Mithra

The Mithra is a female-dominant, agile, cat-like humanoid race available to play in Final Fantasy XI.

A predominantly female race of hunters who live alongside the Tarutaru in Windurst, they are easily identified by their characteristic ears, which give them spectacular hearing ability, and their long tails, which result in an unparalleled sense of balance. Players can only choose to be a female Mithra, as the Mithra men are fairly rare and because of this, they are something of a commodity. Only the more numerous females go out to adventure.

Creation Myth
In the creation myth of Vana'diel the children of the gods, the Ancients, attempted to gain entry to Paradise, however the Gate Keeper of Paradise rejected them and destroyed their entire civilization. The goddess, Altana, having awoken from her slumber, wept over the destruction of the ancient race. Her tears cleaned away the wreckage and five devine tears gave rise to the five enlightened races (Elvaan, Galka, Hume, Mithra, Tarutaru). The God of Twilight, Promathia, however, was disgusted by Altana's weakness and so cursed the five races by bringing out their darkest emotions - the Elvaan's arrogance, the Hume's apathy, the envy of the Mithra, the cowardice of the Tarutaru, and the Galka's rage and curse them to constant internal conflict.

Game History
Contrary to the myth, the Mithra actually evolved from the magic blast that was thought to have wiped out the Zilart race. During the Age of Beasts the Mithra kept to their island homes to the south. Fending off beastmen attacks only when encountered they never sought to expand their territory.

During the Age of Magic, a group of Mithra uncontent with their life of solitude and hearing tales of strange magical beings from the elder Mithra scouts decided to venture out into the ocean to see for themselves. The Cheiftaness, angered by the disregard for tradition, condemned these actions. Those who left in search of this knowledge were not permitted to return. This did not stop the adventure seeking youth, though, who set off on their journey. Eventually arriving at Windurst, the Mithra, in awe of the Tarutaru, were welcomed with open arms. Their strength and tactical skill would prove useful to the physically weaker Tarutaru. It was a dually beneficial arrangement. The Mithra would be allowed to live in Windurst with Tarutaru protection and magics, and in return they would serve as the foot soldiers of the Taru military. Together, the races carved and built the town of Mhaura into the cliffs overlooking the sea. It was a reminder to the Mithra that their home was not so far away after all. Mhaura, though always a small town in stature, would become a special place in the hearts of Mithra in Windurst. However, as more races gained powerful magic, the Tarutaru isolated themselves from the world, closing their nation's borders from all but the Mithra.

During the Age of Power it was assumed that the Mithra fought alongside the Tarutaru against the Elvaan empire. Come the fall of the empire and the Moon's Eclipse. The Mithra had developed their own population and chieftaness within the capital of Windhurst so that, come the onset of the Crystal War, the Mithra race and culture was as threatened as the Tarutaru. Many Mithra from the islands also volunteered to help fight the Beastmen hordes and were dispatched to their allied city The Federation of Windurst. However, despite the combined efforts of the Allied Forces, Windurst was leveled during the war. At the war's end, the Mithra played a key role in rebuilding the city and many have since taken up permanent residence there.

Culture
Cunning and quick witted, the Mithra were amazonian warriors and hunters since the Age of Beasts. The Mithra form tribal communities, with each tribe overseen by a Chieftainess. Furthermore these tribes are all answerable to a single Tribal Chieftainess who acts as the society's ruler, governing the entire Mithra community. Currently there are two Tribal Chieftainesses, one in Gha Naboh and one in Windhurst. Due to the rarity of male Mithra, the men stayed home to raise children while the women formed the political and warrior classes. The Mithra homeland nation is Gha Naboh Matriarchate (also known as "Gha Naboh"), with its capital City of Yhoh, on the continent of Olzhirya. The Mithra built and maintained a society on the island chains of the nation. Though active in the battles with the beastmen on their islands, they did not seek to expand their territory beyond Olzhirya. The nation was known by the Mithra as "the motherland" and was a peaceful nation ruled by a wise and beautiful queen during the times before the Crystal War.

It was the inherent curiosity in the Mithra youth that caused the culture to become known, and integrated, with the other races in Vana'diel. Forming strong ties with the Tarutaru and building cities such as Mhaura. This break from tradition, however, caused the youth to be banished from Gha Naboh. It is unknown if this punishment is still in effect. These Mithra now live alongside the Tarutaru in Windurst and in the small town of Kazham in the Outland islands. Thanks to the friendly relationship with the Tarutaru (whom many Mithra view as little brothers and sisters), Windurst enjoys a peace and prosperity that is only threatened by the Yagudo, with whom Windurst shares an uneasy truce.

Physiology
Being described as humanoid cats, the tails of the Mithra give them an excellent sense of balance that no other race seems to be able to compare with. This gives them the highest dexterity and agility among the races of Vana'diel. Their ears also allow the Mithra a more acute sense of hearing and the ears themselves react in accordance to the Mithra's emotional state, much like cats. Their facial markings are genetic and sometimes are passed down within bloodlines, revealing what family or ancestory a Mithra may be from. Other than these traits and a feline-like nose their physical stature is compariable to that of a Hume.

Like all cats, they have unbelievable energy and curiosity. Mithra are the only race able to eat raw fish.

Demeanor
Known for their energy, curiosity, and their penchant for causing playful mischief they are not particularly strong, brilliant, or charismatic but, due to their outstanding dexterity and agility, they are ideal for classes like Ranger, Ninja, and particularly Thief, these traits have caused them to be stereotyped as a race of thieves and cheats and are treated with disdain and suspicion by the other races. Unfortunately, due to their tribal hunter culture, their lack of social grace also results in a penalty in their Charisma. Mithra have otherwise fairly average statistics and can play almost any of the Jobs without great difficulty, with possible exception given to Beastmaster and Bard due to their low Charisma scores.

Military
Due to their free-willed nature, the Mithra prefer the work of mercenaries to the discilplined lifestyle of regimented forces. As such most of their military organizations are mercenary forces.

An elite, all Mithra, guard force that answer only to the Star Sybil. The Sibyl Guards evoke mixed feelings among the local Mithra tribes - for some, to be accepted in that elite unit is the ultimate recognition of their hunting and archery skills. Others consider The Sibyl Guards to have "lost their way" as they were "raised by Tarutaru" and thus are not "true Mithra".

In Windhurst the Mithra had formed a military organization called the Mithra Mercenaries, as one of two Windurstian military organizations, the other being the War Warlocks. The Mithra Mercenaries are mainly Mithra, as the name implies, but when the Mithra are out hunting and the numbers are considerably low, Freeswords are hired. Freeswords are inexperienced soldiers from Windurst that could be from any race.

Sin Hunters (also known as Mithran Trackers) are a group of Mithra charged with enforcing Mithran law. All possessing the designation of "Shikaree" followed by a letter (eg Shikaree G, Shikaree H, etc) the hunters wear specialized armour and helmets.

Salaheem's Sentinels are a prominent organization of Mercenaries in Aht Urhgan. The leader of Salaheem's Sentinels is President Naja Salaheem, a Mithra of doubtful manners and business policies. Recently Salaheem's Sentinels have been hired by The Empire of Aht Urhgan for a large scale deployment of mercenaries to aid the Imperial Armies.

Starting Statistics
The following table shows the level 1 statistics for each class a Mithra can take:

Race Comparison

 * HP: Galka > Elvaan > Mithra = Hume > Tarutaru
 * MP: Tarutaru > Hume = Mithra > Elvaan > Galka
 * STR: Elvaan > Galka > Hume > Mithra > Tarutaru
 * DEX: Mithra > Galka = Hume = Tarutaru > Elvaan
 * VIT: Galka > Elvaan > Hume > Mithra = Tarutaru
 * AGI: Mithra > Tarutaru > Hume > Galka > Elvaan
 * INT: Tarutaru > Hume = Mithra > Galka > Elvaan
 * MND: Elvaan > Galka = Hume > Mithra = Tarutaru
 * CHR: Hume = Tarutaru = Elvaan > Galka = Mithra

Etymology
"Mithra" (Avestan Miθra, modern Persian مهر Mihr, Mehr, Meher) is an important deity or divine concept in and later  history and culture. In addition to being the divinity of contracts, Mithra is also the all-seeing protector of Truth, the guardian of cattle, the harvest and of the water.

Trivia

 * In Dissidia Final Fantasy, Shantotto's battle greeting to Zidane is to say he reminds her of a Mithra.
 * The Mithra homeland, Gha Naboh, and the continent of Olzhiryais is not currently accessible for players. Players can, however, go to Kazham, a "Tropical Paradise" located on the Island of Elshimo, which is considered a second home of the Mithra.
 * Mithra players are rewarded with a Windurst Ring if they start in the city of Windurst, which is considered the adopted homeland of the Mithra.
 * With the release of the expansion Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess there is now one male Mithra NPC, named Lehko Habhoka who takes part in the past Windurst storyline.
 * Mithran men are presumed to live on the continent of Olzhirya and its surrounding islands to the far south, and are very seldom seen in public on the continents of Quon, Mindartia, Aradjiah and presumably Ulbuka to the west.

Mithra