Freefolk

"Arrogant, egotistical, eager, short-sighted... And the worst part: They have every right to be that way. With their short lifespan and what they have accomplished in mere seven centuries is... to some extent, quite admirable. They have waged more wars than us in a millenia, and conquered more lands instead of practising the lands own traditions. I am afraid, that we're at the point of having no other choice than to be associated with them, or to be wiped out." ~High Elven archmage, Caeldenhesis Yaèldren.

Freefolk, also known as humans are a race with a history covered in myths. As a sentient race that lives on average about 60 years, oral tradition and history changed many times when the "Freefolk" were still slaves to the slave-empire of Ancient Phorexia. However, after a slave revolt that ended up destroying and nearly wiping out every known Yuan-ti the Freefolk have indeed shown their claws.

Ingenuity

Freefolk owe their proud tradition of blacksmithing and sword-forging to the slave rebellion and consider swords their proudest accomplishment. Often times forgetting the original people who thought them how to craft swords, the silhouette of a sword is a symbol of freedom and conquest for the Freefolk. As a relatively primitive race on the first decades living without their masters, humans soon learned boat-building and even ship-making and built strong and sturdy ships that could cross the Herald Sea all the way into Bravallon.

"I dunnae, lad... See this? This feckin' sword is one of those "Delivered Steel" zealots. It took me decades-... DECADES to learn me craft an' to wear the apron I wear today. And now you come 'ere to tell me that the snotlings living in Old Godivan have almost equal skill?!" ~Dwarven Smith Urraon of Deepburrow.

Conquest

Partly an inherent feature, partly from their time as slaves the Freefolk are never again willing to kneel to a foreign power. This has lead to them warring against many natives of different lands, and in erecting their own Empires, Kingdoms and settlements throughout known Taurua. However, the lust of power for a race with such a short lifespan cannot be truly sated even with that acquired from outsiders, and the Freefolk are known to have complicated political affairs and to war between their own kingdoms and empires for ultimate control.

"Bring your Captain this message, and make sure to remember everything or we will carve it onto you and leave you for others to find; This is our land, you are the intruders. You have destroyed our places most sanctified, you have delved into knowledge that was not meant for you and that should not exist in this world. We will not back down, but we already know that neither will you. Know that where you control the grasslands and open landscapes, the deep forests always have eyes eager to watch you."
"You really think that is supposed to send shivers down our spines? Screw off, blade-ear!"
"...Hold him still, I'll send the message myself. Let's begin with his scalp." ~Wood Elven Elder, Graan-Terak-Vun-Rahkin.

Peace

Through the work of a great paladin who is considered a hero of Freefolk, humanity's inner warmaking has come to a halt for now. With the rise of the Founding Church and the pilarism it brought with it, many political powers stabilized over times. Instead of stalking over their neighbors lands and weaknesses, they focused on making their own lands prosperous and on ruling with their definition of righteousness. However, it is questioned if the discovery of Wildlands in the end had more impact on this sudden forging of peace than the faith of the Founding Church.

Related Ethnicities

• Bravallian
• Knavefolk
• Phorexian