We explain the FFXIV Races, their backgrounds, and everything else you need to know.
Final Fantasy XIV features a myriad of playable races, each unique in their own right. Some are unique to FFXIV and others are tasteful callbacks to previous titles. And while the race you play does not affect your experience whatsoever, it can’t hurt to know the cultural background of your character. Don’t worry we’ll keep it spoiler free.
Explaining the FFXIV Races
Hyur
The Hyur are one of the most common races on Hydaelyn and can be found almost everywhere. Little is known about their actual origin with some studies suggesting that they originally evolved from the larger more long-lived Elezen.
They are the humans of this world and are differentiated into two clans, the more agile Midlanders and the strong and sturdy Highlanders. There is no real cultural difference between the two types which can often be found living together in mixed communities.
Elezen
Elezen are one of the longer-lived races on Hydaelyn and are native to the land of Eorzea and Dalmasca. These tall towering people are known to be honorable and prideful, if not a little arrogant. You can find them all over Eorzea but they are most common in the Shroud and the Coerthas area.
They are commonly differentiated into two different clans. The Wildwoods who used to tend for the woods until they eventually integrated into society and the Duskwright who used to roam in the darkness of caves.
Miqo’te
These feline people originated on the southern continent of Meracydia. Today they can be found all over Eorzea, Ilsabard, and even in the Far East. And while a majority of Miqo’te still live in secluded tribes, more and more are rejecting the old ways of joining society in search of opportunity.
They are also divided into two different ethnicities, the Seekers of the Sun and the Keepers of the Moon. The latter usually comes in the form of a matriarchal society that prefers colder climates and the woods while the Seekers live in a patriarchal society often found in deserts and mountains.
Lalafell
A short people who find their origin in both Eorzea and the south sea iles. They are known for their business prowess and ingenuity which often places them at the head of rising trading empires such as the East Aldenard Trading Company.
Today they are usually categorized as either the Plainsfolkes which can be found in La Noscea and the Twelveswood or the Dunesfolk which call the greater Thanalan area their home.
Roegadyn
An imposing people, taller than the Elezen and twice as wide. They are known as a fierce race, some would even call them barbaric, which originated in Ilsabard and the Far East.
The Sea Wolf tribe commonly sticks to the sea, often taking to a life of trade while the Hellsguard who are said to have an aptitude for magic used to be infamous mercenaries who played a crucial part in the founding of the Garlean Empire.
Au Ra
A Hyur-like horned race that originated in the Far Eastern Azim Steppes. And while they share traits with dragons, we are told that the two races are completely unrelated.
The light-horned Raen can be found along the coastlines of the Far East, Ilsabard and Thavnair, some of them are even said to live in small communities on the bottom of the ocean. The dark-horned Xaela are commonly found in their ancestral home of the Azim Steppes where they live in small, warring tribes upholding tradition and a delicate balance.
Viera
They are said to live hundreds of years and it’s also said that 80% of Viera are born females. Once they come of age, the males take on the duty as Wood-warders who roam the forests they call their home and protect it from outsiders while the females tend to the woods and kits back at the village.
They are most commonly found in the mountains and forests of Dalmasca. The Rava usually keep to the jungles of Gelmore while the Veena inhabit the Skatay mountains.
Hrothgar
A feline race that can be found in Ilsabard and far west in the New World. Today they are known as powerful warriors that said to have once beaten back the mighty Allagan Empire thousands of years ago.
It is said that long ago the Helions of Bozja served their Queen with fierce loyalty. The Lost, a splinter group rejected the Queen and their signature cold fur is evidence that they turned away from her warm embrace to find independence.
For more on FFXIV check out our summary of the Fan Fest in London and all the new details around the upcoming Dawntrail expansion or have a look at our lists of things to do when content gets stale.