Humans

Humans

The race of man is renowned for its versatility and adaptiveness. They are generally reputed as the most ambitious of the races and many names that are known in history are those of humans. Some of the most famous heroes, and infamous villains, are humans. The feats and actions taken by these heroes and villains often shape the world and change the course of history. Of course, humans are quite varied in culture and history based on their geographical distribution, leading to many different ideologies, histories, and beliefs. An additional curious note is that many powerful Human heroes - or villains - ascend to god or demigodhood. Whether this is due to their ambition, luck, or something else is unknown.

In the Lands Below

Humanity is not a dominant force in the Lands Below. There are no major human civilizations found in the Lands Below beyond the grimlocks. Some humans find themselves in the Lands Below through a variety of circumstances ranging from being nabbed by slavers, falling into deep pits, getting hopelessly lost in cave systems, or various other means. These surface-dwellers are only a small portion of the human population in the Lands Below. The humans who have been in the Lands Below for generations are known as deep-dwellers. The other strain of humanity found in the Lands Below are the grimlocks. Grimlocks are the result of tribes of humanity living and evolving in the tunnels and caves deep beneath the earth and away from the light of the sun for millennia. 

Deep-Dwellers

As humans who have been in the Lands Below for a few generations, deep-dwellers often have paler complexions and many have reddened eyes that seem to be on the verge of tears regardless of their genuine emotional state. They have a deep connection to the tunnels and caverns and are often quite adept at navigating the labyrinthine twists and turns of the Lands Below. Deep-dweller settlements are frequently thrust into conflict not only with the fauna of the region, but also with the other sapient races as they are seen as having set up their towns in pre-established territories. Deep-dwellers from long-standing communities are frequently skilled warriors as a result of having to beat their claim to their land into their neighbors physically. This does not mean that they are aggressive and malignant presences, just that they are accustomed to the violence of the land they live in.

Grimlocks

Grimlocks could be considered 'late-stage' deep-dwellers in a sense. They are the result of the tribes of humans who migrated to the Lands Below in an age lost to time. Over the millennia, they evolved and their form was twisted to be nearly incomparable to a baseline human. In terms of physicality, they are generally a bit taller than the average human and weigh proportionally more as well. Their skin is a dark, rock-like grey colour. Their ears are larger than those of normal humans and much more sensitive. Their noses are also more sensitive. These increases in sensitivity come at the most notable difference between a grimlock and a baseline human. Grimlocks have no eyes. Instead, skin stretches over the space on their face where their eyes would be. Grimlocks also have large mouths - which are perhaps better described as ghastly maws - that contain many uneven and jagged teeth. Finally, grimlocks physically surpass baseline humans in all aspects. However, their cognitive functions are not up to the same level as baseline humanity.
Grimlocks are adept hunters and warriors. They form tribes, nomadic bands, and other groupings to survive. It is very common for grimlocks to form wandering bands that indiscriminately kill whatever they come across using their superior sensory and stealth capabilities to get the drop on their targets. There is no common religion among grimlocks and, in fact, it is most common for grimlocks to not hold any particular faith. However, some grimlocks worship various entities, be they demon lords, gods, or something else entirely. A practice that is common among grimlock bands is the consumption of the flesh of humanoids. While generally considered taboo or abhorrent among other races and groups of people, to grimlocks it is just a matter of survival and not wasting what food is at their disposal.

Surface-Dwellers

The most common type of human found in the slave pits of the drow, duergar, and illithids, among other slaver races, is the surface-dweller. These unfortunate souls are people from the surface world who have wandered or been taken into the Lands Below and become stuck down there. They hold the same physical traits and general convictions as people of their culture and heritage would on the surface, but those who have accepted that they may never see the light of the sun again gain a certain look to them. Their hardened resolve and mindset sets them apart from other people who live in the Lands Below.

On Vukeron

Humans are extremely populace on the continent of Vukeron. Many human city-states, kingdoms, tribes, and territories exist on the continent, but many are small and obscure. The main bastion of humanity is the Kingdom of Drelvik. Drelvik stands as the last major realm of humanity on the continent after the decline of the Archduchy of the Dalelands at the hands of ravaging greenskins, armies of draconic warriors, and rampant crime and corruption. The Dalelands still stand, though as a shadow of what they once were. Crippled by their loss of land and life, they were unable to have a say against the Anti-Magic Inquisition and thus receded further. The Archduchy has fallen from holding vast tracts of land to essentially being a city-state, with only their capital city remaining intact.

Ashlanders

Very few in number, the Ashlanders are the roving remnants of the human cities and villages that dotted the southeastern corner of Vukeron prior to the Ashfall. Those who survived and weren't turned into undead abominations stayed and formed tribes and nomadic clans. They are the peak example of human resilience and adaptability, having learned to navigate their treacherous home environment. Ashlanders, like all who have stayed in the Ashlands, have a grey skin tone.

Dalelanders

The men of the Dales are generally dark of hair and have skin that bears a slightly bronzed colour. Dalelanders most often have wiry and dexterous builds and are renowned for having great skill on horseback. Events in recent history have been exceptionally hard on Dalelanders and people both native to the land and raised there often have the telltale marks of a hard and stressful life, often looking a bit beyond their age with some having a slight vacant stare.

Drelvians

Drelvians most often have brown hair and an olive skin tone. The men of the Kingdom of Drelvik are known for their robust and almost square build, boasting many great warriors. During the Greenskin War, the greenskins ransacked their kingdom, causing immense destruction and loss of life. As a cause of this, the Drelvians are known to show no quarter when dealing with greenskins and have a determined and indefatigable spirit.
A Drelvian of great fame from recent history is Bob Bearbreaker. He was a soldier in the army of Drelvik who eventually beat a great cave bear in single combat while unarmed. He repeated the act numerous times, proving that it wasn't just luck, and then went off to pursue a career in adventuring. He quickly proved his skill as an adventurer, becoming a Knight of Drelvik. His career continued and he reached ever greater heights, eventually besting Boreas, god of the north wind, in combat with his party. As he struck the killing blow, he was able to absorb the god's divine spark and ascend to lesser godhood. 

Marshlanders

Marshlanders, sometimes also known as bogmen or swampers, most often have brown or green eyes and almost without fail have wild hair. They quite often have strong legs due to the roughness of their home terrain and they are capable swimmers. The people from the Pestilent Marshes are slight of frame and short of stature. They generally live in tribal societies or nomadic bands.

Mountain Men

The men who have made their homes in the mountains are reputed for their prodigious height and herculean strength. Their appearance is fairly rugged, oft found with unkempt hair and thick beards. Most mountain men have darker hair colours. No formal human societies are found in the mountains and as such these mountain men are usually part of smaller family units who make their homes in various caves found throughout the mountain ranges.

Plainers

Those who wander the plains are known as Plainers. Plainers are extremely diverse, with no set appearance really making one 'appear' to be a Plainer. Many Plainers are nomadic, but other forms of governance and ways of life also exist ranging from tribal lodgings to small hamlets and villages.

Woodsmen

The people who live in the more densely forested regions of Vukeron, most notably the Red Woods in the north of the continent, are known for being more in tune with the natural world than many of the race of men. They tend to keep their dark hair long. While the majority form tribal settlements or roam nomadically, some live within the Bearbreaker Kingdom.

Lifespan

80 years