Human
It doesn't mean much to be chosen by the gods when you live your life with the world's boot placed firmly on your neck.
- Eberardo Rassi
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
In Halûme human cultures can be subdivided into two major (often overlapping) groups:
1. customs that sprout from the amalgamated roots of the dozens of culturally superior groups that have dominated the settled lands for millenia
2. customs that rebel from the impact of other races, eschewing them in favor of something either reactive or counteractive to the cultural norms.
Elven
In human cultures, the two largest influences from other cultures have historically been the elves and the dwarves. During their enslavement, much of human culture was scoured away and replaced over time by the elven ideals, especially those of the high elves. Significant examples of this include myriad words in Common, scientific nomenclature, and even some religious holidays. Furthermore, likely the greatest possible cultural inheritance comes not in the tangible, but rather transient philosophical trends seen in the great human sages of Aevum Quartus and Quintus. Due to their fey heritage, elves commonly have an affinity towards the strange magics of the Illuvium, and this phenomenon has found its place within human stories throughout history. Compounded with the extremely long lifespan of the common elf, it follows that the humans saw them as unto the Regents themselves. Human folk tales that survive from the time of enslavement often portray elven masters this way: appease them, and they will treat you well, affording you a good place in the masters' house. Disobey them, and you are a foolish youth who understands not the unknowable wisdom of your betters. Today, much debate is to be found as to the nature of these tales. Are they an accurate representation of a favorable light of the elves? Perhaps, perhaps not. What can be said for certain is that they recognized the supreme power the position of the master had over the slave. Dwarven In contrast with the long history that humanity has with the imperious iron sway of elven enslavement, the inherited cultures of the dwarves are far more favorable. Dwarven culture contributed greatly to humanity, thanks to the role of arbiter that humanity recalls of them. Prior to the Stratosmachta accords, no race was so vehemently abolitionist by such a large majority as the many nations of the dwarves. While it is possible that the dwarves took such a stance for the simple reason of spiting the elves, the concept of the dwarven savior was nonetheless embraced wholeheartedly by humanity. The consequence of this elevation involved much of the first cultural movements of proto-rebellion against elven appropriation.
Inherited Culture
Elven
In human cultures, the two largest influences from other cultures have historically been the elves and the dwarves. During their enslavement, much of human culture was scoured away and replaced over time by the elven ideals, especially those of the high elves. Significant examples of this include myriad words in Common, scientific nomenclature, and even some religious holidays. Furthermore, likely the greatest possible cultural inheritance comes not in the tangible, but rather transient philosophical trends seen in the great human sages of Aevum Quartus and Quintus. Due to their fey heritage, elves commonly have an affinity towards the strange magics of the Illuvium, and this phenomenon has found its place within human stories throughout history. Compounded with the extremely long lifespan of the common elf, it follows that the humans saw them as unto the Regents themselves. Human folk tales that survive from the time of enslavement often portray elven masters this way: appease them, and they will treat you well, affording you a good place in the masters' house. Disobey them, and you are a foolish youth who understands not the unknowable wisdom of your betters. Today, much debate is to be found as to the nature of these tales. Are they an accurate representation of a favorable light of the elves? Perhaps, perhaps not. What can be said for certain is that they recognized the supreme power the position of the master had over the slave. Dwarven In contrast with the long history that humanity has with the imperious iron sway of elven enslavement, the inherited cultures of the dwarves are far more favorable. Dwarven culture contributed greatly to humanity, thanks to the role of arbiter that humanity recalls of them. Prior to the Stratosmachta accords, no race was so vehemently abolitionist by such a large majority as the many nations of the dwarves. While it is possible that the dwarves took such a stance for the simple reason of spiting the elves, the concept of the dwarven savior was nonetheless embraced wholeheartedly by humanity. The consequence of this elevation involved much of the first cultural movements of proto-rebellion against elven appropriation.
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