Human
Humans are the most widespread and adaptable species in this world. Found in every province, they form the backbone of industry, politics, magic, and warfare. Though often seen as short-lived compared to many other races, humans make up for their limited lifespan with ambition, innovation, and resilience.
Their cultures vary drastically depending on the province they hail from. A Human born in the austere cities of Shield Province may grow up steeped in laws and anti-magic ideology, while one raised in the untamed depths of Loam Province may learn to commune with spirits and resist the undead from childhood. In Flux Province, humans may be born into clans that wield alchemy and transmutation magic with ease, while in Mirage Province they may grow up as deceivers, desert mystics, or religious zealots.
Society and Culture
There is no singular Human culture; rather, humans often adopt the dominant customs of their province while retaining familial or regional traditions. However, humans tend to value:
- Progress: Whether through technology, magic, warfare, or philosophy.
- Mobility: Many Human families seek to climb social, magical, or military ranks.
- Legacy: Humans often work to leave behind something greater than themselves—buildings, children, legends, or discoveries.
Humans form every social class—from peasant farmers in Agrivault (Shield Province ) to ruling warlords like Warlord Bekzat “The Veiled” Asanova in Mirage Province
Prejudice and Perception
Despite their numbers and influence, humans are often viewed as lesser by many of the long-lived magical races—especially elves. This prejudice is particularly acute for humans without innate magical ability, who are seen by some as little more than clever animals: short-lived, easily corrupted, and dangerously ambitious.
In societies that value longevity, arcane mastery, or divine favor, humans are often considered:
- Impatient and clumsy: With lives too short to master the deeper disciplines of magic or philosophy.
- Unrefined: Lacking the grace of elves, the resilience of orcs or goliaths, or the purity of elemental beings.
- Replaceable: Especially in arcane academies or military orders where magical potential defines one’s rank.
This prejudice can manifest as quiet condescension in some provinces—or as outright discrimination in others.
The Born New Military Academy
Nowhere is this bias more institutionalized than at the Born New Military Academy, the most prestigious and secretive military institution in the world. Though the Academy publicly claims to value courage, discipline, and potential, its true hierarchy prizes magical aptitude, long lifespan, and genetic resiliance.
- Non-magical humans are often relegated to auxiliary training tracks, or filtered out entirely through brutal early-stage assessments.
- Even magically talented humans are considered inferior to longer-lived species, under the assumption that they will never perfect their abilities in the time nature gives them.
- Humans who rise through the ranks must often outperform expectations by a wide margin just to be seen as “worthy.”
Some Human cadets turn this pressure into drive, becoming fanatic overachievers or political players who leverage their short lives into meteoric careers. Others burn out, rebel, or fall into cynicism, knowing they will never be seen as equals—only useful tools.
This social stratification has led to tensions within the Academy between idealists, who believe in unity across species, and traditionalists, who see Human inclusion as a necessary compromise rather than a strength.
Social Consequences
This attitude trickles down into the broader world:
- Human nobles often marry into magical bloodlines to gain legitimacy.
- Military units in some provinces pair Human officers with magical sub-commanders, assuming the Human will age out quickly.
- Magical labor guilds may require higher fees or magical "proof of worth" from Human applicants.
- Magical humans may discriminate just as harshly against their non-magical kin, especially if they are academy-trained.
Yet despite these pressures—or perhaps because of them—humans continue to produce some of the most innovative, driven, and dangerous individuals in the world.
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