Proto-Human
Proto-Humans were the first versions before the human populace inhabitated Miderth. The were considered fairly primative, all things considered, and are often disregarded by most historians as more of a "blip" in the time line. In fact, current humans have lived at least three times longer than the entire Proto-Human era did. The time period they inhabited is called The Establishing Era.
These days, only rough stone carvings and even rougher translations of their archaic language remain. They tell tales of tall, yet distinctly dwarflike beings, their jaws square in form and stocky in their builds. Long hair and beards adorned with finely carved bone beads heralded the nobles of the clans. Their women were less often depicted, shown as pictures of stately monoliths, more like carved marble statues comparative to their hearty male counterparts.
Their reign across Miderth was some few thousand years, no one quite knows for sure. Through this time, occasionally children were born that were perfect mixes between their parents. These were the first awakenings of Humans as they are today.
However, as the clans became less seperate from each other, the divergance between classes began to grow. These were dark times, the Lost Age, so soon after the Great Exile.
Basic Information
Anatomy
While the known depictions of the women and men of the Protohumans show they look quite different from each other, they don't overall look all that disimilar to current Humans. Two legs, two arms, one head. In all depictions, it's shown that the men were built quite sturdily, much like the historic mosiacs of dwarves. However, both the men and women stand far taller than even today's humans, averaging in the mid 7 foot range across the board.
Lithe but stone like muscles support the much more statuesque structures of the women, while their stocky counter parts strutted with beer bellies or barrel chests with the bulky muscles to boot.
Genetics and Reproduction
Protohuman gestation was likely quite long, from the few historical records of pregnancies found. Reproduction itself seemed a whole other lengthy ordeal. It seemed as though there was an extremely narrow fertile window for the women, perhaps only opening up a few times during their lifespans. While this might have likely lowered the amount of offspring had, Protohumans seemed to have several children per birth. There is some speculation amongst scholars about the entire process, as one particular tome expressly calls the birthing process "The Hatching". It has made some question if perhaps the multiple offspring were actually due to them coming from clutches of eggs as opposed to live birth. However, no proof can be brought to support one side or the other, so the debate rages on.
However, it seems as though the decline of the species became more corruptive, the rate of children per birth became less. However, these children themselves began to reproduce in the common way of humans. They showed a perfect blend of their parents, their father's stoutness and their mothers litheness. On the whole, funny new beings to explore the world in more quickly aging bodies. Over the next century, they were already a far cry from the Proto-Humans.
However the few Proto-humans who remain through the decay began to be unable to bear children. Soon, Soul-Rot would eat them all, and take from them their once grand statures.
Growth Rate & Stages
Protohuman males seem to have grown quite rapidly within their first 25-30 years of life, at least physically. They would be considered of reproducing age by the time of 25, and fully adult by 30.
Women on the other hand seemed to not reach biological reproduction age until roughly 40-50, in which their first fertile window would signify their eligibility to marry.
Children are considered as such when in their first 15 years of life, both girls and boys growing to be right around 5 and a half feet by the time they reach puberty.
Ecology and Habitats
They spread far across Miderth, however had little interest looking above or below. Tribal, but all bowing to their great king, he who Tarnished them all.
Dietary Needs and Habits
It is thought that for the first thousand years of Protohuman civilization, it was mostly a hunter gatherer society. However, as old ruins and cities began to be cleared and restored, they began to take up a more agricultural lifestyle. Fortunately, they had quite a bit of knowledge and material to build off of, letting them reestablish societal structure quite quickly. Threats from abominbal beasts was still great, and corrupted creatures were still a threat to them and their prey, but it became a cycle of patroling, hunting, protecting, and gathering. And so they survived.
Behaviour
While the clans were in their early years, it became paramount to survival to not engage in full out wars with each other as much as possible. Unfortunately, clans also often attempted to stake claim in already owned territories. Particularly as more large families split to form their own clans, clashes became inevitable. However, both warmongering and shrewd, they quickly formed a tradition of having their second best warriors fight as proxy. This kept clans from being wiped out, and allowed the best fighter to stay in a leadership role. If a Second won, it brought pride to everyone, but particularly the First as it would be viewed as a feather in their cap.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
All of Miderth and sorrounding islands.
Average Intelligence
Somewhat more intelligent than todays humans, but with less common sense overall.
EXTINCT
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Proto Homo-Sapien
Origin/Ancestry
Theorized to be of Dwarven Creation
Lifespan
300 years
Conservation Status
The conservation of the species is only active in the preserving artifacts and translating ancient writings. These are all kept within a personal Mueseum and Laboratory known only as the Protogenesis Preservation Paragon Laboratory. It is owned an operated by an unkown individual who seems to have great interest in something hidden within the history.
Average Height
7'11 for men
8'6 for women
Average Weight
320 pounds for men
280 pounds for women
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
Discovered by
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