Beneath the sprawling canopy of the ancient forests, a caravan wound its way through a narrow, twisting path. Brightly painted wagons creaked and groaned, their wooden wheels crunching over fallen leaves. At the head of the line, a young human named Alaric rode atop a sturdy chestnut horse, his eyes scanning the dense underbrush. His skin was bronzed from many months spent beneath the sun, his black hair tied back with a simple leather thong. Every so often, he would glance back at his companions, a mix of faces reflecting every hue and heritage of humanity—fair-haired Landrians, dark-skinned Nubindi, tall and imposing Yurvonians, and nimble Sholeon riders.
As the caravan approached a small clearing, Alaric signaled a halt. He slid off his horse and landed lightly on his feet, moving with the easy grace of one who had spent a lifetime navigating the wilderness. The others dismounted and began to set up camp, each person falling into their familiar roles without a word needing to be spoken. A Nubindi woman named Aisha, with skin like polished mahogany and eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the desert, began to prepare a pot of spicy stew over a crackling fire. A Sholeon man named Temur, his lithe frame wrapped in fur-lined leathers, unstrapped his bow and checked its tension, his gaze flickering to the surrounding trees.
Alaric looked around at his companions, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. This was humanity at its best—diverse, adaptable, and fiercely determined. They were survivors and innovators, drawn together by a shared purpose and a desire to explore the world around them. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Alaric knew that, despite their differences, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead together. And that, he thought, was the true strength of humanity: their ability to forge bonds, overcome obstacles, and thrive in the face of adversity.
It is said that humans were the last race created by Ang before the Divine War and the end of the Age of Gods. They were fashioned to be adaptable and able to survive the changes that would come to pass within the world. Humans are known to be great innovators and pioneers, driven by a will to survive, achieve, and expand unlike any other race, and can be found all over the world.
The Spice of Life
If "Variety is the Spice of Life," then humans have it in abundance. Their appearance varies widely, unlike the other races, who have common facial features or skin colors. Humans can have pale to dark skin, and their hair color can range from blond, black, auburn, to red. Facial features of humans can range from soft to sharp, and many characteristics depend on a human's heritage. However, it is not uncommon for random traits to appear within children. Over a millennium has passed since the rebirth and the displacement of the races, so it would not be strange to find a dark-skinned person from the island of Landora or a blonde-haired person from the city-states of Nubindi.
The same can be said for personalities. Whereas other races have common personality traits, humans can be quirky and varied in personalities. Some are reserved and calm, while others are wild and carefree. Some are good and honorable, while others are violent and selfish.
A Myriad of Cultures
Humans are currently divided into six main ethnicities, each with its unique customs and traditions. The Landrians are the people who dwell upon the Island of Landora, the Sholeon and Yurvonians roam the lands of Ketosa, the Nubindi are the city-states that sit upon the northern coast of the great deserts of Rashira, the Escali are situated upon the continent of Sunara, and the Cimmir are known for their nomadic lifestyle. War between the human nations is currently uncommon, though that has not always been the case. Most confrontations are settled through politics and subterfuge. However, there are still animosities and distrust between some of the races, and old rivalries are not easily forgotten.
HUMAN RACIAL TRAITS
Ability Score Increase. Choose two different ability scores to increase by 1.
Age. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.
Alignment. Humans tend toward no particular alignment. The best and worst are found among them.
Size. Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Landrian (the common language of Tavomia) and your cultural language. If you are a Landrian human, you may choose one additional language of your choice instead of a cultural language.
Versatility. Gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
Cultural Feats. Humans have a diverse range of cultural feats available, each reflecting the unique heritage and skills of their various cultures. At character creation, you may choose a cultural feat that aligns with your heritage, granting additional ability score increases and special abilities. For a detailed list of available cultural feats, refer to the Cultural Feats article.
Optional Rule: General Feat Selection
As an optional rule, instead of selecting a cultural feat, a human character may choose to take a general feat available from the rule books. This choice allows for additional customization and can be used to better fit a character concept or build. If this option is chosen, the character does not gain the benefits of a cultural feat and instead gains the benefits of the selected general feat.
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