Humanity was brought into the world alongside the the flora and fauna by the Mother Goddess Nydoini, but were given no special tasks or powers like the elemental races.
Location and Abodes
Humans live (or have lived) in almost every environment on Aserra. Northern Kalesten and Thiskel are thoroughly populated with humans, as well as Ertia, and the Great Desert. There are also human populations on many islands in the Tonult Ocean, and in the Forsaken Land. There are no human populations on Athok, the arctic continent, though there may be individual humans living amongst the coastal Aeul’Idayn. There was once a human population in the southern rainforests of Kalesten, but they were slaughtered, driven out, and bred out by the Ur’Idayn.
Human abodes are constructed of many materials, depending on resources and the advancement of the culture. Some cultures make sturdy structures of wood, brick, and concrete, but others are still living in thatch huts or easy-to-transport tents of wood and animal skins.
Appearance and Garb
While they vary in many traits, there are general traits shared by all humans. Their ears are small and rounded compared to the other races. The average human male stands at 5’10” (1.78m) and the average female at 5’4” (1.62m), though cultural averages vary from region to region. Their builds vary between light and heavy, often quicker to put on fat and muscle compared to the elemental races (excluding Brech’mar and some Ochae’nafod tribes). Human facial structure can range between beautiful enough to rival Dra’nafod and ugly enough to make a Kuzo cringe, but most fall somewhere in between.
Human coloration ranges through many different complexions and pigmentation. Most people of the northern temperate region tend to be fairer of skin and eye color, hair colors including blondes, reds, browns, and black, while people to the south tend to become darker, reaching their darkest colors around the equatorial regions. By and large, the most common hair color is black and the most common eye color is brown. Hair textures can range from straight and sleek to tightly curled, depending on regional phenotypes. Human eye colors in Aserra include colors that are unseen in our world; not only are brown, blue, green, hazel, and other “normal” colors observed, but we also include violet, red, orange, and gold eye colors for human characters.
Clothing of choice also varies with resources and a culture’s level of development. Some cultures are more advanced and wear woven fabrics and forged armor, while others are limited to animal skins. Different cultures have different fashions and levels of modesty as well.
Lifespan and Reproduction
Human lifespans are rather short compared to most other races. They can live upwards of 100 years, but in the best conditions the average human lives between 70-80 years. Disease, poverty, lack of proper sanitation, and lack of access to medical care can lower lifespans into the 40-50 age range on average in a society.
Humans are able to reproduce much faster than the elemental races. Women are typically fertile monthly, and in most cultures, marry and begin bearing children between the ages of 16 and 20. While they are socially and sexually considered mature adults between these ages, a human reaches full mental maturity at the age of twenty-five. After bearing a child, a woman can ovulate again as soon as a month later, but lactation often suppresses ovulation for a time. Birthrates for each women vary from community to community; some women have children as often as their bodies allow while others are proactive in controlling their family size. Smaller, more manageable families are typically more common among the rich and more educated, while larger families are common amongst the lower and undereducated classes.
Human relationships vary from culture to culture, though they are rarely truly monogamous. In many cultures, marriage is officially monogamous, but extra-marital affairs are not uncommon (typically for a husband seeking the companionship of another). Other cultures practice polygamy (typically polygyny). Relationships are also different between cultures depending on how many rights the women are allowed, as in many cultures they are considered second class to men. It is most common for marriages to be arranged by parents, either when their children are adolescents or when they enter adulthood. In the end, humans typically seek life-long relationships with a partner with whom they can raise children, though they may not always be romantically or sexually loyal to that one person consistently.
Diet, Agriculture, and Hunting
Humans are omnivores, though they thrive the best in the long term on a well-rounded vegetarian diet which is rarely available to most people. Different cultures have different approaches to food; many more advanced nations rely on agriculture. Crops and livestock are raised outside of cities, and the resulting food is sold in the cities. People in rural regions may opt to combine hunting and gathering with agriculture, and some less advanced cultures still rely entirely on hunting and gathering.
Religion
Humanity follows a number of belief systems, but the most common is the worship of the third generations Gods of Light and the numbers gods of the third-generation pantheon that represent different aspects and virtues of life. Most individuals focus their devotion on gods that fit into their lives. For example, a farmer will pray to the Seasonal Goddesses for ideal weather for his crops, while an artist may pray to Essan and the Muses for inspiration, or a soldier will pray to Saeven for guidance. The gods are prayed to regularly in the hopes of gaining their influence and winning their favor.
Other human cultures may practice dragon worship, ancestor worship, or shamanistic traditions. Some others may also be atheistic or hold other beliefs.
Magic and Abilities
Humans have no inherent magical ability, but have the potential to learn. Humanity has invented a number of magic systems, mostly relying on the magical energies found in one’s soul, though sorcery relies on mana and some other forms of magic are preformed through psychic exertion. However, the average human rarely knows anything about magic, and is often intimidated by it. Depending on culture, magic of one form or another may be considered commonplace or terrifying as some human magicians tend abuse their power. Humans also can exhibit a number of psychic abilities, such as precognition and telepathy, but these appear in only a small percentage of the population.
Other abilities, such as senses, capacity for physical prowess, and so on, are no different than the average person in the real world.
Personality
Unlike the elemental races, humans are not predominantly bound to a single race-wide personality archetype. Different cultures may have different mindsets, and individuals are always unique.
Relations
It’s a general rule that humans and many of the other races are often at odds with each other, though each culture and civilization may have its own relationship with other races. Humans are not well regarded by many Idayn or Nafod races, but are tolerated by Zaedyn, Mariel, Brech’mar, and Asath. Danaij typically regard humans as lesser beings and rule over them in the Forsaken Land, though roles are often reversed outside of the Forsaken Land with small populations of wandering Danaij. Kuzo and Iengi are typically regarded as monsters by humans. Samiss are rarely known by humans.
Play-ability
Human should be considered the ‘default’ race for Aserran characters.