Humans

Summary

Humans (Homo sapiens) are a sapient species originating from Earth who achieved interstellar presence through technological innovation rather than biological adaptation. Their 97,200-year recorded history encompasses Elder-guided proto-civilizations, catastrophic planetary transformation, the creation of six uplifted sapient species, and ultimately a species bifurcation into transcendent Lumens and baseline Human Holdouts. Humans are uniquely characterized by fauna agnoisia—a neurological condition rendering them incapable of animal communication.

Biology

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 1.5-1.9m (average)
• Lifespan: 100-120 years (modern Holdouts with technological augmentation)
• Reproduction: Sexual dimorphism; ~9 month gestation
• Diet: Omnivorous

Evolutionary Adaptations (Post-Diaspora)

Human populations across different stellar environments have developed subtle biological variations while maintaining genetic continuity:

• Enhanced radiation resistance and DNA repair mechanisms
• Improved oxygen utilization in varied atmospheric conditions
• Increased thermal tolerance range
• Modified pigmentation for various stellar spectra

Defining Limitation: Fauna Agnoisia

Humans possess a unique neurological barrier preventing communication with non-sapient animals. This condition:

• Persists in all human-derived populations including Lumens
• Distinguished humans from all other sapient species
• Shaped human psychology through communicative isolation
• Was dramatically exposed when uplifted species retained animal communication abilities humans never possessed

"The humans gifted us sapience but discovered in doing so that we possessed something they never had—the ability to speak with those they called 'mere animals.'" — Alpha Luminus, Canine philosopher, 4295 AD

History

The Ancient Dawn (50,000-11,600 BC)

Elder-guided proto-civilizations achieved remarkable advancement before catastrophic collapse:

• Lemurian Epoch (50,000-38,000 BC): First human mastery of elemental manipulation and telepathic unity; destroyed in the Sundering
• Atlantean Resurgence (35,000-11,600 BC): Crystalline energy networks, psychic governance, trans-planetary portals; destroyed in the Younger Dryas cataclysm

The Tsal'ren Ka'tora divergence (~10,000 BC) produced the earliest known human interstellar colony when Atlantean factions transported Natufian humans to Shav'thar.

The Long Forgetting (11,600 BC-2800 AD)

Stripped of cosmic knowledge, humanity rebuilt through millennia of gradual advancement:

• Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages
• Industrial Revolution acceleration (1500-2200 AD)
• Technological apex by 2700 AD: quantum networks, lunar outposts, early AGI
• The Great Gridlock (2796 AD): Nexum-engineered cyberattack compromising global infrastructure

The Great Cataclysms (2800-2877 AD)

A 77-year sequence of geological disasters transformed Earth:

• Yellowstone Supervolcano eruption triggered cascade
• Continental fusion into UniTerra supercontinent
• Human population reduced to <0.1%
• Seven Phoenix Civilizations emerged as survivors

Post-Cataclysm Recovery (2877-4280 AD)

Survivor civilizations rebuilt and eventually warred:

• Seven Phoenix Civilizations preserved distinct knowledge traditions
• Post-Cataclysm Wars (4000-4200 AD): 70-80 million casualties in resource conflicts
• Treaty of Nova Zembla (4102 AD): Ended major hostilities
• Uniterra Charter: Established first global governance since pre-Cataclysm era

The Uplift Era (4280-7800 AD)

Project Ascendancy (4280 AD) elevated six Earth species to sapience:

• Canines, Felines, Primates, Swine, Cetaceans, Cephalopods

The Great Uplift Wars (5200-5800 AD) reshaped global power:

• Tripartite Pact united 750 million uplifted individuals
• Treaty of Pangaea (5764 AD) reduced human territory to 8% of habitable land
• Interspecies Cooperation Initiative established fragile coexistence

Mars Colonization: Helfspir settlement (6000 AD) established first permanent human presence beyond Earth.

The Great Divergence (7800 AD)

The Chrono-Biogenesis Project offered transformation into Lumens:

• 92% accepted transformation → became Lumens
• 8% refused → became Human Holdouts

Human Resistance Conflicts (7800-7900 AD) included:

• Tungol Uprising (7820-7822 AD)
• Siege of New Haven (7832 AD)
• Dac'rima Facility Revelation (7835 AD)
• Earth Accords (7900 AD) establishing Holdout preservation zones

Interstellar Diaspora (12,000-20,000 AD)

Holdout communities established extrasolar colonies:

Galactic Human Confederation formed 19,789 AD, uniting major Holdout factions.

Contemporary Era (30,000 AD-Present)

Human Holdouts maintain presence across multiple galaxies:

• Distinct technological path (non-genetic enhancement)
• Vibrant cultural traditions preserved from pre-Cataclysm ancestors
• Independent FTL capability achieved by 28,000 AD
• Respected for resilience, creativity, and unique philosophical perspectives

Culture

Languages

Earth Common emerged as primary Holdout language—a creole blending post-Cataclysm survivor groups:

• Tungolian: Scandinavian influence with preserved English
• Mountain Speak: Andean syntax with Quechua/Aymara vocabulary
• Sandspeech: Kalahari click consonants
• Deltaic: Vietnamese tonal system with aquatic terminology
• Hill Tongue: Appalachian idioms
• Islander Creole: Polynesian maritime vocabulary

Spiritual Traditions

• Nature Worship: Reverence for Earth's transformed ecosystems
• Ancestor Veneration: Honoring Cataclysm survivors
• Megafauna Cults: Spiritual practices centered on coexistence with giant animals
• Preservation Theology: Sacred duty of maintaining unmodified humanity

Social Structure

• Clan-based Organization: Extended family units as social foundation
• Skill-based Hierarchy: Leadership determined by expertise
• Generational Knowledge Transfer: Apprenticeship systems preserving skills

Technology

Human Holdouts developed significant capabilities while rejecting genetic modification:

• Exo-Suits: Non-invasive power enhancement
• Neural Interfaces: External brain-computer connections (no permanent implantation)
• Adaptive Architecture: Construction for hostile environments
• Stealth Systems: Advanced concealment technologies
• Sustainable Energy: Fusion micro-reactors, geothermal harvesting

Human FTL (achieved ~28,000 AD) remains distinct from and generally less advanced than Lumen equivalents.

Major Factions

Political Organizations

Specialized Guilds

Relations

With Lumens

Complex relationship ranging from cooperation to tension:

• Lumens view Holdouts with mixture of respect and pity
• Holdouts view Lumens as both descendants and something other
• Earth Accords (7900 AD) established formal coexistence framework
• Trade and cultural exchange persist despite philosophical divide

With Uplifted Species

• Historical conflict during Great Uplift Wars
• Modern relations vary by species and region
• Shared experience of fauna agnoisia creating unique dynamic with species who remember pre-sapient existence

With Elders

• Minimal direct contact
• Elder interest in Holdout preservation suggests undisclosed cosmic purpose

Significance

Humanity's dual legacy—Lumen transcendence and Holdout persistence—represents an unprecedented evolutionary experiment:

"The cosmic purpose of humanity may not be found in their peaks of achievement but in their response to collapse. Each fall forged psychological patterns essential to their role in the greater cosmic design." — Orion Kael, Elder philosopher

The parallel existence of both paths creates a living repository of adaptive strategies against cosmic threats—redundancy engineered not by design but by the diversity of consciousness facing existential choice.

Sources: The Human Chronicle (Cosmic Chronicler Corps, 47,200 AD)

See Also: Lumens | Human Holdouts | Earth | UniTerra | The Great Cataclysms | Project Ascendancy | Chrono-Biogenesis Project | Fauna Agnoisia | Uplifted Species | Elders