Hrothgar

The Hrothgar is a feline race from Eorzea in Final Fantasy XIV, making their debut the Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers expansion alongside the Viera. Though similar to the Miqo'te, their appearance is much more animalistic and burly than their more Hyuran-like counterparts

Culture
The Hrothgar like many other races, are separated into two clans, the warm-colored Helion and the winter-furred Lost. In ages past, the Helions of southern Illsabard serve under a singular matriarchal rule, named as such because their lives seem to revolve wholly around their queen though there are.

By stark contrast, the Lost are a nomadic clan known to undertake many trade professions, from peddlers to mercenaries. As they are nomadic by nature, they're more hesitant to take up any occupations that restrict their habit of traveling. Their cold fur is said to be a symbol of their independent nature, driving them away from the warm embrace of their queen.

Story
Hailing from the distant shores of Ilsabard, the Hrothgar are a burly people of lionlike appearance - or the males - at least. Females are staggeringly few among their population and are rarely glimpsed by the other races.

The Hrothgar's imposing countenance, not mitigated by their sharp claws and their still sharper fangs incited panic among Eorzeans upon their arrival. As they were also unable to communicate, initial interactions among the commonfolk often escalated into conflict. It was not until the Hrothgar gained mastery over the common tongue that fears were allayed and, in time as they would be neighbors, welcome in all corners of the realm.

Concept and creation
The Hrothgar were revealed as a second playable race alongside the Viera during the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Tokyo in March 2019 for the Shadowbringers expansion. Like the Viera, the Hrothgar would be genderlocked as a male only race though like the Viera, the opposite sex exists for both but for lore reasons, are rarely seen. The Hrothgar were added due to fan request to have the option to choose a more bestial race. While beastmen races were in the game since Legacy, they were relegated to antagonistic NPC roles due to lore reasons. The decision for both to be genderlocked was met with mixed reactions and criticism.

The Hrothgar are primarily based on the Ronso from Final Fantasy X and are named as such in the First Shard. Due to limitations, the Hrothgar's fur is mostly short.

Etymology
The name Hrothgar is derived from the Old German name Hrodger or Hrotger, composed of two elements “*hrōþiz” (praise, fame, glory, renown, honour) plus “*gaizaz” (spear, pike, javelin). It can be translated as "glorious spearman" or "famous with the spear". Hrothgar was also the name of a Danish king.