Human

The humans are one of the nine playable humanoid races in Erelest. Being by far the most varied, diverse, and open race among all the nine in Erelest. Where most races generally conform to specific patterns, behaviors, likes and dislikes, and so forth as a whole, humans do not. A human can grow up in almost any social environment, have any infinite aspirations, desires and goals, and become just about anything if they put their mind and effort to it. In the same manner, their religions and beliefs can vary just as greatly. While not overly strong in any particular attribute or skill, as well as lacking the incredibly common ability known as infravision, they are the most balanced of the races, and have the capability to adapt to nearly any situation. They have the second shortest lifespan of the nine races, but they are by far the most ambitious, both as a race as individuals. This ambition has manifested itself in their ability to learn more than the other races. For they are the only race who has been able to successfully train, balance and master up to three classes, and have a 10% exp boost when multiclassing two classes at once.
While humans lack the special traits and longevity of other races, their ambition, diversity, and infinite potential has given no reason to name them the weakest of the races. Against all odds they stand as the most widespread race.
Default Starting Alignment: Any

Basic Information

Biological Traits

The reason the nine races are described as humanoid races, and the goblins, orcs, gnolls, etc. demi-humans, is because while they carry unique traits about them, they all are incredibly similar to the human's biology, especially in shape and design. Thus humans are often called the 'base foundation' for humanoid races. Beyond this, humans are more varied in appearance than most races can be, as they can be comically misshapen (similar to the gnomes), smooth and beautiful (similar to the elves), shorter than normal (similar to dwarves, gnomes and halflings), disfigured (similar to half-orcs), and so forth. This immense variety that lets them be born close to, but not perfectly resembling other races in specific manners only further reinforces them being the base root of the term humanoid.

Growth Rate & Stages

Being short lived in terms of lifespan, humans have a tendency to grow up fairly quicker than most races. Humans are only an infant for a maximum of three years, sometimes even two. From then they are considered a child until the age of thirteen. During this time they are taught everything they need from their parents, guardians, or tutors. Once a human has reached the age of fourteen, they are considered a young adult. Depending on the social structure, culture, and conditions of the area the human has grown up in, they may be sent out of the household to make a life for themselves. Certain conditions could hinder this departure such as growing up on a farm with family, therefore staying to continue the family business. In most countries, humans at the age of fourteen are believed to be of marrying age.
Once a human has reached the age of twenty one, they are then considered to be fully mature. In a higher class family this would mean they are ready to take charge of a family business, or take on the tasks they were born for. Example being a noble who is to become head of the family. He cannot do so until he has become fully mature in mind. While physical maturity is hit at age twenty one, what humans deem the 'graduation of maturity' is varied based on culture. Once a human hits the age of forty one, they become middle aged. Normally any human who has not made any progress, or attempt towards their achievements and/or goals they have, they have a 'mid-aged crises'. Otherwise, not much changes. Once a human hits the age of sixty one they become old. Most humans who failed to remain in physically fit and good condition retire by this age, unless their able to continue their progress with mental prowess, and not physical abilities. Once a human hits the age of ninety one, they're almost certain to retire, for they are then considered venerable.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The social structure of humans rarely conforms to the same method across their race. Some human societies conform to monarchy, some democratic, others magocracy, and so forth. If anything the humans had come up with more social structures, social classes, and cultures than the other races even knew existed. Thus it is unreasonable to attempt and state one single social structure for humans.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

One of the primary reasons humans have not overcome every other race in the world is because most monsters, demi-humans, and abyssal creatures crave humans either for how they taste, easy to enslave, or because unlike most of the other races they possess spirits in addition to souls. As a result, they are often preyed upon by creatures of the night, beasts of the wilds, the denizens of the shadows, and the creatures of the abyss, hell and between.

Facial characteristics

Human facial characteristics and features can be immensely varied. Hair can grow on their head and face (very rare for females to have facial hair), and can be thick to thin, straight to curly, heavy to loose, and so forth. Hair color range from black, brown, blonde, dirty blonde, ginger, and gray. Human hair will always turn silver as they/when they reach the age of old/venerable. A human's eyes can vary too in both shape and color. A human's eye color can be brown (80%), blue (10%), hazel (5%), amber (1%), green (3%) and gray (2%). Furthermore a human's facial shape can vary too. Usually being either oval, circular, square or even pointed.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Humans are the most widespread race in Erelest and can be found all over the world. While their cultures tend to vary greatly based on which continent they are in, as well as the biome and environment around them, the fact remains that they do exist everywhere. Due to their adaptability they can survive, live in, and sometimes even thrive, in harsh environments such as deserts, frozen wastelands, and could even survive in the underdark if every other race underground did not wish them dead or enslaved. Not only are they very adaptable, but their ambition, persistence and determination allow them to overcome hurdles that most other races would find difficult (though some call this stubbornness). Unlike the other races, most human cultures accept most races into their communities, and even into their ranks. This is half because they can use the skills and abilities of the other races to further their progression, but also because they are the most open minded of the other races.

Average Intelligence

Humans may not be on par as a race as the gnomes or nephilim, however their ambition rivals either of them. Most of the inventions created by the gnomes was more often possible due to humans as assistants or partners. Most siege weapons were created by humans, and the iron maw was especially influenced by the humans. In terms of magic, there have been several genius magic casters throughout the years, (some of which who've invented spells seen on the list of spells) and rumor has it that it was primarily elves and humans who came up with the idea for the divine city of magic. The very first order of knights was created by the humans which revolutionized not only the very concept of honor, but warfare itself. Whatever technology humans encounter, they can usually learn how it operates and adapt fairly quickly. However where humans have been found to exceed especially in is strategic warfare. It was a human general who lead the final battle in the War of Sin.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Unlike any of the other races in Erelest, humans do not possess the powers of infravision. Instead they only have standard vision, just as every race possesses. One's sight can go on forever save for the following conditions:

1. Low-No Light: Sight cannot penetrate darkness. Wherever there is darkness, sight will be limited or nullified.
2. Obstacles: Sight cannot pass through objects unless they are translucent. This applies to infravision & ultravision as well.
3. Distance: Anything up to 60' can be viewed clearly. Anything between 61' and 120' is somewhat blurry (roll to identify). Anything beyond 120' is very difficult to discern, and has some form of penalty to identify.
4. The Horizon: Should there be enough light and no obstacles in the way, sight can reach up to the horizon.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

While human naming traditions are incredibly varied, just like their cultures, there is a consistency to it to some degree. Most traditions involve a "Personal Name", a "Family Name" and sometimes a "Home Name".
Personal names are something that directly relates to the individual themselves. Some cultures will give their children names upon the birth of the child, or even prior to. Some cultures will only give personal names to their child after a set amount of days, weeks, months or even years based on their beliefs, using a "Milk Name" as a placeholder.
Family names (also known as surnames) are a name shared in common to identify the members of a family, as distinguished from each member's given name. Most cultures will say their family name last, but there are cultures that will state their family name first (like the dracon). While most cultures keep only the family name of the father or mother, a few cultures keep both surnames.
A Home name is in addition to the Personal and Family name, and relates to the conditions regarding the location/environment and status of the individual and/or family, and often denotes expectations and encouragements for the child. Another name for it is the "Fortune Name" as fortune tellers will often aid in picking a name for the child.

Major Organizations

Anrikill Empire: Currently mankind's largest single country in Erelest, and still growing. They are a war-like country who are greatly feared on the battlefield. While they are both feared and hated by their enemies, so long as the laws are obeyed, it is surprisingly peaceful and prosperous within it's borders.
Luvaria: One of the most ancient kingdoms, one of it's kings lead the charge in the War of Sin. Ever since they became mankind's holy capital of the world. To this day they are ever watchful to ensure the Nephilim do not escape their chosen prison, and are willing to aid others in holy crusades.
Rivalzon: A highly advanced tribe-based kingdom located in a massive jungle. Very fierce warriors, they are possibly the most neutral kingdom mankind has ever had, and are the primary reason the Anrikiil Empire hasn't conquered all of Zurasis yet. However should the jungle ever be overtaken, the circumstances could become grave.
Ukanosis: The first, and possibly last, kingdom to be constructed in the frozen wastelands of Ukano. Not seen on the map due to minimal exploration, it's rumored that their cities are constructed out of snow and other forms of insulation rather than protective stone. Despite this, they have yet to fall to any incoming invasion.
Jenicos: The strongest kingdom on Aihoa with many temples, fortresses and all. While much of their strength comes from their worship of their gods, it also comes from their specially tamed and trained beasts which they use in war as unleashed beasts and as steeds.

Beauty Ideals

Most humans have the unfortunate tendency to fall prey to 'beauty charms' that many fey and monsters tend to have. This is because their beauty ideals tend to be focused more on smooth, graceful, clean, and shining beauty. The beauty of elves are what they find most precious, and they loathe and are disgusted by the appearances of half-orcs. This isn't to say that every single human is like this, for every individual is different. However, most humans will often think this way. One religion actually had a legend of the end times where once humans ruled the world they would inevitably be the end of it as they killed each other over a single, beautiful queen.

Average Technological Level

Humanity's technological height fluctuates too much to keep track of. While yes this is because they try to invent as much as they can just as often as the gnomes, and while it is also because they can adapt to technology they encounter and implement it into their society, it's also because each country is different. Some countries are lagging behind because of their incredibly high stubbornness, superstition, or even just influence from other races. Thus some human countries can be as advanced as a gnome's workshop, or as inadvanced as a halfling's village.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Humans are more limited in how many languages they can learn than most races, but that doesn't mean they won't attempt to overcome this barrier. All humans will know common, their country language, their alignment language, and one other language of their choosing. While this is by far the fewest of the starting race's starting languages, humans don't have a limit on how many additional languages they can learn, though it does depend on the human's maximum intelligence.

History

"Take a look at each of the other races. Sure they have their fancy inherit abilities and their longevity. But we have attained immortality for our very name just by ambition alone. If you compare the human history with that of the other races, it's no contest to say that we have done magnitudes more than they ever have, and we won't stop anytime soon. Once upon a time the other races may not have saw us as worth their attention, but now? You tell them that one single human is on the move, and they all stop and pay attention. That's what happens when you earn respect."
--Selena Rhasse

Humans very proudly remember the Otelan Empire as their shining example of humanity's potential. Not only was the Otelan Empire the very first of it's kind, but it was the human's proof that when mankind stepped up to take on a challenge, it took a multitude of races to even match them. Several human magic casters invented unique spells which had begun to be used worldwide during the Era of Spellcraft Innovation. Several of the wars within the Era of The Cycle of Warfare were not only waged by humans but won by them as well. In the War of Sin it was a human general who lead the charge against the combined forces of evil, with a majority of the army consisting of humans. During the Opulent of Advancement, humans didn't hesitate to jump onto the bandwagon and aid with the invention of several constructions, including improvements on some of their old technologies, one of the most noteworthy being treadmill cranes and the iron maw. And their most recent worldwide accomplishment was the "Dark Age Crusade". Without this long and treacherous campaign, the Age of Adventurer's would never have begun.
While humans have certainly made their worldwide mark across Erelest, that is hardly scratching the surface of their history. To truly understand and respect the amount of history they truly have, one must look into their largest and long lasting kingdoms and empires:

• The Anrikiil Empire
• Luvaria
• Rivalzon
• Ukano
• Jenicos

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Regarding their relations with each and every other race, humans are always neutral by default. Whatever country they come from can influence however, even to a great degree, the relations between them and other races. In general, humans tend to note the stereotypes of the races they are interacting with, keeping them in the forefront of their mind while they work beside them. Most countries will let other races in for the sake of good relations, or to utilize the unique skills and attributes of the race in question. As it has been said, humans are very adaptable, which allows them to continue interactions, relations, diplomacy, and so forth with each of the races rather well, even to the point of living with them on a daily basis. Even when another race comes in and conquers their kingdom, they can quickly adjust to the new rules, whether they like it or not, which gives them the ability to plan to take it back quicker than their conquerors might hope.

Lifespan

On average humans live up to one hundred and twenty years.

Average Height

Humans can stand between three foot six and eight foot four. However the average tends to be five foot ten to seven feet.

Average Weight

Most humans weigh between one hundred and twenty pounds to one hundred and sixty pounds.

Average Physique

Their physic can range from thin, sickly and weak to broad, strong and fit.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

• Erasan (white).
• Ainoan (black/brown).
• Zurasisan (tan/bronze).
• Rivalzonan (red/pink).

Related Organizations

• Anrikiil Empire