#lalafell-specific dialogue in shadowbringers

[tishinada]

So, last night @rainofaugustsith​ ran Kass through the Ghimlyt Dark (thank you!!)

I adore the way Raubahn physically interacts with a Lalafell (Haurchefant was also really good at this.) After the dungeon, when you’re reporting to him about Alisaie’s collapse and you get another vision from the Crystal Exarch trying to pull you to the First, he runs around the table and gets on one knee to talk to you and make sure you’re ok. Not really a surprise since, of course, a lot of his story arc has been as surrogate father to Nanamo and Pipin, and except for being a bit over-protective of Nanamo, he’s clearly treated them with respect for their abilities (you don’t get that sort of unreserved affection and loyalty in return if you haven’t.) But that moment really struck me. Even if he did the same with other races, I feel like it was included so he wasn’t towering over a Lala WoL in particular.

Also, Kass wakes up in a bed in Ishgard that’s big enough for about 8 Lalafells to sleep without touching lol.*

Then I stayed up way too late getting her through the opening quests of Shadowbringers, lol.

(SPOILERS FOR A DWARVEN PT OF SHADOWBRINGERS)

I’ve not only looked forward to this because Shadowbringers is so good, but because one of the first things I noticed on Zas was there were no Lalafells on the First. Anywhere. Which is eerie if you like Lalas like I do. But of course, you don’t find out where they are (or even that they are called dwarves) until you reach the level 78 quests just before Mt. Gulg. Even if dwarves are mentioned, there’s nothing to suggest a connection to Lalafells

And because we know the First’s dwarves are so reclusive, I wondered if people would react uniquely to a dwarf (especially an unhelmed dwarf because presumably at least some residents of the First would know what that culturally meant to the dwarves of the First.)

It turns out that yes, someone does. AND if you’re playing a Lalafell WoL, you are given enough information to know your race is called dwarves on the First before you even meet with the Crystal Exarch for the first time:

During the tour, Bragi, the manager of the marketplace says: Forgive my asking, but you are a dwarf, yes? We don't get many of your lot coming down from the mountain these days."

And I have the option to respond with "dwarf?" or "Actually I'm a Lalafell." (paraphrased, I didn’t think to type them out atm.)

Then he goes into his description of the peoples in the crystarium which obviously doesn't include dwarves. So Lalafell players find out their First equivalent are called dwarves long before anyone else. He also adds later if you click on him:

"Bragi: I didn't point them out earlier, but I'm sure you'll spot a Mystel, or another Ronso like me sooner rather than later. Even Viis like Captain Lyna aren't that unusual in this city.

Bragi: Aye, the Crystarium's long been a sanctuary for all manner of refugees─except maybe the dwarves. Your lot prefer to keep themselves to themselves, in my experience."

So, a Lalafell player gets this information way before anyone else. Which is only fair since it would be really eerie (and tragic) to be moving through an entire world where apparently your people didn’t exist.** Instead, you’re given just enough information that a player with a Lalafell WoL isn’t particularly bothered by their absence. And would realize when you’re sent to the dwarven village in the MSQ that you are about to meet the dwarves.

I’m looking forward to seeing what other unique dialogue Kass gets, particularly in Tomra, lol. And because I’m going to lean into this a lot, have Kass’s Shadowbringers glam for warrior:

My HC is that the Crystal Exarch brought the chest piece with him when he met her outside the city so she wouldn’t stick out any more than necessary since lalafell/dwarves are such an unusual sight on the First. And already thoughtfully dyed that shade of pink she loves (considering his hero worship for the WoL, I think it’s entirely likely he’d extracted details like that from one of the Scions who arrived earlier.) Either he dismissed the idea of the helm because he knew she’d reject it, or that would conflict with their story that she was from the Exarch’s homeland, meaning she wouldn’t have the right to wear the helm belonging to either dwarven village. Easier to have her be viewed as an exile.

I’ll post any more unique dialogue as I find it!

*I found the solo duty at the end of post-Stormblood with Zenos was a lot easier as a tank than it was for Zas as dps, lol, mostly because warriors really do soak up most damage with a shrug. It just takes longer than with dps like bard.

**I did check to see if Giott is in the bar at the beginning. She is not, so Kass is the only “dwarf” in the entire Crystarium.

[tishinada]

(Shadowbringers spoilers)

Kass now has 4 classes at 80+, and last night she finished the Healer role quests for Shadowbringers (Red mage is still 53-ish, so the magic DPS will be a while lol.) Other than a comment in the very first conversation about Kass's missing helm, there hasn't been any special dialogue for Lalafells/dwarves. But on impulse, I recorded the last conversation with Giott (which turns out not to be in the inn book, so good thing I did, lol) and when I compared it to a non-Lala conversation someone else had posted, I realized that some lines that were borderline flirty---were Lala/dwarf specific.

When you walk up to her, she says:

Kass picked the second option about her helm:

And she got this response:

Giott is stuttering a little and doing that embarrassed head-ducked-hand-waving emote.

But I found a video where a non-Lala picked the same dialogue, and they got THIS:

"Ha! Looks like you finally figured out how to tell a joke! Now's the part where I stare all misty-eyed into the distance, right?"

And she does NOT do the embarrassed emote. She stands erect with hands by her side. Completely different body language.

So...Giott may have a thing for a dwarven/Lalafellan WoD.

EDIT: So, apparently others have gotten this shy response, so it isn't dwarf/lala specific after all. Unless it's some early dialogue trigger that I can't trace now, it's possible she only has this reaction to women...