Humans
My time in the Aerin Valley has given me plenty of insight about the people. Especially the Humans. It is fascinating how they were able to tame the land of the valley despite everything going against them. And how easy it is to divide them between each other despite the other factions that live amongst them. If humanity were to ever unite under one banner, I am sure that they could be a capable power just as the Empires that once ruled these great lands.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
- The Aerin Kingdoms: Humans are the leaders and the majority of these kingdoms, fighting for their right to exist in the valley. As of the 13th century, this conflict has turned to a two-way conflict over the unification of the Aerin Valley.
History
Humans were one of the last species to develop in Avestra but they were the fastest to spread, with humans being a minority in almost every land. There was no single trait that people could tie the humans to. They could have the stubborness of a dwarf, refusing to die in the harshest of situations. They could have the patience of an elf, able to hunt down a beast for hours on end, waiting to tire themselves out. And they could have the rage of an Orc or Draconic, lashing out at the closest thing they could vent their rage upon. It's probably why they are able to integrate into other lands so easily. But they never truly had a homeland of their own until the Aerin Valley.
Even if they had to share it with other races that lived in the region, Humans thrived in the region. Whether it was the mountains and hills to the far edges, the rolling plains, the lush forests, or the sands and savannahs on the coast of the black sands, humans were able to make a home for themselves alongside the Centaurs, Gnolls, and other folk of the land. They drained swamps, cut down forests, and changed the land to suit their needs instead of changing to suit the land's needs, making the Aerin Valley into its current state.
Many human nations have risen and fallen like countries across the two continents. Whether it be from the natural decay of time or threats both external and internal, time and again, a kingdom would appear and disappear within a few human lifetimes. And as their politics changed, so too did Humans, taking from cultures and species around them until they became a melting pot themselves. It served them well in the war against the Elders as they defended the Aerin Valley. Their mundanity stopped any Elders from committing experiments on them but that didn't stop the Aberrations from taking an interest. Secret hives were founded under the Aerin Valley, waiting for moments to strike against the populace.
Some historians like to claim it was this paranoia that fueled even further conflict between the human kingdoms of the valley. They continued to rise and fall until the dawn of the 13th century when the Crystalian Emipre rose to prominence, promising to unite the Aerin people under one banner. The kingdoms of Beru, Grineva, Gulra, and Veru formed an alliance but nearly half a decade later, Beru would leave this alliance, surrendering to Crystalia after the catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Cadehall Fields.
The Humans of the Aerin valley now have two futures to choose from: the unification under Crystalia or the division under the remaining alliance members. With the former gaining strength every day, their fate may soon be determined.
Historical Figures
- The Dragon of the Bloodied Rose. As of 1242 EA, the 16 year old prince and heir of the Crystalian Empire. Guided by an oracle and tempered by his experiences and studies, he and his father are keen to be the ones to unite the Aerin Valley after a nearly half-century of war.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Humans are able to get along with any race should they spend enough time near them. Though, the same could be applied to dislike as well. Humans have had a fickle relationship with people of people across the ages, especially the Elves and Dwarves. However, besides themselves, humans have shown this greatly with the Hobgoblin. The two of them of clashed in raids many times and have even traded and lived amongst each other. Their influences on each other and their seemingly innate ability to adapt to their surroundings have made the two realize that they are almost mirror images of each other, which is why Crystalia was the first to invite them into their lands as citizens and key parts of their military to this day.
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
Barely 5 feet to over 6 feet
Average Weight
120 to 240 pounds
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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