ELEZEN
The Elezen are a characteristically tall people, long of limb and slender of build. They are also possessed of a somewhat extended lifespan in comparison to the Hyur. The Elezen once claimed sole dominion over Eorzea, their presence predating that of the other races, and, as such, developed a heightened sense of honor and pride. In years past, the Hyur migration into Elezen lands sparked bitter conflict. At present, however, the mutual understanding reached between the two races allows them to work towards mutual peace and prosperity.
Ultimately the Elezen diverged into the two clans that exist today. The Wildwood took to the forests to protect their homeland, while the Duskwight withdrew to caves and subterrane, opting to avoid all contact with any but their own.
*Wildwood - The forests, of which the Black Shroud is the tangled heart, have been home to the Wildwood Elezen for hundreds of years. Many of the Wildwood, however, have been drawn to the city-states they helped found, such as Ishgard and Gridania. Their fondness for law and order has contributed to a reputation for being haughty and argumentative.
There is minimal dimorphism between the two genders, though males are generally considered to be milder and more chivalrous in demeanor. Among their Duskwight brethren, Wildwood Elezen are referred to as Greens, for their love of the forest.
*Duskwight - For the past several centuries, the Duskwight Elezen have lived in the woodland caverns of Eorzea. These cave-dwelling Elezen are the descendants of a branch that split from the main Wildwood clan during the founding of Gridania. The Duskwight despise the "shackles" of urban life, and it is not uncommon for this reclusive people to avoid the city-states altogether.
To their Wildwood cousins they are known simply as "Greys", after their preference for darkness and stone. The cave-dwelling ways of the Duskwight persist, with some among them turning to robbery and pillaging to survive, earning them the scorn of their woodland relatives.
There are few differences between the genders, but Duskwight females are often regarded as being the more passionate and unyielding of the two.
HYUR
The Hyur are said to have first traveled to Eorzea from her surrounding continents and islands. Over the course of some one thousand years and three great migratory waves, the Hyur have come to be the most populous of the civilized races in Eorzea.
Compared to the others, theirs is an average physique, both in terms of height and build. They are known for their peculiarly short, rounded ears. They are well suited for traveling long distances by foot, a trait thought to account for their swift proliferation.
The Hyur champion personal freedom and liberty, and their espousal of an eclectic variety of languages and traditions is a legacy of their diverse heritage―as is their resulting lack of a unified cultural identity.
*Midlanders - The Midlander clan comprises over half of Eorzea's total Hyur population. The name derives from the clan's long tradition of settling in low-lying regions, though, in truth, Midlander lines hail from a wide variety of ancestral homelands. They have established themselves in every city throughout the realm, and can be observed leading 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. Despite the fact that males tend to be slightly taller than females, there are no significant differences between the genders.
*Highlanders - The Highlanders were the first of the Hyur to reach Eorzea. Their name comes from the clan's history of dominion over the mountains of Gyr Abania. Compared to their Midlander brethren, the Highlanders are noticeably larger in build and musculature. Following the fall of their ancestral homeland of Ala Mhigo, many have sought refuge in the bustling mercantile nation of Ul'dah, working as mercenaries and sellswords.
Of late, the Highlanders have become an increasingly rare sight in Eorzea, their number represented almost exclusively by those who fled Ala Mhigo.
LALAFELL
The Lalafell are a folk both rotund and diminutive. Small by any race's standards and possessed of a childlike countenance, it proves difficult for non-Lalafell to gauge an individual's age with any degree of accuracy. Originally an agricultural people inhabiting the fertile islands of the south seas, they found their way to Eorzea via the burgeoning trade routes. Lalafell are welcoming of outsiders, and share prosperous relations with all of the other races of Eorzea.
*Plainsfolk - From the flat landscapes of the Plainsfolk's home islands are where this Lalafellin clan takes its name. Their distinct hair coloration - a myriad of earthy and grassy tones - helps them to blend in well with their environment, acting as an effective camouflage against would-be attackers.
The Plainsfolk have settled in La Noscea and other regions where the ground is flat and easily cultivated. Though many live the life of farmers, it is not uncommon to see Plainsfolk residing in Limsa Lominsa, holding positions in the navy or working in the fisheries. They are well known for their relaxed and carefree demeanor.
They are a clever and opportunistic people, and crafty with their words. The generally accepted view of Plainsfolk is that they are a vibrant lot, with a penchant for excessive conversation.
*Dunesfolk - The Dunesfolk can be found on the scorching sands of Thanalan and other such arid areas. As the founders of the merchant city of Ul'dah, they are famous for their obsession with commerce. A natural inclination to transform ideas into action has served the Dunesfolk well in their business dealings.
Perhaps the most unique characteristic of the Dunesfolk is their luminous eyes - a result of a glossy, protective layer which covers the pupil, an evolutionary response to their homeland's glaring sunlight.
They are adamant about scholasticism, placing the advancement of knowledge before all else. Other races tend to perceive male Dunesfolk as introverts who care more for books, business, and the prosperity of Ul'dah than the goings-on of the rest of the realm.
MIQO'TE
Though their presence in Eorzea is lesser than that of the other races, the Miqo'te are easily distinguished by their large, projecting ears and restless, feline tails. The ancestors of this line first made their way to the realm during the Age of Endless Frost in the Fifth Umbral Era, traversing frozen seas in pursuit of the wildlife upon which they subsisted. Instinctual territoriality causes many among them to lead solitary lifestyles. Males in particular are said to shy from contact with others.
Adaptation to a hunting lifestyle has fashioned them with a keen sense of smell, powerful legs, and a tail which provides them with excellent balance.
*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. Though relatively few in Eorzea, a small number of them have been accepted into everyday life by the other races in the port city of Limsa Lominsa. Others are known to make their home in the region of the Sagolii Desert.
They are perhaps known best for their striking eyes - the result of their vertically aligned pupils and faintly colored irises. It is also not uncommon for their eyes to be disparately colored from birth, a trait considered auspicious amongst their kind.
*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, with most offering their piety to Menphina the Lover, goddess of the moon. Their tradition of hunting in the thick woodlands of the Black Shroud have for years thrown them into conflict with the forestfolk of Gridania, who condemn them as poachers. Of late, however, many Keepers of the Moon have found some small peace with the Gridanians, and taken to living within the city.
They are distinguished from their diurnal cousins by their darker fur, larger ears, rounder eyes, more pronounced canines, and longer, skinnier tails. The ritual application of war paint to their face is still regularly practiced, as it is believed the vivid colors grant lunar powers.
ROEGADYN
The Roegadyn are easily identified by their massive, muscular frames and piercing eyes. They are the largest and most rugged of Eorzeas races. They are descended from a maritime people that roamed the northern seas, though many of their ancestors turned their longships south to brave the crossing into Eorzean waters. Often considered a barbaric race, the fiercely competitive Roegadyn are also known for their compassion and unswerving loyalty. Many of the greatest warriors in history were born of Roegadyn stock.
*Sea Wolves - Long ago, no vessel or coastal village was safe from the fury of the Sea Wolves and their maritime brand of brutality. The Sea Wolves were once feared as brutal pirates of the north seas. The mere mention of the clan was enough to strike fear into the hearts of any who drew their livelihood from the sea.
It was not until the large-scale development of Limsa Lominsa's armada that the Sea Wolves' appetite for piracy diminished. Now,they are one of the principal races of Limsa Lominsa, most often seen employed as sailors or seamen. In keeping with the old ways, the Sea Wolves bear names taken from the ancient Roegadyn language.
The Sea Wolves initially hail from the islands of the far north seas, where they still subsist as fishermen and woman.
*Hellsguard - The Hellsguard are a small clan of Roegadyn with body and mind tempered by the unforgiving heat of the volcanic regions they inhabit in the north of Abalathia's Spine. Believing these mountains of flame to be gates to the underworld, their line has for centuries stood vigil to prevent the passage of souls back to the realm of the living.
As the harsh environs of their homelands produce little sustenance, the second- and third-born are often sent forth from their mountain villages, with many and more making their way to the great cities.
It is clan tradition to enter the mercenary trade; thus the Hellsguard took to giving themselves easily remembered names made up of words in the common tongue. They are a common sight on the streets of Ul'dah, earning a living as sellswords or bodyguards. This allows the young of even the largest families to surpass their elder siblings in prosperity.
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