Viera (Final Fantasy XIV)

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Viera
(ヴィエラ, Viera?)
Background information
Home	Othard
Physical distinctions	Humanoid, rabbit
Members
Playable characters	Possible Warrior of Light race

Viera is a race from Final Fantasy XIV, introduced in Shadowbringers. Viera first appeared in the series in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

See also: Viera

Profile

The Viera is a leporine race of people commonly found in Southern Othard. While the majority of their population resides closed-off from the rest of the world in the Golmore Jungle, in recent times more them decide to leave the safety of the forest to explore the world. As such, it is estimated that the Kingdom of Dalmasca is comprised of around 5% of Viera.

The Rava Viera in Golmore Jungle live under a strict code, the "Green Word", that forbid them from interacting with the outside world unless strictly necessary. Those who leave to discover the world are forever banished, never to return. In contrast, the Veena Viera of the Skatay Range are more open to venturing to the outside world.

Like the Keepers of the Moon, the Viera are a matriarchal society ruled by and mostly comprised of women. The rare men, however, are still held in high regard as Wood-warder, defenders of the jungle. They remain deeply solitary, except when they decide to take a ward, always a male, to train.

It is estimated that around 80% of Viera are born female. They begin to show sexual dimorphism at around the age of 13, which is when the males will be taken under the wings of older males to train in the ways of the Wood-warders.

The Viera refer to aether as Mist, as demonstrated by Fran at Orbonne Monastery. In the alternate world The First, the Viera are known as "Viis".

Notable members

• Fran

Creation and development

Concept art showing female and male viera from Heavensward.

The Viera was considered as the new race to be included in the Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward expansion. While at first fans were apprehensive at the possibility of it being a female-only race, the development team revealed they had drawn up concepts for male Viera. They also showed concepts of a younger variation, similar to the feol Viera*(From Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings). However, the idea was discarded in favor of the Au Ra.

In the Fan Festival held in November 2018 Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida and the translator and English localization lead Michael-Christopher Koji Fox joked throughout the keynote about Yoshida's shirt, which featured Bugs Bunny on a motorcycle. The camera zoomed in on it just after announcing an "unknown new playable race." Yoshida also hinted that the final chapter in the Return to Ivalice raid would feature a huge hint.

The Viera were confirmed as a playable race for Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers at the 2019 Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival in Paris on February 2, 2019. Only female Viera were shown, leaving many to speculate that males might follow. This speculation was proven to be false; instead, an all-male race known as the Hrothgar was inserted to complement the Viera. The rationale given was the same as for Final Fantasy XII: that males were too reclusive and aggressive.

Preliminary fan response to the changes announced was mixed to negative, with reports of backlash on social media and official discussion forums. In his Letter from the Producer, LXII, Yoshida answered to the criticism citing the cost of developing a new race, and how Viera and Hrothgar would likely be the final races to be added to the game, requiring new faces, hairstyles, bodies, and other assets and to be capable of equipping all existing items. While Viera was a popular fan demand, there had also been calls for more beastly variety to playable characters. The team thus felt that it was in their best interests to try and satisfy both demands. Though understanding that some players would be upset at being unable to use their preferred gender, the team decided to add gender-locked races as the best way to "improve the overall game experience."

Gallery

Concept art.

Vieran dancer.

Vieran dancer.

Render.

Official screenshot.

Official screenshot.

Etymology

[view · edit · purge]Viera is a word in Slovakian language meaning "faith". It also appears in other Slavic languages with small changes in spelling or pronunciation, and is often used as a feminine name. Viera is also an Italian word meaning "ring", and is used as a surname particularly in Northern Italy.

External links

• Introduction video