FFXIV Lore- History of the Lucrative Lalafell

The lalafell were next on my list for updating my first ever videos! I'm really happy that these videos are now in a much more organized and entertaining form. One day I'll get along to the next few, and by then hopefully finally cover the Hrothgar and Viera!
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Disclaimer: The MMORPG known as FinalFantasy XIV Online as well as all its related publications and merchandise are owned by Square Enix. I have no claims to it.
Primary Sources:
Video Games-
FinalFantasy XIV Online
Publications-
Encyclopedia Eorzea Volume I
Encyclopedia Eorzea Volume II
Alternative Sources:
FinalFantasyXIV, The Lodestone/Sidestory
FFXIV, Letter from the Producer
Published FFXIV Brand Art Books
#ffxiv #lore #lalafell

[@AegixDrakan]

The Scribe: "It's almost impossible to be mad at a lalafell for long..." Me: **Glares at Lolorito** I intend to set a world record, then!

[@mikoto7693]

It must not be nearly impossible because I hate Teledji and Lolorito with a passion so intense it’s almost holy. But I’m also somewhat unique in that I generally dislike the Lalafell as a species and have done so since the Tarutaru of my time in FF11. I’ve had a lot of time to think about this and I suppose I just find them creepy. A race that is small with many childlike features while being full adults… yeah I think I just find them creepy at some instinctive level.

[@benpearson49]

Some day, I'm gonna plant that Potato!

[@Hasediel]

I stopped hating Lolorito pretty easily when I realized he's pretty honest about who he is and his intentions. He's a greedy merchant who's main thing in life is money, and maybe his niece. It's not his fault we put a moronic, naive teenager in charged of a private army. And so long as there is profit to be made for him, he doesn't care about being used. Teledji I still don't like, but what I hated most was the idiotic bureaucracy that let him move freely even when the sultana herself knew he was this close to commit treason.

[@AegixDrakan]

@@Hasediel Well, I do hate Teledji a lot more... But he did make for a very nice Potato Salad pretty early in his short-lived appearance in the story, so... He's not around for me to keep hating on lol. XD

[@elgatochurro]

I mean... I too am more friendly to him after negotiations

[@Law-gnome]

I was wondering about the origin of the naming convention. Thanks for the information!

[@mikoto7693]

Honestly I thought it was just a holdover or tribute to their Tarutaru predecessors in FF11.

[@michaeldehart3253]

Really enjoyed learning more about mine and my son’s Dunesfolks. Hoping to go back home to the southern isles in the next expansion. I refer to it as the potato patch lol.

[@alolanjojo8153]

I just noticed burn my pancakes is fine

[@gruntmasterbroadcast]

All I know is that a pack of wild Lalafells can completely clear ya out of Gil in under 30 seconds, and with motivation in just 5 seconds... Fear the Lalafell...

[@leonides1527]

And if they don't give a fuck. *A fraction of a second*

[@xataru]

And your organs if you give them a full minute

[@vadersfist1775]

Isn‘t it just the Lalafell subrace living in the desert around Uldah that is so specialised around trading? I always thought that before watching the video at least One thing is for sure. Lalafell are really intelligent. Don’t mess with them if possible😂

[@NavaSDMB]

You need a pack?

[@christopherjones7191]

Their small, compact frames make them efficient hunters, able to take down prey 10 times their body size.

[@benpearson49]

I just love how the Lalafell at first look like naive Hobbits, but then you look closer and realize they're also sneaky murder goblins.

[@dull_demon4717]

As someone who's first character is a lalafell monk, this is true

[@mikoto7693]

Aye, it makes me chuckle when I see new players choosing Lalafell because they’re cute.

[@pablothecoffeelover2551]

Just like the nopon 😊

[@IaconDawnshire]

When everything wants to eat you, you quickly become a unaliving hobo

[@atomos100]

so lalafells are vulnerable to extreme cold yet Tataru went with us to Ishgard.. That must have been torture for her..

[@AA11196]

She had a coat on but I agree it must’ve sucked

[@dull_demon4717]

I went there as a lalafell and didn't know that, then again anger and vengeance (early game) can help with that I guess.

[@mikoto7693]

I wonder if the Au’Ra have similar problems with the cold given their lizard like constitution.

[@JackWolf1]

Funny enough, mages aren’t the only kind of Lalafell one needs to be wary of. As Commander Pipin Terupin, and Captain Alka Zolka have proven, they’re no slouches in close combat either

[@Salt_Mage]

Given that even martial classes bolster their strikes with aether, it's not surprise that Lalafell can swing a sword with the best of them.

[@mikoto7693]

It makes me wonder how Thancred functions in combat at all after ARR, even with Ryne providing the aether charged cartridges.

[@MrKalefe]

​@@mikoto7693by sheer power of manliness

[@kami-oshi.kronii]

Half the Lalafell are cute and friendly and the other half are the most evil conniving little potatoes I've ever seen...

[@lostonessoul5154]

"Though they don't have as much strength as Rogadyen." Me: *Looks a Lala-warrior holding a Axe bigger then there whole body*....sure...sure.

[@SynodicScribe]

Yeah, the disconnect between video game logic and realism can get intense sometimes. haha

[@lostonessoul5154]

@@SynodicScribe I just head cannon that the lala got sick of being called cute.

[@CheatingZubat]

In a world of elemental magic, gear imbued with bolstering stat boots.. I don't find it unrealistic at all that they can carry such things.

[@lostonessoul5154]

@@CheatingZubat I do. Just cause we got magic to boost stats doesn't mean it doesn't have a limit.

[@joelrobinson5457]

I mean, aether axes for lalafell sound pretty cool to me

[@ziongamer6905]

My people! Lala gang rise up!!! I remember starting this game early last year and thinking "These lil people are so precious but no way I'm gonna stay like this all the way to EW." I tried to fanta and immediately regretted it and I went back. Here I am pampering my favorite lil lady ever and starting EW (I started on it's on year anniversary too whoooo!!) It's been a slow ride but I'm happy to have my little friend with me the whole way.

[@kurostern2527]

Haha, same story for me ! I made a lala because male viera were announced but not released yet. Once i fantasia to male viera i almost immediately change back to my lala. I got too attached to this lil dude.

[@ziongamer6905]

@@kurostern2527 I Literally wanted to place make Viera as well, swapped to him but it just didn’t feel right after all this time 😅

[@mikoto7693]

Okay I’m a mindlander Hyur lvl 69 and 70 Smn/Sch and Whm player but I totally get what you’re saying. I’ve made a second character an Elezen lvl 52 Drg and I’m planning on making a tank character soon though I’m debating whether to make her a female Roegadyn or Highlander Hyur since female Hrothgar hasn’t been released yet and it’s nowhere soon. One of my FC friends asked me why I’d put so much time and effort in making alts when I could just use fantasia potions and my answer was surprisingly simple. Why use fantasias when I struck perfection on my first attempt? My primary WoL is totally perfect and I wouldn’t change her for anything. But the other reason is that I just really like creating alts and crafting a whole character bio so I can role play the game as a totally different type of WoL. The nature of the game means that I can’t create my usual number of alts because of the time needed to invest in each one. So that actually helps in a way because it forces me to design each one very carefully and thus they end up as really good and special characters that I can enjoy.

[@dull_demon4717]

My first reaction was "omg I can be tiny and punch people!" Lol Now, Nofacu is now on his way to bring a vegenace fulled reckoning to the Garlean Empire in the name of Noraxia.

[@joelrobinson5457]

​@@dull_demon4717fury of the tiny b**ch

[@williek08472]

Loved hearing about our favorite potatoes, especially where their rhyming names came from. And you're right, it is hard to get mad at Lalafell when they're so small and pettable... except Teledji. Screw that guy.

[@gamermoment656]

Now he's twice as pettable XD.

[@RokuroCarisu]

Some are puntable, though.

[@theAnimeManiac1]

Thanks for the Lala lore. :D Nice to see an accurate and polite representation of my favourite ffxiv race.

[@Iriel907]

That cute opening made me think... in the end, Lalafell are garden gnomes.

[@dannywolfpero]

I asked the lorekeeper Sounsyy about plainsfolk pupils some time ago, and her theory is that the vertical slit has the same function as the horizontal slit on herbivores; to help lalafells watch for predators. To help them see above tall grass and/or crops. You likely noticed that many FATEs talk about the enemies eating lalafells. Some of those are apparently native to the southern seas. Those giant mantises and the roc (giant bird) type enemies for sure. Also, I'm surprised you didn't bring up the lalafells' original thatched hut houses and the tunnels dug underneath them.

[@charnor2727]

there are also several fish which make mention to eating lalafells

[@Enixon869]

wait... Lalafell traditionally live in Hobbit Holes? That's awesome!

[@dannywolfpero]

@@charnor2727 I'm working my way through the fishing log, but good to know!

[@seekervaltriz9447]

You presume that we're the pray? Fool. Our slit pupils mark us as apex predators, in the wilds and the markets alike!

[@Kyzoren]

Lalafell have evolutionarily sacrificed physical size & strength to boost their minds & senses, and as such, herrscher dominion over the very fabric of the world itself! The Lalafell uprising is not coming, it has already passed! **Unbending Steel plays in the background**

[@quadrata8382]

It could also be like the real life "Foster's Rule" where species of an animal may become larger or *smaller* depending on the resources present on an isolated island. During the utmost primitive times on Hydaelyn, Lalafells may have evolved to become smaller to accomodate for the lacking food sources and from there gained their highly intelligent mind from the many desperate measures needed to survive during their early days, making them the crafty and opportunistic kind they are today. It's all hypothetical however and not lore gospel! Just a little fun thought.

[@pensador6953]

next war though they will have a lethal weapon agaist Lalafell, the higher shelfs

[@Kyzoren]

@@pensador6953 one would think, but by then, we'd have already mastered & normalized levitation and/or size shifting magic!

[@joelrobinson5457]

"picks you up and walks away"

[@K41ZR]

I love how my reaction to seeing this video was just chanting Lalafell over and over XD my favorite race

[@mikoto7693]

In a way I think I envy you in that because I don’t have a favourite race, thus my WoL is just a female midlander Hyur. It might have been Miq’ote because I love cats as my favourite animal. Indeed in real life as I type this I have two of my four cats here with me, sleeping. The third one is very old and just dislikes the other cats and won’t spend time with me because the younger ones gravitate around me. (Which is a shame because I got the second cat in part because I wanted her to have company when I’m at work. But I always make sure I set aside some one on one time with her.) The fourth is just plain aloof. She loves me, but it very much has to be on her terms But alas, almost everyone in FF14 is a Miq’ote and the rest split between Viera and Au Ra. Plus being an Au Ra or Viera must lead to an odd experience in ARR and HW. I’m part way through Stormblood and I’m given to understand that the Au Ra will feature quite heavily in the story at some point and I genuinely look forward to the day I get that far. Sure I’ve read about the Au Ra and their two cultures but it’s definitely different when I actually get to see it. Finally going to Ishgard in HW was a great experience for me as I know that the Elezen are the only natives to Eorzea and I looked forward to seeing an Elezen dominated culture and Ishgard did not disappoint. Heck I barely knew the dragons were sentient let alone the details about Dravania. Anyway my primary WoL is a Sch/Smn and Whm at lvl 69 and 70 respectively who joined the Maelstrom largely because my starting class as Arcanist put me there and Limsa Lominsa sort of imprinted on me as my Eorzean home. One day I hope to get housing there. One day. I miss the old mog house of FF11. I have a second character that is currently at the final set of ARR missions to end the threat of the Garlean Empire and the Ultima Weapon. She is a female Wildwood Elezen loyal to the Twin Adders of Gridania, currently a lvl 52 Dragoon. I look forward to doing Heavensward as her. I’m nearly ready to start on my third character and will do so when my Elezen gets through most of the post ARR quests and the start of Heavensward isn’t far off. I enjoy reminding myself of old content and rping as different kinds of WoL. I know I want a tank character and in the perfect world I would choose her to be a female Hrothgar since they’re catlike themselves and should be less overwhelmingly popular as Miq’ote but alas they haven’t been released yet. So I’m thinking of making her Seawolf Roegadyn or a highlander Hyur. I guess we’ll see.

[@kingsilvergrass8751]

I will never underestimate Lalafells, EVER. Till this day and now, they're one of the many reasons I keep going on adventures. And also procuring high grade items for them to sell as well to buy from them.

[@arthurdowney2846]

I need a cutscene where WOL can't find Kyle in a crowd until she throws up a scarf flag!

[@dliessmgg]

Lalafell may seem less dangerous because we're short... but keep in mind: we're a danger to your knees.

[@sadgirlhours4088]

I made a lalafell alt as a meme and named her shin eater, but I deleted her and changed her around a bit

[@mewimi]

A kneeless skybreather is a dead skybreather, amirite?

[@thenerdbeast7375]

I have a theory that Elezen and Lalafell are related, not just because of the ears but also their fair appearance and fine features. My theory is they share a common ancestor with Elezen (or perhaps descended from Elezen themselves) that under Foster's Rule were subject to insular dwarfism to adapt to their island homes. When you compare Lalafell to their smol counterparts in other media such as Gnomes (which are usually cousins to the Dwarves) or Halflings (which are smol humans with weird feet) they really do have a distinct elf-ish quality to them.

[@seekervaltriz9447]

Considering the different races of Etheirys share very important features, that is, bipedal, five digit hands, mammalian, and the term "human" being an umbrella term for all of them, from Hyur, to Elezen and even the distinctly catlike Hrothgar, it could be argued that not just Elezen and Lalafells be closely related, but all of them.

[@mewimi]

In terms of real life biological evolution. It is possible for the same physical attributes/traits to evolve in different species.

[@mikoto7693]

@@seekervaltriz9447To be fair, that’s my favourite theory. That after the sundering, Zodiark created the predecessor to the modern races when returning life and health to the planet and that the modern races diverged in response to different environmental conditions and pressures in different locations. It helps explain why some of them can cross-breed. Hilda being an example.

[@hristopavlov298]

Quality content detected

[@SynodicScribe]

Happy to be of service!

[@mewimi]

So my empire of 4 FCs, 16 submarines, 16 airships and 2 additional houses, 80 retainer slaves, has grown my gil quite substantially, with minimal effort. 600mil and climbing, some dips due to gil sink mounts or upgrading all job gear. Because /lalafell Please call me a house hoarder ('''\(',.....,')/''')

[@ethankillett1997]

As a newer player, and a lalafell main, this was wonderful. Thank you! Great video!

[@XxSoraMifunexX]

Aw ye, it's Tater Time!

[@kitsunehanyou09]

Catti's lalafell from the opening is too cute 🥺 thank you for this lecture on Lalafells!

[@KenanVonKaiser]

The Master Race Lore!

[@hhmpkr]

This was even better than your previous lesson about lalafellin lore. One question still remain: while the purpose of the forehead gemstone Dunesfolk characters may have is known, I haven't been able to find information about the exclusive tattoo Plainsfolk can have on their face. As a female Plainsfolk player, my favorite theory is that our tattoo is the top of an apple rotated 90 degrees, but I don't know for certain if that is true...

[@김세종-s4w]

Can you do a video on Conjurers, please? You've done several on WHM/WHM-adjacent topics, but they're really separate practices. 🥰 Same with Thaumaturges and Arcanists?

[@SynodicScribe]

If people want to learn more about the Classes I can certainly oblige.

[@luxborealis7285]

Yay!! I've been waiting for this update! My WoL thanks you

[@EmoEmu]

The race was all the best characters in the game... Tataru Taru Krile Baldesion Nanamo Ul Namo

[@ryanrushford7918]

Agreed. For some reason the translator is changing “Nanamo Ul Namo” to “Nanamo Ul Namo Free MP3 Download” lol

[@otterblue]

I loved the video but you mentioned that there were differences between how dunesfolk and plainsfolk we're named, and then didn't talk about dunesfolk naming conventions. What makes them different? I have a dunesfolk and would love to make her a bit more lore-accurate

[@octaviaautumn3656]

🥔

[@Puddingskin01]

The mention of a scarf had me mad because I have a *MIGHTY NEED* of a scarf glam.

[@Enixon869]

it's kind of small but there is the Redbill scarf from doing the HW alliance raids' qustline

[@Puddingskin01]

@@Enixon869 Yeah, but I want a long one for winter. And not a bandana...

[@xandirnich_237]

That last line kinda makes me think you're gonna use a Fantasia and become a lala... lol

[@SynodicScribe]

Never. Elezen for life! hehe

[@softouji]

I like to pretend that I’m a student at the studium and you’re a professor giving a lecture when I listen to your vids 🥰

[@dvergrmort6334]

Are these drawings your own? They are amazing fit to the content.

[@SynodicScribe]

They're from my channel artist Catti! She's extremely helpful and you can find her links in the description if you're interested.

[@TheMonk3613]

"They craft and are mechanics" Just as i thought, the better version of Gnomes.

[@AnvilMAn603]

Lalafell Master Race

[@IaconDawnshire]

Lore wise my Lalafell's Aether leans heavily to martial prowess rather than magical. Also in order to explain my Lalafell's name I created homebrew lore to explain it

[@joelrobinson5457]

Considering how many fates involve doing things to protect the smallfolk, I'd say their forms also have the advantage of causing other races to instinctively jump in to protect them

[@25xxfrostxx]

I really hope we get to visit the south sea isles and encounter tribes of cannibalistic lalafells. Like the Pygmies in the jungle in Diablo 2.

[@Dio____Brando]

Omg i like ghe spund of cannibal lalafell xD

[@cj_skywalker]

I alway play my main as a Lalafell because I love smallfolk, and this video really made me glad of my choice. Great vid! ;)

[@zankumo]

Hope we one day get to go to the Southern Isles and see our homeland

[@Alre]

its true 🥺

[@RobertGomezN7]

Thank you for this lore! Though this now brings interest about gnomes as well, though they are not from the First!

[@UltaFlame]

No comment on how tasty they apparently are. Smh.

[@Enixon869]

I mean, that's a given, like taking time in a lore video for a region to comment that the sky is blue. :D

[@warllockmasterasd9142]

I think you forgot the part where the a dimension from Hell itself opened up. and that's where the first lalafells came from after all.

[@AA11196]

I wonder in 7.0 we will get to see the lalafell lands aside possibly meracydia

[@sheriffopossum]

we have a blood cult in the lalafell fc i'm in UwU

[@RicardoSantos-oz3uj]

They are also mostly evil with few exceptions.

[@luismedina5792]

Im here because of a short

[@antyrak7905]

Wait, just a thought, how many Lalas did you see serving in the Garlean Army? I can't recollect any Lalas and Garleans were recruiting people of all the races, expect for Lalas? Even they knew. What about Asscians, did you ever see an Ascian possessing a lala? They're too evil even for Asscians.

[@Enixon869]

I believe there's at least one lalafellin Garlean officer as a reoccurring boss in Bozja

[@acgearsandarms1343]

Wedge used to. There’s also Pagaga, the beastmaster Lalafell.

[@antyrak7905]

@@acgearsandarms1343 good to know, thanks for answering my shitpost btw ;-). I guess why Ascians don't really poses Lalas is because how strong they are? I haven't seen Ascians posesing anyone besides Hyur (not sure if I spelled it correctly) also I'd classify Garlean as a type of Hyur. That's because I guess they feel most comfortable in these bodies( for obvious reasons)

[@Denter86]

I would assume there must be some amount of prejudice towards Lalafell in Garlemald. After all, their size makes them stand out in an otherwise very homogenous society where they're already seen as savages, and they're commonly associated with the Eorzean higher class. No idea about Ascians but I think there's proof of it happening. I'll add that Garleans are not Hyurs, even though they share a model in-game! They're as different genetically as Hyurs are to any Eorzean race.

[@Duskaria]

My Lalafells backstory has her be placed within the Garlean army, so I have done quite a bit of research into Lalafell within Garlemald and its army in general to have her backstory be as lore accurate as possible. As some have already mentioned, there's Wedge and Pagaga quo Vochstein to name two of the more obvious ones but there's also at least two Lalafellin garlean soldiers in Stormblood. One to provide the conscript uniform and another during the Ala Mhigan quarter section in the Lochs. Theres also one in ARR during the lvl 46 quest where you rescue the Scions in Mor Dhona and one during the lvl 59 cutscene where you first see Regula in Azys Lla. There's also some NPC enemy lalafell garleans in 1.0 The fact none of the soldiers bat an eye at either Wedge disguising as a garlean soldier during ARR or the WoL Lalafell during Stormblood also hints towards us Lalas being quite common in the garlean military.

[@Wastingsometimehere]

Apparently they moved up north just to be petted.

[@andljoy]

All will serve the Lalafell ..... in time. You mean the mighty dunesfolk and the pathetic (and smelly) plainsfolk . Oh also dunesfolk are resistant to most forms of poison.

[@FarmeirodeXP386]

Man your chanel is the best thing in youtube!

[@SynodicScribe]

Oh you're too kind. haha

[@SkepticalChris]

You forgot to mention the Lalafell love for hugs and headpats.

[@joelrobinson5457]

Whether they like it or not lol

[@Raion-chan]

This video could be now updated for all new information that we've got in DT about their history.

[@SynodicScribe]

That's the funny thing. The events of DT has no effect on the lore of modern lalafell. It was only one small group of lalafell the went off and did what they did. Their choices only affected them.

[@Raion-chan]

​@@SynodicScribe From what i understood, if we get the information from both Aloalo Island story and from the new things we could read in the leynode pyro, it seems that Lalafells in the Southern Islands were most certainly descendants of the Lalafells from the world that was destroyed by Ice (Fifth Umbral Calamity if i remember correctly). Which would mean that Ancestors of Lalafells were born in another world, the world that was extremely hot (before it was frozen), which also fits why Lalafells like warm climates.

[@SynodicScribe]

@@Raion-chan Based on your statement, it would likely behoove me to make a video detailing exactly what happened. Alongside a catalogue of times and places.

[@limsalalafells]

What... The eyes of the dunesfolks are funny not the plainsfolk. The dunes have the same iris but have a extra eye lid over their eye like fish or lizards.

[@FaythRender]

ROTUND??? I...I'm not rotund I'm big boned 😛

[@LilBeannanas]

Ooh so that's why I hoard gil so much on ffxiv 🤔

[@cosmicbrownie2312]

Lala gang represent~

[@xerravolos]

ARR Has taught me to never trust the popoto people

[@antyrak7905]

Happy New Year, and Lalas are evil 🤣

[@rachelkelley5930]

Pipin. Nanamo Ul Namo. Tataru. Papashan. Papalymo. And that one brass blade in Horizon. But other than that, yes.

[@loopacute]

I’m just trying to find out if they really are kids or not.

[@SynodicScribe]

They're no more childish than hobbits I suppose. haha

[@SerabiiBot]

They're just smoother potato shaped hobbits. And scheming potatobbits at that!

[@starlightbreaker561]

I miss ff11 where character race actually affected stats significantly

[@Enixon869]

I dunno, I've heard more than enough horror stories from people getting booted from raids because their character wasn't the optimum race/class mix like an Gnome Warrior or Troll Mage in WoW

[@starlightbreaker561]

@@Enixon869 yeah, those aren't ff11 races, nice try, having played ff11 (admittedly, not "raid" level content) the playerbase was generally pretty cool about that stuff, especially statics full of friends, though you would pick a race with beneficial stats over one with stats that don't work for the job if you had a choice. But then ff11 had a great deal of gear, so a well speced character could make up for most of their shortfalls and be effective on any job.

[@BongSwansong]

@@starlightbreaker561 Do you alwalys come across as condescending or is it just this once?

[@SynodicScribe]

That's a tough one because I can see both sides of the debate clearly. Racial Stats being a thing would not only make lore sense but also help to define your choices as a player. In a perfect world, these choices would be respected. But we don't live in a perfect world, and if gaming has taught me one thing, it's that min/maxers will optimize the fun out of anything and shame people for not making the most ideal choices. (I unfortunately saw this during my time in FFXI. It's a shame.) So while I always thought the idea of Racial Stats in FFXI were really cool, I totally understand why they don't exist in many multiplayer games.

[@ziongamer6905]

The idea of racial stats mattering is cool but I'd be so upset if I wasn't allowed to be in a group because I play Lalafell and wanted to tank (though admittedly, my main role is healer so I'd probably be on the end of preferred players in many cases). Racial stats would be kind of like materia in this current situation, there would be a majority player base that would bar you from joining them because your chose stats are not the meta for your class. I'd love to have more experimenting and theory crafting in this game and many others but history has shown us that people mostly try to hit the highest numbers possible in games so those choices are unnecessary.

[@25jessieg]

Good stuff. I love my lala. You can just walk around messing with people and have a good time in the game.

[@DaveDavis-f9w]

Really gotta work on the pronunciations, man.