Human
Ambitious and determined
"Humans. Survivors by nature. There is much to tell about their history. Their perseverance, their innovation, their drive for greatness! But where do we start with their kind? What kind of thought should peer into our minds when we think of this lofty, short-lived race? That is simple. We need only remember the various wars and conflicts they sparked."
Humans are the most populous race in Alluvia. Despite their relatively average lifespans compared to the other races, humans have erected the most powerful and long-lasting empires in the realm. From the beginning of history, humans have placed an indelible mark on the world through various cultural developments, involvement in many wars, and expansion of large territories.
An ambitious and prideful race, humans have etched their mark on every corner of this world. Jack of all trades, master of some; humans do not usually have specialized fields of expertise innate within themselves but can master any craft when given ample time. And as a testament to that theory, they are the most dominant race in history.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humans generally range from various physical builds; some are stout and short, others tall and lanky, and some are middle of the two polarized qualities. 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. Although there are some exceptions in history.
Genetics and Reproduction
Humans reproduce sexually, requiring both male and female members to conceive of an offspring.
Growth Rate & Stages
Humans usually fully grow during their late teens and their early 20's. Hormonic changes vary depending on gender. Males will usually grow taller, develop deeper voices, exhibit growth of body hair and become much more muscular. While females also grow taller though not as much as males, begin their menstrual cycle, and their pelvic area becomes much more prominent.
Ecology and Habitats
Humans are one of the most adaptable races in Alluvia; their habitats ranging from grasslands, mountains, forests, deserts, and even the freezing cold. Although their most optimal habitats are places with lukewarm temperatures and average humidity. Like most living organisms, they prefer to live where land is fertile for food to grow and near a source of water. Whilst their creative adaptation to various weather and temperatures by the use of tools such as clothing and chemical processes like fire, without knowledge of these things, humans would not survive in extreme conditions.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Humans are largely omnivores; their sources of food ranging from meat of various animals and vegetation from crops and fruit-bearing trees. In their primeval stages, they were known to hunt for meat and forage the land for their diet. But in present times, humans have furthered their understanding of the world through the use of new agricultural technologies like farming and livestock development. They also frequent the use of magic to sustain their food sources.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Historically, humans have adopted the concept of social classes throughout their many centuries of development. Starting out from tribal clans in similarity to most races, they've created a basic social structure that even cultures and ethnic groups of other races have elected to make a baseline from it.
Most human clans elect a leader, one person who often has absolute power and jurisdiction over their people. Their job is to guide the flock and their tribe from survival to prosperity. They are usually the wisest or the strongest of the clan, depending on each ethnic group's goals. And underneath the highest hierarchical structure are the subjects, often divided into classes (e.g., warriors, peasantry, slaves) during simpler times.
In Present Day
However, in modern times humans have evolved this tribalistic approach over time, creating new concepts such as the free market and currency, academics, pillars of government, nobility, and the separation of crown, church, and state, which also require their own rationale in the social ladder. Gone were the days of clan systems and frequent wars over territories; as humans began to grow, their clans eventually united, and their social structure grew and adapted to the changing times. Each ethnic group is different in how they handle the governing of their people, but in general, most human societies have a hierarchical ladder of social status.
Unlike most other races, the modern hierarchical structure of their society is vastly flexible and quite similar to the tribal system but with more nuance. From atop the ladder resides the monarch, who oftentimes holds absolute power over the territory of their kingdom/s. Then underneath him are his aides—the nobility, the diplomats, the military, and the academics; who each support a facet of their society, from defense and protection to politics and diplomacy to technology and progress. They are regarded as the upper crust of society and have various benefits and privileges.
After that are the merchants and business owners, who provide steady trade and services and keep the economy stable. And lastly, at the bottom of the hierarchy are the peasantry, the common men and women of the kingdom. They are mostly delegated to tasks that involve laborious efforts like artisan work, smithing, farming, building, and maintenance of mundane everyday facilities within the kingdom. They are oftentimes impoverished, and the percentage depends on the governing force that rules over them.
Facial characteristics
Humans possess a set of eyes for sight, a nose for smell, ears for hearing, and a mouth for taste and speech. The qualities and appearances of these sensory tools vary differently for different ethnic groups. They also possess different skeletal structures, so some may look fiercer and more aggressive due to a more intimidating bone structure. In contrast, others may look meeker and submissive due to the same concept.
Males and females vary differently; males are more intimidating and rough-looking, while females are traditionally more soft and beautiful. But the string of a human's adaptability continues with this concept; some males may adopt feminine features and the same goes for females.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The race of humans spans the entirety of Alluvia, as it is the most populous race. One can find humans in generally every ethnic group across cultures. While they mostly congregate in their homeland, the continent of Keniev, humans are found in most places around the realm.
Throughout history, humans have gained and controlled swathes of vast territories. Still, over the millennia - because of the rise of other races and cultures - their power has dwindled as more groups sought to control their contested territories. And through either hubris or cowardice, human clans fell to the clans of other races resulting in a shift of the balance of power. As they territories they controlled became the home of new races, humans had ample interaction with many other cultures. Some ethnic groups like the elven and dwarven even formed mixed cultures; human clans and clans of other races uniting together due to common goals. In present day, this results in the widespread scattering of human races in every part of Alluvia.
Average Intelligence
Humans are of average to above-average intelligence. Most attain social maturity at ages 20-25 and often settle into units called families. As the first known progenitors of magic, humans are the first to study the arcane and its ability to manipulate the elements around them. They were known to be the first scholars of magic and recorded extensive uses, techniques, and theories regarding the subject matter.
Humans are also known to be quite advanced in their progression of technology. It is most likely attributed to their shorter lifespans, as leadership and cultural shifts change quickly over time. Centuries or even decades may pass, and humans already have developed into a different stage of their culture, starkly contrasting to other races whose vastly prolonged lives resulting in cultural stagnation due to rigid conservative views. Humans are a liberal species, often capable of change, if sometimes resisting it; a testament to their renowned adaptability.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Humans are largely known to be on the weaker side of their sensory capabilities compared to other races. Unlike other races, they do not possess the ability to see without the usage of light which renders them blind to areas with the lack of it. Although, in the world of Alluvia, humans are quite attuned to the forces that govern magic. Therefore, they can take advantage of it to give them support in regards to their perception. They have also known to use technology alongside magic to allow them to perceive the world as other races can. (e.g. darkvision, blindsight, tremorsense)
Civilization and Culture
History
In most historical scriptures of old, humans are the youngest of the races; short-lived compared to the other races like the elves and the dwarves. But that did not hinder them from becoming one of Alluvia's most prominent and powerful races. Because of their short lives, humans often strive to accomplish much in such infinitesimal time.
Genetic Descendants
Scientific Name
Homo sapiens
Lifespan
60-80 years
Average Height
152 to over 182 cm.
Average Weight
55 to over 120 kg.
Average Physique
Muscular to lanky, short to tall, fat to thin. They vary differently within this spectrum.
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