Humans
The History of Humanity: From the Era of Dreams to the Present
The Era of Dreams and Humanity’s Awakening
The Era of Dreams, an age when the chimeras reigned supreme over Adarus, is a period long shrouded in mystery, myth, and theological discourse. According to the sacred texts of the Me Lumin Popularii, humanity did not emerge as a creation of the Creator Himself but rather as the work of the astral Ahriman, who shaped them from the essence of chimeras but stripped them of their wild and bestial nature. Ahriman's continued defiance of the Creator's will afterward—the astral's desire to directly involve himself in humanity's evolution—led to his exile, and humanity was left to navigate a world where they were neither kin to the beasts nor divine in the eyes of the Astrals. In these early ages, humans were seen as lesser beings—weak, fragile, and devoid of true power compared to the dominant chimeras. They were subjugated, forced into servitude, and lived in the shadows of their powerful predecessors. However, despite their lowly status, humanity proved to be resilient, adaptable, and innovative, learning to harness the gifts of the land in ways the chimeras had overlooked.The Dawn of Human Civilization
Though their early existence was fraught with hardship, humans began to carve a place for themselves in the world. Small enclaves of free humans formed in the untamed wilds (the Isepox), and over generations more humans mastered agriculture, metallurgy, and written language. These advancements enabled them to develop stable societies that, while still existing in the shadows off the greater chimera nation-states, were able to achieve their betters' recognition. Religious doctrine holds that during this time, the Astrals took pity on mankind. Some sects believe the Creator Himself, despite Ahriman’s rebellion, allowed humanity the strength to grow and flourish, seeing them as worthy of existence. Others argue that the Astrals merely saw in humanity a tool to balance the growing excesses of the chimeras, whose rule had grown decadent and oppressive.The Fall of the Chimeras
The turning point in human history came with The Fall, a series of uprisings that culminated in the downfall of the chimera empire. Oral traditions and fragmented records suggest that a combination of internal strife among the chimeras (culminating into a global war) and the growing unity of human factions led to this monumental shift. What began as scattered rebellions soon became a full-scale revolution. The decisive moment came when the war among the chimeras cost them everything: their divine magic, their power, their status as the world's caretakers. The astrals stripped from them the very essence of divinity the Creator had embued in them. Afteward, strategic alliances among the humans, guerrilla warfare, and sheer tenacity saw the once-lesser race overthrowing the cities of the chimeras. Humans dismantled their betters' ruling structures, and established dominion over the lands they had long been forced to toil upon. This marked the end of the Era of Dreams and the beginning of the Era of Man.The Rise of Human Empires and the Fracturing of Belief
With the collapse of the chimeras’ power, humanity forged its own path, leading to the rise of great kingdoms and, eventually, the Arcanaan Empire. However, as mankind took center stage, so too did divisions in faith. In the ancient kingdom of Nasir, The Astralian Church, once united in its reverence for the Creator and His celestial order, began to fracture. The Creator sect maintained that humanity was still under divine guidance, while the Auroran sect argued that the Creator had abandoned the world, leaving mortals to shape their own destiny. These theological debates influenced politics, governance, and social structures, shaping an empire that balanced divine doctrine with mortal ambition. Yet, even as humanity ascended, old wounds festered beneath the surface. The chimeras, now enslaved and broken, bore the weight of humanity’s vengeance, their once-mighty race reduced to servitude in the very cities they had ruled.The Modern Age: Rebellion and Reckoning
In the present era, humanity stands at a crossroads. The Arcanaan Empire, long seen as the pinnacle of human achievement, is fracturing under the weight of its own contradictions. The chimeras, long oppressed, have risen in rebellion, seeking to reclaim their lost autonomy with the support of sympathetic humans. The once-unified faith of Astralian doctrine continues to splinter, with new interpretations emerging as the war shakes the foundations of belief. The echoes of the past—Ahriman’s defiance, humanity’s struggle, the fall of the chimera dominion—now resonate in the chaos of the present. Just as The Fall once ended an era, so too does the Arcanaan Rebellion threaten to herald the next great shift in Adarus’ history. What comes next remains unwritten, but one thing is clear: humanity, shaped by its past, must now decide whether it will forge a new destiny or repeat the cycles of old.Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Humanity on Adarus is spread across numerous regions, some of which include, but are not limited to:
- Abia (or Greater Abia, in some contexts) – Ruled by a dominant human empire, fractured by rebellion. The Arcanaan Empire controls fertile heartlands, fortified cities, and key trade hubs.
- Nasir (Abian Sub-continent) – A harsh desert region in the southern hemisphere, ruled by the Nasir Domiinion. It is divided from Greater Abia by the Riah Channel.
- The Aurean Stretch – A cold, mountainous land in the north that divides the east and west hemispheres, fractured by several human-dominant nation-states.
Civilization and Culture
Average Technological Level
- Weaponry & Armor – Steel swords, polearms, crossbows, and well-crafted plate and chainmail armor.
- Architecture – Stone castles, walled cities, and elaborate cathedrals, with advanced engineering in some regions with educated human scholars having reverse-engineered ancient chimera structures (such as aqueducts).
- Transportation – Horses, carts, galleons, and enchanted carriages for the wealthy. Some areas use arcane-powered transport.
- Medicine – Herbal remedies, bloodletting, and primitive surgery, supplemented by divine and alchemical healing for the rich.
- Magic Integration – While commoners rely on mundane tools, scholars and nobility harness magic for construction, medicine, and war.
- Industry & Trade – Guild-controlled blacksmithing, textile production, and large-scale farming feed entire economies.
Historical Figures
- Antony Viscus, Imperator "Anselm" I – The first emperor of the Arcanaan Empire, uniting the varied monarchies of Abia under one banner in 1012 BA.
- Queen Lysara of Lornaris – A historical figure known for uniting feuding human warlords centuries before the Arcanaan Empire's rise.
- High Priest Jiroles Talio – An influential religious leader whose interpretations of The People's Light helped shape modern Astralian doctrine.
- King Almarion the Just – A revered ruler from before the Arcanaan Empire's founding, known for codifying the first human laws and uniting city-states in modern day Nexus.
- The Scarlet Sage – A legendary mage from an age long past, said to have unlocked lost arcane secrets before vanishing into myth. He is a recurring character in children's tales of adventure.
Scientific Name
Homo sapiens
Lifespan
50–70 years (Tellan)
Related Ethnicities
