Humans, The tenacious ones
Widespread, found in most regions and, in general, fierce and disagreeable, which sometimes leads certain other races to view them with contempt. They are renowned for their diversity and ambition, and although they lack specialization, they have the potential to excel in many areas. Humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, and that's why they build their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds.
Although some humans can be xenophobic, in general their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of humans who live in nonhuman lands.
A Broad Spectrum
With their penchant for migration and conquest, humans are more physically diverse than other common races. There is no typical human. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds. Human skin shades range from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond (curly, kinky, or straight males might sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. A lot of humans have a dash of nonhuman blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lineages. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live even a single century.Variety in All Things
Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people among the common races. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single human's memory. They live fully in the present-making them well suited to the adventuring life-but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.Lasting Institutions
Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the responsibility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret, humans found sacred orders and institutions for such purposes. While dwarf clans and halfling elders pass on the ancient traditions to each new generation, human temples, governments, libraries, and codes of law fix their traditions in the bedrock of history. Humans dream of immortality, but (except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death's clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone.Although some humans can be xenophobic, in general their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of humans who live in nonhuman lands.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Regardless of their precise origins, humans were undeniably successful. While hardly the only dominant race of Aurora, humans were one of the most recent to obtain dominance. In spite of this strength, or perhaps because of it, humanity was an eternally fractured and divided race, broken up into over a dozen ethnic offshoots. It was believed that this was in part because humanity, unlike most other races, did not emerge as a whole but rather in several places at once, thereby resulting in its diversity.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region's culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The material culture and physical characteristics of humans can change wildly from region to region. For example, the clothing, architecture, cuisine, music, and literature are different in the northern lands of Laëril than in distant Eerien-and even more distinctive in far-off Urras. Human physical characteristics, though, vary according to the ancient migrations of the earliest humans, so that the humans of Laëril have every possible variation of coloration and features.
Trikvāg, Omfall Wanderers:
These humans have adapted to the harsh desert environments of the Omfall continent. They possess deeply tanned skin, often weathered by the sun, and have strong, lean builds from a life of constant movement. Their hair tends to be dark and coarse, providing protection from the sun's rays, and their eyes are often a striking shade of amber or brown, reflecting the colors of the desert sands. The Trikvāg are renowned for their resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.Brūskari, Highland Clansfolk:
The Brūskari hail from the rugged, mountainous regions of Läeril. They have fair to olive-toned skin, with freckles often dotting their faces due to prolonged exposure to the sun at high altitudes. Their hair ranges from sandy blond to deep chestnut, and they tend to have piercing blue or green eyes that mirror the colors of the mountain lakes and forests. The Brūskari are known for their strength, endurance, and strong sense of kinship within their clan communities.Kaiārua, Deep Tamers:
The Kaiārua are humans who make their home on the scattered islands off the coast of the Great Caldera. They have a bronze complexion, a result of constant exposure to the sun and sea spray. Their hair is typically dark and wavy, often bleached by the saltwater, and their eyes range from deep brown to sea-green, reflecting their connection to the ocean. Kaiārua are skilled sailors and fishermen, adept at navigating the treacherous waters surrounding their island homes.Elnár, Briarkin:
The Elnár are humans who live deep within the forests of the Veiled Realms. They have olive-toned skin that seems to glow with an inner vitality, a result of their close connection to the natural world. Their hair is typically shades of russet or auburn, often adorned with intricate braids woven with flowers and foliage. Their eyes are a vibrant green or hazel, reflecting the colors of the forest canopy. The Elnár are attuned to the magic of the natural world, often serving as guardians of the ancient woodlands.Yàndu, Silent Watchers:
The Yàndu are humans who inhabit the mist-shrouded valleys and shadowy forests of the Caldera's western edge. They have pale, almost translucent skin, which contrasts sharply with their dark, almost obsidian-like hair. Their eyes are narrow and almond-shaped, often described as "thin," giving them an enigmatic and watchful appearance. The Yàndu are known for their silence and introspection, as well as their keen observation of the ever-changing mists that cloak their homeland.Dhūstrū, Duskborn:
The Dhūstrū are humans who dwell in the sun-scorched plains of the eastern Teorcas. They have rich, ebony skin that absorbs the heat of the sun, allowing them to endure the harsh conditions of their environment. Their hair is often tightly coiled and varies in shades of deep brown to black, providing protection from the intense sunlight. Their eyes are a warm, dark hue, reflecting the colors of the earth and sky at dusk. The Dhūstrū are resilient and resourceful people, adapted to thrive in the unforgiving landscape of the eastern plains.Ignar, Flame Touched:
The Ignar are humans who are known for their fiery red hair, a trait that sets them apart from other ancestries. They can be found scattered throughout the Known World, but are most commonly associated with the volcanic regions near Bellenica. In addition to their striking hair, Ignar often have freckled, fair skin that contrasts with their fiery locks. Their eyes range from bright green to hazel, reflecting the colors of the verdant landscapes where they often make their homes. The Ignar are known for their passionate personalities and adventurous spirit, often seeking out new experiences and challenges.
Lifespan
Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.
Average Height
Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall.
Geographic Distribution
There was a time when any fool could have told you where the folk of this land or that came from, but now we sail or ride so far and often that we’re all from everywhere. Even the most isolated villages hold folk who hail from they know not where. Yet you can still tell something of where someone hails from by their hair and build and skin and manner, though any traveler knows not to assume too much from a quick glance. Remember that, and hearken:— Olram Faravaer.
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