Among the most miraculous of the peoples of Eruwë, the Seafarers are also perhaps the most widespread. Smaller than Forlorn but larger than Elves, Seafarers are, at least relative to many peoples, newcomers to Eruwë. Their skin comes in various hues of brown and within their hearts radiates a light that can be seen through their creativity and ability to innovate.
SEAFARER HISTORY
Hailing from a far away continent, it is said that it is first and foremost in the nature of Humans to observe. So when the sea levels rose as the Most High brought about the Great Flood to cleanse the world in the wake of the Age of Dragons, the Humans, unlike the many other peoples who were annihilated during this catastrophe, began to innovate. They developed the first boats, and with them they fled their homeland before the waves took it. Sailing for generations, the Humans grew accustomed to life on the open ocean, and as such, came to call themselves Seafarers. They survived on fish and rainwater, grew plants and trees upon their ships, and developed a whole culture upon the sea. When finally, after more than a century, they found Eruwë, they had already adapted to life at sea and thereby settled the coast of Hroáld. To this day, all of the oldest buildings here are repurposed seaships.
By the time of the Seafarers' landing, Gormierre Oskilor's empire was already well underway. When they encountered her, they recognised her radiance from their legends. According to human stories, they were created by Edomah, the Lonely Singer, whose voice carried with it the Light of the Stars. It was his song, his Breath of Life, that rose the Humans from the dust, just as Gormierre rose her people from the clay of Eruwë. Like Gormierre, who imbued her people with her own ambition and determination, Edomah imbued the Humans with natural curiosity and creativity. Recognising her Light, they quickly pledged themselves to her empire. After the death of Nivriel Oskilor however, the Humans became among the most religiously fractured peoples in Eruwë. The current Lord of Attikonia, Dark Lord Malgamir, went so far as to create his own cult called the Duskborne. Even they, however, do not have a clear majority of Humans supporting them.
SEAFARER CULTURE
Being masters of the oceans, Seafarers have the most vibrant merchant culture of all of the peoples of Eruwë. Vessels regularly embark to and from Attikonia, the largest port-city in the world, carrying goods, treasure, and sometimes weapons. The Hroáld Peninsula is also full of rich grain fields, meaning that crop exports from Attikonia are both plentiful and efficient. Hroáld is also, relative to other regions devoid of monsters, the combined allure of safety and prosperity making it an enticing destination for refugees from other regions. This economic success and nautical culture also means that there are more Human pirates than any other race, the most common threat to those living in the region, Dark Lord Malgamir rising to power in no small part due to his relentlessness in confronting piracy.
Aside from Nixies, Humans are also the most musical people of Eruwë. Many hymns and sailor chants are important to the cultural identity of the Seafarers, and their most sacred instrument, the banjo, was said to have been given to them by Edomah himself. All humans know the tunes by heart even if they cannot play, just as all humans know the riggings of a sailboat even if they do not live by the coast.
SEAFARER TRAITS
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 feet
Languages: Common and Calish
Seafarer’s boon: You are proficient in Water Vehicles and Navigation Tools and have advantage on survival checks made at sea.
Human Versatility: You gain a feat of your choice
Merchant’s charm: You are proficient in either Persuasion or Deception.
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