Some say that we humans are a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Quite flattering really, since we barely understand ourselves…
- Professor Isolde Trelawny, Historian at the Royal Institute of Otherworld Studies
Humans, unlike the Otherworld newcomers, are native to Earth. An inventive species, their close-knit towns, sprawling cities, and proud nations are found on almost every land. Sometimes even in the most inhospitable climates. Since the disaster of Crossing’s Fall, humans have even made their way into those new lands that crashed to Earth from Otherworld. But in those places, like Afalon or Zafra, they remain a distinct minority.
The events of Crossing’s Fall presented humans with the greatest challenge ever faced. In one night, magic and myth turned real, and all the world’s beliefs were turned on their ear. Humanity reacted to this in the same way they have to any other great upheaval in history.
A moment of collective chaos.
Some humans were curious and willing to welcome the refugees and give them a new home. Others were more wary. They were quick to raise barriers and even weapons, caught up in nightmares and legends that called the refugees monsters. Last were the humans who saw the refugees not so much as people, but more of an opportunity.
Those were the humans that went to war. Both against the Otherworld refugees and each other for the chance to claim places like Afalon for themselves. This was called the Mid-Atlantic War that erupted not long after lands like Afalon appeared.
Since then, the relationship between humans and the Otherworld settlers has been complex. In some lands, there is an air of mistrust, unease, and even oppression. Other places, there is hope or a chaotic, vibrant mix, such as in the Caribbean.
The Human Question
Innovation is to humans what flight is to birds…
- Professor Isolde Trelawny, Historian at the Royal Institute of Otherworld Studies
Because of their numbers, humans are the example, the standard for ‘humanoid’. They are the comparison for any creation that walks on two legs and has two arms to use tools. Against the Otherworld species, they look most like thayans except without the wings, or tall grimlings without the metallic hue.
Humans come in many shapes and sizes with hair that covers the range from tan, blond, to black, red, and brown. This turns white as they age. Eyes are often brown, black, blue, or gray. More rare are the colors of amber, hazel, and green. Like grimlings or thayans, human males have facial hair of different amounts.
Their complexion varies to all shades and depends on how often a human is outside and the climate of their homeland. Unlike others, human ears are round, where other species are often pointed. As for height, humans are often close to 6 foot, a height matched only by the morasu.
But humans lack the special abilities and physical gifts of other species. Perhaps the only physical nature of humans where they stand out is their strength. This doesn’t mean that other civilized species can match average human strength. They can and do. But humans have the ability to surpass other species in raw strength and lifting power.
Human sailor by CB Ash *
Aside from their strength, humans possess the remarkable ability to adapt and innovate. Using often reckless ideas to produce amazing innovation that can delight, or terrify, the more ‘grounded’ species, such as grimlings. This human gift doesn’t make them smarter, faster, or more capable than other species. It is simply the innate human understanding of how well they can adapt to an unusual situation.
Their ability to adapt shows in other ways. Humans are the most widespread of the civilized species found in any land. Many scholars might call that either normal, if not dull, but that has contributed to humanity’s greatest ability to blend in. Humans are adept at using the ability to seem normal and boring to let them blend into a crowd. Become just another face that many, even Otherworld species or other humans, can overlook.
This is the greatest question and debate about humans. Is our greatest talent the ability to blend in and adapt? Or stand out in a crowd while attempting to blow ourselves up. Accidentally, of course…
- Doctor Pedro Alejandro Sangre
Senses
Like any other human-like species, humans have the typical basic senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. When compared to the keen sense of Otherworld ancestries, human senses might seem pedestrian. But, as is typical for humans, this does not hold them back.
Using their knack for invention, humans have recently developed both devices and magic to augment their limitations. Goggles to protect their eyes and enhance their sight, gloves to let them reach into the hottest fires like grimlings, and more.
Human explorer by CB Ash *
Average Height
5'8" - 6'1" (but it isn't uncommon for some to be shorter or taller)
Average Weight
89 - 255 lbs
Geographic Distribution
Most lands and countries across the world
By Any Other Name
Human variety is best displayed in their names and naming. The wide diversity of human cultures is the source of the wide assortment of their names. Each culture, nation, and land have their own traditions handed down over the generations. These are examples of human names that are found around the world.
Nativan Cultures
Women
Kaya, Susan, Orenda, Emily, Talulah
Men
John, Takoda, Benjamin, Nahawi
Surnames
Riverwind, Smith, Two-Bears, Jefferson
European and Mediterranean Cultures
Women
Eleanor, Sofia, Brigid, Guinevere, Athena, Helena, Zoe, Penelope, Isabella, Lucia, Sofia, Bianca
Men
William, Arthur, Lysander, Gunnar, Leonidas, Nikos, Andreas, Dimitris, Marco, Antonio, Luca, Giovanni
Surnames
du Lac, von Habsburg, MacCarthy, Smith, Papadopoulos, Rossi
African Cultures
Women
Nia, Zola, Amara, Dalia
Men
Jengo, Chijioke, Kwame, Azibo
Surnames
Ngubane, Adeyemi, Baloyi, Mensah
Asian Cultures
Women
Sakura, Yumi, Keiko, Mei, Jia, Huan
Men
Kenji, Taro, Hiroshi, Li, Wei, Jun
Surnames
Watanabe, Nakamura, Saito, Wang, Li, Zhang
Humans, humans, humams .... no one reads the flavor text, because ... well they are humans. However you have made humans an interesting read. Oh and a bubble just roamed by as I am typing this. Love the effects. Another great article for the races of your new world.
Thanks! I have to admit, this writeup on humans is probably one of the TOUGHEST worldbuilding pieces I've ever written.