Human

Amongst the cinders of Riven, humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and especially dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Many of the gods that walked amongst mortals long ago were human once before being touched by the grace of the Eternal Flame, and perhaps it is this close link to it that drives their lives towards emboldened ambition. Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the world.

Variety in All Things

With their penchant for migration and conquest, humans are more physically diverse than other common races. There is no typical human. 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. However nowadays, the grace of the Dragonrunes on their lineage have slowly subsided, as only the humans with the purest lineages of old carry Dragonmarks on their bodies. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live even a single century. Humans are also the most adaptable and ambitious people among the common races. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. From the high plateaus of Emynoraus to its lower plains and valleys such as Lothvir, this race can be found anywhere within the world. When they settle, though, they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single human’s memory. They live fully in the present—making them well suited to the adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics. Humans who seek adventure are the most daring and ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. They seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by amassing power, wealth, and fame. More than other people, humans champion causes rather than territories or groups.

Lasting Institutions

Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the responsibility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret, humans found sacred orders and institutions for such purposes. While dwarf clans and halfling elders pass on the ancient traditions to each new generation, human temples, governments, libraries, and codes of law fix their traditions in the bedrock of history. Humans dream of immortality, but (except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone. Although some humans can be xenophobic, in general their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of humans who live in nonhuman lands.

Being a Human

You Likely...

• Strive to achieve greatness, either in your own right or on behalf of a cause.
• Seek to understand your purpose in the world.
• Cherish your relationships with family and friends.

Other Races Probably...

• Respect your flexibility, your adaptibility, and—in most cases— your open‑mindedness.
• Distrust your intentions, fearing you seek only power or wealth.
• Aren't sure what to expect from you and are hesitant to assume your intentions.

Basic Information

Genetic Descendants

• Tiefling

Lifespan

70 years.

Average Height

5-6 ft.

Average Weight

125-250 ft.