Human
Humanity has been the dominant force on the planet for over 10,000 years, spreading to every corner of the globe—from the highest mountain to the deepest vault of the Darklands, from the frozen Crown of the World to the jungles of southeastern Casmaron—to found a vast assortment of kingdoms, cities, confederations, states, clans, and empires.
One of the first great human civilizations was proud Azlant, born on a now-destroyed continent in the middle of the Arcadian Ocean. Earthfall obliterated Azlant and its colonies, but new societies arose from the ruins. The Jistka Imperium, masters of golemancy and genie-binding; the Shory and their flying cities; Osirion in all of its pharaonic splendor—these names have come down through history as bywords for greatness, power, and knowledge. This was the era when Old-Mage Jatembe and his Ten Magic Warriors brought magic back to humanity and established the center of learning at Magaambya, when Prince Taldaris of Oppara unified the city-states of Taldor into a fledgling empire, when the Tarrasque toppled the ziggurats of Ninshabur. This was the age that ended with the ascendance of Aroden, the Last Azlanti, God of Humanity.
The centuries that followed saw the gradual formation of the modern Inner Sea region. The Witch-Queen Baba Yaga founded Irrisen and set a succession of daughters on its throne. Taldor entered a slow decline, losing territory to the Padishah Empire of Kelesh and to internal rebellions that culminated in the founding of Cheliax. Choral the Conqueror forged the lands of Brevoy. Diadian Ruel founded the Hellknights and the Varisian hero Suididia Ustav established Ustalav. Humanity made its mark on history. Then a century ago, Aroden died.
Thus began the present era, the Age of Lost Omens.
Aroden’s death caused destruction across all of Golarion. In the north, a portal to the Abyss consumed the nation of Sarkoris as legions of the damned poured from the resulting Worldwound. In the south, an unceasing hurricane called the Eye of Abendego drowned the homeland of the Lirgeni and the Yamasans. Prophecies around the world failed, and humanity found itself without a patron god—but humans persisted, as they always do. To this day, they remain widespread and ambitious as they continue to leave their mark on Golarion.
Humans offer players a number of advantages as characters. They’re familiar; humans on Golarion are little different from humans on Earth. They live, love, hope, fear, curse, pray, and die in much the same way. They’re ubiquitous. Humans are by far the most widespread sapient species on Golarion—no matter where someone might look, there are likely humans nearby. Finally, they’re diverse. A human can be anything and do anything, as their talents are infinitely adaptable to any task. No matter what idea a player has, somewhere there are humans who can fit that concept. Humans’ ambition, versatility, and exceptional potential have led to their status as the world’s predominant ancestry. Their empires and nations are vast, sprawling things, and their citizens carve names for themselves with the strength of their sword arms and the power of their spells. Humanity is diverse and tumultuous, running the gamut from nomadic to imperial, sinister to saintly. Many of them venture forth to explore, to map the expanse of the multiverse, to search for long-lost treasure, or to lead mighty armies to conquer their neighbors—for no better reason than because they can. If you want a character who can be just about anything, you should play a human. You Might... xxxHuman variety also manifests in terms of their governments, attitudes, and social norms. Though the oldest of human cultures can trace their shared histories thousands of years into the past, when compared to the societies of the elves or dwarves, human civilizations seem in a state of constant flux as empires fragment and new kingdoms subsume the old. • 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. Alignment and Religion Others Probably... • Respect your flexibility, your adaptability, and—in most casesyour 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. Physical Description Humans’ physical characteristics are as varied as the world’s climes. Humans have a wide variety of skin and hair colors, body types, and facial features. Generally speaking, their skin has a darker hue the closer to the equator they or their ancestors lived. Humans reach physical adulthood around the age of 15, though mental maturity occurs a few years later. A typical human can live to be around 90 years old. Humans often intermarry with people of other ancestries, giving rise to children who bear the traits of both parents. The most notable half-humans are half-elves and half-orcs. Society Names If you want a character who can be just about anything, you should play a human. You Might... Human variety also manifests in terms of their governments, attitudes, and social norms. Though the oldest of human cultures can trace their shared histories thousands of years into the past, when compared to the societies of the elves or dwarves, human civilizations seem in a state of constant flux as empires fragment and new kingdoms subsume the old. Alognment and Religion
One of the first great human civilizations was proud Azlant, born on a now-destroyed continent in the middle of the Arcadian Ocean. Earthfall obliterated Azlant and its colonies, but new societies arose from the ruins. The Jistka Imperium, masters of golemancy and genie-binding; the Shory and their flying cities; Osirion in all of its pharaonic splendor—these names have come down through history as bywords for greatness, power, and knowledge. This was the era when Old-Mage Jatembe and his Ten Magic Warriors brought magic back to humanity and established the center of learning at Magaambya, when Prince Taldaris of Oppara unified the city-states of Taldor into a fledgling empire, when the Tarrasque toppled the ziggurats of Ninshabur. This was the age that ended with the ascendance of Aroden, the Last Azlanti, God of Humanity.
The centuries that followed saw the gradual formation of the modern Inner Sea region. The Witch-Queen Baba Yaga founded Irrisen and set a succession of daughters on its throne. Taldor entered a slow decline, losing territory to the Padishah Empire of Kelesh and to internal rebellions that culminated in the founding of Cheliax. Choral the Conqueror forged the lands of Brevoy. Diadian Ruel founded the Hellknights and the Varisian hero Suididia Ustav established Ustalav. Humanity made its mark on history. Then a century ago, Aroden died.
Thus began the present era, the Age of Lost Omens.
Aroden’s death caused destruction across all of Golarion. In the north, a portal to the Abyss consumed the nation of Sarkoris as legions of the damned poured from the resulting Worldwound. In the south, an unceasing hurricane called the Eye of Abendego drowned the homeland of the Lirgeni and the Yamasans. Prophecies around the world failed, and humanity found itself without a patron god—but humans persisted, as they always do. To this day, they remain widespread and ambitious as they continue to leave their mark on Golarion.
Humans offer players a number of advantages as characters. They’re familiar; humans on Golarion are little different from humans on Earth. They live, love, hope, fear, curse, pray, and die in much the same way. They’re ubiquitous. Humans are by far the most widespread sapient species on Golarion—no matter where someone might look, there are likely humans nearby. Finally, they’re diverse. A human can be anything and do anything, as their talents are infinitely adaptable to any task. No matter what idea a player has, somewhere there are humans who can fit that concept. Humans’ ambition, versatility, and exceptional potential have led to their status as the world’s predominant ancestry. Their empires and nations are vast, sprawling things, and their citizens carve names for themselves with the strength of their sword arms and the power of their spells. Humanity is diverse and tumultuous, running the gamut from nomadic to imperial, sinister to saintly. Many of them venture forth to explore, to map the expanse of the multiverse, to search for long-lost treasure, or to lead mighty armies to conquer their neighbors—for no better reason than because they can. If you want a character who can be just about anything, you should play a human. You Might... xxxHuman variety also manifests in terms of their governments, attitudes, and social norms. Though the oldest of human cultures can trace their shared histories thousands of years into the past, when compared to the societies of the elves or dwarves, human civilizations seem in a state of constant flux as empires fragment and new kingdoms subsume the old. • 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. Alignment and Religion Others Probably... • Respect your flexibility, your adaptability, and—in most casesyour 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. Physical Description Humans’ physical characteristics are as varied as the world’s climes. Humans have a wide variety of skin and hair colors, body types, and facial features. Generally speaking, their skin has a darker hue the closer to the equator they or their ancestors lived. Humans reach physical adulthood around the age of 15, though mental maturity occurs a few years later. A typical human can live to be around 90 years old. Humans often intermarry with people of other ancestries, giving rise to children who bear the traits of both parents. The most notable half-humans are half-elves and half-orcs. Society Names If you want a character who can be just about anything, you should play a human. You Might... Human variety also manifests in terms of their governments, attitudes, and social norms. Though the oldest of human cultures can trace their shared histories thousands of years into the past, when compared to the societies of the elves or dwarves, human civilizations seem in a state of constant flux as empires fragment and new kingdoms subsume the old. Alognment and Religion
Related Organizations
- Church of Aroden
- House Ahnkamen
- House Akkesh
- House Arnsen
- House Azari
- House Blakros
- House Candren
- House Dacilane
- House Damaq
- House Dureanz
- House Finch
- House Foxglove
- House Fyrlenn
- House Madinani
- House Menhemes
- House Morilla
- House Nimz
- House Ormuz
- House Tevineg
- House Thrune
- House Tsoulet
- House Uiry
- Jistka Imperium
- Mendev
- Numeria
- Osirion
- Taldor
- Tekritanin League
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