Highlander
The Highlanders were the first of the Hyur to reach Eorzea. And they are descendants of a people who followed the stars to the mountains of Gyr Abania in the wake of the Sixth Umbral Calamity, the Highlanders founded the city-state of Ala Mhigo, a bastion of military might until its fall to the Garlean invasion two decades agone. Many stayed behind, and now live a toilsome life under the yoke of their imperial masters, while those that fled their homeland now live as refugees in Eorzea. Their numbers are greatest in the Shroud and greater in Thanalan, where their presence has resulted in no small degree of social strife. Among the refugees are those who have put their considerable martial talents to use as sellswords and gladiators.
Compared to their Midlander brethren, the Highlanders are noticeably larger in build and musculature. Some posit that the impressive Highlander physique is the fruit of countless generations spent residing in harsh, unforgiving mountain climates, where the air is thin and each day a struggle for survival. Though some discount this theory, none can deny that the physical prowess of the Highlanders greatly outstrips that of their Midlander cousins. As for eyebrows; they do have them, but they shave them off to intimidate and psych out their enemies.
With a spiritual tradition dating back to times of yore, Highlanders are known to sport wood-carved talismans woven into their underclothes, and votive tattoos adorning their bodies. While some find Highlander aesthetic sensibilities crude, one cannot deny their uniqueness and the manner in which they evoke unadulterated strength of nature. Such ruggedness can also been seen in their preferred fare - Highlanders often dine on simple yet impressive dishes such as massive aldgoat steaks, seared perfectly to seal the natural juices. Overcooking is taboo in Highlander kitchens, to the degree that some consider them raw meat eaters.
Highlander first names are remarkably similar to medieval European names that have Germanic or Normandic roots. As the Highlanders are a warring race, their last names tend to sound more violent, as they will often adopt the colourful nicknames they have earned during battle. Some Midlanders like to joke that because Highlander names have a very Roegadyn feel to them (in addition to highlanders being very large and muscular), that the clan is somehow “less Hyuran.” Many an alehouse brawl has broken out as a result of a Midlander in his cups uttering such quips as ‘Your mother was a Sea Wolf ’ in the presence of a Highlander. Needless to say, most of these quarrels do not end well for the instigator.