The Humans

The principle race of Malnova, humans have been settling the continent for the past 10,000 years. Unlike the other races, whose origins can be traced and are well documented, the origins of man are in complete mystery. There are several anthropological theories of where humans might have originated, with some of the most outlandish being that perhaps they sailed from another land, to simply have evolved rapidly in an isolated area, making the evidence and history difficult to track. However they might have come to fill the continent of Malnova, it cannot be argued that they now are the most populous and influential race of the continent.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.

Beauty Ideals

With their penchant for migration and conquest, humans are more physically diverse than other common races. There is no typical human. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds. Human skin shades range from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond (curly, kinky, or straight males might sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. A lot of humans have a dash of nonhuman blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lineages. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live even a single century.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

There are several cultures of man, the major culture groups being the Southern, Gaia, Northern, Falkland-Gaspe, and Clanland cultures. The material culture and physical characteristics of humans can change wildly from region to region.

· The Southern culture of humans originated when the first humans split populations and a large group continued to settle south on the southern coast of Malnova. Some of the most significant cities representing this culture group include Ophelia, Grand City, and Vannareid, and Waymark. The Southern culture is known for its weather, being located in the wettest and warmest climate area, its focus of trade and sailing (which is a significant amount of Southern industry as most of its major cities are located within important river deltas), and its stark contrast between rural and urban areas.
· The Gaia culture of humans is that which exists within the Gaia River Valley, the most densely populated region of Malnova. Due to its high population, long existence, and its geographic location nestled inbetween two mountain ranges, a unique culture has developed here. A busy and productive lifestyle is expected here, and work is plentiful for those who are willing to do. The Gaia culture is well known for its emphasis on technology and progress, and some of the world’s best inventors and scientists emerge from this region.
· The Northern culture of humans is one of the most sparsely populated areas of Malnova and is the argicultural heartland. Farmers are found throughout the region, with the grasslands being perfectly suited for rolling farmland. Much slower paced than the Gaia River Valley and less commercial than the humans of the South, the people of the North are simple, hard-working people trying to survive a complex number of issues.
· The Falkland-Gaspe people constitute the humans of (you guessed it) both Falkland and Gaspe as a macro-culture group. While differences definitely exist, there is general culture of hardiness and independent that permeates throughout this land. Known in Malnova as being a wild, rough landscape, the people of Falkland-Gaspe reside in the unforgiving highlands, relying on their own adaptiveness and resourcefulness to survive a harsh land.
· On an even more severe level than the Falkland-Gaspe culture is the Clanland culture that is found in the Northwestern Clanlands of Malnova. Separating from the first humans that began to travel west to Aborria, they continued up the northwestern peninsula and found themselves in a mountainous landscape sometimes also called the Highlands. Isolated from the rest of Malnova, they developed their own society that remains relatively undocumented by the humans of north Malnova. Not necessarily friendly to outside travelers, the Clanland people fight for land regularly and are led by ruling clan families that dictate most of the direction of the countries they reside over. There is currently small amount of trade occurring between northern kingdoms and the southern clans, but it remains limited.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people among the common races. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single human’s memory. They live fully in the present—making them well suited to the adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.

History

For more detailed human history, please visit this article.

Common Myths and Legends

Religion

Humans operate on a monotheistic theocratic system, worshiping a god named Aden. Aden is described as being the ultimate creator of the universe, forming Hejmo and breathing life onto its surface. Aden is usually depicted as a large, older human with a white beard and kind eyes. Aden is opposed by his younger brother, Leo. Leo, who was originally a god next to his older brother, graced Hejmo with the creation of humans and placed them onto his borther’s world – his Gift to Aden. He would later fall from grace, as unlike Aden, who created the universe in perfection, it was discovered that Leo believed humans should be created with flaws and the opportunity to rise above them. This act infuriated Aden, since it diametrically opposed the philosophy with which he created the universe. And so Aden decided that Lua was not worthy of such power, and stripped him of all to create. Instead, Leo was charged with responsibility of guiding and protecting those who were passing to the underworld.
Aden continued to look over his younger brother’s creations, as he felt pity for them. When man first began exploring Malnova, they believe it was Aden who lit the Torch of the Sky which allowed humans to navigate adequately and chart where they had been and learn Malnova. The Torch of the Sky is also now known as the North Star.

Legends

There are writings by the first humans that describe giant, winged lizards that would roam the skies when they first began settling Malnova. We now know that these mythics were referencing dragons, which are currently found nowhere within Malnova. It is puzzling for anthropologists and historians, as these mentions of dragons stop appearing by the age of Elves and Dwarves. There is no explanation for why dragons disappear or where they might have done - it might be possible that they never existed. But there are large groups of historians who do believe that the dragons did roam Malnova once and maybe retreated to another land during the rise of man.