Today we are gonna talk about one of the most popular races in FFXIV. And of course I’m referring to all the cat people of Eorzea, the Miqo’te!
Apart from the obvious indicators of tails and cat ears, the Miqo’te are also distinguished by the unique hunting lifestyle that has eventually helped them develop a keen sense of smell, powerful legs, and excellent balance.
But even amongst the Miqo’te there are additional indicators that further set each individual apart. The main distinguisher is what was initially considered to be War Paint.
Now you might have been one of many inclined to believe that the markings were actually war paint, but no, the markings seen on the male Miqo’te are not paint but birthmarks, whch become deeper in colour as they grow older.
This distinguishing feature is universal to all male Miqo’te. In the sense that female Miqo’tes can be born without any markings, but that is not the case for their male counterparts. Every male Miqo’te will have this trait by default.
The Miqo’te’s nature in Final Fantasy XIV
Miqo’tes in general are not only fewer in number across Eorzea, but they are also more solitary in nature, to the point where male Miqo’tes tend to live completely away from civilization while the females are more keen on being a part of Eorzean society.
But even with their solitary nature, they understand the importance of communication with other races in order to procure materials for their hunting equipment. As such, they were able to learn the common Eorzean tongue with much ease.
Being prideful of their heritage, most Miqo’te see themselves as a part of the natural world and prize the freedom of hunting more than anything else. So much so that it seeps into their way of speaking with a variety of tongue clicks and whistles, which were used to communicate with fellow hunters. This is known as the Miqo’te huntspeak.
The hunting nature not only affects their speech and choice of life but also their choice in clothing; this is because they are known to prefer garments that allow them to make the most of their speed and flexibility.
Now, this level of hereditary pride likely comes from the Miqo’te’s history in the lands of Eorzea. They are actually the descendants of a hunting nomad group who crossed over the frozen seas to Eorzea in search of prey during the Age of Endless Frost.
And it is this nomadic and hunting heritage that makes Miqo’tes such great candidates for adventurers as well.
