Well seeing as we're getting a load of threads pop up on different things popping into the game, I thought it would be easier if I made a general thread.
Firstly, I'd like to say the following:
If you want to come into this thread just to start ***with people who are going to buy XIV, please refrain from doing so. I'm not making you do this, but nearly every XIV thread so far has gone to the flame-core, and I'd rather keep at least one topic about the game that will be civil. If you have a personal opinion on the game, then feel free to vent it, but please do it in a positive way instead of flame-baiting. Thanks.
I thought I'd start off with some general information on the different aspects of the game. All this information has been gathered from The XIV website or interviews.
Here we go!
Story The Age of Adventure Men are wont to suffer
And forget wherein they’ve sinned
Ne’er hearkening back on tragedies past
Lest the Twelve might humble them
— Unknown
Countless moons have waxed and waned since wandering tribes from across Hydaelyn first arrived in Eorzea and settled its untamed lands. The benevolent deities who ruled the empty continent and its surrounding islands were impressed with the resilience of these primitive men and women, and in an act of mercy each saw fit to ensure their welfare.
These gods and goddesses soon came to be known as the Twelve, and the villages thrived in their light until the land was bespeckled with several independent city-states. Though, where man walks, strife follows, and for generations, these tiny nations carved out a history of blood and betrayal built upon broken oaths and the sun-bleached bones of the fallen.
However, the fate of the land would soon change. Not fifteen years past, a new threat appeared without warning from the east. Metal-clad warriors brandishing weapons that spewed streams of fire, fleets of behemoth airships belching oily smoke that would block out the sun for days at a time... A resistance was amassed, but to little avail, and it was not long before Ala Mhigo, once considered the most powerful of the remaining six Eorzean city-states, had fallen to the mighty Garlean Empire.
As the empire’s dreadnaughts continued their march of terror across the blood-soaked fields of the north, the remaining nations put aside their differences and clandestinely joined hands to form a loose alliance to ensure they not meet the same fate, should the invaders turn their eyes southward.
Fortunately, the invasion never came, and just as quickly as it had arrived, the empire was gone again. However, echoes of their grim message rang clear in the hearts of Eorzea’s people—its effect on them, profound and irreversible. The realm would never be the same.
And it was thus that Eorzea slipped into the “Age of Calm,” during which an uneasy peace prevailed.
To prepare for the coming storm, the first task of the newly-formed alliance was to fortify their defenses. In the previous era, few city-states maintained organized militaries, opting instead to hire the services of mercenaries and hedge knights to champion their causes. However, after the fall of Ala Mhigo, city guard units were restructured into legitimate standing armies which could be quickly called upon and mobilized if the need arose.
Unfortunately, this left a majority of the realm’s hireswords with nowhere to pledge their fealty, and with their livelihood ripped out from under them, many of these men and women resorted to acts of villainy to survive. For fear of the situation worsening and the land falling into chaos, several respected leaders from around Eorzea gathered together and formed a network of guilds to provide these lost souls with the opportunity to redeem themselves by aiding others.
Through the foresight and resolve of these leaders a new industry known as “adventuring” emerged, its advent helping usher in the current era—an era of hope in a time when shadows of uncertainty loom ever closer.
A Realm Divided
It is nigh on ten years since the fearsome beings known as the primals first appeared in these lands. Ten years since they were summoned forth by the destructive ambition of the beast tribes. Ten years, and still those tribes, drunk on the power granted them by the primals, continue to wreak havoc upon the free peoples of Eorzea.
To the northeast, the Garlean Empire stirs, casting an ominous shadow across the realm. Seeking dominion over the continent of Aldenard, the Garleans set out on a campaign of conquest, smiting all opposition with their superior technology and overwhelming military might. In a relentless drive to the south and west, they lay ruin to the once flourishing city-state of Ala Mhigo.
It is in the midst of this embattled Eorzea that a mysterious power surfaces. Known simply as the Echo, it is said cause the souls of those touched by it to resonate with others. And of this is born the ability to relive their past experiences—to see and feel them as though they were one’s own.
Can these seeds of the past somehow serve to sow hope for the future?
What is the origin of this eldritch power?
Is it a deific gift of righteousness? Or the deception of some sinister sorcery?
To what end has it been given?
The search for the answers to such questions falls to you. So go forth. Seek out and join your brethren. And together claim your place among legends in the annals of time.
— Diversity in Numbers —
Boasting the largest population in Eorzea, the Hyur came from neighboring continents and islands in three great migratory waves. With them they brought a sophisticated technology and complex ethos tempered by the breadth of the outside world. They rapidly became a driving force behind cultural progress, and are now widely attributed with spearheading advances in Eorzean civilization.
One of the Hyur’s strengths is the staggering variety of languages and social institutions they exhibit. This is said to account for their firm conviction in individual freedoms, though it also results in a relative lack of solidarity and group cohesion.
Two distinct groups now exist among the Hyur-Highlanders, denizens of mountainous areas, and Midlanders, who reside in lower elevations.
Midlander
The Midlander clan comprises over half of the total population of Eorzea’s Hyur. They have established themselves throughout every city in the realm and lead lives as diverse as their heritage. Trained in letters from infancy, the Midlanders are generally more educated than many of the other races and clans.
Highlander
The Highlanders derive their name from a long tradition of inhabiting Eorzea’s mountainous regions. Compared to their Midland brethren, the Highlanders are noticeably larger in build. These days, it is rare to see Highlanders save for those who fled Ala Mhigo after its fall, and now work in the other city-states as mercenaries and sellswords.
— A Tribe of One —
During the Age of Endless Frost, as the seas turned to ice and passage over them became possible, Eorzea saw an influx of foreign fauna to her shores. This in turn brought the hunting tribes which subsisted upon them, the modern descendants of whom are today known as the Miqo’te.
Since then, the Miqo’te have diverged into two physically distinguishable groups — the diurnal Seekers of the Sun and the nocturnal Keepers of the Moon. Both groups share a superb olfactory sense and powerful leg musculature, results of a long evolution geared towards hunting and predation.
Comparatively few in number, they maintain an insular group mentality, tending to avoid contact with the other races. Many individuals lead isolated lifestyles, even when residing in the more populous cities.
Seekers of the Sun
The self-proclaimed Seekers of the Sun are the diurnal clan of the Miqo’te race. Their preference for the warm light of day pervades all aspects of their culture, as is apparent in their devout reverence for Azeyma the Warden, goddess of the sun. They are perhaps known best for their striking eyes — the result of their vertically aligned pupils and faintly colored irises.
Keepers of the Moon
The nocturnal among the Miqo’te have dubbed themselves the Keepers of the Moon. Shying from the garish light of day, they revel in the shroud of night, and offer their piety to Menphina the Lover, goddess of the moon. The custom of applying war paint to the face is still regularly practiced by the Keepers of the Moon, enhancing their already distinctive appearance.
— More Clever by Half —
The Lalafell were originally a group of agriculturalists inhabiting the fertile islands of the south seas. With the introduction of transmarine commerce, they soon found their way to Eorzea via trade routes. They are now one of the more populous races and are well established throughout the region, though they remain averse to cold climates.
The short, rotund builds of the Lalafell belie an incredible agility, and their seemingly feeble legs are capable of carrying them long distances over any terrain. Many among them are also known for possessing highly developed and cunning intellects.
The Lalafell place a great deal of significance on familial bonds, but are by no means unfriendly to outsiders. This is evidenced by the fact that they continue to share prosperous relations with all of the other races of Eorzea.
Plainsfolk
The flat landscapes of the Plainsfolk’s home islands are dotted with the clan’s traditional thatched huts, beneath which lie intricate networks of underground passageways. Their distinct hair coloration — a myriad of earthy and grassy tones — mimics their native environment, and their long, pointy ears are said to be able to detect the faintest scampering of the prairie’s various fauna.
Dunesfolk
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Dunesfolk culture is its traditional dwellings — structures affixed to the backs of large beasts of burden. The luminous eyes of the Dunesfolk are the result of a glossy, protective layer which covers the pupil, an evolutionary response to the glaring sunlight of their home region. Many individuals wear a small gemstone on their forehead, representing their zodiacal sign.
— Noble and Refined —
The Elezen are a traditionally nomadic people who in former times claimed sole dominion over Eorzea, their presence predating that of the other races. Believing this prominence to be ordained by the gods, they came to develop an esteemed sense of honor and pride.
Their characteristically tall, slim physiques and elongated limbs are part of a successful adaptation to the land’s various environments. Indeed, it is said that their highly sensitive ears can discern the squeak of a field mouse at a distance of up to several malms.
The Elezen perceived the immigration of the Hyur as tantamount to invasion, and as a result the two share a past plagued by warfare. At present, however, they can be seen coexisting peacefully, the exception being the reclusive Duskwight Elezen.
Wildwood Elezen
For hundreds of years the Wildwood Elezen have lived in the safety of Eorzea’s lush forests. They possess an incredibly keen sense of sight — a contributing factor in their unparalleled expertise as archers. With the formation of the realm’s governments, many Wildwood ventured forth from the forests, drawn either to the exhilarating cosmopolitanism of the urban centers or the simple nomadism of the plains.
The Duskwight Elezen
The Duskwight Elezen have spent centuries in the peace and seclusion of Eorzea’s caves and caverns. They have developed an acute sense of hearing, capable of detecting the faintest of sounds. This natural gift, and the uncanny awareness it grants, has proven advantageous in the field of hand-to-hand combat. Many of the reclusive Duskwight resort to robbery and pillaging to survive, earning them the scorn of their woodland relatives.
— Size Matters —
The Roegadyn are a maritime people whose largest concentrations are found in the northern seas, by way of which they came to Eorzea.
They possess enormous, muscular builds and are known for the cultural emphasis they place on competition and unflinching courage, though tender, introspective individuals can also be found. Roegadyn in and around the Limsa Lominsa area are typically seamen putting in at port, but many have also settled permanently, becoming mercenaries, bodyguards, or even pirates by trade. Far away, deep in the mountains of Ul’dah, live mountain clans of reclusive Roegadyn known as the Hellsguard, said to have mastered the magical arts.
Sea Wolves
The Sea Wolves originally hail from the islands of the far north seas, where they still subsist as fishermen and women. Long ago, no vessel or coastal village was safe from their maritime brand of brutality. Now, it is not uncommon to see them employed as sailors or naval mercenaries on all manner of vessels.
Hellsguard
The Hellsguard are a clan of Roegadyn with body and mind tempered by the unforgiving heat of the volcanic regions they inhabit. Believing these mountains of flame to be gates to the underworld, their line has for centuries stood vigil over them to prevent the passage of souls back to the realm of the living. Their sheer girth and steely demeanor open to the Hellsguard a wide range of paths, from the martial to the monastic.
Eorzea The Mapping of Eorzea
The vast realm of Eorzea, comprising the continent of Aldenard and its outlying islands, has seen the rise of a civlization with peoples as diverse as its environs. Throughout its history, the landscape has played home to a number of city–states–the tenuous relations among them fluctuating between friendly and hostile.
The pantheon of the Twelve is followed devoutly by most, and doctrine holds that the past wars of the realm were the wars of the heavens, with the gods and goddesses laying their favor with nations to champion them. In this way, war spread throughout the realm, discouraging unity and peace.
As a result, years passed without the lay of the land and its borders ever being mapped in their entirety. It was not until some 70 years ago, when an intrepid soul set out to wander the land, at great peril to himself, that the first map of Eorzea was completed.
Since then, the original rendering has been amended and improved by others, and the form it takes today is used by adventurers across the realm as an indispensable guide on their travels.
Limsa Lominsa "No man may tread on me, for I am the sea."
On the southern coast of the island of Vylbrand, under the shadow of ancient cliffs worn by the relentless onslaught of the Rhotano Sea, lies the marine city-state of Limsa Lominsa. Said to be blessed by the goddess of navigation, Llymlaen, the city is spread out over countless tiny islands, each connected by sturdy bridges of iron and wood construction, earning her the name the “Navigator’s Veil” from traveling bards who have witnessed the city’s beauty from afar.
Limsa Lominsa is a traditional thalassocracy, with power lying in the hands of the ruling party and its leader — the Admiral. Its economy is driven by shipbuilding, fishing, and blacksmithing, but the majority of wealth comes from the lucrative shipping industry.
To maintain the safety of its maritime routes, the city employs a formidable navy known as the Knights of the Barracuda. However, even in the waters nearby the city, pirate bands run rampant, reaving and pillaging.
Gridania "Each tree, each leaf, each shrub, each blade of grass---- We treat them as our own sons and daughters. And for that we are loved by this wood."
In the eastern reaches of the Aldenard landmass, home to vast, dense woodlands and coursing rivers, lies the forest nation of Gridania. The cityscape is a mosaic of labyrinthine waterways and great wooden structures, so gracefully constructed they seem a part of the surrounding environment.
The Gridanian emphasis on natural harmony has led to its preeminence among Eorzea’s city-states in trades such as forestry, agriculture, carpentry, and leatherworking. Gridania is also home to the Wood Wailers, a militant band of polearm-wielding sentries charged with the protection of their homeland.
The favored goddess of the citizenry is Nophica, the Matron, but great faith is also placed in the wisdom of the Seedseers—young oracles who guide the nation based on the will of the forest’s elementals.
Ul'dah "Everyone here is after something---Fame, notoriety, power, money. Me? I'll have the bloody lot!"
The bustling commercial hub of Ul’dah sits amid the desolate desert landscape of southern Aldenard. The city is organized strategically around the dome-shaped citadel at its center. Its towering fortifications and protective outer walls are visible for malms in all directions, and serve as a stark deterrent to would-be besiegers.
Visitors from every corner of Eorzea come to Ul’dah to partake of the city’s famed recreation, most notably the fighting arenas and gambling halls. Ul’dahn culture is known for its affluence, and the wealth of the nation comes in large part from its abundant mineral resources and prestigious clothcrafting industry.
Historically, it is the sultan who claims sovereignty over Ul’dah, but true power is wielded by the Syndicate, an elite group of six of the most influential and richest members of society. Nald’thal is the patron deity of the city, and two great halls, devoted to his two aspects, can be found in the eastern and western sections of the city.
[NOTE: There are in fact more classes, they just haven't been announced yet] Gameplay
Armoury system
A Discipline to Call Your Own
“Every soul must needs have a code,
a purpose, to guide them.
Else chaos would consume us all.”
In general, there is a fourfold classification of adventurers based on the disciplinary paths to which they devote themselves: Disciples of War, masters of arms who live for the call of combat; Disciples of Magic, erudite researchers of all things esoteric; Disciples of the Land, gatherers of material resources and students of the natural order; and Disciples of the Hand, crafters who invest their creative ingenuity in synthesis and industry.
Players may opt to specialize in one discipline, excelling in a single skill, or they may take a more general approach, making free use of the Armoury. The choice is yours.
Disciples of War “The advancement of a nation may be gauged by its ability to craft weapons,
but its future depends on its ability to craft wars.”
Followers of this discipline devote themselves to the mastery of weapons and the wars waged with them. Through rigorous physical training, they hone their minds and bodies into instruments of combat, ever ready to make a decisive contribution to the cycle of conflict which plagues Eorzea.
The path of the pugilist is one of incessant training aimed at mastering the traditional techniques of hand–to–hand combat. Though they command formidable power when unarmed, they are wont to use metal, leather, and bone weaponry to maximize their destructive potential.
Their preference for fighting at close–quarters makes negotiating distances an absolute necessity. Many among them accomplish this by using throwing weapons such as the chakram to momentarily daze their enemies while they move in for the kill. Abilities
Mocking Provoke: Whistle tauntingly to increase enmity.
Blindside: Strike from an enemy’s rear, increasing attack power by half of your dexterity.
Chakra: Channel your vital energies, consuming TP to restore HP.
Steal: Rifle through an enemy’s belongings, stealing a random item. Chance of success increases with stealth.
Featherfoot: Tread lightly, increasing evasion. Effect fades after evading an attack. Weapon skills
Jarring Strike: Strike at an enemy’s joints, dealing blunt damage and stunning the target. Increases enmity. Can only be executed after evading an attack.
Victimize: Exploit an enemy’s weaknesses, dealing slashing damage and increasing your critical hit rate for each enfeebling effect on the target.
Haymaker: Deliver a massive strike, increasing attack power and dealing blunt damage. Can only be executed after evading an attack.
Shoulder Tackle: Charge at an enemy with devastating force, dealing blunt damage.
Seismic Shock: Create powerful tremors, increasing attack power and dealing earth damage at range to all enemies between you and the target. Does not affect flying enemies. Arms
Gladiators specialize in the handling of all manner of one–handed blades, from daggers to longswords, be they single– or double–edged, straight or curved. A defining characteristic of the guild is its emphasis on diverse combat tactics, training its members to bring their martial skills to bear in any situation.
As such, there are practitioners who marry sword with shield, seeking to defend their fellow companions. Others opt for an empty off hand, choosing instead to focus entirely on their sword arm. The gladiator’s proficiency with blades also extends to those hurled at range, such as throwing knives.
Abilities
Rousing Provoke: Use a threatening gesture to increase enmity.
Cover: Protect an ally, positioning yourself between them and the enemy to redirect damage dealt to yourself instead.
Rampart: Protect yourself, increasing defense and magical defence.
Still Precision: Steady yourself, increasing accuracy and reducing evasion.
Aegis Boon: Recover behind the safety of your shield, converting a portion of damage sustained when blocking into HP. Weapon Skills
Phalanx: Move deftly from defense to offense, increasing attack power and dealing slashing damage. Increases enmity. Can only be executed following a block.
Red Lotus: Call upon the power of flame, increasing attack power and dealing fire damage.
Shield Bash: Slam an enemy with your shield, dealing blunt damage with a high chance of interrupting casts. Renders the target unable to cast for several seconds.
Spinstroke: Feint before attacking, dealing slashing damage to the target. Increases attack power when the target is not engaging you.
Circle Slash: Spin your weapon fiercely, increasing attack power and dealing slashing damage to nearby targets. Arms
The marauder is a combat specialist whose weapon of choice is the greataxe—a fearsome arm emblematic of Eorzea’s pirates. Their approach to battle is one of brute force, relying on strength and steel to crush enemies and sunder weapons.
They are highly sought after for their ferocity and intimidating presence, and are often employed to hunt down monsters plaguing the land, or to turn the tide of battle between warring nations. Throwing axes such as the francisca supplement the marauders’ arsenal, making them fearsome adversaries even at range. Abilities
Bloodbath: Revel in the blood of an enemy, converting a percetage of the damage dealt by your next successful attack into HP.
Murderous Intent: Throw yourself into your attacks, increasing critical hit rate and reducing TP generation.
Defender: Tighten your guard, increasing defense and reducing attack power. Increases enmity generation while in steadfast stance.
Disorient: Flick dust, sand, or soil at an enemy, reducing the target’s evasion. Effect may stack up to three times.
Enduring March: Take strong and sure steps, enabling movement at reduced speed while bound. While active, also maintains steadfast stance while moving. Weapon Skills
Skull Sunder: Strike an enemy in the head, increasing attack power and dealing slashing damage. Deals further damage over time. Attacks enemies in a cone before you while in steadfast stance.
Trunksplitter: Deliver a strong chop, increasing attack power and dealing slashing damage. Attack power is increased further against Seedkin.
Brandish: Strike nearby enemies, increasing attack power and dealing slashing damage.
Iron Tempest: Spin your axe wildly, increasing attack power and dealing wind damage to nearby targets. Arms
The enduring popularity of the bow is a testament to its elegant design, but this simple weapon would be of little worth without the surpassing skill of those who master it–the archers. Projectile techniques such as high–angle fire enable archers to assail their foes with deadly precision even at great distances.
Constant assessment of the battlefield enables them to carefully determine the most advantageous ground from which to loose, as well as the nature of the arrows best suited to their enemy. Together with the longbow sentries of the Elezen military, the shortbow hunters among the Miqo’te are widely regarded as the most skilled with a bow. The guild’s teachings cover a variety of projectile weapons, down to the simplest throwing rock. Abilities
Replenish: Invoke a blessing of renewal, consuming MP to replenish your projectiles to capacity.
Chameleon: Blend in with your surroundings, consuming TP to reduce enmity.
Quickstride: Quicken your stride, increasing movement speed.
Retrieval: Search your surroundings, consuming HP to find and gather projectiles.
Hawk's Eye: Your eyes gain hawklike precision, increasing the accuracy of your next attack. Weapon Skills
Shadowbind: Fetter an enemy’s shadow, rendering the target immobile.
Wide Volley: Launch a wide-ranged assault, increasing attack power and dealing projectile damage to the target and nearby enemies.
Quick Nock: Nock and release with blinding speed, shooting multiple arrows at a time in a cone before you. Increases attack power and deals projectile damage.
Scouring Strike: Deliver a debilitating blow, increasing attack power and dealing projectile damage. Removes a single enhancement effect from the target.
Shrieker: Loose an attack with a terrifying sound, dealing projectile damage and causing the target to flee in terror. Arms
The strategy of the lancers is to outrange and fluster opponents with their long, two–handed polearms, peppering them with a barrage of thrusting attacks. They are trained with a number of weapons, giving a diversity to their attacks that makes them extremely versatile combatants.
In former times, the longspear saw the most widespread use, due in great part to the influence of the proud lancer legions of Ala Mhigo. Since then, the guild has greatly expanded its armories to include a variety of weaponry, such as the throwing javelin. Abilities
Arms: Bolster morale, consuming TP to place an enfeebling effect on the target which grants attacking party members enhanced TP generation.
Ferocity: Trigger an adrenaline rush, consuming HP to increase the attack power of your next attack.
Invigorate: Channel your physical energies, consuming HP to gain TP.
Collusion: Employ deception, transferring the enmity generated by your next successful attack to an ally positioned between you and the enemy.
Life Surge: Make sport of an enemy, gaining the ability to absorb HP. While active, successful attacks reduce the target’s evasion. Weapon Skills
Overrun: Close in on an enemy, increasing TP and dealing piercing damage. Can only be executed when the target is unaware of your presence.
Feint: Stab with precision and timing, ensuring the success of your next attack. Increases attack power and deals piercing damage. Can only be executed after a target evades an attack.
Leg Sweep: Strike low, dealing blunt damage to all enemies in a cone before you. Does not affect flying targets.
Moonrise: Frustrate an enemy’s tactics, increasing attack power and dealing slashing damage. Inhibits TP generation of the target.
Skewer: Run your enemies through, increasing attack power and dealing piercing damage to all enemies between you and the target. Slows non–flying targets. Arms
[/spoiler
Disciples Of Magic “Aether knows neither sacred nor profane, yet resides in all creation. Embrace it,
and a timeless power will be yours.“
The path of magic beckons to those with a restless desire to study and command sorcery in all its forms. Its adherents use artifacts and relics to call upon and channel forces within themselves and the aether around them, weaving their destructive and restorative spells in the service of Eorzea.
Conjury calls upon elemental forces present in nature and concentrates them to a potency at which spells can be weaved. Through practiced meditation on the essences of creation, conjurers draw forth and absorb aether from their immediate surroundings. A wand or cane made from unworked wood is then utilized to focus the aether until it manifests as the desired spell. The seat of the Conjurers’ Guild lies at the Stillglade Fane in Gridania, where the voices of Eorzea’s elementals are said to be most powerful. Abilities Spells Arms
I like what you did, Filon, thank you. I'll try and scrounge up some information to add in here(Though thats been hard for me..) I only know a few things.
Character creation will be extremely customizable. For example, You can get down to such details as eye color, on each eye separately I was told.(And some pictures have even shown it, though right now I can't find them..) I'll get back with more information soon, I hope..
I like what you did, Filon, thank you. I'll try and scrounge up some information to add in here(Though thats been hard for me..) I only know a few things.
Character creation will be extremely customizable. For example, You can get down to such details as eye color, on each eye separately I was told.(And some pictures have even shown it, though right now I can't find them..) I'll get back with more information soon, I hope..
Np, I've had about 6 or 7 people PM me about information on the game, so I thought I'd make a thread where everyone can chime in with a bit of info. I'm just putting the basics in atm. They're on the website, but it might be easier to see it here.
I like what you did, Filon, thank you. I'll try and scrounge up some information to add in here(Though thats been hard for me..) I only know a few things.
Character creation will be extremely customizable. For example, You can get down to such details as eye color, on each eye separately I was told.(And some pictures have even shown it, though right now I can't find them..) I'll get back with more information soon, I hope..
Np, I've had about 6 or 7 people PM me about information on the game, so I thought I'd make a thread where everyone can chime in with a bit of info. I'm just putting the basics in atm. They're on the website, but it might be easier to see it here.
Aye, Its nice to have everything here and not have to look at other sites, or multiple links. I'll do my best to add input, but some things I said I wouldn't share due to having someone trust me with the info.
Temp stickied this thread for now. Will leave it for awhile as long as it stays civil.
Asura.Halloween said:
this is intriguing... what sort of info does a beta tester have that's so juicy it can't be shared?
It's not a question of juiciness, it's a question of legality. Sharing beta information after signing a legally binding contract saying you won't (NDA) can prompt a lawsuit if SE thinks it's worth their while.
As we're still unclear exactly what SE thinks of this site, I'd prefer not to open ourselves up to such a thing more than necessary.
If it's information that's already out there in public, I'm not quite as worried. But if you're posting links to private client downloads or similar, like a few previous threads, I will nuke it.
I like what you did, Filon, thank you. I'll try and scrounge up some information to add in here(Though thats been hard for me..) I only know a few things.
Character creation will be extremely customizable. For example, You can get down to such details as eye color, on each eye separately I was told.(And some pictures have even shown it, though right now I can't find them..) I'll get back with more information soon, I hope..
you can't do each eye separate, some races have two different color eyes and you can choose color combos.
Temp stickied this thread for now. Will leave it for awhile as long as it stays civil.
Asura.Halloween said:
this is intriguing... what sort of info does a beta tester have that's so juicy it can't be shared?
It's not a question of juiciness, it's a question of legality. Sharing beta information after signing a legally binding contract saying you won't (NDA) can prompt a lawsuit if SE thinks it's worth their while.
As we're still unclear exactly what SE thinks of this site, I'd prefer not to open ourselves up to such a thing more than necessary.
If it's information that's already out there in public, I'm not quite as worried. But if you're posting links to private client downloads or similar, like a few previous threads, I will nuke it.
Cheers Jae. I'm going to have a nap and then I'll finish the information off. I haven't got that much to do still.
Just as an update, the Open beta is beginning Aug 31st.
i still cant think of which starting city i should be...
which city do you guys think would be considered the most modern of the three?
I personally am thinking of it like this:
Each city has a craft. Blacksmithing will be making weapons, clothcrafting will be making cloth-ish armor, and leathercraft will be making leather-ish armor. Each city will more then likely be supporting each craft in starting zones with more items for it. (Ex, blacksmithing items in blacksmithing town) I need to dive into the information and see if I'm right with the above stuff, since if I can make my own weapons only, or if I can make myself weapons and metal armor with blacksmithing,(I plan to start as a tank >.>) then my choice is made.
Still torn on where I'm starting. Gridania is kind of ruled out, unless the forest is wide and open like something you'd see in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Not THAT open, but not tree-covered corridors like Yuhtunga and Yhoator Jungle).
Ul'dha or Limsa Lominsa, I really like the La Noscea landscape, and the Limsa Flag, but I've heard Limsa is terribly designed... So not ruling out convenience overturning visual fidelity.
Will there be any pros and cons between choosing to specialize in one discipline vs. using the armory system? (Access to different quests, skill progression restraints that sort of thing?)
I haven't seen any information on this yet aside from bazaar use. Will there be an Auction House in FFXIV?
Well seeing as we're getting a load of threads pop up on different things popping into the game, I thought it would be easier if I made a general thread.
Firstly, I'd like to say the following:
If you want to come into this thread just to start shit with people who are going to buy XIV, please refrain from doing so. I'm not making you do this, but nearly every XIV thread so far has gone to the flame-core, and I'd rather keep at least one topic about the game that will be civil. If you have a personal opinion on the game, then feel free to vent it, but please do it in a positive way instead of flame-baiting. Thanks.
I thought I'd start off with some general information on the different aspects of the game. All this information has been gathered from The XIV website or interviews.
Here we go!
Story The Age of Adventure Men are wont to suffer
And forget wherein they’ve sinned
Ne’er hearkening back on tragedies past
Lest the Twelve might humble them
— Unknown
Countless moons have waxed and waned since wandering tribes from across Hydaelyn first arrived in Eorzea and settled its untamed lands. The benevolent deities who ruled the empty continent and its surrounding islands were impressed with the resilience of these primitive men and women, and in an act of mercy each saw fit to ensure their welfare.
These gods and goddesses soon came to be known as the Twelve, and the villages thrived in their light until the land was bespeckled with several independent city-states. Though, where man walks, strife follows, and for generations, these tiny nations carved out a history of blood and betrayal built upon broken oaths and the sun-bleached bones of the fallen.
However, the fate of the land would soon change. Not fifteen years past, a new threat appeared without warning from the east. Metal-clad warriors brandishing weapons that spewed streams of fire, fleets of behemoth airships belching oily smoke that would block out the sun for days at a time... A resistance was amassed, but to little avail, and it was not long before Ala Mhigo, once considered the most powerful of the remaining six Eorzean city-states, had fallen to the mighty Garlean Empire.
As the empire’s dreadnaughts continued their march of terror across the blood-soaked fields of the north, the remaining nations put aside their differences and clandestinely joined hands to form a loose alliance to ensure they not meet the same fate, should the invaders turn their eyes southward.
Fortunately, the invasion never came, and just as quickly as it had arrived, the empire was gone again. However, echoes of their grim message rang clear in the hearts of Eorzea’s people—its effect on them, profound and irreversible. The realm would never be the same.
And it was thus that Eorzea slipped into the “Age of Calm,” during which an uneasy peace prevailed.
To prepare for the coming storm, the first task of the newly-formed alliance was to fortify their defenses. In the previous era, few city-states maintained organized militaries, opting instead to hire the services of mercenaries and hedge knights to champion their causes. However, after the fall of Ala Mhigo, city guard units were restructured into legitimate standing armies which could be quickly called upon and mobilized if the need arose.
Unfortunately, this left a majority of the realm’s hireswords with nowhere to pledge their fealty, and with their livelihood ripped out from under them, many of these men and women resorted to acts of villainy to survive. For fear of the situation worsening and the land falling into chaos, several respected leaders from around Eorzea gathered together and formed a network of guilds to provide these lost souls with the opportunity to redeem themselves by aiding others.
Through the foresight and resolve of these leaders a new industry known as “adventuring” emerged, its advent helping usher in the current era—an era of hope in a time when shadows of uncertainty loom ever closer.
A Realm Divided
It is nigh on ten years since the fearsome beings known as the primals first appeared in these lands. Ten years since they were summoned forth by the destructive ambition of the beast tribes. Ten years, and still those tribes, drunk on the power granted them by the primals, continue to wreak havoc upon the free peoples of Eorzea.
To the northeast, the Garlean Empire stirs, casting an ominous shadow across the realm. Seeking dominion over the continent of Aldenard, the Garleans set out on a campaign of conquest, smiting all opposition with their superior technology and overwhelming military might. In a relentless drive to the south and west, they lay ruin to the once flourishing city-state of Ala Mhigo.
It is in the midst of this embattled Eorzea that a mysterious power surfaces. Known simply as the Echo, it is said cause the souls of those touched by it to resonate with others. And of this is born the ability to relive their past experiences—to see and feel them as though they were one’s own.
Can these seeds of the past somehow serve to sow hope for the future?
What is the origin of this eldritch power?
Is it a deific gift of righteousness? Or the deception of some sinister sorcery?
To what end has it been given?
The search for the answers to such questions falls to you. So go forth. Seek out and join your brethren. And together claim your place among legends in the annals of time.
— Diversity in Numbers —
Boasting the largest population in Eorzea, the Hyur came from neighboring continents and islands in three great migratory waves. With them they brought a sophisticated technology and complex ethos tempered by the breadth of the outside world. They rapidly became a driving force behind cultural progress, and are now widely attributed with spearheading advances in Eorzean civilization.
One of the Hyur’s strengths is the staggering variety of languages and social institutions they exhibit. This is said to account for their firm conviction in individual freedoms, though it also results in a relative lack of solidarity and group cohesion.
Two distinct groups now exist among the Hyur-Highlanders, denizens of mountainous areas, and Midlanders, who reside in lower elevations.
Midlander
The Midlander clan comprises over half of the total population of Eorzea’s Hyur. They have established themselves throughout every city in the realm and lead lives as diverse as their heritage. Trained in letters from infancy, the Midlanders are generally more educated than many of the other races and clans.
Highlander
The Highlanders derive their name from a long tradition of inhabiting Eorzea’s mountainous regions. Compared to their Midland brethren, the Highlanders are noticeably larger in build. These days, it is rare to see Highlanders save for those who fled Ala Mhigo after its fall, and now work in the other city-states as mercenaries and sellswords.
— A Tribe of One —
During the Age of Endless Frost, as the seas turned to ice and passage over them became possible, Eorzea saw an influx of foreign fauna to her shores. This in turn brought the hunting tribes which subsisted upon them, the modern descendants of whom are today known as the Miqo’te.
Since then, the Miqo’te have diverged into two physically distinguishable groups — the diurnal Seekers of the Sun and the nocturnal Keepers of the Moon. Both groups share a superb olfactory sense and powerful leg musculature, results of a long evolution geared towards hunting and predation.
Comparatively few in number, they maintain an insular group mentality, tending to avoid contact with the other races. Many individuals lead isolated lifestyles, even when residing in the more populous cities.
Seekers of the Sun
The self-proclaimed Seekers of the Sun are the diurnal clan of the Miqo’te race. Their preference for the warm light of day pervades all aspects of their culture, as is apparent in their devout reverence for Azeyma the Warden, goddess of the sun. They are perhaps known best for their striking eyes — the result of their vertically aligned pupils and faintly colored irises.
Keepers of the Moon
The nocturnal among the Miqo’te have dubbed themselves the Keepers of the Moon. Shying from the garish light of day, they revel in the shroud of night, and offer their piety to Menphina the Lover, goddess of the moon. The custom of applying war paint to the face is still regularly practiced by the Keepers of the Moon, enhancing their already distinctive appearance.
— More Clever by Half —
The Lalafell were originally a group of agriculturalists inhabiting the fertile islands of the south seas. With the introduction of transmarine commerce, they soon found their way to Eorzea via trade routes. They are now one of the more populous races and are well established throughout the region, though they remain averse to cold climates.
The short, rotund builds of the Lalafell belie an incredible agility, and their seemingly feeble legs are capable of carrying them long distances over any terrain. Many among them are also known for possessing highly developed and cunning intellects.
The Lalafell place a great deal of significance on familial bonds, but are by no means unfriendly to outsiders. This is evidenced by the fact that they continue to share prosperous relations with all of the other races of Eorzea.
Plainsfolk
The flat landscapes of the Plainsfolk’s home islands are dotted with the clan’s traditional thatched huts, beneath which lie intricate networks of underground passageways. Their distinct hair coloration — a myriad of earthy and grassy tones — mimics their native environment, and their long, pointy ears are said to be able to detect the faintest scampering of the prairie’s various fauna.
Dunesfolk
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Dunesfolk culture is its traditional dwellings — structures affixed to the backs of large beasts of burden. The luminous eyes of the Dunesfolk are the result of a glossy, protective layer which covers the pupil, an evolutionary response to the glaring sunlight of their home region. Many individuals wear a small gemstone on their forehead, representing their zodiacal sign.
— Noble and Refined —
The Elezen are a traditionally nomadic people who in former times claimed sole dominion over Eorzea, their presence predating that of the other races. Believing this prominence to be ordained by the gods, they came to develop an esteemed sense of honor and pride.
Their characteristically tall, slim physiques and elongated limbs are part of a successful adaptation to the land’s various environments. Indeed, it is said that their highly sensitive ears can discern the squeak of a field mouse at a distance of up to several malms.
The Elezen perceived the immigration of the Hyur as tantamount to invasion, and as a result the two share a past plagued by warfare. At present, however, they can be seen coexisting peacefully, the exception being the reclusive Duskwight Elezen.
Wildwood Elezen
For hundreds of years the Wildwood Elezen have lived in the safety of Eorzea’s lush forests. They possess an incredibly keen sense of sight — a contributing factor in their unparalleled expertise as archers. With the formation of the realm’s governments, many Wildwood ventured forth from the forests, drawn either to the exhilarating cosmopolitanism of the urban centers or the simple nomadism of the plains.
The Duskwight Elezen
The Duskwight Elezen have spent centuries in the peace and seclusion of Eorzea’s caves and caverns. They have developed an acute sense of hearing, capable of detecting the faintest of sounds. This natural gift, and the uncanny awareness it grants, has proven advantageous in the field of hand-to-hand combat. Many of the reclusive Duskwight resort to robbery and pillaging to survive, earning them the scorn of their woodland relatives.
— Size Matters —
The Roegadyn are a maritime people whose largest concentrations are found in the northern seas, by way of which they came to Eorzea.
They possess enormous, muscular builds and are known for the cultural emphasis they place on competition and unflinching courage, though tender, introspective individuals can also be found. Roegadyn in and around the Limsa Lominsa area are typically seamen putting in at port, but many have also settled permanently, becoming mercenaries, bodyguards, or even pirates by trade. Far away, deep in the mountains of Ul’dah, live mountain clans of reclusive Roegadyn known as the Hellsguard, said to have mastered the magical arts.
Sea Wolves
The Sea Wolves originally hail from the islands of the far north seas, where they still subsist as fishermen and women. Long ago, no vessel or coastal village was safe from their maritime brand of brutality. Now, it is not uncommon to see them employed as sailors or naval mercenaries on all manner of vessels.
Hellsguard
The Hellsguard are a clan of Roegadyn with body and mind tempered by the unforgiving heat of the volcanic regions they inhabit. Believing these mountains of flame to be gates to the underworld, their line has for centuries stood vigil over them to prevent the passage of souls back to the realm of the living. Their sheer girth and steely demeanor open to the Hellsguard a wide range of paths, from the martial to the monastic.
