Humans of The Ancient Reach
"We were not made to wander forever, but to build—to carve our place into the bones of the world."
– Orlan Waterspur, First Lord of Goldencliff
Overview
Humans are the youngest of the great mortal races, yet their impact is profound. Created by Elto in 3850 BGW to embody balance, adaptability, and boundless potential, humanity was born not from stone or starlight, but from divine intention.
They are the makers of kingdoms, the dreamers of cities, and the builders of both bridges and battlefields. No single trait defines them—only their relentless drive to shape the world in their image. From the cliffs of Shatterbleak to the edge of Mountainrun’s forests, humans thrive where others falter.
Racial Traits
- Ability Score Increase: +1 to all ability scores
- Age: Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century
- Alignment: Diverse—no dominant tendency
- Size: Medium
- Speed: 30 feet
- Languages: Common and one additional language of choice
Variant: Human Origins
For a more customized experience, choose +2 to one ability score and +1 to another, along with one Feat or Skill Proficiency based on heritage:
- Shatterbleak: Proficiency in History or Persuasion
- Mountainrun: Proficiency in Nature or Survival
- Nunca: Proficiency in Insight or Performance
- Steerbright: Proficiency in Athletics or Intimidation
Anatomy
Humans exhibit a wide range of appearances, reflecting their diverse geography and cultural development:
- Shatterbleak: Weathered by coastal winds and labor, with sun-worn skin and sea-roughened hands
- Mountainrun: Lean and forest-wise, often wearing charms or tools gifted by elven allies
- Nunca: Culturally varied, with vibrant clothing and interwoven ancestry
- Steerbright: Rugged, broad, and hardened by cold winds and orcish proximity
Hair and eye colors range from golden-brown to pitch black, with some regions favoring brighter tones or natural ornamentation. Clothing and body art often reflect one’s region or house.
Cultural Origins
Shatterbleak – The First Kingdom
Founded by the Waterspurs after the Great Exodus (3040–3033 BGW), Shatterbleak remains the oldest human kingdom. Its people are shipwrights, diplomats, and defenders of legacy.
Values: Stability, tradition, honor
Known For: Naval power, diplomacy, strong lineage
Homeland: Goldencliff, Riverhold, Highvale
Mountainrun – Forest's Edge
These humans dwell at the fringe of elven lands, working the soil and honoring old forest spirits. Though often second-class citizens in elven politics, they’ve preserved a quiet strength.
Values: Harmony, humility, survival
Known For: Harvest festivals, herbalism, forest lore
Homeland: Rockcrest, Treethorn, scattered glades
Nunca – The Blooming South
A cultural crossroads dominated by House Ashwood, Nunca thrives through ambition, artistry, and control of trade. Hollow Lake stands as a symbol of human ingenuity—and ambition.
Values: Prosperity, unity, ambition
Known For: Artistry, wealth, political reach
Homeland: Hollow Lake, Wildbay, southern rivers
Steerbright – The Winter Front
A land of orcish raiders and frozen mountain passes, humans here are forged in frost and fire. Fortresses dot the landscape, each a testament to resilience and communal survival.
Values: Strength, loyalty, endurance
Known For: Warbands, survivalism, stonework
Homeland: Ironrise, Gravenhold, the Broken Range
History
Humanity began in
Paradise Grove—a sacred sanctuary shaped by Elto, where the Ashwood, Waterspur, and Sandmyer families were created. For centuries, they lived in peace under Elto’s watchful presence.
In 3340 BGW, Elto called them to leave and shape the wider world. This marked the beginning of human civilization:
- Waterspurs settled fertile lowlands and founded Goldencliff
- Ashwoods moved north to establish Greendale, later Hollow Lake
- Sandmyers turned to the sea, exploring the southern coastlines
By 2955 BGW, tensions led to the
Council of the Three Seeds—a treaty of cooperation between the human houses. But ambition, war, and the corruption of King Ramarvis Ashwood by the Crown of Dominion (2330 BGW) fractured this unity.
Today, humans remain the most populous and politically diverse race in the Reach—capable of both great harmony and devastating division.
Naming Traditions
Names reflect region, legacy, and culture. Most follow a
first + surname pattern, with surnames tied to ancestry or land.
Shatterbleak: Marin Frostale, Thorne Ironbrook
Mountainrun: Rhea Wildfoot, Linden Wrenhart
Nunca: Sorrel Nightfall, Elara Windmere
Steerbright: Kyra Wolfbane, Aedan Hardshield
Legacy
Though the youngest of the ancient races, humans endure. They adapt, overcome, and build where others hesitate. In every city, on every road, and across every frontier, the legacy of Elto’s most adaptable children continues to shape the world.
"Stone may remember, but it is man who reshapes it."
