaps are more like refugees. However, in my own back story from 1.0, my character is from the same continent but from an area not occupied by any of the city states.

[Tigerhawk]

Your from where ever you want to be, while legacy players are directly from the battle it seems implied new players are as well. Despite the legacy mark I believe it can be interpreted either way. While I'm not a RP by any means I have my own back story for my character, nothing to extensive but it does add to the fun. Just like in XI you just have to make up your own and have it as simple or complex as you wish.

[Lordoctothorpe]

With regard to the "not coming from the main city-states" point, my specific fictional background has an orphaned Lalafell raised by two Hyurs deep in southern Thanalan, near what is now Little Ala Mhigo and its neighboring Miqo'te settlement Forgotten Springs, that hub of the U tribe. Fairly simple origins and helps explain why I attempted the naming convention and dropped it when I got to the last name. No Imperial confrontations to be found that far out in the boondocks, just Amalj'aa and sabotenders for days.

[Shraiko]

In the race description it says the origin of each race and gives a general idea how and when they moved eorzea that may not be the answer your looking for but its something to consider.

[Malrend]

What little we know of the continents other than Eorzea and Garlemald, can basically be summed up like this; Ul'dahnian merchants import from the lot of them. I also recall a mention of Thavnairian silks, and that the nobles of the capital, Radz-at-Han are obsessive about scented items and perfumes from Eorzea.