Human
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Humans are given two names as newborns, a family name and a given name. The family name is shared by the entirety of a Human's family, as the name suggests, and is passed down to a child from their father. A Human's status and nobility is tied to their family name. When Humans get married the one of lower status exchanges their family name, instead taking on the family name of the Human with higher status, becoming a part of that family. In instances where the two marrying Humans are of the same status the woman most often takes the man's family name.
A given name is chosen by a newborn Human's parents at birth, being chosen for many reasons, from the honoring of ancestors to simple personal preference. A Human's given name is often used to differentiate them from others who share their family name, and likewise a family name is used to differentiate them from those with the same given name. A given name is also used to denote a sense of familiarity, as out of respect a Human will most often refer to another by their family name, unless they are close, in which case they will use their given name.
Major Organizations
- Aurian Empire
- Anti-Elf League
- Union of Knowledge Keepers
- Conservatory of Mages
- Etc.
Courtship Ideals
While the specifics of courtship change between the Human ethnicities, the basics remain the same. Human courting often includes displays of gifts, what these gifts are depends on the region as well as the wealth of those engaged in the courting. The amount and value of these gifts is often used to determine the measure of a suitor's intent and can be used as an objective factor when deciding between multiple suitors, meaning, the suitor with the best gifts has a better chance of wooing their object of affection. Amongst the common folk, the choice of betrothal is given greater freedom, while with the nobility of Dremlia their suitors are more often chosen for them based upon status or material gains and political alliances.
While the act of courting can take place at any time, most chose to reserve their advances for the 'courting season'. The courting season normally takes place during the middle weeks of spring but the actual courting can go on for months or in some circumstances even years. It is almost unheard of for inter-status courting to take place, most courting happens within one's own social class. In some rare instances a noble lord or lady has been known to pluck a commoner out of obscurity and elevate them through the ranks of nobility due to love but this is a rare occurrence. Courtship ultimately culminates in marriage which is celebrated with a wedding. For the common folk, weddings are simple affairs, where friends and family can witness and celebrate the union, but for the nobility weddings are large functions filled with days or weeks of dancing and feasting.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
- Common
- Elvish
- Commish
- Under Common
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
While seldom positive, Humans are the single race with the most interactions with the other races. This is given to the wide expanse of Humans across the lands of Dremlia:
Elf: Humans and Elves have the most contentious relationship between the races. This is due to the years of history where Elves enslaved the Humans and the following years of persecution the Humans rendered upon the Elves in vengeance. Many Elves have been killed at the hands of Humans and vise versa.
Dwarf: The Dwarves, wise as ever in their economic dealings, saw fit to make early companions of Humans. With no desire to live upon the surface world the Dwarves agreed to leave the land to the Humans as long as they were left to their subterranean kingdoms. Trade between the Dwarven colonies varies from region to region, but in general the trade between the Dwarves and Humans is the basis for economy in Dremlia.
Jotunn: As it is with all the races, the Jotunn rarely interact with Humans at all. There have been past examples of Humans enslaving the giant folk for heir strength and hardiness, but the Jotunn do not seem to hold a grudge for this behavior. Some of the deepest arcane knowledge Humans have gained in the areas of magic have come from generous Jotunn that saw fit to share their wisdom.
Lifespan
70-80 Years
Average Height
5'5''-6'
Average Weight
130lbs-150lbs
Geographic Distribution
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