Human
Size: Medium
Speed: 30 feet
Lifespan: 80 years
Languages: Tanglish, one additional language of your choice
Overview
TBD — DM
Physical Description
Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Their appearance, skin tone, hair color, and other physical features show tremendous diversity across the world. This variation reflects the many different human cultures and regions they inhabit, each with their own distinct characteristics and traditions.
Society and Customs
Humans are the most widespread and adaptable of the mortal races. They have built great civilizations, established empires, and created cultures that span from bustling metropolises to frontier settlements. Human society is characterized by its diversity, ambition, and ability to adapt to nearly any environment.
Humans tend toward no particular alignment—the best and the worst are found among them. Their short lifespans compared to other races drive them to achieve greatness quickly, leading to both remarkable achievements and terrible mistakes. This ambition and drive make humans a force to be reckoned with, for better or worse.
Humans are fond of learning languages and often sprinkle their speech with words borrowed from other tongues—Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and more. This linguistic borrowing reflects their adaptability and their interactions with other races across the world.
Major Human Regions and Cities
Humans have established settlements across the known world. Some of the most significant locations include:
Tiraas
The capital of the Tiraan Empire, Tiraas is a bustling metropolis known for its grand architecture, diverse population, and political significance. As the seat of Imperial power, Tiraas is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. The city is home to the Imperial government, the Imperial Security Council, and numerous organizations that influence the entire Empire. Its grand structures and organized districts reflect the Empire's power and ambition, while its diverse population includes representatives from nearly every race and culture within the Empire's borders.
Viridil
A lush, forested region renowned for its rich natural resources and vibrant ecosystems. Viridil is known for its fertile lands and abundant forests, making it an important agricultural and resource-producing region. The area's natural beauty and resources have attracted settlers and traders, creating a region that balances agricultural development with preservation of natural resources.
N'Jendo
A vibrant nation with a rich cultural heritage characterized by its unique traditions, artistic expression, and deep connection to nature and the sea. N'Jendo's culture emphasizes harmony with the natural world, community bonds, and the preservation of traditional ways of life. The region's people are known for their hospitality, their vibrant festivals and celebrations, and their skilled craftsmanship in arts, music, and traditional practices. N'Jendo's cultural identity reflects a deep appreciation for beauty, tradition, and the interconnectedness of community and nature.
Thakar
A coastal lowland region situated between the Wyrnrange mountains and the Grand Mere sea. Thakar's location on the coast has shaped its culture, with its people developing a strong connection to maritime life and the sea. The region's lowland geography provides fertile ground for agriculture and settlement, while its coastal access has made it an important hub for trade and fishing. The people of Thakar have adapted to their unique position between mountains and sea, developing a culture that values both the strength needed to work the land and the skills required for maritime endeavors.
Mathena
A region nestled between the Golden Sea and the Wyrnrange mountains. Mathena's unique location between the dimensional instability of the Golden Sea and the protective barrier of the mountains has shaped its culture and identity. The region's people have learned to live with the unpredictable nature of the Golden Sea while relying on the mountains for resources and protection. Mathena's culture reflects a frontier spirit, with communities that value independence, self-reliance, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The region serves as a gateway between the settled lands and the frontier territories beyond.
The Stalrange
A range of towering mountains that serves as the home to the Stalweiss people—hardy human communities with a distinct cultural identity. The Stalweiss have developed a culture that reflects their challenging mountain environment, with traditions, folklore, and ways of life that have been shaped by generations of living in the harsh but beautiful mountain terrain. The Stalrange Mountains are known for their ancient fortresses, isolated communities, and the resilient people who call them home. The Stalweiss culture values strength, endurance, community bonds, and the preservation of traditional ways of life that have served their ancestors for generations.
Puna Dara
A coastal city known for its fierce maritime culture and history of piracy. Puna Dara's location on the coast has made it a hub for maritime trade, exploration, and seafaring adventures. The Punaji people have developed a rich culture that blends vibrant traditions with a strong maritime identity, creating a society where the sea is central to life, commerce, and culture. The city's history of piracy has left its mark on the culture, with traditions of adventure, independence, and a willingness to challenge established authority. Despite this history, Puna Dara has also become an important center for legitimate maritime trade, with the Punaji people serving as skilled sailors, traders, and navigators who can conduct overseas trade with distant lands.
Calderaas
A volcanic area with fertile lands that benefit from rich soil and geothermal activity. The volcanic nature of the region has created exceptionally fertile soil, making agriculture highly productive. The region's unique geography and natural resources have shaped a distinctive culture that values both the bounty of the land and the power of natural forces. Calderaas is known for its vibrant markets, rich cultural traditions, and communities that have learned to thrive in harmony with the volcanic landscape. The region's people have developed sophisticated agricultural practices, artisanal crafts, and cultural traditions that reflect their connection to the land and its resources.
Sifan
An island nation celebrated for its unique culture, advanced technology, and isolationist policies. Sifan is known for its distinctive culture that blends traditional elements with technological advancement. The Sifanese royal family has shown great hospitality to the orcish people, welcoming them after the destruction of Athan'Khar. Sifan's isolationist policies have allowed it to develop independently while maintaining its cultural identity.
Veilgrad
A city with a gothic atmosphere, known for its historic architecture and mysterious legends. Veilgrad's distinctive appearance and atmosphere set it apart from other human cities. Its architecture and cultural practices reflect a unique blend of influences, creating a city that feels both ancient and mysterious. The city's legends and history contribute to its reputation as a place where the past and present intertwine in complex ways.
The Great Plains Frontierland
An expansive area of open plains, home to pioneering settlers and vast agricultural endeavors. The Great Plains represent the frontier of human expansion, where settlers have established farms, ranches, and settlements across the vast open lands. This frontier culture values independence, hard work, and the ability to build something from nothing. The Great Plains are also home to Plains Elves, creating opportunities for interaction between humans and elves in this frontier region.
Human Diversity and Adaptability
What unites humans across all these diverse regions is their adaptability and ambition. Humans have proven capable of thriving in nearly any environment—from mountain peaks to desert wastes, from coastal cities to frontier plains. This adaptability has allowed them to spread across the world and establish themselves in nearly every corner of civilization.
Their short lifespans compared to other races drive humans to achieve quickly, creating a culture of ambition and drive. This can lead to remarkable achievements in technology, art, commerce, and politics, but it can also lead to conflict, exploitation, and short-sighted decisions. The human drive to build, expand, and achieve shapes their interactions with other races and their place in the world.
Population and Distribution
TBD — DM
Role in the World
TBD — DM
Ability Score Increase
Your ability scores each increase by 1.
Racial Traits
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Tanglish and one extra language of your choice. 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.
Related: Races Index | Mechanics Index | Ability Scores