This has been an absolute monster of a lore-gathering exercise (plus the better part of a year derailed into other topics) and I'm not fully done yet on that front, but at this point I think I just need to get the current text out there so the resource is available to everyone.
PART 1: NAMING CONVENTIONS
BASIC NAME STRUCTURE
Female names
Female names take the basic form:
[tribe letter][apostrophe][given name] [father’s name]
The surname should be just a male given name, without the tribe letter.
Name examples:
Y'shtola Rhul = Shtola of the Y tribe, daughter of Y’rhul Nunh
Y'mhitra Rhul = Mhitra of the Y tribe, daughter of Y’rhul Nunh
R'ashaht Rhiki = Ashaht of the R tribe, daughter of R’rhiki Nunh
An epithet may be used instead of a surname (see Epithets section below.)
Male names
Male names take the basic form:
[tribe letter][apostrophe][given name] [tribe rank]
For character naming purposes the tribe rank goes in the surname field and the game will treat it like any other surname, but for other characters in the story, the tribe ranks are used more like an extension of the forename and is included in the character’s name in their overhead label and dialogue tags, where usually only the forename is used. However, in dialogue it is common to drop the rank when addressing the character casually.
As a travelling adventurer, your character should have the standard rank “tia”, shared by the majority of male Seekers. (It is capitalised as a name but not generically.)
The only other rank is the “nunh”, inelegantly translated as “breeding male”, who presides over the tribe’s territory and has to stay with the tribe to protect it and to hold his own position against challengers. Unless you get creative with the lore - either in general or specifically regarding your character’s situation - then your character could not be a nunh while being a travelling adventurer. Even a previous nunh will revert to tia status and title once they lose their position.
Name examples:
U'odh Nunh
G'raha Tia
M'zhet Tia
Technically an epithet may be used in addition to the name and rank (see Epithets section below) but this is difficult to fit into the game’s naming structure. For a lore-accurate name it’s probably best to just stick to the standard name and only mention epithets unofficially.
NAME ELEMENTS AND VARIANTS
Tribe letters
There are officially 26 Seeker tribes, each associated with a letter of the alphabet (pronounced as a syllable) and a totem animal, although the animal seems like it might have been an early concept that has fallen by the wayside in later writing. (In ARR, unnamed U tribe members are identified with titles like “Ranger of the Drake” but by Stormblood it has shifted to straightforward letter references: “J Tribe Youngling”, “M Tribe Ranger”.)
Some tribes are known in much more detail than others.
Dropping the tribe letter for close relationships
Close friends and family members may call a person by just their given name, without including the tribe letter.
This can include talking about the person to other people -- e.g. Krile tells us about her friend "Raha" during the Eureka questline and we are left to connect this to be G'raha Tia who we previously met in the Crystal Tower expedition.
Capitalisation
For both genders, the given name is not capitalised in its standard form with the tribe letter in front. (e.g. Y'shtola, G'raha)
In combination with dropping the tribe letter for close relationships, the given name is capitalised when on its own. (e.g. Shtola, Raha)
Epithets
NPCs generally get an epithet which is used as their nametag in battle, separate to their official surname which is used in other contexts such as stating their full name. For players there is no way to separate these two concepts, but you can choose between following the official naming rules above or using a name with epithet instead.
The rules below relate to NPC epithets and some are not usable with the “Forename Surname” format required for player names.
Note that if you made your character name “Epithet Forename” as in some of the examples below, the game cannot recognise that order, and will address you by the epithet. Some people may see that as a positive.
Epithets may be used before or after the name. Tribe letter is included.
For female names, just the first name is used, and it replaces the surname:
O’adebh Whitemane (O’adebh Jhah)
J’najaq Sunflare
Silvertail Q’molosi
V’kebbe the Stray
Y’mhitra the Learned (Y’mhitra Rhul)
For male names, tribe rank remains part of the name alongside the epithet, although this would be difficult to format for players:
Deep Red X’rhun Tia
H’raha Tia Fistborn
U'odh Nunh, Huntmaster
Transferring to other cultures
There are a small number of examples of Seeker Miqo’te having shifted into other cultures. Generally they keep their given name but without the tribe letter and take on the other culture’s naming conventions.
From the Amalj’aa tribe quests, Loonh Gah (“Loonh the warrior” by Amalj’aa naming rules) - previously known as U'loonh.
From the Bozja questline, two characters from Dalmasca under Garlean rule: Llofii pyr Potitus and Dyunbu pyr Potitus. Both characters have confirmed Seeker given names, while Dyunbu’s profile in the in-game Field Record notes that the surname Potitus is “common among Miqo’te with imperial citizenship” and specifically says that Dyunbu adopted this surname, though makes no indication of what form her name might have been prior to this.
PART 2: NAME LISTS
Some "H" letters are optional; where the same name has multiple spellings with varying usage, I will put the version without Hs first.
Female name list
Abodji
Adebh
Adenek
Ahnebb
Ashaht
Alabali
Amneko
Arhll
Arimbeh
Ascya*
Attano
Baharra
Bandala
Bhonja
Bhowaka
Bhowaqi
Bhusha
Biwali
Bokhn
Bolaff
Bolata
Brohka
Bulea
Canago
Cidjaa
Danafa
Dasshym
Datnan
Davzzi
Delika
Dennmo
Dhakya
Dhamya
Dhilogo
Dhinek
Dhodjbi
Dhovaka
Dhyata*
Djawana
Djongo
Doyagha
Dyalani
Dyunbu
Ebaloh
Fhiroh
Fudzol
Ghonako
Ghonati
Gizzoh
Gnayak
Goromuli
Hahtoa
Hobhas
Hozqha
Hynho
Intana
Jhimei
Jughal
Jumani
Juramm
Jusana
Kahmuli
Kahzuna
Kalkaya
Kebbe
Kepaga
Khebica
Khenna
Kholbeh
Khonebb
Koliwe
Konbalha
Konelua
Konnala
Kontai
Korolon
Lafumyn
Lahmui
Lahono
Laiboli
Lakshai
Lamahni
Lamana
Lantaa
Leytai
Lhabgo
Lhaminn
Linbho
Llayan
Llofii
Lloon
Llooni
Lolamo
Loonh (raw quest script spells this as "Lloon")
Ludaba
Lyhhia **
Lyhia
Majha
Maladyu
Mallibo
Mallpa
Manafa
Maritaa
Mell
Mellpa
Mhalawi
Mhelgo
Mhitra
Mibhas
Mihgazoo
Mokkri
Moldva
Mollpa
Molminn
Molosi
Myhoi
Naago
Naanza
Nabyano
Nagali
Nahja
Naidjaa
Nairoh
Najaq
Nanghal
Nangho
Napa
Napha
Nasshym
Nbolo
Nbulea
Ndanya
Ndolobo
Ndomii
Nhalki
Nhapla
Nibnpha
Nimuili
Nmanbi
Nmulika
Noggya
Nolosi
Nophlo
Obyano
Olhmyn
Ondolo
Onggo
Ongho
Paghlo
Pahtalo
Pakibah
Pandolu
Payan
Perjha
Piqoi
Pondhao
Ptolmi
Qawhau
Raemha
Rahtalo
Ralka
Ranmaia
Rhabye
Rhanbolo
Rhoomale
Rhoyod
Rhunlika
Sanzi
Septha
Shakkal
Shaqamo
Shtola
Shuwahe
Sohnjin
Sondidi
Sonjha
Ssapa
Sumbla
Sushmo
Tadhara
Tahja / Tahjha / Tajha
Talhdi
Tandhaa
Tanmo
Tchakha
Telihgo
Toldha
Tolwann
Towali
Trimmna
Wabati
Wahaii
Wahnako
Whalon
Wonjhali
Yaalamo
Yalwann
Yandih
Yantaa
Yulwann
Zalikko
Zamqo
Zangho
Zanza
Zazanh
Zentsa
Zhumii
Zimzizi
Zuhjha
Zumyn
* Ascya and Dhyata are the names of saints as described in Encyclopaedia Eorzea II. While not structured in full Seeker naming format, it is possible that the tribe letter has been dropped in these cases.
** Lyhhia is found in the name generator and the doubled H seems like a typo at first glance, particularly given that we have an actual character named K'lyhia, but there is a 1.0 character named S'lyhhia so it was in fact used as a proper character name and can be considered genuine.
Male name list (also used for female surnames)
Aba / Abah
Aboh
Ahlk
Aht
Alih
Amih
Apa
Atoh
Azih
Bahlo
Bamu
Banhi
Behm
Belhi
Benha
Bhee
Bhem
Bhen
Bhin
Bhudi
Bihl
Binba
Celah
Chah
Chaho
Chai
Cirha
Cott
Dahja
Datih
Denma
Dhen
Dhol
Dinhe
Dora
Ena
Enah
Esi
Falh
Falkh
Fhey
Fhul
Fhuz
Fijah
Gayha
Genhu
Ghol
Ghuh
Ginwa
Gojah
Halha
Heleh
Hena
Hiqoh
Holha
Iahe
Iaho
Inwa
Jenma
Jesal
Jhah
Jhamei
Jhida
Jinh
Jutah
Kayah
Kett
Khah
Khilo
Khot
Khuba
Kuzh
Laqa
Laqi
Lhan
Lhea
Lhuil
Linh
Lizha
Loha
Lohi
Mah
Malha
Menh
Mhasi
Mhati
Mitnu
Mitu
Mona
Monhi
Morh
Muhih
Naweh
Ndae
Ndai
Neneh
Nhal
Nhea
Nijah
Nitsah
Nulah
Nuloh
Odh
Oimeh
Olh
Oya
Pahlo
Pahsh
Petih
Phel
Phen
Pinha
Qesh
Qhulu
Qolnh
Quah
Quih
Quon / Quohn
Raha
Raht
Rahz
Rhel
Rhid
Rhika
Rhiki
Rhof
Rhowa
Rhun
Rhuwa
Rihll
Rihnn
Rinha
Runja
Sheqa
Shikhu
Stah / Shtah / Sthah
Taqa
Tenbe
Tenpe
Thish
Thub ("th" sound)
Tiqa
Tohka
Tyada
Tyaka
Tyanu
Tyata
Tyatu
Tykha
Vanih
Vanoh
Vett
Vheo
Vhuh
Viloh
Vimba
Welhi
Weta
Wetae
Wiloh
Xhula (likely pronounced "Shula")*
Yarhu
Yelho
Yhisa
Yhuh
Zhed
Zhet
Zibho
Zinba
Zinbhe
Zolwe
Zula
* I assume X has a "Sh" sound as it is pronounced this way for the X tribe.
VARYING OF NAMES
Spelling is flexible and there are some recurring variations if you're looking to make something unique:
B vs P
Aba / Apa
Bhen / Phen
Tenbe / Tenpe
D vs T
Tyada / Tyata
Zhed / Zhet
Misc varied consonants
Mhasi / Mhati
Majha / Tajha
Lhea / Nhea
Tyada / Tyaka
Likely can also switch K and Q, DJA and DYA
Varied vowels
Abah - Aboh
Bhen - Bhin
Iahe - Iaho
Kett - Khot
Laqa - Laqi
Loha - Lohi
Mhasa - Mhasi (JP vs EN for the same character)
Mona - Monhi
Ndae - Ndai
Quah - Quih - Quoh
Raht - Rhid
Rhika - Rhiki
Taqa - Tiqa
Tyata - Tyatu
Weta - Wetae
Zenba - Zenbhe
Potentially long and short versions of the same name:
Lloon - Llooni
Mell - Mellpa
Kebbe - Khebica
Rihnn - Rinha
Rhun - Runja
Other spelling variations
“-minn” vs “-myn” ending - both are the same sound in Japanese
“H” goes wherever you think it looks/sounds right, unless it is structural to the name. (Examples where it is structural: the H in "Raha" or in anything with a "sh" or "th" sound.)
Short forms
P’molminn -> Minnie
Japanese pronunciations
My understanding (no source so not entirely certain) is that the names were invented in English first and then adapted for Japanese, so where the languages differ, the English version should take precedence. The Japanese version can still be useful as a clue for pronunciation where the English spelling is ambiguous.
Japanese version of the naming conventions page: https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...83%86%E7%B7%A8
Miqo'te = ミコッテ (Mikotte, Mikot'te)
Clans are ミコッテ・サンシーカー (Mikotte Sunseeker) and ミコッテ・ムーンキーパー (Mikotte Moonkeeper)
A list of character names as written in Japanese - including accessible characters and naming conventions; some duplicates have been omitted and characters that I could not look up on Garland Tools could not be included.
? Dyunbu ユンブ (Yunbu)
? Llofii ロフィー (Lofii)
?'dhyata* チャタ (Chata, Tyata) - oddly this is a male name but Saint Dhyata is portrayed as female.
A'aba Tia ア・アバ・ティア (A'aba)
A'brohka ア・ブロッカ (A'burokka, A'brokka)
A'naidjaa ア・ナイジャ (A'naijya)
A'rhunlika ア・ルンリカ (A'runlika)
A'telihgo ア・テリゴ (A'teligo)
A'zumyn ア・ズーミン (A'zumin)
B'benha Tia ビ・ベナ・ティア (Bi'bena)
C'intana カ・インタナ (Ka'intana)
C'lafumyn カ・ラフミン (Ka'lafumin)
C'nangho カ・ナンゴ (Ka'nango)
C'zibho Tia カ・ジボ・ティア (Ka'zibo)
D'fhul Tia デ・フル・ティア (De'furu)
D'perjha デ・ページャ (De'peh-jya)
D'zentsa デ・ゼンツァ (De'zen-tsa)
E'bolaff エ・ボラフ (E'borafu)
E'lahmui エ・ラームイ (E'raamui)
E'manafa エ・マナファ (E'manafa)
E'ptolmi エ・パトルミ (E'putorumi, Ep-tol-mi)
E'tajha エ・タージャ (E'taaja - I feel this would be better conveyed as "tahja" than "tajha")
F'abodji フ・アボッジ (Fu'abojji)
F'hobhas フ・ホバス (F'hobasu)
F'lhaminn フ・ラミン (F'lamin)
F'majha フ・マージャ (F'maaja)
F'mibhas フ・ミバス (F'mibasu)
F'ongho フ・オンゴ (F'ongo)
F'zhumii フ・ズーミィ (F'zuumii)
G'jusana グ・ジュサナ (Gu'jusana)
G'nanghal グ・ナンガル (Gu'nan-garu)
G'nibnpha グ・ニブニパ (Gu'niba-nipa)
G'raha Tia グ・ラハ・ティア (Gu'raha)
G'wahnako グ・ワナッコ (Gu'wa-nakko)
G'zentsa グ・ゼンツァ (Gu'zen-tsa)
H'amneko ハ・ムネコ (Ha'mu-neko, H'amu-neko)
H'bhowaka ハ・ボワカ (Ha'bowaka)
H'lahono ハ・ラホノ (Ha'lahono)
H'loonh ハ・ルーン (Ha'ruun)
H'mhasi Tia ハ・マシャ・ティア (Ha'masha)
H'naanza ハ・ナンザ (Ha'nanza)
H'rhanbolo ハ・ランボロ (Ha'ranbolo)
I'tolwann イ・トルワン (I'tolwan)
J'bhen Tia ジャ・ベン・ティア (Ja'ben)
J'brohka ジャ・ブロッカ (Ja'burokka)
J'dyalani ジャ・ヤーラニ (Ja'yalani)
J'ghonako ジャ・ゴナッコ (Ja'gonakko)
J'khebica ジャ・ケビカ (Ja'kebika)
J'lakshai ジャ・ラクシャイ (Ja'lakushai)
J'ludaba ジャ・ルダバ (Ja'ludaba)
J'moldva ジャ・モルバ (Ja'moruba)
J'nairoh ジャ・ナイロ (Ja'nairo)
J'nangho ジャ・ナンゴ (Ja'nango)
J'nasshym ジャ・ナッシム (Ja'nasshimu)
J'olhmyn ジャ・オルミン (Ja'orumin)
J'rhoomale ジャ・ルマレ (Ja'rumareh)
J'tandhaa ジャ・タンダー (Ja'tandaa)
J'zula Tia ジャ・ズラ・ティア (Ja'zula)
K'leytai ク・レータイ (Ku'rehh-tai)
K'lyhia ク・リヒャ (Ku'rihya, Ku'ri-hya)
K'rhid Tia ク・リド・ティア (Ku'rido)
K’tyaka Nunh ク・チャカ・ヌン (Ku'tyaka)
K'wabati ク・ワバツィ (Ku'wabatsi)
L'khonebb リ・コネブ (Li'konebu)
L'nophlo リ・ノフロ (Li'noflo)
L'zuhjha リ・ズージャ (Li'zuuja)
M'gizzoh メ・ギゾ (Meh'gizo)
M'hahtoa メ・ハトア (Meh'hatoa)
M'laiboli メ・ラエポリ (Meh'laiboli)
M'linhbo メ・リンボ (Meh'linbo)
M'naago メ・ナーゴ (Meh'naago)
M'noggya メ・ノギヤ (Meh'noguya)
M'rahz Nunh メ・ラツ・ヌン (Meh'ratsu)
M'septha メ・セプサ (Meh'sepusa)
M'yandih メ・ヤンディ (Meh'yandi)
M'zalikko メ・ジレッコ (Meh'jirekko)
M'zamqo メ・ザムコ (Meh'zamuko) - uses MU not N as in Zimzizi?
M'zhet Tia メ・ゼト・ティア (Meh'zeto)
M'zimzizi メ・ジンジジ (Meh'zin-zizi)
N'bolata ン・ボラタ・ラハ (N’bolata Raha)
N'delika ン・デリカ (N'delika)
N'nagali ン・ナガーリ (N'nagaali)
N'nmulika ン・ンムリカ (N'nmulika)
N'tanmo ン・タンモ (N'tanmo)
N'welhi Tia ン・ウェリ・ティア (N'weli)
O'adenek オ・アデネク (O'adeneku)
O'bhen Tia オ・ベン・ティア (O'ben)
O'kalkaya オ・カルカヤ (O'kalukaya)
O'nolosi オ・ノロシ (O'noloshi)
O'raha Tia オ・ラハ・ティア (O'raha)
O'rhoyod オ・ロヨド (O'royodo)
O'tchakha オ・チャクハ (O'chakuha)
P'ebaloh ベ・エパロー (Pe'ebaloh)
P'molminn ペ・モルミン (Pe'molmin)
P'obyano ペ・オビヤノ (Pe'obuyano)
P'tahjha ペ・タージャ (Pe'taaja)
P'yandih ペ・ヤンディ (Pe'yandi)
Q'ahnebb キ・アネブ (Ki'anebu)
Q'djawana キ・ジャワナ (Ki'jawana)
Q'molosi キ・モロシ (Ki'moloshi)
Q'nabyano キ・ナビヤノ (Ki'nabiyano)
Q'yantaa キ・ヤンター (Ki'yantaa
R'ashaht Rhiki ル・アシャ (Ru'asha)
R'baharra ル・バハーラ Ru'bahaara)
R'dhyanki ル・ヒャンキ (Ru'hyanki)
R'fhul Tia ル・フル・ティア (Ru'fool)
R'ghonati ル・ゴナツィ(Rugonatsi)
R'jumani ル・ジュマニ (Ru'jumani)
R'kontai ル・コンタイ (Ru'kontai)
R'majha ル・マージャ (Ru'maaja)
R'piqoi ル・ピコイ (Ru'pikoi)
R'sushmo ル・スーシモ (Ru'suushimo)
S'dhodjbi ス・ホジュビ (S'hojyubi)
S'laiboli ス・ラエポリ (Su'laeboli)
S'llooni ス・ルーニ (Su'luuni)
S'mitu Tia ス・ミツ・ティア (Su'mitsu)
S'nairoh ス・ナイロ (Su'nairo)
S'raemha ス・レーマー (Su'rehhmaa)
T'danafa チャ・ダナファ (Cha'danafa)
T'kebbe チャ・ケビ (Cha'kebi)
T'laqa Tia チャ・ラカ・ティア (Cha'laka)
T'maritaa チャ・マリター (Cha'maritaa)
T'mokkri チャ・モクリ (Cha'mokuri)
T'noggya チャ・ノギア (Cha'nogia)
U'goromuli ウ・ゴロムリ (U'goromuli)
U'jughal ウ・ジュガル (U'jugaru)
U'kahzuna ウ・カズナ (U'kazuna)
U'khuba Tia ウ・クバ・ティア (U'kuba)
U'linbho ウ・リンボ (U'linbo)
U'loonh (Loonh Gah) ルーン・ガー (Luun Gaa)
U'mollpa ウ・モルパ (U'morupa)
U'napa ウ・ナパ (U'napa)
U'odh Nunh ウ・オド・ヌン (U'odo)
U'rahtalo ウ・ラタロ (U'ratalo)
U'towali ウ・トワリ (U'towali)
U'tykha Tia ウ・チャカ・ティア (U'chaka / U'tyaka)
V'hynho ヴァ・ハイノ (Va'haino)
V'kebbe ヴァ・ケビ (Va'kebi)
V'mah Tia ヴァ・マハ・ティア (Va'maha)
V'mellpa ヴァ・メルパ (Va'merupa)
V'nbolo ヴァ・ンボロ (Va'nbolo)
W'bulea ワ・ブリナ (Wa'bulina)
W'dhovaka ワ・ドヴァカ (Wa'dovaka)
W'hahtoa ワ・ハトア (Wa'hatoa)
W'nahja ワ・ナージャ (Wa'naaja)
W'sondidi ワ・ソンジジ (Wa'sondidi)
X'payan シ・パヤン (Shi'payan)
X'rhun Tia シ・ルン・ティア (Shi'run, Shi'roon)
X'yulwann シ・ユルワン (Shi'yulwan)
Y'mhitra ヤ・ミトラ (Ya'mitora)
Y'myhoi ヤ・ミョイ (Ya'miyoi, Ya'myoi?)
Y'shaqamo ヤ・シャカモ (Ya'shakamo)
Y'shtola ヤ・シュトラ (Ya'shutora)
Y'shuwahe ヤ・シュワエ (Ya'shuwa'e)
Y'sohnjin ヤ・ソンジン (Ya'sonjin)
Y'thub Tia ヤ・スブ・ティア (Ya'subu)
Z'napha ジョ・ナプハ (Zyo'napuha)
Z'onggo ジョ・ホンゴ (Zyo'ongo)
Z'ranmaia ジョ・ランマヤ (Zyo'ranmaya)
PART 3: GENERAL CULTURE AND HISTORY
Note that I am NOT writing out the entire page of text from the Encyclopaedia Eorzea at this point.
EE1.086 (Miqo'te race overview)
Quote:
The Miqo'te are descendants of a hunting people that crossed over the frozen seas to Eorzea in search of prey during the Age of Endless Frost, when famine gripped the land. Cleaving to their old way of life, they have largely accepted their status as one of Eorzea's less populous races. Fiercly territorial and proud of their traditions, it could be said that Miqo't are unsuited to life in the city-states. Nevertheless, as natural-born hunters given to a nomadic lifestyle, many Miqo'te have achieved great success as adventurers.
A common trait among all Miqo'te is their fierce pride for their heritage as hunters. Seeing themselves as part of the natural world itself, they prize above all the freedom of the hunt, and do not shun death when old age and infirmity sap them of the physical talents needed to pursue their quarry to their satisfaction.
EE1.028 - The Fifth Umbral Era: The Calamity of Ice
Quote:
It is believed that for the years that encompassed the Fifth Umbral Era - or as it is also known, the Age of Endless Frost - much of the Bloodbrine Sea was frozen solid, on one hand preventing fishing and decimating the populations of sea life, but on the other, allowing for the migration of Miqo’te tribes from southern Ilsabard into northern Eorzea - tribes made up of descendants of the very same Miqo’te who were persecuted against and driven from Eorzea by the Allagan Empire almost two millennia earlier. The newly hardened seas of this frigid era provided the tribes with a means around the massive peaks of Gyr Abania that prevented their return in the Fourth AStral Era, and while there was little awaiting them in the rime-encrusted realm when they arrived, their uncanny ability in the hunt granted them a means of survival until the frost had melted.
It was not long after their return to the realm that the Miqo’te learned of the new Eorzean alphabet. Tribal seers were quick to claim that the fact the number of letters in that alphabet - twenty-six - directly corresponded with the exact number of Seeker of the Sun tribes that had made the journey across the frozen seas was most fortuitous, subsequently convincing the tribes that they should each take one of those letters into its name.
EE1.087 (Seekers of the Sun)
Quote:
Overview:
Unsurprisingly, given their clan name, the Seekers of the Sun count numerous devotees of Azeyma, the Warden, among their ranks.
While their overall numbers are not great, their twenty-six tribes are scattered across all reaches of the realm, with small Seeker settlements to be found from the sands of the Sagolii Desert in southern Thanalan to the jagged peaks of Gyr Abania. Yet other Seekers have settled in Limsa Lominsa, drawn to the freedom of pirate life.
Many Seekers, particularly those of the younger generation choose to set off as adventurers, perhaps heeding the same call of the wild their ancestors once heeded.
Seeker culture:
The Seekers of the Sun are a highly patriarchal culture, with each tribe centred around a strong breeding male (nunh) whose duty it is to form a harem and lead his people to glory and prosperity. Young males are born and raised as "tia", and must either assume the position of nunh by challenging and defeating an existing nunh in single combat, or leave the community to find a harem of his own. In particularly large tribes, multiple nunhs may coexist in the same community, though such cases are rare.
Without copying out all the text from pages 86-87, some other points of note:
- Miqo'te prefer lightweight gear over heavy armour, to allow freedom of movement
- their tail gives them improved balance
- they have "wiry strength", agility and stamina, suited to hunting in arid climes, and also skilled as climbing and diving
EE2.113 (M tribe):
Quote:
During the Age of Endless Frost, a great migratory wave saw tribes of Miqo'te cross the frozen seas to Eorzea. Following the Velodyna River northward, they finally arrived in the region now known as Gyr Abania. As the ice melted, giving way to the Fifth Astral Era, the majority of the tribes spread across the realm, but the J and M peoples alone elected to remain, the former settling in the Peaks while the latter claimed the Fringes for its hunting grounds.
At odds with the lorebook quotes indicating that the Miqo’te were “persecuted against and driven from Eorzea by the Allagan Empire” during that empire’s reign in the Third Astral Era, the Endwalker quest “Hitting the Books” (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#quest/69895) indicates that the Allagans actively “brought in the subjugated tribes of the Miqo'te to serve as laborers” in their settlement in what is now Corvos in Ilsabard.
This quest also indicates that when the other tribes travelled back to Eorzea, the G tribe stayed behind in Corvos, which is at odds with the explanation for the origins of the letter-naming being applied specifically to those tribes which journeyed to Eorzea.
Regardless of these inconsistencies, the mention of Miqo’te being in Eorzea at the time of the Allagan Empire seems to be the earliest part of their trail directly traced in the lorebooks, but from the item descriptions for sesame (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#item/12887) and aloe (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#item/4790) their actual origins seem to have been in the southern continent of Meracydia. This too has narratively drifted over time, seeming to have originally been an equivalent to Africa and directly south of the Europe-like Eorzea, but by the time a full world map was drawn around the point of Endwalker, has since been shifted eastwards into the position of Australia while still being assigned as the origin of a number of African species such as hippos (but also Australian kangaroos).
In the apparent earlier intention, it may have been the case that Miqo’te migrated north from Meracydia to Eorzea, then were forced eastwards by the Allagans one way or another, and have since spread out in various directions from Ilsabard - though seemingly not as far as Doma and Hingashi in the far east.
More to be said on the role of nunh - sources vary between talking about it as equating to leadership or as a separate position to tribe leader. It may also vary by tribe.
Regarding totem animals
While the tribes' views on their totem animals has not been explored at length, the U tribe seems to be willing to kill their totem animal (sundrake) for ritual purposes and possibly food. There are two examples of this:
A trio of hunters can be seen near the Forgotten Springs aetheryte with slain sundrakes, which U'ralka seems to refer to as "game".
In the original version of the MSQ quest where you first visit the U tribe, U'odh Nunh will not assist you until you have proven yourself a skilled hunter, saying that "a child who wishes to become a hunter must collect the blood of seven sundrakes" and he expects you to do the same. This quest is no longer in the game, having been deleted when parts of ARR's script were reduced, but the quest text can still be found at Garland Tools.
Lore questions without answers:
Tribe letters in names are pronounced as syllables, but what about the tribe as a whole? If, for example, speaking about the U tribe, is it said as the “Yu tribe” or the “Ooh tribe”?
Have some tribes adapted their traditional tribal structure to fit into city life, or are the ones in cities not following customs any more? (History of the J tribe in Ala Ghiri points towards maintaining traditions, having retained their tribe structure while mostly living and working in the town, but references to other characters' situations in minor content like seasonal quests have had Miqo’te characters talking about their parents as if they are a more conventional family unit and not part of a larger tribe.)
How frowned upon is it for a tribeswoman to sleep with a tia? Is it “unofficially accepted” or “banished from the tribe” or “instant death”?
If a tia splits from the tribe and establishes a tribe under a new name, do women who transfer to the new tribe keep their old surname or do they need to change it to indicate their father is not from the same tribe as their new forename indicates?
How much power do the women have? Can they reject a nunh if they dislike him? Could a mass disagreement lead to the tribe splitting?
How do Keepers of the Moon fit into the history of Miqo'te migration (from ??? to Eorzea, forced into Ilsabard, second migration back to Eorzea) and at what point did the cultures split apart? Is Keeper culture old enough that they could be a group who avoided being forced out of Eorzea by the Allagans, and was it this persecution that forced them into the depths of the forest or were they already there? Or is it a much later division and how would it have happened? Are they a completely separate wave of migration from Meracydia or wherever Miqo'te are supposed to have originated from?
====
PART 4: THE TRIBES
Quick reference 1: tribe letters, pronunciations and totems
TRIBE KANA ROMAJI ENGLISH TOTEM
A ア A short Ah Antelope
B ビ Bi short Bee Boar
C カ Ka short Ka Coeurl
D デ De short Deh Dodo
E エ E short Eh Eft
F フ Fu, F* short F Bear
G グ Gu short, hard Goo Gryphon
H ハ Ha short Hah Gigantoad
I イ I short Ee Buffalo
J ジャ Ja short Jah Jackal
K ク Ku short Koo Hipparion
L リ Li (Ri) short Lee Viper
M メ Me short Meh Marmot
N ン N* short N Aldgoat
O オ O short Oh Mole
P ペ Pe short Peh Basilisk (Peiste)
Q キ Ki short Key Puk
R ル Ru short Ruh Raptor
S ス Su short Soo Zu
T チャ Cha/Tya short Tuh Condor
U ウ U Ooh Drake
V ヴァ Va short Vah Vulture
W ワ Wa short Wah Wolf
X シ Shi short She* Lynx
Y ヤ Ya short Yah Jaguar
Z ジョ Zyo* short Zoh Ziz
I don’t really understand katakana beyond what I can pick up from Wikipedia’s pages on katakana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katakana) and the individual kana.
* Fu can make a simple "F" sound and combine with other vowels - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fu_(kana)
* N: Wikipedia says pronunciation can vary depending on the following letter - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_(kana). I still don’t really understand how to best pronounce it - possibly along the lines of “un” with as little of the “u” sound as possible?
* Cha/Tya - Wikipedia article only lists "cha" (chi + ya) as the transliteration of "チャ”, though the alternate reading of チ as “ti” would presumably yield ti + ya = “tya”. In any case I am not sure why they have gone this route instead of simply using タ (ta).
* It’s not clear whether the English pronunciation for X is meaning “sheh” or “shee” (as in the female pronoun “she”) but either way it’s probably some somewhere between them.
* Zyo - as with Tya, I'm not sure why the Japanese version uses this instead of ゾ (zo).
Quick reference 2: known surnames for each tribe
Numbers in brackets are the known ages of characters with that surname, indicating that others of the same age from the same tribe (or sub-tribe if multiples are possible) would likely have the same father and thus the same surname.
The J and M tribes are more specific than most as we can map some of their history from sidequests and character profiles; see the detailed tribe lists for more information.
In most cases these are NOT mandatory and there are multiple reasons why you could have a surname that differs from the known ones.
A - Bhen*
B - Ena
C - Ahlk, Enah, Quoh - all around Limsa
D -
E - Dahja
F - Nhal, Qesh (37)
G - Dora
H - Esi (38), Oya, Odh*
I -
J - Abah (min 20 to at least 28, Ala Ghiri), Tyaka*
K - Tyaka*
L -
M - Rahz (27 or younger), Aht (18-25ish), Lhan (42) - all at the Peering Stones
N - Raha* **
O - Jhah
P - Stah
Q -
R - Rhiki (27, Limsa)
S -
T -
U - Rahz; do not use Odh
V -
W - Hena
X -
Y - Gojah (Limsa); Rhul (Sharlayan)
Z -
Additional options from 1.0 Limsa, tribe unknown: Rhof and Taqa
* From naming conventions example, not a confirmed character name.
** Might be better to avoid using this, as people will connect it to a prominent NPC.
Regarding naming convention examples, it is tempting to take this as minor admissions of additional lore, particularly as there are a few real character names in the mix: U'odh Nunh and the unconfirmed but logical R'sushmo Rhiki (R'sushmo being a real character and the surname coming via R'ashaht Rhiki).
On the other hand, it’s possible that they just grabbed the first given names they had on hand and repurposed them for the examples, as three of the four male names used (Raha, Odh, Tyaka) are also three of the four most prominent male Seeker characters in ARR - noting that the character U'tykha Tia's name seems to be U'tyaka in Japanese.
TRIBE PROFILES
A
The A Tribe
Totem: Antelope
Pronunciation:
JP: ア (A)
EN: short Ah
Location:
Unknown, but likely somewhere in La Noscea.
Known surnames:
Bhen - only from naming conventions example, but in conjunction with a real character name
Known members:
A'aba Tia - Arenvald's friend and a member of the Scions, no history given
A'brohka - a member of the Sanguine Sirens pirate crew
A'mihgazoo (1.0) - Mercantile House Representative in the Limsa Lominsa Ward of the Ul'dahn Mercantile House
A'naidjaa - a researcher at the Sharlayan Hamlet
A'nimuili (1.0) - a Gridanian merchant
A'rhunlika - works at Warmwine Sanitorium in upper La Noscea
A'shakkal (1.0) - linkshell distributor in Limsa Lominsa
A'telihgo - Maelstrom soldier
A'zumyn - customs officer at Candlekeep Quay; official naming conventions use "A’zumyn Bhen" as an example.
Names in the random name generator:
A'dhodjbi
A'gnayak
A'khebica
A'linhbo
A'bhin
A'ghol
A'nuloh
A'tiqa
A'vanoh
A'vett
B
The B Tribe
Totem: Boar
Pronunciation:
JP: ビ (BI)
EN: short Bee
Location:
Possibly Summerford, especially if squadron members’ listed “home” location represents their origin and not current residence.
Also possibly Aleport
History:
Not known
Known surnames:
Ena - from B'nmanbi Ena (1.0 dialogue)
Known members:
B'benha Tia - a squadron member; his home is in Summerford
B'davzzi - 1.0 Aleport Militia Quartermaster
B'khenna Phoenixfire - apparently some kind of enemy in 1.0; GE has no further details.
B'konbalha - 1.0 flower merchant in Gridania
B'mallpa - 1.0 a visitor to Limsa, unfamiliar with the city layout
B'nhapla - 1.0 Limsa - works at Coral Tower; talks about her sister
B'nmanbi Ena - 1.0 Limsa - her sister B'nhapla mentions her - https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/B'nhapla
Names in the random name generator:
B'abodji
B'arhll
B'nimuili
B'raemha
B'alih
B'ghol
B'nhea
B'raht
B'zinba
C
The C Tribe
Totem: Coeurl (a staple Final Fantasy monster - basically a leopard with lightning powers)
Pronunciation:
JP: カ (KA)
EN: short Ka
Location:
Most known tribe members are from somewhere in La Noscea, but no clear single location.
History:
Not known
Known surnames:
Ahlk
Enah
Quoh
Known members:
C'intana - works at the House of Splendors stall in Revenant's Toll
C'lafumyn Quoh - Storm Sergeant at Costa del Sol (gives surname when talked to)
C'mell - Storm soldier at Aleport, mentioned by S'nairoh but not seen.
C'nangho Enah - Storm Private and gate guard at Moraby Drydocks; assists you in the solo instance for early game quest "Victory in Peril" (her surname is on her nametag for this).
C'ndanya Ahlk - Gigas Forge merchant, seen as a minor character in Limsa in 1.0 and then in text only as the client for several levequests in Kugane.
C'pandolu - 1.0 retainer
C'rhabye - 1.0, a dancer at the Miners' Guild
C'zibho Tia - Moonfire Faire 2014
Names in the random name generator:
C'lantaa
C'ranmaia
C'tadhara
C'behm
C'mona
C'shtah
C'vanoh
D
The D Tribe
Totem: Dodo (a common creature in FFXIV, not extinct as in reality)
Pronunciation:
JP: デ (DE)
EN: short Deh
Location:
Tribe members are scattered across various parts of Eorzea, although the two most specific - the Grey Fleet in eastern La Noscea and Silver Bazaar in western Thanalan - are a boat ride away from each other across the strait dividing La Noscea from the mainland.
History:
Known surnames:
Known members:
D'arimbeh - 1.0 Silver Bazaar
D'bhonja - 1.0 Botanists' Guild merchant
D'fhul Tia - squadron conjurer; his home is the Grey Fleet
D'perjha - Yellowjacket guard at Sastasha entrance
D'tchakha - 1.0 retainer
D'zentsa - MNK 50-70 quests; home unknown
Names in the random name generator:
D'maladyu
D'ondolo
D'wonjhali
D'bhin
D'chah
D'lohi
D'nuloh
E
The E Tribe
Totem: Eft (newt or salamander)
Pronunciation:
JP: エ (E)
EN: short Eh
Location:
Likely based somewhere in Thanalan; may also be in La Noscea
History:
None known.
Known surnames:
Dahja (E'bandala)
Known members:
E'bandala Dahja - a winemaker at Wineport and client for an escort levequest; seems to have also been in 1.0. Surname listed on leve "Wonder Wine"; labelled E'bandala Sweetmane while being escorted.
E'bolaff - Ironworks staff member at the gear augmentation stall in Rhalgr's Reach
E'dasshym - 1.0 apparently Ul'dahn, as she is a thaumaturge and talks about the Order of Nald'thal, but found in Gridania
E'lahmui Ruby-eyes - Highbridge guard
E'manafa - a rival adventurer in the early phase of the game
E'manafa (1.x) - 1.0 Gridania retainer
E'ptolmi - squadron archer; her home is Bronze Lake in upper La Noscea.
E'ptolmi (1.x) - 1.0 Quartermaster at Camp Skull Valley in western La Noscea
E'qawhau - 1.0 Ul'dahn goldsmith
E'tajha Sapphire-eyes - Highbridge guard
Names in the random name generator:
E'jusana
E'nibnpha
E'paghlo
E'datih
E'kayah
E'mhati
E'nijah
E'rinha
F
The F Tribe
Totem: Bear
Pronunciation:
JP: フ (FU)
EN: short F
Location:
Unknown; distribution of tribe members suggests La Noscea but the most prominent member F'lhaminn is Ul'dahn (to my awareness).
History:
Known surnames:
Nhal (F'abodji)
Qesh (F'lhaminn)
If differentiating between possible separate tribes in different locations, the surname Nhal would be from the La Noscean tribe and Qesh from the Thanalan tribe. But it could also be a single tribe at different times.
Known members:
F'abodji Nhal - Gegeruju Manor retainer; Costa del Sol fish levequest deliveries
F'hobhas - works at the Bonfire in central Thanalan
F'lhaminn Qesh - from Ul'dah, not sure if 1.0 had any additional details
F'majha - Storm Private at Camp Overlook in outer La Noscea
F'mibhas - a member of the Archers' Guild; she is not Gridanian and finds them hard to deal with (see quest "Coarse Correspondence")
F'ongho - a technician at Thaumazein in Labyrinthos
F'zhumii - Storm Corporal at Bulwark Hall in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
F'mallibo
F'manafa
F'whalon
F'iaho
F'lohi
F'zula
G
The G Tribe (edit later)
Totem: Gryphon
Pronunciation:
JP: グ (GU)
EN: short, hard Goo
Location:
An infodump in 6.0 reveals that the tribe is based in Corvos, a region of southern Ilsabard currently under Garlean rule (see history section below). Aside of this, G tribe members can be found across all of the Eorzean city-states but seem to skew towards Limsa.
We may learn more about both Corvos and the tribe in the future as there have been a number of pointers towards visiting Corvos, particularly that the cultivated landscape in Labyrinthos is based on Corvos's temperate regions.
It is probably a good idea to avoid associating your character with the Corvos tribe in case we do learn more about it later.
History:
G tribe history is referenced across a few quests - primarily the Crystal Tower storyline and later some additional background in the Endwalker quest Hitting the Books (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#quest/69895 - beware spoilers). Information is skewed towards the personal backstory of CT's central character G'raha Tia.
Will fill in later. Refer to:
- Crystal Tower
- Endwalker history dump
- Also EE1.028, 201
The history stated here that the tribe stayed in Corvos and did not join the migration to Eorzea is at odds with the claimed origins of the tribe-letter naming, which would require the tribe to be present among the Eorzean arrivals. A possible resolution to this (assuming both things are roughly true) would be that maybe the letters were assigned at the tribes' first arrival to Eorzea and not their second arrival returning from post-Allag Ilsabard. Alternately, perhaps the Corvos tribe is a "twenty-seventh tribe" that later was taken over by a wandering G tribe tia and claimed as part of that tribe, thus absorbing it into the Eorzean letter system.
Known surnames:
Dora (G'pakibah)
Known members:
G'datnan - 1.0 Immortal Flames
G'jusana - working for Rowena in Revenant's Toll; also the name of a 1.0 retainer
G'nanghal - 1.0, apparently a pirate
G'nibnpha - Storm officer at Castrum Oriens
G'pakibah Dora - captain of a Gods' Quiver unit in Gridania (EE1.117)
G'raha Tia - Sharlayan expert on Allagan history; originally from Corvos
G'sumbla - 1.0 merchant in Limsa
G'wahaii - 1.0 merchant in Ul'dah, possibly at the Pugilists' Guild
G'wahnako - Armorers' Guild receptionist in Limsa Lominsa
G'zentsa - 1.0 fisherwoman, Limsa affiliated
Names in the random name generator:
G'intana
G'konnala
G'azih
G'tenpe
G'viloh
H
The H Tribe
Totem: Gigantoad
Pronunciation:
JP: ハ (HA)
EN: short Hah
Location:
History:
Most known members are based in La Noscea
Known surnames:
Esi (H'naanza - age 38)
Oya (H'rhanbolo)
Possible surnames:
Odh (H’amneko naming example)
Known members:
H'amneko - Serpent Sergeant at Camp Tranquil in South Shroud
H'bhowaka - injured Storm soldier, patient at Warmwine Sanitorium
H'cidjaa - 1.0: says she has come to Ul'dah with her husband on business
H'fudzol - 1.0 Gridanian merchant
H'lahono - waitress at the Bismarck in Limsa Lominsa
H'loonh - in Wineport
H'mhasi Tia - chef at the Missing Member in Limsa Lominsa
H'naanza - Guildmaster of the Armorers' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
H'raha Tia - antagonist of Lv50-60 MNK questline
H'rhanbolo Oya - ship captain currently in Aleport; crafting levequest client
Names in the random name generator:
H'alabali
H'molosi
H'laqa
H'rihnn
H'zhet
H'zula
I
The I Tribe
Totem: Buffalo
Pronunciation:
JP: イ (I)
EN: short Ee
Location:
History:
Known surnames:
Known members:
I'llofii - 1.0 Priestess of Nald'thal
I'nairoh - 1.0 winemaker in Wineport
I'paghlo - 1.0 staff at the Platinum Mirage in Ul'dah
I'tolwann - waitress at the Drowning Wench and Rogues' Guild contact
I'wonjhali - 1.0 Gatewarden at Camp Iron Lake in upper La Noscea
Names in the random name generator:
I'dhakya
I'dhinek
I'nanghal
I'zazanh
I'zimzizi
I'chai
I'datih
I'kayah
I'phel
I'quon
I'raht
I'rihnn
J
The J Tribe
Totem: Jackal
Pronunciation:
JP: ジャ (JI + ya = JA)
EN: short Jah
Location:
Ala Ghiri
History:
From J'olhmyn and J'dyalani's lorebook profiles (EE2.102 and EE2.114) we can assemble that prior to the Garlean invasion 20 years ago, the tribe was already integrated into the town of Ala Ghiri (J'dyalani's mother was an inn proprietress) and the nunh at this time was J'abah Nunh, who was killed in battle when the Garleans invaded. There is no mention of whether there was a new nunh after this, although it is possible that the Garleans would either actively prevent them from having a 'leader' or simply deter anyone from wanting to come to the town and take up the position. However, there is at least one younger member of the tribe who would have been born after this time and she has a Moonkeeper appearance; make of that what you will. (Conscripted Miqo'te soldiers passing through the town are an option.)
Still under Garlean occupation at the time of ARR, the town's inns and merchants cater to the occupying forces, and some tribe members have fled the town to join the Ala Mhigan Resistance.
Known surnames:
Abah
Potential surnames:
Tyaka (naming example J’nangho Tyaka)
Known members in home region:
J'dyalani Abah (age 28) - key character in Ala Ghiri sidequests
J'ghonako - Ala Ghiri resident
J'khebica - GSM 60-70
J'moldva - ongoing minor character since 1.0; originally from Ala Ghiri
J'nairoh - Ala Ghiri resident; J'moldva's niece
J'najaq Sunflare - involved in FATEs around Ala Ghiri leading to the Humbaba boss FATE
J'olhmyn Abah (age 23) - Ala Mhigan Resistance member
J'tandhaa - shopkeeper at Rhalgr's Reach
J'zula Tia - Ala Mhigan Resistance member at Porta Praetoria
"J Tribe Youngling" - J'nairoh's younger sister (same mother); Moonkeeper appearance
Known members elsewhere:
J'arhll - 1.0, no details
J'bhen Tia - Ul'dahn goldsmith, featured in the Rising 2020 and with cameos after
J'brohka - Storm Private at Wineport, assisting with Binding Coil expedition
J'dyalani (1.x) - Gatewarden at Camp Bluefog
J'ghonako (1.x) - a guard in Limsa Lominsa
J'jhimei - treasure hunter in Aloalo Island questline (I haven't finished this storyline yet)
J'lakshai - Old Sharlayan Hunt rewards shop
J'ludaba - squadron arcanist; her home is Moraby Drydocks
J'nangho - Moonfire Faire staff
J'nasshym - Brugaire Consortium representative at Limsa Lominsa aetheryte plaza
J'rhoomale - not actually a tribe member, just an alias
Names in the random name generator:
J'dasshym
J'lamahni
J'majha
J'talhdi
J'atoh
J'azih
J'chah
J'inwa
J'yhuh
Generic NPC names:
J Tribe Youngling
Relevant FATEs in home region:
Mouth for Water - save J'najaq from a pack of pantheras near Ala Ghiri.
Rattle and Humbaba - once safe from the pantheras, J'najaq leads you to slay the monster Humbaba who has terrorised her tribe.
Relevant sidequests in home region:
A Sister's Ambition: J'nairoh says that ever since the Resistance arrived, her sister has been training and talking about becoming a lancer. You go to find her, and she says that her mother used to tell her stories of her aunt being the greatest lancer in the realm, and now she is training so she can protect the people of Ala Ghiri. When you return to J'nairoh she tells you more of her aunt, the "Hellfire Phoenix", who helped others escape Gyr Abania when the Garleans invaded.
Runs in the Family: J'nairoh's sister asks for your help in slaying a group of kongamato that are laying eggs in a nearby watering hole, one of the few water sources in the area. Afterwards she says that many people believe her aunt abandoned "her home and the tribe", but she believes that her aunt must have had no choice, and so she wants to become strong enough to do what even her aunt was able to do - to stay and protect
Costume notes:
"J Tribe youngling" is wearing Dravanian DPS top, ARR thick gloves, plain tights, Moonfire sandals, shell harpoon
Most residents of Ala Ghiri, Miqo'te or otherwise, wear plain ARR gear in dull colours, usually long-sleeved and long pants, often sandals or else plain boots. J'nairoh wears ARR apron and Artisan sandals; J'dyalani wears ARR shirt, crafter slops, plain shoes.
J'ghonako and friend (implied to be prostitutes) wear Thavnairian bustier, quan pants, sandals
Other comments:
J'nairoh says that the town was originally a trading hub before the Garleans invaded, so the village (she calls it a village) has a number of taverns and inns.
J'nairoh's mother was pregnant with her at the time J'moldva fled from the Garleans, so she would presumably be J'abah Nunh's youngest child and sister to J'dyalani and J'olmyn. Meanwhile the younger sister "J Tribe Youngling" is J'nairoh's maternal sister so not connected to the others. Youngling appears to be a Moonkeeper.
K
The K Tribe
Totem: Hipparion - a species of proto-horse, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipparion - I searched the Final Fantasy Wiki to check if there was some kind of significance that would make them choose this creature that does not seem to exist in the setting, but there doesn't seem to have been used previously. Perhaps the lore writers were trying to avoid mentioning horses in the early stages of the game, as chocobos fill their place in the setting, though it is later revealed that horses are found in other parts of the world.
Pronunciation:
JP: ク (KU)
EN: short Koo
Location:
Unknown, but likely in La Noscea.
Known surnames:
None
Potential surnames:
Tyaka - naming conventions example K’tyaka Nunh
Known members:
K'leytai - levemete at St Coinach's Find in Mor Dhona
K'lyhia - member of the Arcanists' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
K'rhid Tia - wandering guildmaster of the Arcanists' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
K'wabati - miner at Blind Iron Mines in lower La Noscea
Names in the random name generator:
K'biwali
K'djawana
K'lyhhia
K'pandolu
K'yalwann
K'falkh
K'phel
K'shtah
Relevant quests:
Arcanists' Guild questline
L
The L Tribe
Totem: Viper
Pronunciation:
JP: リ (RI) - Japanese does not differentiate between R and L
EN: short Lee
Location:
History:
Unknown, but the spread of character locations and professions could suggest some kind of technology focus. (See the G tribe for a more canon example.)
Known surnames:
Known members:
L'dhakya - 1.0 worker at ferry dock in western Thanalan
L'khonebb - Ironworks member at the Ishgard airship landing
L'nophlo - airship ticketer in Limsa Lominsa
L'ondolo - 1.0 retainer
L'tandhaa - 1.0 at the Carline Canopy in Gridania; likely a traveller
L'zuhjha - linkshell distributor in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
L'koliwe
L'mihgazoo
L'iaho
L'olh
L'tiqa
M
The M Tribe
Totem: Marmot
Pronunciation:
JP: メ (ME)
EN: short Meh
Location:
The tribe's home is the Peering Stones, a tall rock formation in the Fringes of Gyr Abania. Players visit this location in the later part of Stormblood.
History:
According to the lorebook, the tribe arrived in its current home prior to the rise and fall of Skalla, and "occasionally entered into alliance with other races [but] ever did they preserve their unique identity and crag-top home”. The tribe has suffered since the Garlean invasion. The tribe was previously large enough to require two nunhs simultaneously, but shrinking numbers led to the second nunh renouncing his position.
Due to a side story focused on past events in the M tribe and several lorebook profiles for the characters, we can piece together a recent history of the tribe:
27 years ago: M'rahz (age 23) defeats his predecessor in a duel and claims the title of nunh.
Somewhere around this time, M'aht claims the other nunh position.
25 years ago: M'zhet born
22 years ago: M'naago born
20 years ago: Garleans invade
19 years ago: M'aht renounces his title and leaves the village, taking M'zhet (age 6) with him.
?? years ago: M'aht saves the village from an attack, but is killed in doing so. This only comes to light much later.
The lorebook says that M'aht was 25 at the time of his death, but that would have to make him no older than 18 at the time he gained his position as nunh - that being the tightest possible timeframe between a year prior to M'zhet's birth and "some time after leaving the village".
Known surnames:
Lhan - presumably one of the previous nunhs that M'rahz or M'aht claimed their position from. Characters older than 27 may have this surname, although there also would have been a second nunh at that time, so there is freedom to pick a different surname if you prefer.
Rahz - nunh from 27 years ago to present, so characters under that age could have this surname.
Aht - characters aged 18-25 could have this surname. Possibly a few years older than that, but no younger.
Known members found at and around the Peering Stones:
M'aht Nunh - past nunh and M'zhet's father
M'gizzoh
M'hahtoa Lhan (age 42) - M'naago's mother
M'laiboli
M'linhbo
M'mhalawi the Promised - ally in FATE "Flappy Berda"
M'naago (age 22) - Ala Mhigan Resistance member and key Stormblood character
M'noggya
M'rahz Nunh (age 50) - current nunh and Peering Stones Chief; M'naago's father
M'septha
M'zalikko
M'zamqo
M'zhet Tia (age 25) - M'aht's son
M'zimzizi
Known members outside the tribe:
M'yandih - Sharlayan gleaner at Labyrinthos entrance plaza
M'zimzizi (1.x) - forge worker at Naldiq & Vymelli's in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
M'dennmo
M'korolon
M'laiboli
M'sumbla
M'trimmna
M'bahlo
M'binba
M'welhi
Generic NPC names:
M Tribe Ranger
M Tribe Youth
Quests involving the M tribe
M'zhet's questline, later merges into Tahla's questline and Ananta quests
Quests given at Peering Stones
M'naago's custom deliveries
N
The N Tribe
Totem: Aldgoat
Pronunciation:
JP: ン (N)
EN: short N
Location:
Seems strongly linked to Limsa Lominsa, plus a few working in Sharlayan ("near" to Limsa by boat).
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
None
Potential surnames:
Raha - from naming conventions example N'bolata Raha - although I would avoid using it for an actual game character as the name is used as a forename for a prominent NPC.
Known members:
N'bolata Raha - naming conventions example only
N'canago - 1.0 merchant at Camp Dragonhead
N'delika - city guide at Bulwark Hall in Limsa Lominsa
N'nagali - Sharlayan archivist at Archeion
N'nmulika - receptionist at the Fishers' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
N'tanmo - city guide at Bulwark Hall in Limsa Lominsa
N'welhi Tia - Sharlayan researcher in Labyrinthos
Names in the random name generator:
N'onggo
N'rhabye
N'quon
N'welhi
N'zhet
O
The O Tribe
Totem: Mole
Pronunciation:
JP: オ (O)
EN: short Oh
Location:
Most members are based in Limsa or nearby towns; a few in Gridania. Aleport might be a good pick - from memory, the Candlekeep Quay ferry goes to Aleport.
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
Jhah
Known members:
O'adebh Jhah - brewer in Aleport, client for escort leve Barley Legal (https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Barley_Legal); labelled as "O'adebh Whitemane" during leve.
O'adebh (1.x) - also in Aleport so may be the same character as above. She says that her husband works on a ship.
O'adenek - Storm soldier; minor character in All Saints' Wake 2013 quest
O'bhen Tia - a hunter at Tailfeather in the Dravanian forelands. The name is also given as a naming conventions example.
O'dhinek - 1.0 Gods' Quiver member in Gridania
O'kalkaya - a member of the Sanguine Sirens pirate crew
O'nolosi - ferry skipper at Candlekeep Quay in lower La Noscea
O'pondhao - 1.0 visitor to Ul'dah
O'raha Tia - naming conventions example only
O'rhoyod - tradecraft merchant in Gridania
O'tchakha - Lv50-70 MNK quest; background not known
Names in the random name generator:
O'bokhn
O'bolaff
O'datnan
O'juramm
O'kholbeh
O'ndanya
O'yaalamo
O'tenpe
O'tyada
O'zinba
P
The P Tribe
Totem: Basilisk (but likely thinking of “Peiste” - both names are used in FFXIV for varieties of the same creature)
Pronunciation:
JP: ペ (PE)
EN: short Peh
Location:
P'molminn in Ul'dah mentions her home being on "the mudflats" - this could be the coastline west of Ul'dah or further afield, perhaps Yafaem Saltmarsh.
Some other tribe members are based in eastern La Noscea but this is sandy beach and cliffs.
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
Stah (P'tahjha)
Known members:
P'ebaloh - Gegeruju's maidservant at Costa del Sol in eastern La Noscea; past member of the Company of Heroes (from “Pests in the Pillars”)
P'lhabgo - 1.0 militia quartermaster at the Golden Bazaar
P'molminn - a dancer in Ul'dah; mentions her home being on "the mudflats"
P'ndolobo - 1.0 merchant "sent to Limsa Lominsa by the Tradecraft Society”
P'obyano - staff member at the Moonfire Faire in eastern La Noscea
P'sonjha - 1.0 runs a food stall in Ul’dah
P'tahjha Stah - log assessor at Mealvaan’s Gate
P'yandih - BLU 60+, likely living in Ul'dah
Names in the random name generator:
P'dhamya
P'dhilogo
P'fhiroh
P'lahmui
P'tahja
P'tchakha
P'wabati
P'inwa
P'jenma
P'tyada
Q
The Q Tribe
Totem: Puk (in FFXIV, a small type of dragon)
Pronunciation:
JP: キ (KI)
EN: short Key
Location:
Q'molosi in Swiftperch says that she was “born and raised in Halfstone” further northwest along the coast, but it was destroyed in the Calamity or preceding primal activity(?) and the land is now occupied by the Sahagin.
Tribe members seem quite scattered.
History:
Known surnames:
Known members:
Q'ahnebb - Yellowjacket at Aleport
Q'djawana - Treespeak Stables
Q'kholbeh - 1.0 Little Ladies' Day participant - "Little Lady of the Town" in Limsa
Q'mhalawi - match organiser at the Ul’dah Coliseum
Q'molosi - lives in Swiftperch but “born and raised in Halfstone”. Epithet “Silvertail Q’molosi” on leve plates.
Q'nabyano - staff member at the Gold Saucer
Q'yantaa - a hunter in Tailfeather in the Dravanian forelands
Q'zamqo - 1.0 Wood Wailer
Names in the random name generator:
Q'hahtoa
Q'nhalki
Q'zalikko
Q'linh
Q'olh
R
The R Tribe
Totem: Raptor (in FFXIV meaning a velociraptor-like dragon)
Pronunciation:
JP: ル (RU)
EN: short Ruh
Location:
Likely based in Limsa Lominsa
History:
The current situation of the R tribe is uncertain. From R’fhul Tia’s comments in the Moonfire Faire quests (see “If at first you don’t succeed”) and his lorebook profile, it is framed that he lost his father at a young age and now seeks to personally support his mother and sister, which seems at odds with a tribe situation. Meanwhile, R’ashaht “left her parent’s home to seek her fortune” according to her profile - which could be an oddly phrased indication of a single “parent” or could just be a badly placed apostrophe for the more usual “parents”.
Known surnames:
Rhiki (R'ashaht, R'sushmo)
Known members:
R'ashaht Rhiki (age 27) - Maelstrom Commander, born in Limsa Lominsa - Profile: EE1.097
R'baharra - customs officer at Mealvaan’s Gate in Limsa Lominsa
R'bhusha - 1.0 retainer
R'dhyanki - merchant for Margrat’s custom deliveries at the Sharlayan Hamlet
R'djongo - 1.0 Gridanian at Stillglade Fane
R'dyunbu - 1.0 Wood Wailer Gatewarden at Camp Emerald Moss in North Shroud
R'fhul Tia (age 18) - Moonfire Faire recurring character since 2018 with his sister R’majha. Profile: EE3.060
R'ghonati - lockpicker for the Eureka expedition in Kugane
R'jumani - miller at the Grey Fleet in lower La Noscea
R'kontai - merchant at Aleport (quest: Like Cats and Dogs - https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#quest/66825)
R'majha - R’fhul Tia’s sister
R'piqoi - blacksmith at Moraby Drydocks in lower La Noscea
R'sushmo - staff member at the Bismarck restaurant in Limsa Lominsa. “R’sushmo Rhiki” is given as a naming example, and this lines up with R’ashaht
R'zalikko - 1.0 Ul’dahn merchant
Names in the random name generator:
R'adebh
R'lloon
R'nabyano
R'atoh
R'ndae
S
The S Tribe
Totem: Zu (a recurring Final Fantasy enemy - a large bird of prey)
Pronunciation:
JP: ス (SU)
EN: short Soo
Location:
Strong association with Limsa.
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
None
Known members:
S'dhodjbi - works at the Drowning Wench in Limsa Lominsa, says that Baderon took her in after her parents died
S'gnayak - 1.0 Lominsan merchant selling exotic goods from the far east
S'laiboli - Storm officer at Porta Praetoria
S'laiboli (1.x) - Storm musketeer (not the same character as above)
S'llooni - patron at the Gold Saucer, wearing Ul’dahn clothing
S'lyhhia - 1.0 healer at Frondale’s Phrontistery in Ul’dah
S'mitu Tia - Sharlayan student at the Last Stand
S'nairoh - Storm Private manning the cannon at Aleport
S'raemha - 1.0 Marauders’ Guild merchant
Names in the random name generator:
S'hozqha
S'kalkaya
S'lakshai
S'naidjaa
S'mitu
S'ndae
S'nijah
S'yhuh
T
The T Tribe
Totem: Condor
Pronunciation:
JP: チャ (CHI+ya = CHA; alternate reading TI+ya = TYA)
EN: short Tuh
For some reason, the Japanese and English pronunciations vary here. I think “Ta” seems like the simplest middle choice, but go with whatever sounds best to you as it is unlikely we’ll get a canon resolution.
Location:
No clear theme to tribe members' locations, although a mother and daughter pair are from Ul'dah.
History:
No information is known about the tribe as a whole, but there is an implied storyline relating to an ill-fated couple in Idyllshire - in Zhloe Aliapoh's questline we meet young T'kebbe, whose parents have been missing for some time, while the description for the FATE "Sun Bear, Sun Bear" indicates that "two missing Miqo'te lovers" have met their doom. Regardless of their personal fate, the presence of a pair of lovers in a frontier town suggests that prior to this they may have fled their tribe and eloped together.
Known surnames:
None - although we know T'kebbe's surname (Morh) this would be a name to avoid, as she is young and it is unlikely that her father was a nunh.
Known members:
T'danafa - recurring character in earlier All Saints’ Wake quests, with her daughter T'maritaa. They are from Ul’dah. (See: “Sweeping the Meadows”)
T'kebbe Morh - a girl at the orphanage in Idyllshire
T'laqa Tia - professor at the Faculty of Aetherology in Sharlayan
T'maritaa - T’danafa’s daughter
T'mokkri - levemete in Limsa Lominsa
T'nbulea - 1.0 Gridanian at Stillglade Fane
T'noggya - 1.0 “travelling tinkerer” in Limsa Lominsa
T'zanza - 1.0 merchant in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
T'brohka
T'mhalawi
T'perjha
T'pondhao
T'jenma
T'khot
T'laqa
T'rhika
U
The U Tribe, also known as the Children of the Sands
Totem: Drake
Pronunciation:
JP: ウ (U)
EN: Ooh
[color="darkred]Further work needed here - I have looked at some quests but not everything.[/color]
[B]Location:[/B]
The U tribe is one of the few visitable tribes in the game, located in Forgotten Springs on the western edge of the Sagolii Desert in southern Thanalan.
[B]History:[/B]
(Text from Gamer Escape, paraphrasing local guide info from U'mollpa, check against lorebook)
Quote:
[HR][/HR]
The Forgotten Springs are the only settlement in the Sagolii Desert and home to the U tribe, also called the Children of the Sands. In the past, it thrived as a hub for trade but traders eventually lost interest in it. Trade died away and the oasis came to be known to outsiders as the Forgotten Springs. Ul'dahns have returned to the Forgotten Springs in droves with the recent discovery of ruins south of the settlement.
[HR][/HR]
Due to their proximity to Zanr'ak, stronghold of the tempered Amalj'aa, the U tribe are regularly threatened by Amalj'aa raiding parties attempting to capture them for tempering. This is mostly covered in the Amalj'aa tribe questline and some miscellaneous quests where tribe members need to be rescued.
Although the tribe is generally wary of outsiders, the Immortal Flames have been permitted to establish an outpost in the town, and they work together with the tribe against the Amalj'aa.
Prior to becoming the current nunh, U'odh Nunh was previously a member of the Company of Heroes.
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
Rahz - 1.0 character U'sanzi Rahz
DON'T USE Odh - U'odh Nunh has not been in the position long enough to be an adult character's father.
[B]Known members at Forgotten Springs:[/B]
U'goromuli
U'kahmuli*
U'kahzuna
U'khuba Tia
U'konelua*
U'lamana - not present in town, only seen during “Children of the Sands”/”Revenge of the Worms” FATE chain. Indicated to be the tribe's best hunter.
U'lolamo*
U'mollpa
U'napa - only appears during Amalj’aa tribe quest “Ranger Rescue”
U'ndomii*
U'odh Nunh
U'rahtalo
U'ralka*
U'towali
U'tykha Tia
Note: U’kahmuli, U’konelua, U’lolamo, U’ndomii and U’ralka do not show up in some listings (eg. Garland Tools NPC list) - they are normally town NPCs but during the FATE “Revenge of the Worms” where a giant sandworm invades the town, they leave their usual positions and join the fight, so they must be handled somewhat differently.
Known members elsewhere:
U'bokhn - 1.0 from Gridania, hasn’t been to Ul’dah until recently
U'jughal - Storm Lieutenant at Camp Skull Valley
U'lantaa - 1.0 retainer
U'linbho the Sand Devil - gladiator team at Halatali
U'loonh (Loonh Gah) - Amalj’aa tribe questline
U'mallibo - 1.0 Limsa pirate
U'sanzi Rahz - 1.0 Immortal Flames quartermaster, Flame Sergeant Rahz
Names in the random name generator:
U'bhowaqi
U'djongo
U'qawhau
U'rhoyod
U'shakkal
U'zangho
U'holha
U'khot
U'mitu
U'quih
U'viloh
Generic NPC names:
Ranger of the Drake
Healer of the Drake
Relevant quests:
- the tribe is visited during ARR MSQ as part of the Company of Heroes questline - can talk to NPCs in the town for extra details
- additional ex-MSQ quest re drakes
- quest chains from the two tias
- additional sidequest chain from the Waking Sands in the leadup to Operation Archon
- Amalj'aa tribe/society questline
- U’odh Nunh is later involved in the Endwalker melee role quest
Relevant FATEs:
Children of the Sands - “The U tribe of Forgotten Springs, also known as the Children of the Sands, has gathered for the hunt. Join the savage beauties as they test their mettle against the giant sandworms of the Sagolii.”
U'lamana’s battle dialogue here is worth noting:
- FATE begins: “The sun gives us light so that we may hunt in Her name!”
- Battle cry: “For the sun!”
- FATE complete: “The sun on our heads and blood on our hands! Life is good, my sisters!”
Revenge of the Worms - “At a glance, sandworms seem little more than mindless minions of the desert, but it is now believed that each worm is bound to the others in their community, forming a sort of “hive mind” which recognizes when one part of the group has been injured or killed. This hive mind is now guiding a swarm of the worms towards Forgotten Springs to exact revenge on the U tribe.”
- FATE begins: “Shhh... The desert speaks... No... Sisters! The worms! They gather!”
Misc details from character talk:
- U'mollpa rises at the crack of dawn to roam the dunes for game.
- The tribespeople are wary of outsider influence - U'mollpa speaks of the Ul'dahns' "grasping ways" and U'lolamo bemoans the "corruption and vice" of encroaching civilisation. Visiting miner Drifting Cloud describes the U as unfriendly and unwilling to let him use a spare bunk.
- Nameless guard at bridge: "Our territory is sacred. Sully this land and you will have offended us all."
- U'rahtalo at the springs says that the U are a very cleanly people and use the springs to wash away the sweat, sand and blood of their hunting expeditions.
V
[B]The V Tribe
Totem:[/B] Vulture
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ヴァ (VA)
[B]EN:[/B] short Vah
[B]Location:[/B]
Possibilities split between Limsa and Gridania.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
None
[B]Known members:[/B]
V'hynho - 1.0 Storm musketeer
V'kebbe the Stray - a member of the Rogues’ Guild in Limsa Lominsa
V'korolon - 1.0 Carline Canopy innkeeper
V'mah Tia - secondary Scion; first joined when defending Ishgard from the dragon attack. Says he’s not from Ala Mhigo.
V'mellpa - Yellowjacket in Limsa Lominsa
V'nabyano - 1.0 Gridania botanist
V'nbolo - squadron archer; her home is in Zephyr Drift in the south of middle La Noscea (betwwen Limsa entrance and La Thagran checkpoint, bounded by Rogue River)
V'olhmyn - 1.0 looks like a merchant; found at Camp Crimson Bark in West Shroud
Names in the random name generator:
V'arimbeh
V'doyagha
V'piqoi
V'apa
V'nhea
W
[B]The W Tribe
Totem:[/B] Wolf
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ワ (WA)
[B]EN:[/B] short Wah
[B]Location:[/B]
The most prominent characters from this tribe are based in Ul'dah, although there are a few in Limsa or linked to it.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
Hena - 1.0 W'mhelgo Hena
[B]Known members:[/B]
W'bulea - a member of the Sultansworn in Ul’dah (ALC questline)
W'dhovaka - works at the Skylift in middle La Noscea; has Lominsan accent and swears to Llymlaen (quest: Out to Dry)
W'doyagha - 1.0 merchant selling Gridanian goods in Ul'dah
W'hahtoa - 1.0 pirate
W'jhimei - 1.0 merchant selling Lominsan goods in Gridania
W'mhelgo Hena - 1.0, uncertain location (screenshot somewhere in the overworld)
W'nahja - ALC questline
W'nhalki - 1.0 shop assistant at Eshtaime’s Aesthetics in Ul’dah
W'sondidi - blacksmith at Kokkol’s Forge in Sharlayan
Names in the random name generator:
W'baharra
W'kepaga
W'llayan
W'yandih
W'zamqo
W'holha
W'quih
W'rinha
X
[B]The X Tribe
Totem:[/B] Lynx
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] シ (SHI)
[B]EN:[/B] short She
[B]Location:[/B]
Uncertain. The red mage quest line makes it clear that X'rhun Tia is from Ala Mhigo and regards it as his homeland, but the lorebook specifically notes the J and M tribes as the only ones in the region. The easiest way out might be to regard this as an oversight on the author's part (in-universe or out) and suppose that the X tribe is local to the Lochs or perhaps based within Ala Mhigo itself, similar to the J tribe being based within Ala Ghiri.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
None
[B]Known members:[/B]
X'bhowaqi - 1.0 Gridanian tanner
X'dhilogo - 1.0 Ul’dahn gambler
X'payan - farmer at Red Rooster Stead in lower La Noscea
X'rhun Tia - red mage from Ala Mhigo
X'yulwann - unknown - dialogue and outfit suggests Moonfire Faire involvement, but NPC is not linked to quests.
Names in the random name generator:
X'dhovaka
X'ghonako
X'pahtalo
X'telihgo
X'toldha
X'apa
X'chai
X'linh
X'vett
Y
[B]The Y Tribe
Totem:[/B] Jaguar
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ヤ (YA)
[B]EN:[/B]
[B]Location:[/B]
Evidently based in Sharlayan as Y'shtola and Y'mhitra hail from there. A few additional characters are encountered in Old Sharlayan when we go there, but we don't learn anything further about the tribe and are not introduced to Y’shtola’s family.
A few tribe members are found in Limsa and it is possible there is a tribe offshoot there as well.
[B]History:[/B]
No known history. We can assume that traditional tribe structure is likely in place, as Y’shtola and Y’mhitra have the same father but different mothers, and Y’mhitra’s profile says she is the seventh of twelve sisters.
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
Gojah (Y'alabali) - from Limsa
Rhul (Y'shtola) - from Sharlayan
[B]Known members:[/B]
Y'alabali Gojah - 1.0 Yellowjacket in Aleport, has Lominsan accent. Not seen in the current game but is a levequest client for leves in Aleport and Costa del Sol.
Y'jhimei - crossover character in Final Fantasy XV
Y'mhitra (age 26) - Y’shtola’s sister, currently in Gridania
Y'myhoi - a pirate in Limsa Lominsa
Y'shaqamo - unclear, name found in database but not in game. Likely repurposed into a background character.
Y'shtola (age not stated, must be 32+) - major character, from Sharlayan
Y'shuwahe - found at Apkallu Falls, talks about Louisoix but implies she did not meet him.
Y'sohnjin - Old Sharlayan armour shop owner and levequest client - ARM 88 levequest suggests she is Y'shtola and Y'mhitra's cousin.
Y'thub Tia - student at the Studium in Old Sharlayan
Names in the random name generator:
Y'dyalani
Y'khonebb
Y'nbulea
Y'rhika
Y'thub
Y'weta
Z
[B]The Z Tribe
Totem:[/B] Ziz (in FFXIV, a dragon-like flightless bird)
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ジョ (Zi+yo = ZYO)
[B]EN:[/B] short Zoh
Like the T tribe, the Japanese pronunciation is different and more complicated than the English for some reason, despite the syllable "zo" existing in Japanese.
[B]Location:[/B]
Unknown. No pattern to locations.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
None
[B]Known members:[/B]
Z'llayan - 1.0 Camp Drybone guard
Z'napha - Gold Saucer staff member (Manderville Lounge)
Z'onggo - 1.0 fisher in Limsa Lominsa
Z'pahtalo - 1.0 Wood Wailer
Z'ranmaia - shopkeeper at the Seventh Sage in Limsa Lominsa
Z'ssapa - 1.0 miner at Nanawa Mines in central Thanalan
Names in the random name generator:
Z'attano
Z'jhimei
Z'moldva
Z'alih
Z'mhati
Z'mona
Z'thub
Z'weta
[B]Additional surname options for Lominsan characters[/B]
There are two 1.0 Maelstrom soldiers only identified by surname and rank - Storm Private [B]Rhof[/B] and Storm Lieutenant [B]Taqa[/B] - so while they cannot be linked to a specific tribe, these names could be used for a character associated to one of the Lominsan tribes.
[B]Alternate option: Make your own tribe[/B]
Additional information provided by the devs back in the early days of the forums provides a lore basis to create a unique tribe with a two-letter designation, if you wish to take this route. Note that it is a rare and (in-universe) unpopular thing to do.
The second half of this quote is also my basis for assuming that there are multiple tribes sharing the same letter and there is no need to pinpoint each tribe to a single home base.
Quote:
[HR][/HR]
Originally Posted by [B]Fernehalwes[/B] [URL='http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/showthread.php?p=979252#post979252'][IMG alt="View Post"]http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/images/buttons/viewpost.gif[/IMG][/URL]
When the Seekers of the Sun came to Eorzea from their homelands, there were only 26 tribes. Since that time, there have been some males who, instead of defeating their tribe's nunh and becoming a breeding male by normal means, opt to leave the tribe and form their own. However, it is rare for female Seekers of the Sun to follow these males, so these newly formed tribes almost always die out.
This does not mean that it doesn't happen.
If a male leaves to form his own tribe, he will replace the letter from his original tribe (for example, the "Y" in Y'shtola) with a new one. Since the 26 letters of the Eorzean alphabet are already taken, the new tribal prefix will be often be two letters (Ma -> Ma'shtola) which are of the tribe-forming male's choosing (and all people in his tribe will use that same prefix).
His last name will be Nunh, as he is now the new breeding male (as designated by himself) of his new tribe.
(In response to a poster asking if a male without a tribe would take his mother’s surname) While not impossible (people can do what they want with their names), a Seeker of the Sun choosing his mother's name to be his last, would amount to shunning his culture and adopting the rules of the Keepers of the Moon. There will be some Seekers of the Sun who will respect this, but others who frown upon it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fernehalwes
I spoke once again with the other Lore masters, and it appears that I left out one important bit of information.
There are tia within the 26 existing tribes who, instead of defeating an existing nunh, prove their worth to the tribe by extending its hunting grounds. These tia will venture out into the world and claim territory of their own (by either finding somewhere unoccupied, or taking an area by force from another tribe). If they can maintain it for an extended period of time, then they become the nunh of that area, while still remaining a member of their original tribe.
This actually happens quite often. And is far more accepted than merely leaving the tribe to make one's own (which, ultimately makes that person an outcast). This is why you will almost never see Seekers of the Sun with tribal letters beyond the original 26 (like the Ma'shtola I mentioned earlier). There are simply not that many, and those that do exist, rarely admit it, for fear of ostracism.
OTHER CULTURAL OPTIONS
Keepers of the Moon
A small number of Miqo'te characters have the appearance of one clan but their name and culture aligns with the other clan, so it would be possible to give a Seeker character a Keeper of the Moon name instead. (There are more examples going the other way - culturally Seeker but with Keeper appearance -2 but that is in line with Seekers being the more common and widespread of the two. Recurring seasonal event character Kipih Jakkya is an example of a Keeper with a Seeker appearance.)
Dalmascan Miqo'te
There seems to be some amount of Miqo’te population in Dalmasca, a region in southwest Othard on the border of Ilsabard (and largely borrowed from the FFXII setting of the same name). These are likely to be close relatives of the Seekers and seem to use the same set of given names, although we have not been told anything about their native culture in this area. The region was conquered by the Garleans thirty years ago and the two known Dalmascan Miqo’te characters use Garlean-formatted names consisting of a given name from their own race’s conventions (so Seeker names in this case), a social rank and a surname that is commonly used for Garlean Miqo'te.
19-year-old Llofii’s birthplace is Valnain in Dalmasca and her profile (sparse on details of anything before she joined the IVth Legion) makes no indication of her being anything but a proud Garlean citizen.
24-year-old Dyunbu is from Revenia, also in Dalmasca.
This group of Miqo'te would only be a small portion of the Dalmascan population, fitting somewhere into the 25% "other" of racial demographics alongside 40% Hyur and 35% FXII races.
References:
- EE2.098: location profile for Dalmasca
Hhetsarro
The Hhetsarro are native to Xak Tural, a continent across the sea to the west of Eorzea and geographically comparable to North America.
The traditional tribes are mostly nomadic, following the movements of chosen animal species they revere as hhetso ("leader of souls"). We know of three tribes, or rather two and a village that may or may not count as a tribe:
Pronunciation note: The doubled letters in "Hhetsarro" and "rroneek" all seem to be pronounced as single, including the "ee".
Misc notes
One piece of dialogue in the Stormblood tribe alliance quest suggests that Miqo’te are an unfamiliar sight in Kugane.
Continue reading...
PART 1: NAMING CONVENTIONS
BASIC NAME STRUCTURE
Female names
Female names take the basic form:
[tribe letter][apostrophe][given name] [father’s name]
The surname should be just a male given name, without the tribe letter.
Name examples:
Y'shtola Rhul = Shtola of the Y tribe, daughter of Y’rhul Nunh
Y'mhitra Rhul = Mhitra of the Y tribe, daughter of Y’rhul Nunh
R'ashaht Rhiki = Ashaht of the R tribe, daughter of R’rhiki Nunh
An epithet may be used instead of a surname (see Epithets section below.)
Male names
Male names take the basic form:
[tribe letter][apostrophe][given name] [tribe rank]
For character naming purposes the tribe rank goes in the surname field and the game will treat it like any other surname, but for other characters in the story, the tribe ranks are used more like an extension of the forename and is included in the character’s name in their overhead label and dialogue tags, where usually only the forename is used. However, in dialogue it is common to drop the rank when addressing the character casually.
As a travelling adventurer, your character should have the standard rank “tia”, shared by the majority of male Seekers. (It is capitalised as a name but not generically.)
The only other rank is the “nunh”, inelegantly translated as “breeding male”, who presides over the tribe’s territory and has to stay with the tribe to protect it and to hold his own position against challengers. Unless you get creative with the lore - either in general or specifically regarding your character’s situation - then your character could not be a nunh while being a travelling adventurer. Even a previous nunh will revert to tia status and title once they lose their position.
Name examples:
U'odh Nunh
G'raha Tia
M'zhet Tia
Technically an epithet may be used in addition to the name and rank (see Epithets section below) but this is difficult to fit into the game’s naming structure. For a lore-accurate name it’s probably best to just stick to the standard name and only mention epithets unofficially.
NAME ELEMENTS AND VARIANTS
Tribe letters
There are officially 26 Seeker tribes, each associated with a letter of the alphabet (pronounced as a syllable) and a totem animal, although the animal seems like it might have been an early concept that has fallen by the wayside in later writing. (In ARR, unnamed U tribe members are identified with titles like “Ranger of the Drake” but by Stormblood it has shifted to straightforward letter references: “J Tribe Youngling”, “M Tribe Ranger”.)
Some tribes are known in much more detail than others.
Dropping the tribe letter for close relationships
Close friends and family members may call a person by just their given name, without including the tribe letter.
This can include talking about the person to other people -- e.g. Krile tells us about her friend "Raha" during the Eureka questline and we are left to connect this to be G'raha Tia who we previously met in the Crystal Tower expedition.
Capitalisation
For both genders, the given name is not capitalised in its standard form with the tribe letter in front. (e.g. Y'shtola, G'raha)
In combination with dropping the tribe letter for close relationships, the given name is capitalised when on its own. (e.g. Shtola, Raha)
Epithets
NPCs generally get an epithet which is used as their nametag in battle, separate to their official surname which is used in other contexts such as stating their full name. For players there is no way to separate these two concepts, but you can choose between following the official naming rules above or using a name with epithet instead.
The rules below relate to NPC epithets and some are not usable with the “Forename Surname” format required for player names.
Note that if you made your character name “Epithet Forename” as in some of the examples below, the game cannot recognise that order, and will address you by the epithet. Some people may see that as a positive.
Epithets may be used before or after the name. Tribe letter is included.
For female names, just the first name is used, and it replaces the surname:
O’adebh Whitemane (O’adebh Jhah)
J’najaq Sunflare
Silvertail Q’molosi
V’kebbe the Stray
Y’mhitra the Learned (Y’mhitra Rhul)
For male names, tribe rank remains part of the name alongside the epithet, although this would be difficult to format for players:
Deep Red X’rhun Tia
H’raha Tia Fistborn
U'odh Nunh, Huntmaster
Transferring to other cultures
There are a small number of examples of Seeker Miqo’te having shifted into other cultures. Generally they keep their given name but without the tribe letter and take on the other culture’s naming conventions.
From the Amalj’aa tribe quests, Loonh Gah (“Loonh the warrior” by Amalj’aa naming rules) - previously known as U'loonh.
From the Bozja questline, two characters from Dalmasca under Garlean rule: Llofii pyr Potitus and Dyunbu pyr Potitus. Both characters have confirmed Seeker given names, while Dyunbu’s profile in the in-game Field Record notes that the surname Potitus is “common among Miqo’te with imperial citizenship” and specifically says that Dyunbu adopted this surname, though makes no indication of what form her name might have been prior to this.
PART 2: NAME LISTS
Some "H" letters are optional; where the same name has multiple spellings with varying usage, I will put the version without Hs first.
Female name list
Abodji
Adebh
Adenek
Ahnebb
Ashaht
Alabali
Amneko
Arhll
Arimbeh
Ascya*
Attano
Baharra
Bandala
Bhonja
Bhowaka
Bhowaqi
Bhusha
Biwali
Bokhn
Bolaff
Bolata
Brohka
Bulea
Canago
Cidjaa
Danafa
Dasshym
Datnan
Davzzi
Delika
Dennmo
Dhakya
Dhamya
Dhilogo
Dhinek
Dhodjbi
Dhovaka
Dhyata*
Djawana
Djongo
Doyagha
Dyalani
Dyunbu
Ebaloh
Fhiroh
Fudzol
Ghonako
Ghonati
Gizzoh
Gnayak
Goromuli
Hahtoa
Hobhas
Hozqha
Hynho
Intana
Jhimei
Jughal
Jumani
Juramm
Jusana
Kahmuli
Kahzuna
Kalkaya
Kebbe
Kepaga
Khebica
Khenna
Kholbeh
Khonebb
Koliwe
Konbalha
Konelua
Konnala
Kontai
Korolon
Lafumyn
Lahmui
Lahono
Laiboli
Lakshai
Lamahni
Lamana
Lantaa
Leytai
Lhabgo
Lhaminn
Linbho
Llayan
Llofii
Lloon
Llooni
Lolamo
Loonh (raw quest script spells this as "Lloon")
Ludaba
Lyhhia **
Lyhia
Majha
Maladyu
Mallibo
Mallpa
Manafa
Maritaa
Mell
Mellpa
Mhalawi
Mhelgo
Mhitra
Mibhas
Mihgazoo
Mokkri
Moldva
Mollpa
Molminn
Molosi
Myhoi
Naago
Naanza
Nabyano
Nagali
Nahja
Naidjaa
Nairoh
Najaq
Nanghal
Nangho
Napa
Napha
Nasshym
Nbolo
Nbulea
Ndanya
Ndolobo
Ndomii
Nhalki
Nhapla
Nibnpha
Nimuili
Nmanbi
Nmulika
Noggya
Nolosi
Nophlo
Obyano
Olhmyn
Ondolo
Onggo
Ongho
Paghlo
Pahtalo
Pakibah
Pandolu
Payan
Perjha
Piqoi
Pondhao
Ptolmi
Qawhau
Raemha
Rahtalo
Ralka
Ranmaia
Rhabye
Rhanbolo
Rhoomale
Rhoyod
Rhunlika
Sanzi
Septha
Shakkal
Shaqamo
Shtola
Shuwahe
Sohnjin
Sondidi
Sonjha
Ssapa
Sumbla
Sushmo
Tadhara
Tahja / Tahjha / Tajha
Talhdi
Tandhaa
Tanmo
Tchakha
Telihgo
Toldha
Tolwann
Towali
Trimmna
Wabati
Wahaii
Wahnako
Whalon
Wonjhali
Yaalamo
Yalwann
Yandih
Yantaa
Yulwann
Zalikko
Zamqo
Zangho
Zanza
Zazanh
Zentsa
Zhumii
Zimzizi
Zuhjha
Zumyn
* Ascya and Dhyata are the names of saints as described in Encyclopaedia Eorzea II. While not structured in full Seeker naming format, it is possible that the tribe letter has been dropped in these cases.
** Lyhhia is found in the name generator and the doubled H seems like a typo at first glance, particularly given that we have an actual character named K'lyhia, but there is a 1.0 character named S'lyhhia so it was in fact used as a proper character name and can be considered genuine.
Male name list (also used for female surnames)
Aba / Abah
Aboh
Ahlk
Aht
Alih
Amih
Apa
Atoh
Azih
Bahlo
Bamu
Banhi
Behm
Belhi
Benha
Bhee
Bhem
Bhen
Bhin
Bhudi
Bihl
Binba
Celah
Chah
Chaho
Chai
Cirha
Cott
Dahja
Datih
Denma
Dhen
Dhol
Dinhe
Dora
Ena
Enah
Esi
Falh
Falkh
Fhey
Fhul
Fhuz
Fijah
Gayha
Genhu
Ghol
Ghuh
Ginwa
Gojah
Halha
Heleh
Hena
Hiqoh
Holha
Iahe
Iaho
Inwa
Jenma
Jesal
Jhah
Jhamei
Jhida
Jinh
Jutah
Kayah
Kett
Khah
Khilo
Khot
Khuba
Kuzh
Laqa
Laqi
Lhan
Lhea
Lhuil
Linh
Lizha
Loha
Lohi
Mah
Malha
Menh
Mhasi
Mhati
Mitnu
Mitu
Mona
Monhi
Morh
Muhih
Naweh
Ndae
Ndai
Neneh
Nhal
Nhea
Nijah
Nitsah
Nulah
Nuloh
Odh
Oimeh
Olh
Oya
Pahlo
Pahsh
Petih
Phel
Phen
Pinha
Qesh
Qhulu
Qolnh
Quah
Quih
Quon / Quohn
Raha
Raht
Rahz
Rhel
Rhid
Rhika
Rhiki
Rhof
Rhowa
Rhun
Rhuwa
Rihll
Rihnn
Rinha
Runja
Sheqa
Shikhu
Stah / Shtah / Sthah
Taqa
Tenbe
Tenpe
Thish
Thub ("th" sound)
Tiqa
Tohka
Tyada
Tyaka
Tyanu
Tyata
Tyatu
Tykha
Vanih
Vanoh
Vett
Vheo
Vhuh
Viloh
Vimba
Welhi
Weta
Wetae
Wiloh
Xhula (likely pronounced "Shula")*
Yarhu
Yelho
Yhisa
Yhuh
Zhed
Zhet
Zibho
Zinba
Zinbhe
Zolwe
Zula
* I assume X has a "Sh" sound as it is pronounced this way for the X tribe.
VARYING OF NAMES
Spelling is flexible and there are some recurring variations if you're looking to make something unique:
B vs P
Aba / Apa
Bhen / Phen
Tenbe / Tenpe
D vs T
Tyada / Tyata
Zhed / Zhet
Misc varied consonants
Mhasi / Mhati
Majha / Tajha
Lhea / Nhea
Tyada / Tyaka
Likely can also switch K and Q, DJA and DYA
Varied vowels
Abah - Aboh
Bhen - Bhin
Iahe - Iaho
Kett - Khot
Laqa - Laqi
Loha - Lohi
Mhasa - Mhasi (JP vs EN for the same character)
Mona - Monhi
Ndae - Ndai
Quah - Quih - Quoh
Raht - Rhid
Rhika - Rhiki
Taqa - Tiqa
Tyata - Tyatu
Weta - Wetae
Zenba - Zenbhe
Potentially long and short versions of the same name:
Lloon - Llooni
Mell - Mellpa
Kebbe - Khebica
Rihnn - Rinha
Rhun - Runja
Other spelling variations
“-minn” vs “-myn” ending - both are the same sound in Japanese
“H” goes wherever you think it looks/sounds right, unless it is structural to the name. (Examples where it is structural: the H in "Raha" or in anything with a "sh" or "th" sound.)
Short forms
P’molminn -> Minnie
Japanese pronunciations
My understanding (no source so not entirely certain) is that the names were invented in English first and then adapted for Japanese, so where the languages differ, the English version should take precedence. The Japanese version can still be useful as a clue for pronunciation where the English spelling is ambiguous.
Japanese version of the naming conventions page: https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...83%86%E7%B7%A8
Miqo'te = ミコッテ (Mikotte, Mikot'te)
Clans are ミコッテ・サンシーカー (Mikotte Sunseeker) and ミコッテ・ムーンキーパー (Mikotte Moonkeeper)
A list of character names as written in Japanese - including accessible characters and naming conventions; some duplicates have been omitted and characters that I could not look up on Garland Tools could not be included.
? Dyunbu ユンブ (Yunbu)
? Llofii ロフィー (Lofii)
?'dhyata* チャタ (Chata, Tyata) - oddly this is a male name but Saint Dhyata is portrayed as female.
A'aba Tia ア・アバ・ティア (A'aba)
A'brohka ア・ブロッカ (A'burokka, A'brokka)
A'naidjaa ア・ナイジャ (A'naijya)
A'rhunlika ア・ルンリカ (A'runlika)
A'telihgo ア・テリゴ (A'teligo)
A'zumyn ア・ズーミン (A'zumin)
B'benha Tia ビ・ベナ・ティア (Bi'bena)
C'intana カ・インタナ (Ka'intana)
C'lafumyn カ・ラフミン (Ka'lafumin)
C'nangho カ・ナンゴ (Ka'nango)
C'zibho Tia カ・ジボ・ティア (Ka'zibo)
D'fhul Tia デ・フル・ティア (De'furu)
D'perjha デ・ページャ (De'peh-jya)
D'zentsa デ・ゼンツァ (De'zen-tsa)
E'bolaff エ・ボラフ (E'borafu)
E'lahmui エ・ラームイ (E'raamui)
E'manafa エ・マナファ (E'manafa)
E'ptolmi エ・パトルミ (E'putorumi, Ep-tol-mi)
E'tajha エ・タージャ (E'taaja - I feel this would be better conveyed as "tahja" than "tajha")
F'abodji フ・アボッジ (Fu'abojji)
F'hobhas フ・ホバス (F'hobasu)
F'lhaminn フ・ラミン (F'lamin)
F'majha フ・マージャ (F'maaja)
F'mibhas フ・ミバス (F'mibasu)
F'ongho フ・オンゴ (F'ongo)
F'zhumii フ・ズーミィ (F'zuumii)
G'jusana グ・ジュサナ (Gu'jusana)
G'nanghal グ・ナンガル (Gu'nan-garu)
G'nibnpha グ・ニブニパ (Gu'niba-nipa)
G'raha Tia グ・ラハ・ティア (Gu'raha)
G'wahnako グ・ワナッコ (Gu'wa-nakko)
G'zentsa グ・ゼンツァ (Gu'zen-tsa)
H'amneko ハ・ムネコ (Ha'mu-neko, H'amu-neko)
H'bhowaka ハ・ボワカ (Ha'bowaka)
H'lahono ハ・ラホノ (Ha'lahono)
H'loonh ハ・ルーン (Ha'ruun)
H'mhasi Tia ハ・マシャ・ティア (Ha'masha)
H'naanza ハ・ナンザ (Ha'nanza)
H'rhanbolo ハ・ランボロ (Ha'ranbolo)
I'tolwann イ・トルワン (I'tolwan)
J'bhen Tia ジャ・ベン・ティア (Ja'ben)
J'brohka ジャ・ブロッカ (Ja'burokka)
J'dyalani ジャ・ヤーラニ (Ja'yalani)
J'ghonako ジャ・ゴナッコ (Ja'gonakko)
J'khebica ジャ・ケビカ (Ja'kebika)
J'lakshai ジャ・ラクシャイ (Ja'lakushai)
J'ludaba ジャ・ルダバ (Ja'ludaba)
J'moldva ジャ・モルバ (Ja'moruba)
J'nairoh ジャ・ナイロ (Ja'nairo)
J'nangho ジャ・ナンゴ (Ja'nango)
J'nasshym ジャ・ナッシム (Ja'nasshimu)
J'olhmyn ジャ・オルミン (Ja'orumin)
J'rhoomale ジャ・ルマレ (Ja'rumareh)
J'tandhaa ジャ・タンダー (Ja'tandaa)
J'zula Tia ジャ・ズラ・ティア (Ja'zula)
K'leytai ク・レータイ (Ku'rehh-tai)
K'lyhia ク・リヒャ (Ku'rihya, Ku'ri-hya)
K'rhid Tia ク・リド・ティア (Ku'rido)
K’tyaka Nunh ク・チャカ・ヌン (Ku'tyaka)
K'wabati ク・ワバツィ (Ku'wabatsi)
L'khonebb リ・コネブ (Li'konebu)
L'nophlo リ・ノフロ (Li'noflo)
L'zuhjha リ・ズージャ (Li'zuuja)
M'gizzoh メ・ギゾ (Meh'gizo)
M'hahtoa メ・ハトア (Meh'hatoa)
M'laiboli メ・ラエポリ (Meh'laiboli)
M'linhbo メ・リンボ (Meh'linbo)
M'naago メ・ナーゴ (Meh'naago)
M'noggya メ・ノギヤ (Meh'noguya)
M'rahz Nunh メ・ラツ・ヌン (Meh'ratsu)
M'septha メ・セプサ (Meh'sepusa)
M'yandih メ・ヤンディ (Meh'yandi)
M'zalikko メ・ジレッコ (Meh'jirekko)
M'zamqo メ・ザムコ (Meh'zamuko) - uses MU not N as in Zimzizi?
M'zhet Tia メ・ゼト・ティア (Meh'zeto)
M'zimzizi メ・ジンジジ (Meh'zin-zizi)
N'bolata ン・ボラタ・ラハ (N’bolata Raha)
N'delika ン・デリカ (N'delika)
N'nagali ン・ナガーリ (N'nagaali)
N'nmulika ン・ンムリカ (N'nmulika)
N'tanmo ン・タンモ (N'tanmo)
N'welhi Tia ン・ウェリ・ティア (N'weli)
O'adenek オ・アデネク (O'adeneku)
O'bhen Tia オ・ベン・ティア (O'ben)
O'kalkaya オ・カルカヤ (O'kalukaya)
O'nolosi オ・ノロシ (O'noloshi)
O'raha Tia オ・ラハ・ティア (O'raha)
O'rhoyod オ・ロヨド (O'royodo)
O'tchakha オ・チャクハ (O'chakuha)
P'ebaloh ベ・エパロー (Pe'ebaloh)
P'molminn ペ・モルミン (Pe'molmin)
P'obyano ペ・オビヤノ (Pe'obuyano)
P'tahjha ペ・タージャ (Pe'taaja)
P'yandih ペ・ヤンディ (Pe'yandi)
Q'ahnebb キ・アネブ (Ki'anebu)
Q'djawana キ・ジャワナ (Ki'jawana)
Q'molosi キ・モロシ (Ki'moloshi)
Q'nabyano キ・ナビヤノ (Ki'nabiyano)
Q'yantaa キ・ヤンター (Ki'yantaa
R'ashaht Rhiki ル・アシャ (Ru'asha)
R'baharra ル・バハーラ Ru'bahaara)
R'dhyanki ル・ヒャンキ (Ru'hyanki)
R'fhul Tia ル・フル・ティア (Ru'fool)
R'ghonati ル・ゴナツィ(Rugonatsi)
R'jumani ル・ジュマニ (Ru'jumani)
R'kontai ル・コンタイ (Ru'kontai)
R'majha ル・マージャ (Ru'maaja)
R'piqoi ル・ピコイ (Ru'pikoi)
R'sushmo ル・スーシモ (Ru'suushimo)
S'dhodjbi ス・ホジュビ (S'hojyubi)
S'laiboli ス・ラエポリ (Su'laeboli)
S'llooni ス・ルーニ (Su'luuni)
S'mitu Tia ス・ミツ・ティア (Su'mitsu)
S'nairoh ス・ナイロ (Su'nairo)
S'raemha ス・レーマー (Su'rehhmaa)
T'danafa チャ・ダナファ (Cha'danafa)
T'kebbe チャ・ケビ (Cha'kebi)
T'laqa Tia チャ・ラカ・ティア (Cha'laka)
T'maritaa チャ・マリター (Cha'maritaa)
T'mokkri チャ・モクリ (Cha'mokuri)
T'noggya チャ・ノギア (Cha'nogia)
U'goromuli ウ・ゴロムリ (U'goromuli)
U'jughal ウ・ジュガル (U'jugaru)
U'kahzuna ウ・カズナ (U'kazuna)
U'khuba Tia ウ・クバ・ティア (U'kuba)
U'linbho ウ・リンボ (U'linbo)
U'loonh (Loonh Gah) ルーン・ガー (Luun Gaa)
U'mollpa ウ・モルパ (U'morupa)
U'napa ウ・ナパ (U'napa)
U'odh Nunh ウ・オド・ヌン (U'odo)
U'rahtalo ウ・ラタロ (U'ratalo)
U'towali ウ・トワリ (U'towali)
U'tykha Tia ウ・チャカ・ティア (U'chaka / U'tyaka)
V'hynho ヴァ・ハイノ (Va'haino)
V'kebbe ヴァ・ケビ (Va'kebi)
V'mah Tia ヴァ・マハ・ティア (Va'maha)
V'mellpa ヴァ・メルパ (Va'merupa)
V'nbolo ヴァ・ンボロ (Va'nbolo)
W'bulea ワ・ブリナ (Wa'bulina)
W'dhovaka ワ・ドヴァカ (Wa'dovaka)
W'hahtoa ワ・ハトア (Wa'hatoa)
W'nahja ワ・ナージャ (Wa'naaja)
W'sondidi ワ・ソンジジ (Wa'sondidi)
X'payan シ・パヤン (Shi'payan)
X'rhun Tia シ・ルン・ティア (Shi'run, Shi'roon)
X'yulwann シ・ユルワン (Shi'yulwan)
Y'mhitra ヤ・ミトラ (Ya'mitora)
Y'myhoi ヤ・ミョイ (Ya'miyoi, Ya'myoi?)
Y'shaqamo ヤ・シャカモ (Ya'shakamo)
Y'shtola ヤ・シュトラ (Ya'shutora)
Y'shuwahe ヤ・シュワエ (Ya'shuwa'e)
Y'sohnjin ヤ・ソンジン (Ya'sonjin)
Y'thub Tia ヤ・スブ・ティア (Ya'subu)
Z'napha ジョ・ナプハ (Zyo'napuha)
Z'onggo ジョ・ホンゴ (Zyo'ongo)
Z'ranmaia ジョ・ランマヤ (Zyo'ranmaya)
PART 3: GENERAL CULTURE AND HISTORY
Note that I am NOT writing out the entire page of text from the Encyclopaedia Eorzea at this point.
EE1.086 (Miqo'te race overview)
Quote:
The Miqo'te are descendants of a hunting people that crossed over the frozen seas to Eorzea in search of prey during the Age of Endless Frost, when famine gripped the land. Cleaving to their old way of life, they have largely accepted their status as one of Eorzea's less populous races. Fiercly territorial and proud of their traditions, it could be said that Miqo't are unsuited to life in the city-states. Nevertheless, as natural-born hunters given to a nomadic lifestyle, many Miqo'te have achieved great success as adventurers.
A common trait among all Miqo'te is their fierce pride for their heritage as hunters. Seeing themselves as part of the natural world itself, they prize above all the freedom of the hunt, and do not shun death when old age and infirmity sap them of the physical talents needed to pursue their quarry to their satisfaction.
EE1.028 - The Fifth Umbral Era: The Calamity of Ice
Quote:
It is believed that for the years that encompassed the Fifth Umbral Era - or as it is also known, the Age of Endless Frost - much of the Bloodbrine Sea was frozen solid, on one hand preventing fishing and decimating the populations of sea life, but on the other, allowing for the migration of Miqo’te tribes from southern Ilsabard into northern Eorzea - tribes made up of descendants of the very same Miqo’te who were persecuted against and driven from Eorzea by the Allagan Empire almost two millennia earlier. The newly hardened seas of this frigid era provided the tribes with a means around the massive peaks of Gyr Abania that prevented their return in the Fourth AStral Era, and while there was little awaiting them in the rime-encrusted realm when they arrived, their uncanny ability in the hunt granted them a means of survival until the frost had melted.
It was not long after their return to the realm that the Miqo’te learned of the new Eorzean alphabet. Tribal seers were quick to claim that the fact the number of letters in that alphabet - twenty-six - directly corresponded with the exact number of Seeker of the Sun tribes that had made the journey across the frozen seas was most fortuitous, subsequently convincing the tribes that they should each take one of those letters into its name.
EE1.087 (Seekers of the Sun)
Quote:
Overview:
Unsurprisingly, given their clan name, the Seekers of the Sun count numerous devotees of Azeyma, the Warden, among their ranks.
While their overall numbers are not great, their twenty-six tribes are scattered across all reaches of the realm, with small Seeker settlements to be found from the sands of the Sagolii Desert in southern Thanalan to the jagged peaks of Gyr Abania. Yet other Seekers have settled in Limsa Lominsa, drawn to the freedom of pirate life.
Many Seekers, particularly those of the younger generation choose to set off as adventurers, perhaps heeding the same call of the wild their ancestors once heeded.
Seeker culture:
The Seekers of the Sun are a highly patriarchal culture, with each tribe centred around a strong breeding male (nunh) whose duty it is to form a harem and lead his people to glory and prosperity. Young males are born and raised as "tia", and must either assume the position of nunh by challenging and defeating an existing nunh in single combat, or leave the community to find a harem of his own. In particularly large tribes, multiple nunhs may coexist in the same community, though such cases are rare.
Without copying out all the text from pages 86-87, some other points of note:
- Miqo'te prefer lightweight gear over heavy armour, to allow freedom of movement
- their tail gives them improved balance
- they have "wiry strength", agility and stamina, suited to hunting in arid climes, and also skilled as climbing and diving
EE2.113 (M tribe):
Quote:
During the Age of Endless Frost, a great migratory wave saw tribes of Miqo'te cross the frozen seas to Eorzea. Following the Velodyna River northward, they finally arrived in the region now known as Gyr Abania. As the ice melted, giving way to the Fifth Astral Era, the majority of the tribes spread across the realm, but the J and M peoples alone elected to remain, the former settling in the Peaks while the latter claimed the Fringes for its hunting grounds.
At odds with the lorebook quotes indicating that the Miqo’te were “persecuted against and driven from Eorzea by the Allagan Empire” during that empire’s reign in the Third Astral Era, the Endwalker quest “Hitting the Books” (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#quest/69895) indicates that the Allagans actively “brought in the subjugated tribes of the Miqo'te to serve as laborers” in their settlement in what is now Corvos in Ilsabard.
This quest also indicates that when the other tribes travelled back to Eorzea, the G tribe stayed behind in Corvos, which is at odds with the explanation for the origins of the letter-naming being applied specifically to those tribes which journeyed to Eorzea.
Regardless of these inconsistencies, the mention of Miqo’te being in Eorzea at the time of the Allagan Empire seems to be the earliest part of their trail directly traced in the lorebooks, but from the item descriptions for sesame (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#item/12887) and aloe (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#item/4790) their actual origins seem to have been in the southern continent of Meracydia. This too has narratively drifted over time, seeming to have originally been an equivalent to Africa and directly south of the Europe-like Eorzea, but by the time a full world map was drawn around the point of Endwalker, has since been shifted eastwards into the position of Australia while still being assigned as the origin of a number of African species such as hippos (but also Australian kangaroos).
In the apparent earlier intention, it may have been the case that Miqo’te migrated north from Meracydia to Eorzea, then were forced eastwards by the Allagans one way or another, and have since spread out in various directions from Ilsabard - though seemingly not as far as Doma and Hingashi in the far east.
More to be said on the role of nunh - sources vary between talking about it as equating to leadership or as a separate position to tribe leader. It may also vary by tribe.
Regarding totem animals
While the tribes' views on their totem animals has not been explored at length, the U tribe seems to be willing to kill their totem animal (sundrake) for ritual purposes and possibly food. There are two examples of this:
A trio of hunters can be seen near the Forgotten Springs aetheryte with slain sundrakes, which U'ralka seems to refer to as "game".
In the original version of the MSQ quest where you first visit the U tribe, U'odh Nunh will not assist you until you have proven yourself a skilled hunter, saying that "a child who wishes to become a hunter must collect the blood of seven sundrakes" and he expects you to do the same. This quest is no longer in the game, having been deleted when parts of ARR's script were reduced, but the quest text can still be found at Garland Tools.
Lore questions without answers:
Tribe letters in names are pronounced as syllables, but what about the tribe as a whole? If, for example, speaking about the U tribe, is it said as the “Yu tribe” or the “Ooh tribe”?
Have some tribes adapted their traditional tribal structure to fit into city life, or are the ones in cities not following customs any more? (History of the J tribe in Ala Ghiri points towards maintaining traditions, having retained their tribe structure while mostly living and working in the town, but references to other characters' situations in minor content like seasonal quests have had Miqo’te characters talking about their parents as if they are a more conventional family unit and not part of a larger tribe.)
How frowned upon is it for a tribeswoman to sleep with a tia? Is it “unofficially accepted” or “banished from the tribe” or “instant death”?
If a tia splits from the tribe and establishes a tribe under a new name, do women who transfer to the new tribe keep their old surname or do they need to change it to indicate their father is not from the same tribe as their new forename indicates?
How much power do the women have? Can they reject a nunh if they dislike him? Could a mass disagreement lead to the tribe splitting?
How do Keepers of the Moon fit into the history of Miqo'te migration (from ??? to Eorzea, forced into Ilsabard, second migration back to Eorzea) and at what point did the cultures split apart? Is Keeper culture old enough that they could be a group who avoided being forced out of Eorzea by the Allagans, and was it this persecution that forced them into the depths of the forest or were they already there? Or is it a much later division and how would it have happened? Are they a completely separate wave of migration from Meracydia or wherever Miqo'te are supposed to have originated from?
====
PART 4: THE TRIBES
Quick reference 1: tribe letters, pronunciations and totems
TRIBE KANA ROMAJI ENGLISH TOTEM
A ア A short Ah Antelope
B ビ Bi short Bee Boar
C カ Ka short Ka Coeurl
D デ De short Deh Dodo
E エ E short Eh Eft
F フ Fu, F* short F Bear
G グ Gu short, hard Goo Gryphon
H ハ Ha short Hah Gigantoad
I イ I short Ee Buffalo
J ジャ Ja short Jah Jackal
K ク Ku short Koo Hipparion
L リ Li (Ri) short Lee Viper
M メ Me short Meh Marmot
N ン N* short N Aldgoat
O オ O short Oh Mole
P ペ Pe short Peh Basilisk (Peiste)
Q キ Ki short Key Puk
R ル Ru short Ruh Raptor
S ス Su short Soo Zu
T チャ Cha/Tya short Tuh Condor
U ウ U Ooh Drake
V ヴァ Va short Vah Vulture
W ワ Wa short Wah Wolf
X シ Shi short She* Lynx
Y ヤ Ya short Yah Jaguar
Z ジョ Zyo* short Zoh Ziz
I don’t really understand katakana beyond what I can pick up from Wikipedia’s pages on katakana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katakana) and the individual kana.
* Fu can make a simple "F" sound and combine with other vowels - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fu_(kana)
* N: Wikipedia says pronunciation can vary depending on the following letter - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_(kana). I still don’t really understand how to best pronounce it - possibly along the lines of “un” with as little of the “u” sound as possible?
* Cha/Tya - Wikipedia article only lists "cha" (chi + ya) as the transliteration of "チャ”, though the alternate reading of チ as “ti” would presumably yield ti + ya = “tya”. In any case I am not sure why they have gone this route instead of simply using タ (ta).
* It’s not clear whether the English pronunciation for X is meaning “sheh” or “shee” (as in the female pronoun “she”) but either way it’s probably some somewhere between them.
* Zyo - as with Tya, I'm not sure why the Japanese version uses this instead of ゾ (zo).
Quick reference 2: known surnames for each tribe
Numbers in brackets are the known ages of characters with that surname, indicating that others of the same age from the same tribe (or sub-tribe if multiples are possible) would likely have the same father and thus the same surname.
The J and M tribes are more specific than most as we can map some of their history from sidequests and character profiles; see the detailed tribe lists for more information.
In most cases these are NOT mandatory and there are multiple reasons why you could have a surname that differs from the known ones.
A - Bhen*
B - Ena
C - Ahlk, Enah, Quoh - all around Limsa
D -
E - Dahja
F - Nhal, Qesh (37)
G - Dora
H - Esi (38), Oya, Odh*
I -
J - Abah (min 20 to at least 28, Ala Ghiri), Tyaka*
K - Tyaka*
L -
M - Rahz (27 or younger), Aht (18-25ish), Lhan (42) - all at the Peering Stones
N - Raha* **
O - Jhah
P - Stah
Q -
R - Rhiki (27, Limsa)
S -
T -
U - Rahz; do not use Odh
V -
W - Hena
X -
Y - Gojah (Limsa); Rhul (Sharlayan)
Z -
Additional options from 1.0 Limsa, tribe unknown: Rhof and Taqa
* From naming conventions example, not a confirmed character name.
** Might be better to avoid using this, as people will connect it to a prominent NPC.
Regarding naming convention examples, it is tempting to take this as minor admissions of additional lore, particularly as there are a few real character names in the mix: U'odh Nunh and the unconfirmed but logical R'sushmo Rhiki (R'sushmo being a real character and the surname coming via R'ashaht Rhiki).
On the other hand, it’s possible that they just grabbed the first given names they had on hand and repurposed them for the examples, as three of the four male names used (Raha, Odh, Tyaka) are also three of the four most prominent male Seeker characters in ARR - noting that the character U'tykha Tia's name seems to be U'tyaka in Japanese.
TRIBE PROFILES
A
The A Tribe
Totem: Antelope
Pronunciation:
JP: ア (A)
EN: short Ah
Location:
Unknown, but likely somewhere in La Noscea.
Known surnames:
Bhen - only from naming conventions example, but in conjunction with a real character name
Known members:
A'aba Tia - Arenvald's friend and a member of the Scions, no history given
A'brohka - a member of the Sanguine Sirens pirate crew
A'mihgazoo (1.0) - Mercantile House Representative in the Limsa Lominsa Ward of the Ul'dahn Mercantile House
A'naidjaa - a researcher at the Sharlayan Hamlet
A'nimuili (1.0) - a Gridanian merchant
A'rhunlika - works at Warmwine Sanitorium in upper La Noscea
A'shakkal (1.0) - linkshell distributor in Limsa Lominsa
A'telihgo - Maelstrom soldier
A'zumyn - customs officer at Candlekeep Quay; official naming conventions use "A’zumyn Bhen" as an example.
Names in the random name generator:
A'dhodjbi
A'gnayak
A'khebica
A'linhbo
A'bhin
A'ghol
A'nuloh
A'tiqa
A'vanoh
A'vett
B
The B Tribe
Totem: Boar
Pronunciation:
JP: ビ (BI)
EN: short Bee
Location:
Possibly Summerford, especially if squadron members’ listed “home” location represents their origin and not current residence.
Also possibly Aleport
History:
Not known
Known surnames:
Ena - from B'nmanbi Ena (1.0 dialogue)
Known members:
B'benha Tia - a squadron member; his home is in Summerford
B'davzzi - 1.0 Aleport Militia Quartermaster
B'khenna Phoenixfire - apparently some kind of enemy in 1.0; GE has no further details.
B'konbalha - 1.0 flower merchant in Gridania
B'mallpa - 1.0 a visitor to Limsa, unfamiliar with the city layout
B'nhapla - 1.0 Limsa - works at Coral Tower; talks about her sister
B'nmanbi Ena - 1.0 Limsa - her sister B'nhapla mentions her - https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/B'nhapla
Names in the random name generator:
B'abodji
B'arhll
B'nimuili
B'raemha
B'alih
B'ghol
B'nhea
B'raht
B'zinba
C
The C Tribe
Totem: Coeurl (a staple Final Fantasy monster - basically a leopard with lightning powers)
Pronunciation:
JP: カ (KA)
EN: short Ka
Location:
Most known tribe members are from somewhere in La Noscea, but no clear single location.
History:
Not known
Known surnames:
Ahlk
Enah
Quoh
Known members:
C'intana - works at the House of Splendors stall in Revenant's Toll
C'lafumyn Quoh - Storm Sergeant at Costa del Sol (gives surname when talked to)
C'mell - Storm soldier at Aleport, mentioned by S'nairoh but not seen.
C'nangho Enah - Storm Private and gate guard at Moraby Drydocks; assists you in the solo instance for early game quest "Victory in Peril" (her surname is on her nametag for this).
C'ndanya Ahlk - Gigas Forge merchant, seen as a minor character in Limsa in 1.0 and then in text only as the client for several levequests in Kugane.
C'pandolu - 1.0 retainer
C'rhabye - 1.0, a dancer at the Miners' Guild
C'zibho Tia - Moonfire Faire 2014
Names in the random name generator:
C'lantaa
C'ranmaia
C'tadhara
C'behm
C'mona
C'shtah
C'vanoh
D
The D Tribe
Totem: Dodo (a common creature in FFXIV, not extinct as in reality)
Pronunciation:
JP: デ (DE)
EN: short Deh
Location:
Tribe members are scattered across various parts of Eorzea, although the two most specific - the Grey Fleet in eastern La Noscea and Silver Bazaar in western Thanalan - are a boat ride away from each other across the strait dividing La Noscea from the mainland.
History:
Known surnames:
Known members:
D'arimbeh - 1.0 Silver Bazaar
D'bhonja - 1.0 Botanists' Guild merchant
D'fhul Tia - squadron conjurer; his home is the Grey Fleet
D'perjha - Yellowjacket guard at Sastasha entrance
D'tchakha - 1.0 retainer
D'zentsa - MNK 50-70 quests; home unknown
Names in the random name generator:
D'maladyu
D'ondolo
D'wonjhali
D'bhin
D'chah
D'lohi
D'nuloh
E
The E Tribe
Totem: Eft (newt or salamander)
Pronunciation:
JP: エ (E)
EN: short Eh
Location:
Likely based somewhere in Thanalan; may also be in La Noscea
History:
None known.
Known surnames:
Dahja (E'bandala)
Known members:
E'bandala Dahja - a winemaker at Wineport and client for an escort levequest; seems to have also been in 1.0. Surname listed on leve "Wonder Wine"; labelled E'bandala Sweetmane while being escorted.
E'bolaff - Ironworks staff member at the gear augmentation stall in Rhalgr's Reach
E'dasshym - 1.0 apparently Ul'dahn, as she is a thaumaturge and talks about the Order of Nald'thal, but found in Gridania
E'lahmui Ruby-eyes - Highbridge guard
E'manafa - a rival adventurer in the early phase of the game
E'manafa (1.x) - 1.0 Gridania retainer
E'ptolmi - squadron archer; her home is Bronze Lake in upper La Noscea.
E'ptolmi (1.x) - 1.0 Quartermaster at Camp Skull Valley in western La Noscea
E'qawhau - 1.0 Ul'dahn goldsmith
E'tajha Sapphire-eyes - Highbridge guard
Names in the random name generator:
E'jusana
E'nibnpha
E'paghlo
E'datih
E'kayah
E'mhati
E'nijah
E'rinha
F
The F Tribe
Totem: Bear
Pronunciation:
JP: フ (FU)
EN: short F
Location:
Unknown; distribution of tribe members suggests La Noscea but the most prominent member F'lhaminn is Ul'dahn (to my awareness).
History:
Known surnames:
Nhal (F'abodji)
Qesh (F'lhaminn)
If differentiating between possible separate tribes in different locations, the surname Nhal would be from the La Noscean tribe and Qesh from the Thanalan tribe. But it could also be a single tribe at different times.
Known members:
F'abodji Nhal - Gegeruju Manor retainer; Costa del Sol fish levequest deliveries
F'hobhas - works at the Bonfire in central Thanalan
F'lhaminn Qesh - from Ul'dah, not sure if 1.0 had any additional details
F'majha - Storm Private at Camp Overlook in outer La Noscea
F'mibhas - a member of the Archers' Guild; she is not Gridanian and finds them hard to deal with (see quest "Coarse Correspondence")
F'ongho - a technician at Thaumazein in Labyrinthos
F'zhumii - Storm Corporal at Bulwark Hall in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
F'mallibo
F'manafa
F'whalon
F'iaho
F'lohi
F'zula
G
The G Tribe (edit later)
Totem: Gryphon
Pronunciation:
JP: グ (GU)
EN: short, hard Goo
Location:
An infodump in 6.0 reveals that the tribe is based in Corvos, a region of southern Ilsabard currently under Garlean rule (see history section below). Aside of this, G tribe members can be found across all of the Eorzean city-states but seem to skew towards Limsa.
We may learn more about both Corvos and the tribe in the future as there have been a number of pointers towards visiting Corvos, particularly that the cultivated landscape in Labyrinthos is based on Corvos's temperate regions.
It is probably a good idea to avoid associating your character with the Corvos tribe in case we do learn more about it later.
History:
G tribe history is referenced across a few quests - primarily the Crystal Tower storyline and later some additional background in the Endwalker quest Hitting the Books (https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#quest/69895 - beware spoilers). Information is skewed towards the personal backstory of CT's central character G'raha Tia.
Will fill in later. Refer to:
- Crystal Tower
- Endwalker history dump
- Also EE1.028, 201
The history stated here that the tribe stayed in Corvos and did not join the migration to Eorzea is at odds with the claimed origins of the tribe-letter naming, which would require the tribe to be present among the Eorzean arrivals. A possible resolution to this (assuming both things are roughly true) would be that maybe the letters were assigned at the tribes' first arrival to Eorzea and not their second arrival returning from post-Allag Ilsabard. Alternately, perhaps the Corvos tribe is a "twenty-seventh tribe" that later was taken over by a wandering G tribe tia and claimed as part of that tribe, thus absorbing it into the Eorzean letter system.
Known surnames:
Dora (G'pakibah)
Known members:
G'datnan - 1.0 Immortal Flames
G'jusana - working for Rowena in Revenant's Toll; also the name of a 1.0 retainer
G'nanghal - 1.0, apparently a pirate
G'nibnpha - Storm officer at Castrum Oriens
G'pakibah Dora - captain of a Gods' Quiver unit in Gridania (EE1.117)
G'raha Tia - Sharlayan expert on Allagan history; originally from Corvos
G'sumbla - 1.0 merchant in Limsa
G'wahaii - 1.0 merchant in Ul'dah, possibly at the Pugilists' Guild
G'wahnako - Armorers' Guild receptionist in Limsa Lominsa
G'zentsa - 1.0 fisherwoman, Limsa affiliated
Names in the random name generator:
G'intana
G'konnala
G'azih
G'tenpe
G'viloh
H
The H Tribe
Totem: Gigantoad
Pronunciation:
JP: ハ (HA)
EN: short Hah
Location:
History:
Most known members are based in La Noscea
Known surnames:
Esi (H'naanza - age 38)
Oya (H'rhanbolo)
Possible surnames:
Odh (H’amneko naming example)
Known members:
H'amneko - Serpent Sergeant at Camp Tranquil in South Shroud
H'bhowaka - injured Storm soldier, patient at Warmwine Sanitorium
H'cidjaa - 1.0: says she has come to Ul'dah with her husband on business
H'fudzol - 1.0 Gridanian merchant
H'lahono - waitress at the Bismarck in Limsa Lominsa
H'loonh - in Wineport
H'mhasi Tia - chef at the Missing Member in Limsa Lominsa
H'naanza - Guildmaster of the Armorers' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
H'raha Tia - antagonist of Lv50-60 MNK questline
H'rhanbolo Oya - ship captain currently in Aleport; crafting levequest client
Names in the random name generator:
H'alabali
H'molosi
H'laqa
H'rihnn
H'zhet
H'zula
I
The I Tribe
Totem: Buffalo
Pronunciation:
JP: イ (I)
EN: short Ee
Location:
History:
Known surnames:
Known members:
I'llofii - 1.0 Priestess of Nald'thal
I'nairoh - 1.0 winemaker in Wineport
I'paghlo - 1.0 staff at the Platinum Mirage in Ul'dah
I'tolwann - waitress at the Drowning Wench and Rogues' Guild contact
I'wonjhali - 1.0 Gatewarden at Camp Iron Lake in upper La Noscea
Names in the random name generator:
I'dhakya
I'dhinek
I'nanghal
I'zazanh
I'zimzizi
I'chai
I'datih
I'kayah
I'phel
I'quon
I'raht
I'rihnn
J
The J Tribe
Totem: Jackal
Pronunciation:
JP: ジャ (JI + ya = JA)
EN: short Jah
Location:
Ala Ghiri
History:
From J'olhmyn and J'dyalani's lorebook profiles (EE2.102 and EE2.114) we can assemble that prior to the Garlean invasion 20 years ago, the tribe was already integrated into the town of Ala Ghiri (J'dyalani's mother was an inn proprietress) and the nunh at this time was J'abah Nunh, who was killed in battle when the Garleans invaded. There is no mention of whether there was a new nunh after this, although it is possible that the Garleans would either actively prevent them from having a 'leader' or simply deter anyone from wanting to come to the town and take up the position. However, there is at least one younger member of the tribe who would have been born after this time and she has a Moonkeeper appearance; make of that what you will. (Conscripted Miqo'te soldiers passing through the town are an option.)
Still under Garlean occupation at the time of ARR, the town's inns and merchants cater to the occupying forces, and some tribe members have fled the town to join the Ala Mhigan Resistance.
Known surnames:
Abah
Potential surnames:
Tyaka (naming example J’nangho Tyaka)
Known members in home region:
J'dyalani Abah (age 28) - key character in Ala Ghiri sidequests
J'ghonako - Ala Ghiri resident
J'khebica - GSM 60-70
J'moldva - ongoing minor character since 1.0; originally from Ala Ghiri
J'nairoh - Ala Ghiri resident; J'moldva's niece
J'najaq Sunflare - involved in FATEs around Ala Ghiri leading to the Humbaba boss FATE
J'olhmyn Abah (age 23) - Ala Mhigan Resistance member
J'tandhaa - shopkeeper at Rhalgr's Reach
J'zula Tia - Ala Mhigan Resistance member at Porta Praetoria
"J Tribe Youngling" - J'nairoh's younger sister (same mother); Moonkeeper appearance
Known members elsewhere:
J'arhll - 1.0, no details
J'bhen Tia - Ul'dahn goldsmith, featured in the Rising 2020 and with cameos after
J'brohka - Storm Private at Wineport, assisting with Binding Coil expedition
J'dyalani (1.x) - Gatewarden at Camp Bluefog
J'ghonako (1.x) - a guard in Limsa Lominsa
J'jhimei - treasure hunter in Aloalo Island questline (I haven't finished this storyline yet)
J'lakshai - Old Sharlayan Hunt rewards shop
J'ludaba - squadron arcanist; her home is Moraby Drydocks
J'nangho - Moonfire Faire staff
J'nasshym - Brugaire Consortium representative at Limsa Lominsa aetheryte plaza
J'rhoomale - not actually a tribe member, just an alias
Names in the random name generator:
J'dasshym
J'lamahni
J'majha
J'talhdi
J'atoh
J'azih
J'chah
J'inwa
J'yhuh
Generic NPC names:
J Tribe Youngling
Relevant FATEs in home region:
Mouth for Water - save J'najaq from a pack of pantheras near Ala Ghiri.
Rattle and Humbaba - once safe from the pantheras, J'najaq leads you to slay the monster Humbaba who has terrorised her tribe.
Relevant sidequests in home region:
A Sister's Ambition: J'nairoh says that ever since the Resistance arrived, her sister has been training and talking about becoming a lancer. You go to find her, and she says that her mother used to tell her stories of her aunt being the greatest lancer in the realm, and now she is training so she can protect the people of Ala Ghiri. When you return to J'nairoh she tells you more of her aunt, the "Hellfire Phoenix", who helped others escape Gyr Abania when the Garleans invaded.
Runs in the Family: J'nairoh's sister asks for your help in slaying a group of kongamato that are laying eggs in a nearby watering hole, one of the few water sources in the area. Afterwards she says that many people believe her aunt abandoned "her home and the tribe", but she believes that her aunt must have had no choice, and so she wants to become strong enough to do what even her aunt was able to do - to stay and protect
Costume notes:
"J Tribe youngling" is wearing Dravanian DPS top, ARR thick gloves, plain tights, Moonfire sandals, shell harpoon
Most residents of Ala Ghiri, Miqo'te or otherwise, wear plain ARR gear in dull colours, usually long-sleeved and long pants, often sandals or else plain boots. J'nairoh wears ARR apron and Artisan sandals; J'dyalani wears ARR shirt, crafter slops, plain shoes.
J'ghonako and friend (implied to be prostitutes) wear Thavnairian bustier, quan pants, sandals
Other comments:
J'nairoh says that the town was originally a trading hub before the Garleans invaded, so the village (she calls it a village) has a number of taverns and inns.
J'nairoh's mother was pregnant with her at the time J'moldva fled from the Garleans, so she would presumably be J'abah Nunh's youngest child and sister to J'dyalani and J'olmyn. Meanwhile the younger sister "J Tribe Youngling" is J'nairoh's maternal sister so not connected to the others. Youngling appears to be a Moonkeeper.
K
The K Tribe
Totem: Hipparion - a species of proto-horse, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipparion - I searched the Final Fantasy Wiki to check if there was some kind of significance that would make them choose this creature that does not seem to exist in the setting, but there doesn't seem to have been used previously. Perhaps the lore writers were trying to avoid mentioning horses in the early stages of the game, as chocobos fill their place in the setting, though it is later revealed that horses are found in other parts of the world.
Pronunciation:
JP: ク (KU)
EN: short Koo
Location:
Unknown, but likely in La Noscea.
Known surnames:
None
Potential surnames:
Tyaka - naming conventions example K’tyaka Nunh
Known members:
K'leytai - levemete at St Coinach's Find in Mor Dhona
K'lyhia - member of the Arcanists' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
K'rhid Tia - wandering guildmaster of the Arcanists' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
K'wabati - miner at Blind Iron Mines in lower La Noscea
Names in the random name generator:
K'biwali
K'djawana
K'lyhhia
K'pandolu
K'yalwann
K'falkh
K'phel
K'shtah
Relevant quests:
Arcanists' Guild questline
L
The L Tribe
Totem: Viper
Pronunciation:
JP: リ (RI) - Japanese does not differentiate between R and L
EN: short Lee
Location:
History:
Unknown, but the spread of character locations and professions could suggest some kind of technology focus. (See the G tribe for a more canon example.)
Known surnames:
Known members:
L'dhakya - 1.0 worker at ferry dock in western Thanalan
L'khonebb - Ironworks member at the Ishgard airship landing
L'nophlo - airship ticketer in Limsa Lominsa
L'ondolo - 1.0 retainer
L'tandhaa - 1.0 at the Carline Canopy in Gridania; likely a traveller
L'zuhjha - linkshell distributor in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
L'koliwe
L'mihgazoo
L'iaho
L'olh
L'tiqa
M
The M Tribe
Totem: Marmot
Pronunciation:
JP: メ (ME)
EN: short Meh
Location:
The tribe's home is the Peering Stones, a tall rock formation in the Fringes of Gyr Abania. Players visit this location in the later part of Stormblood.
History:
According to the lorebook, the tribe arrived in its current home prior to the rise and fall of Skalla, and "occasionally entered into alliance with other races [but] ever did they preserve their unique identity and crag-top home”. The tribe has suffered since the Garlean invasion. The tribe was previously large enough to require two nunhs simultaneously, but shrinking numbers led to the second nunh renouncing his position.
Due to a side story focused on past events in the M tribe and several lorebook profiles for the characters, we can piece together a recent history of the tribe:
27 years ago: M'rahz (age 23) defeats his predecessor in a duel and claims the title of nunh.
Somewhere around this time, M'aht claims the other nunh position.
25 years ago: M'zhet born
22 years ago: M'naago born
20 years ago: Garleans invade
19 years ago: M'aht renounces his title and leaves the village, taking M'zhet (age 6) with him.
?? years ago: M'aht saves the village from an attack, but is killed in doing so. This only comes to light much later.
The lorebook says that M'aht was 25 at the time of his death, but that would have to make him no older than 18 at the time he gained his position as nunh - that being the tightest possible timeframe between a year prior to M'zhet's birth and "some time after leaving the village".
Known surnames:
Lhan - presumably one of the previous nunhs that M'rahz or M'aht claimed their position from. Characters older than 27 may have this surname, although there also would have been a second nunh at that time, so there is freedom to pick a different surname if you prefer.
Rahz - nunh from 27 years ago to present, so characters under that age could have this surname.
Aht - characters aged 18-25 could have this surname. Possibly a few years older than that, but no younger.
Known members found at and around the Peering Stones:
M'aht Nunh - past nunh and M'zhet's father
M'gizzoh
M'hahtoa Lhan (age 42) - M'naago's mother
M'laiboli
M'linhbo
M'mhalawi the Promised - ally in FATE "Flappy Berda"
M'naago (age 22) - Ala Mhigan Resistance member and key Stormblood character
M'noggya
M'rahz Nunh (age 50) - current nunh and Peering Stones Chief; M'naago's father
M'septha
M'zalikko
M'zamqo
M'zhet Tia (age 25) - M'aht's son
M'zimzizi
Known members outside the tribe:
M'yandih - Sharlayan gleaner at Labyrinthos entrance plaza
M'zimzizi (1.x) - forge worker at Naldiq & Vymelli's in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
M'dennmo
M'korolon
M'laiboli
M'sumbla
M'trimmna
M'bahlo
M'binba
M'welhi
Generic NPC names:
M Tribe Ranger
M Tribe Youth
Quests involving the M tribe
M'zhet's questline, later merges into Tahla's questline and Ananta quests
Quests given at Peering Stones
M'naago's custom deliveries
N
The N Tribe
Totem: Aldgoat
Pronunciation:
JP: ン (N)
EN: short N
Location:
Seems strongly linked to Limsa Lominsa, plus a few working in Sharlayan ("near" to Limsa by boat).
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
None
Potential surnames:
Raha - from naming conventions example N'bolata Raha - although I would avoid using it for an actual game character as the name is used as a forename for a prominent NPC.
Known members:
N'bolata Raha - naming conventions example only
N'canago - 1.0 merchant at Camp Dragonhead
N'delika - city guide at Bulwark Hall in Limsa Lominsa
N'nagali - Sharlayan archivist at Archeion
N'nmulika - receptionist at the Fishers' Guild in Limsa Lominsa
N'tanmo - city guide at Bulwark Hall in Limsa Lominsa
N'welhi Tia - Sharlayan researcher in Labyrinthos
Names in the random name generator:
N'onggo
N'rhabye
N'quon
N'welhi
N'zhet
O
The O Tribe
Totem: Mole
Pronunciation:
JP: オ (O)
EN: short Oh
Location:
Most members are based in Limsa or nearby towns; a few in Gridania. Aleport might be a good pick - from memory, the Candlekeep Quay ferry goes to Aleport.
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
Jhah
Known members:
O'adebh Jhah - brewer in Aleport, client for escort leve Barley Legal (https://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Barley_Legal); labelled as "O'adebh Whitemane" during leve.
O'adebh (1.x) - also in Aleport so may be the same character as above. She says that her husband works on a ship.
O'adenek - Storm soldier; minor character in All Saints' Wake 2013 quest
O'bhen Tia - a hunter at Tailfeather in the Dravanian forelands. The name is also given as a naming conventions example.
O'dhinek - 1.0 Gods' Quiver member in Gridania
O'kalkaya - a member of the Sanguine Sirens pirate crew
O'nolosi - ferry skipper at Candlekeep Quay in lower La Noscea
O'pondhao - 1.0 visitor to Ul'dah
O'raha Tia - naming conventions example only
O'rhoyod - tradecraft merchant in Gridania
O'tchakha - Lv50-70 MNK quest; background not known
Names in the random name generator:
O'bokhn
O'bolaff
O'datnan
O'juramm
O'kholbeh
O'ndanya
O'yaalamo
O'tenpe
O'tyada
O'zinba
P
The P Tribe
Totem: Basilisk (but likely thinking of “Peiste” - both names are used in FFXIV for varieties of the same creature)
Pronunciation:
JP: ペ (PE)
EN: short Peh
Location:
P'molminn in Ul'dah mentions her home being on "the mudflats" - this could be the coastline west of Ul'dah or further afield, perhaps Yafaem Saltmarsh.
Some other tribe members are based in eastern La Noscea but this is sandy beach and cliffs.
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
Stah (P'tahjha)
Known members:
P'ebaloh - Gegeruju's maidservant at Costa del Sol in eastern La Noscea; past member of the Company of Heroes (from “Pests in the Pillars”)
P'lhabgo - 1.0 militia quartermaster at the Golden Bazaar
P'molminn - a dancer in Ul'dah; mentions her home being on "the mudflats"
P'ndolobo - 1.0 merchant "sent to Limsa Lominsa by the Tradecraft Society”
P'obyano - staff member at the Moonfire Faire in eastern La Noscea
P'sonjha - 1.0 runs a food stall in Ul’dah
P'tahjha Stah - log assessor at Mealvaan’s Gate
P'yandih - BLU 60+, likely living in Ul'dah
Names in the random name generator:
P'dhamya
P'dhilogo
P'fhiroh
P'lahmui
P'tahja
P'tchakha
P'wabati
P'inwa
P'jenma
P'tyada
Q
The Q Tribe
Totem: Puk (in FFXIV, a small type of dragon)
Pronunciation:
JP: キ (KI)
EN: short Key
Location:
Q'molosi in Swiftperch says that she was “born and raised in Halfstone” further northwest along the coast, but it was destroyed in the Calamity or preceding primal activity(?) and the land is now occupied by the Sahagin.
Tribe members seem quite scattered.
History:
Known surnames:
Known members:
Q'ahnebb - Yellowjacket at Aleport
Q'djawana - Treespeak Stables
Q'kholbeh - 1.0 Little Ladies' Day participant - "Little Lady of the Town" in Limsa
Q'mhalawi - match organiser at the Ul’dah Coliseum
Q'molosi - lives in Swiftperch but “born and raised in Halfstone”. Epithet “Silvertail Q’molosi” on leve plates.
Q'nabyano - staff member at the Gold Saucer
Q'yantaa - a hunter in Tailfeather in the Dravanian forelands
Q'zamqo - 1.0 Wood Wailer
Names in the random name generator:
Q'hahtoa
Q'nhalki
Q'zalikko
Q'linh
Q'olh
R
The R Tribe
Totem: Raptor (in FFXIV meaning a velociraptor-like dragon)
Pronunciation:
JP: ル (RU)
EN: short Ruh
Location:
Likely based in Limsa Lominsa
History:
The current situation of the R tribe is uncertain. From R’fhul Tia’s comments in the Moonfire Faire quests (see “If at first you don’t succeed”) and his lorebook profile, it is framed that he lost his father at a young age and now seeks to personally support his mother and sister, which seems at odds with a tribe situation. Meanwhile, R’ashaht “left her parent’s home to seek her fortune” according to her profile - which could be an oddly phrased indication of a single “parent” or could just be a badly placed apostrophe for the more usual “parents”.
Known surnames:
Rhiki (R'ashaht, R'sushmo)
Known members:
R'ashaht Rhiki (age 27) - Maelstrom Commander, born in Limsa Lominsa - Profile: EE1.097
R'baharra - customs officer at Mealvaan’s Gate in Limsa Lominsa
R'bhusha - 1.0 retainer
R'dhyanki - merchant for Margrat’s custom deliveries at the Sharlayan Hamlet
R'djongo - 1.0 Gridanian at Stillglade Fane
R'dyunbu - 1.0 Wood Wailer Gatewarden at Camp Emerald Moss in North Shroud
R'fhul Tia (age 18) - Moonfire Faire recurring character since 2018 with his sister R’majha. Profile: EE3.060
R'ghonati - lockpicker for the Eureka expedition in Kugane
R'jumani - miller at the Grey Fleet in lower La Noscea
R'kontai - merchant at Aleport (quest: Like Cats and Dogs - https://www.garlandtools.org/db/#quest/66825)
R'majha - R’fhul Tia’s sister
R'piqoi - blacksmith at Moraby Drydocks in lower La Noscea
R'sushmo - staff member at the Bismarck restaurant in Limsa Lominsa. “R’sushmo Rhiki” is given as a naming example, and this lines up with R’ashaht
R'zalikko - 1.0 Ul’dahn merchant
Names in the random name generator:
R'adebh
R'lloon
R'nabyano
R'atoh
R'ndae
S
The S Tribe
Totem: Zu (a recurring Final Fantasy enemy - a large bird of prey)
Pronunciation:
JP: ス (SU)
EN: short Soo
Location:
Strong association with Limsa.
History:
Unknown
Known surnames:
None
Known members:
S'dhodjbi - works at the Drowning Wench in Limsa Lominsa, says that Baderon took her in after her parents died
S'gnayak - 1.0 Lominsan merchant selling exotic goods from the far east
S'laiboli - Storm officer at Porta Praetoria
S'laiboli (1.x) - Storm musketeer (not the same character as above)
S'llooni - patron at the Gold Saucer, wearing Ul’dahn clothing
S'lyhhia - 1.0 healer at Frondale’s Phrontistery in Ul’dah
S'mitu Tia - Sharlayan student at the Last Stand
S'nairoh - Storm Private manning the cannon at Aleport
S'raemha - 1.0 Marauders’ Guild merchant
Names in the random name generator:
S'hozqha
S'kalkaya
S'lakshai
S'naidjaa
S'mitu
S'ndae
S'nijah
S'yhuh
T
The T Tribe
Totem: Condor
Pronunciation:
JP: チャ (CHI+ya = CHA; alternate reading TI+ya = TYA)
EN: short Tuh
For some reason, the Japanese and English pronunciations vary here. I think “Ta” seems like the simplest middle choice, but go with whatever sounds best to you as it is unlikely we’ll get a canon resolution.
Location:
No clear theme to tribe members' locations, although a mother and daughter pair are from Ul'dah.
History:
No information is known about the tribe as a whole, but there is an implied storyline relating to an ill-fated couple in Idyllshire - in Zhloe Aliapoh's questline we meet young T'kebbe, whose parents have been missing for some time, while the description for the FATE "Sun Bear, Sun Bear" indicates that "two missing Miqo'te lovers" have met their doom. Regardless of their personal fate, the presence of a pair of lovers in a frontier town suggests that prior to this they may have fled their tribe and eloped together.
Known surnames:
None - although we know T'kebbe's surname (Morh) this would be a name to avoid, as she is young and it is unlikely that her father was a nunh.
Known members:
T'danafa - recurring character in earlier All Saints’ Wake quests, with her daughter T'maritaa. They are from Ul’dah. (See: “Sweeping the Meadows”)
T'kebbe Morh - a girl at the orphanage in Idyllshire
T'laqa Tia - professor at the Faculty of Aetherology in Sharlayan
T'maritaa - T’danafa’s daughter
T'mokkri - levemete in Limsa Lominsa
T'nbulea - 1.0 Gridanian at Stillglade Fane
T'noggya - 1.0 “travelling tinkerer” in Limsa Lominsa
T'zanza - 1.0 merchant in Limsa Lominsa
Names in the random name generator:
T'brohka
T'mhalawi
T'perjha
T'pondhao
T'jenma
T'khot
T'laqa
T'rhika
U
The U Tribe, also known as the Children of the Sands
Totem: Drake
Pronunciation:
JP: ウ (U)
EN: Ooh
[color="darkred]Further work needed here - I have looked at some quests but not everything.[/color]
[B]Location:[/B]
The U tribe is one of the few visitable tribes in the game, located in Forgotten Springs on the western edge of the Sagolii Desert in southern Thanalan.
[B]History:[/B]
(Text from Gamer Escape, paraphrasing local guide info from U'mollpa, check against lorebook)
Quote:
[HR][/HR]
The Forgotten Springs are the only settlement in the Sagolii Desert and home to the U tribe, also called the Children of the Sands. In the past, it thrived as a hub for trade but traders eventually lost interest in it. Trade died away and the oasis came to be known to outsiders as the Forgotten Springs. Ul'dahns have returned to the Forgotten Springs in droves with the recent discovery of ruins south of the settlement.
[HR][/HR]
Due to their proximity to Zanr'ak, stronghold of the tempered Amalj'aa, the U tribe are regularly threatened by Amalj'aa raiding parties attempting to capture them for tempering. This is mostly covered in the Amalj'aa tribe questline and some miscellaneous quests where tribe members need to be rescued.
Although the tribe is generally wary of outsiders, the Immortal Flames have been permitted to establish an outpost in the town, and they work together with the tribe against the Amalj'aa.
Prior to becoming the current nunh, U'odh Nunh was previously a member of the Company of Heroes.
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
Rahz - 1.0 character U'sanzi Rahz
DON'T USE Odh - U'odh Nunh has not been in the position long enough to be an adult character's father.
[B]Known members at Forgotten Springs:[/B]
U'goromuli
U'kahmuli*
U'kahzuna
U'khuba Tia
U'konelua*
U'lamana - not present in town, only seen during “Children of the Sands”/”Revenge of the Worms” FATE chain. Indicated to be the tribe's best hunter.
U'lolamo*
U'mollpa
U'napa - only appears during Amalj’aa tribe quest “Ranger Rescue”
U'ndomii*
U'odh Nunh
U'rahtalo
U'ralka*
U'towali
U'tykha Tia
Note: U’kahmuli, U’konelua, U’lolamo, U’ndomii and U’ralka do not show up in some listings (eg. Garland Tools NPC list) - they are normally town NPCs but during the FATE “Revenge of the Worms” where a giant sandworm invades the town, they leave their usual positions and join the fight, so they must be handled somewhat differently.
Known members elsewhere:
U'bokhn - 1.0 from Gridania, hasn’t been to Ul’dah until recently
U'jughal - Storm Lieutenant at Camp Skull Valley
U'lantaa - 1.0 retainer
U'linbho the Sand Devil - gladiator team at Halatali
U'loonh (Loonh Gah) - Amalj’aa tribe questline
U'mallibo - 1.0 Limsa pirate
U'sanzi Rahz - 1.0 Immortal Flames quartermaster, Flame Sergeant Rahz
Names in the random name generator:
U'bhowaqi
U'djongo
U'qawhau
U'rhoyod
U'shakkal
U'zangho
U'holha
U'khot
U'mitu
U'quih
U'viloh
Generic NPC names:
Ranger of the Drake
Healer of the Drake
Relevant quests:
- the tribe is visited during ARR MSQ as part of the Company of Heroes questline - can talk to NPCs in the town for extra details
- additional ex-MSQ quest re drakes
- quest chains from the two tias
- additional sidequest chain from the Waking Sands in the leadup to Operation Archon
- Amalj'aa tribe/society questline
- U’odh Nunh is later involved in the Endwalker melee role quest
Relevant FATEs:
Children of the Sands - “The U tribe of Forgotten Springs, also known as the Children of the Sands, has gathered for the hunt. Join the savage beauties as they test their mettle against the giant sandworms of the Sagolii.”
U'lamana’s battle dialogue here is worth noting:
- FATE begins: “The sun gives us light so that we may hunt in Her name!”
- Battle cry: “For the sun!”
- FATE complete: “The sun on our heads and blood on our hands! Life is good, my sisters!”
Revenge of the Worms - “At a glance, sandworms seem little more than mindless minions of the desert, but it is now believed that each worm is bound to the others in their community, forming a sort of “hive mind” which recognizes when one part of the group has been injured or killed. This hive mind is now guiding a swarm of the worms towards Forgotten Springs to exact revenge on the U tribe.”
- FATE begins: “Shhh... The desert speaks... No... Sisters! The worms! They gather!”
Misc details from character talk:
- U'mollpa rises at the crack of dawn to roam the dunes for game.
- The tribespeople are wary of outsider influence - U'mollpa speaks of the Ul'dahns' "grasping ways" and U'lolamo bemoans the "corruption and vice" of encroaching civilisation. Visiting miner Drifting Cloud describes the U as unfriendly and unwilling to let him use a spare bunk.
- Nameless guard at bridge: "Our territory is sacred. Sully this land and you will have offended us all."
- U'rahtalo at the springs says that the U are a very cleanly people and use the springs to wash away the sweat, sand and blood of their hunting expeditions.
V
[B]The V Tribe
Totem:[/B] Vulture
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ヴァ (VA)
[B]EN:[/B] short Vah
[B]Location:[/B]
Possibilities split between Limsa and Gridania.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
None
[B]Known members:[/B]
V'hynho - 1.0 Storm musketeer
V'kebbe the Stray - a member of the Rogues’ Guild in Limsa Lominsa
V'korolon - 1.0 Carline Canopy innkeeper
V'mah Tia - secondary Scion; first joined when defending Ishgard from the dragon attack. Says he’s not from Ala Mhigo.
V'mellpa - Yellowjacket in Limsa Lominsa
V'nabyano - 1.0 Gridania botanist
V'nbolo - squadron archer; her home is in Zephyr Drift in the south of middle La Noscea (betwwen Limsa entrance and La Thagran checkpoint, bounded by Rogue River)
V'olhmyn - 1.0 looks like a merchant; found at Camp Crimson Bark in West Shroud
Names in the random name generator:
V'arimbeh
V'doyagha
V'piqoi
V'apa
V'nhea
W
[B]The W Tribe
Totem:[/B] Wolf
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ワ (WA)
[B]EN:[/B] short Wah
[B]Location:[/B]
The most prominent characters from this tribe are based in Ul'dah, although there are a few in Limsa or linked to it.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
Hena - 1.0 W'mhelgo Hena
[B]Known members:[/B]
W'bulea - a member of the Sultansworn in Ul’dah (ALC questline)
W'dhovaka - works at the Skylift in middle La Noscea; has Lominsan accent and swears to Llymlaen (quest: Out to Dry)
W'doyagha - 1.0 merchant selling Gridanian goods in Ul'dah
W'hahtoa - 1.0 pirate
W'jhimei - 1.0 merchant selling Lominsan goods in Gridania
W'mhelgo Hena - 1.0, uncertain location (screenshot somewhere in the overworld)
W'nahja - ALC questline
W'nhalki - 1.0 shop assistant at Eshtaime’s Aesthetics in Ul’dah
W'sondidi - blacksmith at Kokkol’s Forge in Sharlayan
Names in the random name generator:
W'baharra
W'kepaga
W'llayan
W'yandih
W'zamqo
W'holha
W'quih
W'rinha
X
[B]The X Tribe
Totem:[/B] Lynx
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] シ (SHI)
[B]EN:[/B] short She
[B]Location:[/B]
Uncertain. The red mage quest line makes it clear that X'rhun Tia is from Ala Mhigo and regards it as his homeland, but the lorebook specifically notes the J and M tribes as the only ones in the region. The easiest way out might be to regard this as an oversight on the author's part (in-universe or out) and suppose that the X tribe is local to the Lochs or perhaps based within Ala Mhigo itself, similar to the J tribe being based within Ala Ghiri.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
None
[B]Known members:[/B]
X'bhowaqi - 1.0 Gridanian tanner
X'dhilogo - 1.0 Ul’dahn gambler
X'payan - farmer at Red Rooster Stead in lower La Noscea
X'rhun Tia - red mage from Ala Mhigo
X'yulwann - unknown - dialogue and outfit suggests Moonfire Faire involvement, but NPC is not linked to quests.
Names in the random name generator:
X'dhovaka
X'ghonako
X'pahtalo
X'telihgo
X'toldha
X'apa
X'chai
X'linh
X'vett
Y
[B]The Y Tribe
Totem:[/B] Jaguar
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ヤ (YA)
[B]EN:[/B]
[B]Location:[/B]
Evidently based in Sharlayan as Y'shtola and Y'mhitra hail from there. A few additional characters are encountered in Old Sharlayan when we go there, but we don't learn anything further about the tribe and are not introduced to Y’shtola’s family.
A few tribe members are found in Limsa and it is possible there is a tribe offshoot there as well.
[B]History:[/B]
No known history. We can assume that traditional tribe structure is likely in place, as Y’shtola and Y’mhitra have the same father but different mothers, and Y’mhitra’s profile says she is the seventh of twelve sisters.
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
Gojah (Y'alabali) - from Limsa
Rhul (Y'shtola) - from Sharlayan
[B]Known members:[/B]
Y'alabali Gojah - 1.0 Yellowjacket in Aleport, has Lominsan accent. Not seen in the current game but is a levequest client for leves in Aleport and Costa del Sol.
Y'jhimei - crossover character in Final Fantasy XV
Y'mhitra (age 26) - Y’shtola’s sister, currently in Gridania
Y'myhoi - a pirate in Limsa Lominsa
Y'shaqamo - unclear, name found in database but not in game. Likely repurposed into a background character.
Y'shtola (age not stated, must be 32+) - major character, from Sharlayan
Y'shuwahe - found at Apkallu Falls, talks about Louisoix but implies she did not meet him.
Y'sohnjin - Old Sharlayan armour shop owner and levequest client - ARM 88 levequest suggests she is Y'shtola and Y'mhitra's cousin.
Y'thub Tia - student at the Studium in Old Sharlayan
Names in the random name generator:
Y'dyalani
Y'khonebb
Y'nbulea
Y'rhika
Y'thub
Y'weta
Z
[B]The Z Tribe
Totem:[/B] Ziz (in FFXIV, a dragon-like flightless bird)
[B]Pronunciation:
JP:[/B] ジョ (Zi+yo = ZYO)
[B]EN:[/B] short Zoh
Like the T tribe, the Japanese pronunciation is different and more complicated than the English for some reason, despite the syllable "zo" existing in Japanese.
[B]Location:[/B]
Unknown. No pattern to locations.
[B]History:[/B]
Unknown
[B]Known surnames:[/B]
None
[B]Known members:[/B]
Z'llayan - 1.0 Camp Drybone guard
Z'napha - Gold Saucer staff member (Manderville Lounge)
Z'onggo - 1.0 fisher in Limsa Lominsa
Z'pahtalo - 1.0 Wood Wailer
Z'ranmaia - shopkeeper at the Seventh Sage in Limsa Lominsa
Z'ssapa - 1.0 miner at Nanawa Mines in central Thanalan
Names in the random name generator:
Z'attano
Z'jhimei
Z'moldva
Z'alih
Z'mhati
Z'mona
Z'thub
Z'weta
[B]Additional surname options for Lominsan characters[/B]
There are two 1.0 Maelstrom soldiers only identified by surname and rank - Storm Private [B]Rhof[/B] and Storm Lieutenant [B]Taqa[/B] - so while they cannot be linked to a specific tribe, these names could be used for a character associated to one of the Lominsan tribes.
[B]Alternate option: Make your own tribe[/B]
Additional information provided by the devs back in the early days of the forums provides a lore basis to create a unique tribe with a two-letter designation, if you wish to take this route. Note that it is a rare and (in-universe) unpopular thing to do.
The second half of this quote is also my basis for assuming that there are multiple tribes sharing the same letter and there is no need to pinpoint each tribe to a single home base.
Quote:
[HR][/HR]
Originally Posted by [B]Fernehalwes[/B] [URL='http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/showthread.php?p=979252#post979252'][IMG alt="View Post"]http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/images/buttons/viewpost.gif[/IMG][/URL]
When the Seekers of the Sun came to Eorzea from their homelands, there were only 26 tribes. Since that time, there have been some males who, instead of defeating their tribe's nunh and becoming a breeding male by normal means, opt to leave the tribe and form their own. However, it is rare for female Seekers of the Sun to follow these males, so these newly formed tribes almost always die out.
This does not mean that it doesn't happen.
If a male leaves to form his own tribe, he will replace the letter from his original tribe (for example, the "Y" in Y'shtola) with a new one. Since the 26 letters of the Eorzean alphabet are already taken, the new tribal prefix will be often be two letters (Ma -> Ma'shtola) which are of the tribe-forming male's choosing (and all people in his tribe will use that same prefix).
His last name will be Nunh, as he is now the new breeding male (as designated by himself) of his new tribe.
(In response to a poster asking if a male without a tribe would take his mother’s surname) While not impossible (people can do what they want with their names), a Seeker of the Sun choosing his mother's name to be his last, would amount to shunning his culture and adopting the rules of the Keepers of the Moon. There will be some Seekers of the Sun who will respect this, but others who frown upon it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fernehalwes
I spoke once again with the other Lore masters, and it appears that I left out one important bit of information.
There are tia within the 26 existing tribes who, instead of defeating an existing nunh, prove their worth to the tribe by extending its hunting grounds. These tia will venture out into the world and claim territory of their own (by either finding somewhere unoccupied, or taking an area by force from another tribe). If they can maintain it for an extended period of time, then they become the nunh of that area, while still remaining a member of their original tribe.
This actually happens quite often. And is far more accepted than merely leaving the tribe to make one's own (which, ultimately makes that person an outcast). This is why you will almost never see Seekers of the Sun with tribal letters beyond the original 26 (like the Ma'shtola I mentioned earlier). There are simply not that many, and those that do exist, rarely admit it, for fear of ostracism.
OTHER CULTURAL OPTIONS
Keepers of the Moon
A small number of Miqo'te characters have the appearance of one clan but their name and culture aligns with the other clan, so it would be possible to give a Seeker character a Keeper of the Moon name instead. (There are more examples going the other way - culturally Seeker but with Keeper appearance -2 but that is in line with Seekers being the more common and widespread of the two. Recurring seasonal event character Kipih Jakkya is an example of a Keeper with a Seeker appearance.)
Dalmascan Miqo'te
There seems to be some amount of Miqo’te population in Dalmasca, a region in southwest Othard on the border of Ilsabard (and largely borrowed from the FFXII setting of the same name). These are likely to be close relatives of the Seekers and seem to use the same set of given names, although we have not been told anything about their native culture in this area. The region was conquered by the Garleans thirty years ago and the two known Dalmascan Miqo’te characters use Garlean-formatted names consisting of a given name from their own race’s conventions (so Seeker names in this case), a social rank and a surname that is commonly used for Garlean Miqo'te.
19-year-old Llofii’s birthplace is Valnain in Dalmasca and her profile (sparse on details of anything before she joined the IVth Legion) makes no indication of her being anything but a proud Garlean citizen.
24-year-old Dyunbu is from Revenia, also in Dalmasca.
This group of Miqo'te would only be a small portion of the Dalmascan population, fitting somewhere into the 25% "other" of racial demographics alongside 40% Hyur and 35% FXII races.
References:
- EE2.098: location profile for Dalmasca
Hhetsarro
The Hhetsarro are native to Xak Tural, a continent across the sea to the west of Eorzea and geographically comparable to North America.
The traditional tribes are mostly nomadic, following the movements of chosen animal species they revere as hhetso ("leader of souls"). We know of three tribes, or rather two and a village that may or may not count as a tribe:
- The main tribe encountered in the game, in the region Shaaloani, revere rroneek (a buffalo-like creature) and follow the herds on their migration. The tribe does not seem to have a specific name but their settlement is named Mehwahhetsoan, “the land where the hhetso graze”. A rroneek mount is available (purchased with a large number of gathering scrips from the second hub city for Dawntrail, reached at MSQ level 98) and its description indicates that "many nomadic tribes revere it as their guiding animal" so you could have a character who is not from the Mehwahhetsoan tribe but still has the rroneek as their hhetso.
- The fishing log entry for Sauger (Lv99 spearfishing) notes that "some nomadic Hhetsarro revere this wavekin as a spirit guide".
- The caster role quest deals with a family of Hhetsarro from a village that reveres a totem containing the spirit of an owl. It is unclear whether this is specifically a Hhetsarro village or just one family in a mixed village; additionally, several other non-Hhetsarro villages possess similar totems. (Whether standard for Hhetsarro or not, Tsuuhe refers to Nettse as her husband, so this group does not seem to have Seeker-style tribe structure.)
Pronunciation note: The doubled letters in "Hhetsarro" and "rroneek" all seem to be pronounced as single, including the "ee".
Misc notes
One piece of dialogue in the Stormblood tribe alliance quest suggests that Miqo’te are an unfamiliar sight in Kugane.
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