FFXIV ORIGINS:

Hyur: The Migrating People

Over the course of three great migratory waves, the Hyur (ヒューラン, "Hyūran") have become the most populous of Eorzea's races, and make up a prominent portion of the population of each of the realm's city-states. Possessed of an average physique in height and build compared to the other races, they champion personal freedom and liberty, with an eclectic variety of languages and traditions stemming from their diverse backgrounds. The Hyur are known for their peculiarly short, rounded ears and are well-suited for traveling long distances by foot—a trait thought to account for their swift proliferation.On the First, the Hyur are instead called the Hume. Humes appear to have similarly spread across Norvrandt. They are present in the Crystarium, Eulmore, the Rak'tika Greatwood, and Amh Araeng. Prior to the flood of Light, Lakeland and Nabaath Areng were known for their Hume populations, and a number of Hume are said to have lived beyond Norvrandt, Ran'jit being the only known survivor of one of these clans.

Hyur: Historical Relevance

When the Hyur first arrived in Eorzea before the First Astral Era, they were just one race among many. They remained no more populous than the other races for millennia, with Hyuran citizens appearing in many of Eorzea's societies such as ancient Allag, Mhach, and Amdapor. Around the year 350 of the Sixth Astral Era, Hyuran tribes began to emigrate en masse into Eorzea in the first of three great migratory wave, followed by an additional two waves close to the years 660 and 750.The Hyur spread from the northeastern reaches of Ilsabard and other continents and islands to all corners of the realm, forever changing the racial demographic of Eorzea and solidifying their status as the most populous race in the modern day. As they came to settle in Eorzea, they displaced the Elezen inhabitants of the land, some finding themselves in conflict and outright war with those Elezen who chose to settle the Black Shroud and the Lalafellin citizens of Belah'dia. Ultimately, the former were able to settle their differences, forming the Pact of Gelmorra and co-founding the eponymous city-state.The Highlander Hyur of Gyr Abania spent the early years of the Sixth Astral Era warring amongst themselves until Anshelm Cotter founded the city-state of Ala Mhigo and united their clans. For a time, Ala Mhigo would serve as the predominant Hyuran nation in Eorzea, with Gelmorra as a secondary bastion for the Hyur, but as the races integrated, Hyur came to live in each city-state.The Hyur of Limsa Lominsa primarily descend from Hyuran sailors forced to serve aboard Lominsan pirate ships. They also dwelled in Belah'dia near the end of its lifespan, and formed part of the populations of its successor city-states: Ul'dah, where Hyur of both clans continue to dwell to this day, and fallen Sil'dih. In fact, a Hyuran man named Baldurf Thorne came into power as sultan of Ul'dah following the War of the Sisters, beginning the lost Thorne Dynasty.In 1076, a Hyuran mage named Jorin Lightheart created conjury to commune with the elementals, securing safe dwelling in the forest for the Gelmorrans.[6] When Gelmorra was abandoned, the Hyur formed a sizable portion of Gridania's native population, and both Ishgard and Sharlayan include Hyuran citizenry. In 1322 of the Sixth Astral Era, the Creeping Death struck the Hyuran population of Gridania, taking many Hyuran residents of the city-state before a cure was found five years later.Around the 930th year of the Sixth Astral Era, the fledgling Republic of Garlemald suffered a crippling blow when it was raided by Hyuran nomads from northern Ilsabard. The Republic hired Roegadyn mountain clans to fight them back, successfully driving off the Hyur. Hyur dwell in the capital of Garlemald and its surrounding areas even today.

Hyur: Regional Hierarchies

The Hyur of Eorzea are divided into two clans: the Midlanders of the realm's low-lying regions, and the Highlanders who call the mountains home. The Midlanders largely arrived in the three great migratory waves, or else came for trade or were pressed into service by pirates. The Highlanders were the first Hyur to settle Eorzea in the Sixth Astral Era and descend from refugees of the Sixth Umbral Calamity who followed a comet to the highlands of Gyr Abania, eventually founding the city-state of Ala Mhigo.Outside of Eorzea, there exist distinct clans of Hyur in the other two of the Three Great Continents, Ilsabard and Othard, as well as Hyur who dwell in the far southern continent of Meracydia and the western continent, the New World. Some Hyur also call the islands of the Bounty, such as Thavnair, home, and some dwell in Sharlayan in the Northern Empty. Their manifold clans and houses are as abundant as the stars in the night sky.

Hyur: Cultural Significance

As the Hyur possess many languages and cultural backgrounds from their places of origin, any sense of universal cultural identity among Hyur is tenuous at best. Hyur tend to value personal freedom, distinguishing themselves in a wide array of disciplines and industries without regard for tradition or heredity. While this can make other races view them as overzealous and unprincipled, none can deny the knowledge, technology, and new ideas the Hyur have brought with them have served as the driving force behind the rapid spread of culture and civilization in Eorzea.The simple yet functional attire worn by Hyuran adventurers is made of cotton fabrics reinforced with leather. Hyur tend to favor leather longboots, which some claim is a vestigial habit from their ancestors who crossed the snow-swept plains of Ilsabard.The common tongue of the Hyur is spoken in all nations of Eorzea, as well as in almost every nation across the world due to frequent migration and cultural exchange by the Hyur. The language is spoken almost anywhere Hyur can be found, and as Hyur can be found almost anywhere, it is rare to find a major city that doesn't use it. The twenty-six letter Eorzean Alphabet is based on the Hyuran tongue, developed by Hyuran priests in the Fourth Astral Era and still in use to this day. The language also contains pieces of other racial languages, particularly the tongue of the Elezen.

Roegadyn: People of the Rain

Massive and heavily muscled, the Roegadyn (ルガディン, "Rugadin") are known for their brawny builds and piercing eyes and are the largest and most rugged of Eorzea's races. They are descended from a maritime people that roamed northern seas, though many of their ancestors came to dwell in Eorzea. Though often considered a barbaric and fiercely competitive race, they are also known for their honor, compassion, and loyalty. The histories are filled with tales of Roegadyn warriors and their courageous deeds.Roegadyn are said to be possessed of near-endless stamina, which may account for the impressive resilience shown by Roegadyn such as Gosetsu Daito.This race is known as the Galdjent on the First and, prior to the Flood of Light, made up a large part of the population of the Kingdom of Voeburt. Presently, they are found mostly in Lakeland, though some also live in Eulmore.

Roegadyn: Historical Relevance

A maritime folk hailing from the bleak isles of the Northern Empty, the name "Roegadyn" means "people of the rain." According to their mythologies, all life first began on the island of Nagyn, meaning "Origin" in their tongue. It is said to be the center of all life and civilization, and is considered sacred to them.Their ancestral homeland is Aerslaent, meaning "First Land," from which they established their reputation as brutal pirates. They're also known to have dwelled in Meracydia during the time of the Allagan Empire. At some point in time, a group of Roegadyn crossed over from Aerslaent and established a civilization in the mountains of Abalathia's Spine, where their Hellsguard descendants reside to this day. A different group of Sea Wolf Roegadyn came to Eorzea fleeing the rule of a despotic tyrant, and came ashore the isle of Vylbrand in 875 of the Sixth Astral Era. The city of Limsa Lominsa rose to prosperity from the crew of this lone vessel, the Galadion.While the Sea Wolves of Limsa Lominsa have a long and storied history as pirates, with many to hold the position of Admiral hailing from the clan (including current holder, Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn), the Hellsguard established themselves as mercenaries in Ul'dah and Ala Mhigo. They were once known for their unique brand of warrior, who wielded bestial fury on the battlefield. On Ilsabard, in 935 of the Sixth Astral Era, a separate group of Roegadyn mountain clans were employed by the republic of Garlemald to fend off invasions by Hyuran nomads. They ultimately withdrew from the capital a century later after the Garleans refused to compensate them for their service.

Roegadyn: Regional Hierarchies

The Roegadyn of Eorzea are roughly grouped into two clans: the Sea Wolves who descend from the seafaring people of the north, and the mountain-dwelling Hellsguard. Of the two clans, the Sea Wolves are the more populous. Those belonging to neither clan can be found elsewhere in the Three Great Continents. In Ilsabard, a group of Roegadyn are known to dwell in the mountains. These Ilsabardian Roegadyn may physically resemble either Sea Wolves or Hellsguard. Many of them currently serve as part of the Garlean Empire, where they can be seen wreaking havoc on the battlefield for the imperial army, having been assimilated under the Garlean yoke. Still another clan of Roegadyn resembling the Hellsguard is a common sight in the Far East, where they make up a significant population of both Doma and Hingashi. During the time of the Allagan Empire, they also dwelled in Meracydia.

Roegadyn: Cultural Significance

Whether on the angry seas of the Northern Empty or the peaks of Abalathia's Spine, the Roegadyn have historically lived in rugged, inhospitable climes. Their culture values strength and willpower, both among their own kind and outsiders. This isn't limited to physical strength—even a Lalafell can earn a Roegadyn's respect through a display of magical might or strength of will. Those who lack these qualities will find it difficult to hold a Roegadyn's attention without an exchange of coin. Accordingly, the Roegadyn are often seen vying with one another in feats of strength.Traditional Roegadyn garb flaunts the wearer's imposing physique, with the biceps exposed and the lower arms covered in sturdy leather armguards with unique cross-stitched patterns. This further accentuates the Roegadyn's massive arms.The old Roegadyn tongue lives on in Aerslaent and the Abalathian hinterlands, such as the Farreach. The Roegadyn of Limsa Lominsa and those Hellsguard who dwell in Ala Mhigo or ply their trade as sellswords and adventurers in Ul'dah have learned the common tongue of the Hyur due to their frequent contact with the other races.Many Roegadyn words have been forgotten after generations of disuse, with only popular terms being passed down through names. Every so often, however, a word is rediscovered in an ancient tome and added to the list for further generations to use.