"The teeth of a carnivore, with dull blue eyes to boot. My hair felt as if it was receding into my skull, despite tautly remaining firm. I look upon my attire; No longer noble garbs and well fitting boots, but rugged and flimsy cloth similar to that a beggar must wear. My hands no longer the smooth and elegant hands of a casual reader but that of a craftsman. I stumble to my feet to find a mirror to inspect the damage, and upon locating one my worst fears are realized. I have been forsaken by the Dios, remolded into the body of a mere man while holding the soul and aspirations of a greater being." - Alabastar, To Be Human
Modern humans are the largest civilized species on Alanor, rivaled only by the Elves. Humans range from blacksmiths and craftsmen to pirates and criminals, leaving little to the imagination of what they can accomplish. While primarily only living on Thirewyn and in it's external colonies, humans dwarf any other populations on Thirewyn comparatively, only being rivaled in numbers in the Elven Peninsula in the Nothern Riverlands; The Vale also has a large population of Elven decent, but only just outnumber humans in the major cities. As a result, humans are well adaptable to their surroundings and capable of learning tasks. Unlike longer-lived species, humans not only understand their mortality, some relish in it and take dangerous jobs in an effort to 'prove' themselves. These often resemble security jobs either as escorts or as provincial soldiers.
While the provincial and local governments of Thirewyn generally allow Elves and other species to be appointed and hold office, the Imperial government's Elder Council and the Emperor himself are positions only held by Humans by law. While non-human species can serve in advisory positions, or even military leaders, it is considered an abnormality. Humans can often be quick to judge, and those in higher office are vigilant of potential threats such as spies or agents looking to sew misinformation. While there have been half-elf Elder Council members, none have ever held the imperial crown as of the modern day.
Lifespan of a Human:
Humans live the least amount of time on average when compared to their counterparts, and they fully understand this limitation. However, while an elf who may have their lifespan significantly shortened due to illness may feel a deep depression and feeling that they have been punished, Humans largely understand that their time is finite and their actions must be twice as impactful to rival other species. This does not mean that every human has the inate drive to achieve great deeds; Many prefer to remain in their local enviroments and raise a family, learn a craft, or work a simple life. Humans are as variable as they are adaptable, and do not tend to adhere to social norms as strictly as other populations may, instead greatly valuing their individuality, despite the goals they may have for themselves, however modest.
Human Culture Traits:
While humans may appear to be less cultured compared to their counterparts, where they lack in traditional uniformity they thrive in adaptability. Humans of the Barrens act and believe in vastly different ways than that of a Vale citizen, or that of a trained guardsman in Dawnstar, and so on. Humans have been spread across the Thirewynian continent for as long as history itself tells us about their existence. Initially forming small tribes before evolving into small city-state factions, to eventually expanding into a continent spanning empire, Humans understand that their shortened lifespan means that they must work harder to achieve the goals of the individual and the collective; While Humans are often independent and less group-orientated than other species, they still hold the same instinctual values for families and protecting their own.
While the various regions of Thirewyn have seen war between Human factions and governments over the many years, even the provinces and local governments have been largely kept in-tact to reflect their way of life, so long as it conforms to the basic tenants and needs of the Empire they serve.
