Human
One of the, if not the most, widespread species, Humans have a foothold in all the different regions of Elpiri and Nok'Taresh.
No other race can claim as large an influence or as great a landmass directly under their control, yet Humans are as different between themselves, as some of the other races are to eachother.
The Human species have a fairly good standig wiht almost other species, seen from an average perspective, yet also contains some of the most barbaric cultures known to the material plane.
Humans settle everywhere they can; from the lowest valleys, to the mountains, no place is too harsh for the Human body to survive, at least not on the material plane.
While most Humans on Elpiri worship Pelor, the Light of the World, there are those that choose to worship other Gods, though mostly from the Faerunian Pantheon, as these are the oldest Gods known to Humankind.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humans are the very race all other races are usually referenced from, ie. the categorization: Humanoid.
Human have 2 arms, 2 legs, a torso and a head.
They are one of the most diverse races on the material plane, ranging from small to large, skinny to muscular, short to tall, and light to dark.
Biological Traits
Given Humans adaptability, they are capable of learning almost anything: from hard labour to intense study, Humans are the perfect race for overcoming whatever obstacle lies in their path.
Genetics and Reproduction
Humans can, as one of the few races, interbreed with almost any other race, though there are exceptions. Most common are interspecies breeding with elves.
Growth Rate & Stages
Humans usually grow fairly quickly into adulthood, reaching their prime at 30 years.
Most Humans only live to be 80, though some live longer or shorter.
Ecology and Habitats
Humans can, given their ability to adapt, survive almost anyy climate, though the most extreme environments are no place for them, ie. volcanoes, the bottom of the ocean, and the very top of mountains.
Most Humans prefer the sun over a dark cave, though some cultures differ from this.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Humans adhere to whatever social structure they are used to, or whichever they are forced to live under. Before the more recent civilized times however, Humans prefered small tribes, consisting of 6-12 families that hunted, roamed, and fought together as a nomadic people.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Humans live almost anywhere: as long as the ground can provide food and they are, primarily, welcome, they will settle and build.
Given thier capabilities, Humans are dominant species on at least 2 continents; Elpiri and Nok´Taresh, though they can be found on others, if the stories are to be believed.
Average Intelligence
Humans do not posses an above or beneath average intelligence. Some are born extremely skilled in the martial arts, some find their worth in books and studies of the world. Some may not even posses anything out of the ordinary, but merely live a small insignificant life, for a couple of decades, before passing on to the afterlives.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
No exceptional hearing or sight, nor an innate capacity for magic from birth, Humans can be as bland as they can be extrordinary. The Human race have one discernible talent: the ability to adapt to their enviroment, and learn from their surroundings.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Commonfolk of Elpiri rarely have a last name, as one is rarely needed. Most Humans are birthed, lives, and dies in the same area, therefore a single name is enough to distinguish them from eachother. This tradition have, over time, evolved given the greater number of people gathering in cities, yet it has resulted in a region-specific naming instead of a family name (example; Sven of the Harbor or Varian Treefeller).
Only the Great Houses and their Vassal Houses have family names that span more than a couple of years, and these are such an ingrained part of Anaru, that it is taboo to even consider using it as your own.
In Nok'Taresh
Major Organizations
Anaru
Nok´Taresh
The Way of White
Gender Ideals
The Human males are often seen as the protectors, while females are the caretakers. This results in a fairly male dominated society, though females have been known to rise too the top of both military organizations as well as political.
Relationship Ideals
Most Humans are monogamous, though this can vary depending on the culture.
Average Technological Level
Humans are, along with the race of Gnomes onen of the most inventive species on the Material Plane. Most technological breakthroughs, as well as magical, are commonly referenced as Human inventions, though the most complex are inventions of the Gnomes.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Common, though most speak at least 1 or 2 extra languages, given thier intermingling with other races.
History
While Humans are many and their cultures almost as diverse as themselves, the Human race generally have 3 different views on their history and origin.
In Anaru, almost all Humans defer to their religion to explain their origins. The texts of the Allfather speaks of a creation as the first sapient species on the material plane, created by Pelor himself. For a number of untold years, the Humans of Elpiri were nomadic by nature and fought one another and the other species, that over time grew in numbers. At some point, the Human tribes were forced to flee south, due to the increasing number of savage species that roamed the same lands. Green skins, beastmen, and other foul creations of the Darkness, had taken over the mountains.
The earliest Humans settled in modern day Elpiri, were they spread out and began building their first villages. The greatest of these settlements, withstood raiding by other tribes, dark forces from the north, natures wrath itself, along with a myriad of other dangers, and became known as the Great Houses of Anaru.
At this point in time, a wealth of written texts are produced, some even surviving to this day, giving us a clear overview if the following centuries of Human history.
The few Human cultures of Elpiri, that do not defer to the origin laid bare in the book if the Allfather, generally agree on some the same elements as the faithful of Pelor does, though the creation of Humans are a discussed subject. Some cultures believes Humans devolved from Elves, while others believe Humans were created by some diety, Pelor or not.
Besides the creation of the species, these cultures, interestingly enough, all agree with followers of Pelor on that the first Humans of Elpiri started their lives as nomadic tribes in the mountains north of Anaru. Though these Humans couldn't be the only created (given the Humans of Nok'Taresh), they certainly wandered down from the Jagged Spine into modern day Anaru and settled there.
In the foreign continent of Nok´Taresh, the Humans have solidified their power centuries ago, enveloping the land in their rule, pushing the other native species to near extinction. These Humans believe in a much different creation mythos than their cousins of Elpiri.
The tales go, that the first Humans were created by four primordial Gods, who had a wager going between them. They wanted to see whose power was the greatest, but not only in the sense of war and battle. No, these Gods wanted to see which could create a species, that, with their attributes based on the power of their creator, would end up ruling the others. To make it a fair fight, all Gods were given the same clay to form their creations with and they all agreed on a series of unifying physical traits.
The first God created his subjects with the will to bend the weave to their will. They would have an innate sense of nature and affinity for all things magical.
The second God created his to charm, lie, cheat and persuade their enemies, ensuring his victory would be won, no matter the means.
The third God created hers to salvage, improve, invent and produce. She would win based on the power of the mind.
The fourth God created hers to slay. She was an angry and wrathful being and her creations would match that for all time to come.
And so, the four set their pieces upon a land, each in their own corner, to see who was the most powerful.
Historical Figures
The First King of Anaru, Gregor "the Conquerer" Fellslade
King Grell the Wise
The Black Queen
The Hero of the Long Night, Landor Whitemantle
The Necromancer Agzolar
Common Myths and Legends
The Sword of Andwering:
As legend would have it, the first King of Anaru Gregor Fellslade was chosen by the Allfather himself, to rule over all species in the land of Anaru.
To show all, whether they be friend or foe, that he was the one true and chosen king, Pelor gave upon him a sword like none other. A sword that would tell the tale of the kings deeds and soul, of his character and his ambition.
And so Gregor the First, was given the Sword of Answering
And with it, he conquered Anaru.
In time, Gregor the Conquerer had to move on the Allfather, and his sword went into the hands of his heir. And from him to the next, until finally the sword was laid to rest in the grave of King Grell the Wise upon his death, to signify the peace he had brought.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Humans generally have a working relationship with almost all other sapient species. As a race, they do not habour any especially iill will towards any other race. These ill towardings are usually based on culture or history.
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
80
Average Height
1,6 - 2,0 meters.
Average Weight
50 - 90 kg.
Average Physique
Humans do not posses an above or beneath average physique. Some are born with an affinity for the physical, some are not.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Humans come in various colours and hues. Ranging from pale to toned and light to dark, there seems to be no discernible reason for their different skin tones.
Related Organizations
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