Humans
After Cataclysm, the remaining humans moved west of the holy mountain and founded a city on the shores of Lake Amber. As they grew in numbers, they attracted the attention of red dragons from the mountains who sought to plunder them. Years of war finally brought the humans victory over the dragons who were sundered on the lake shores. Their bones formed the islands, and the city of Emberwood was rebuilt upon those islands just off the shore.
Since then, humans have spread across the Twin Continents. They are the most prolific of the races, with short lifespans, but rapid birth rates to compensate. Out from Emberwood, they spread across the world, filling every environment and every climate. Humans have learned to adapt to forests, mountains, deserts, islands, shorelines, and everywhere in between.
Due to this proclivity for spreading out, humans have also been the most divisive of the races, subject to bitter quarrels and infighting leading to all-out war. Small differences led to racist attitudes towards other humans, families and languages split apart, and new tribes were formed to be split apart from others. To races like the elves, who value their unity as a race, humans are usually seen as extremely destructive, both to themselves and to others.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Human names are as diverse as humans themselves. As such, many random name generators are appropriate for producing human names. Certain regions of the Twin Continents are based off of certain locales on Earth. For example, the humans of Emberwood speak Central Common, which is closely related to Aurelian, meaning their names are most akin to Swahili languages. Nor'Vagu is based off of far Northern Europe (Norway, Finland, Russia) so their names are inspired by that region. Angdor is a classic European fantasy country, and the far south of Scuros is based on the climate and region of Southeast Asia.
Other names
For other name inspirations, consider the following from the Player's Handbook:
Calishite Names: (Male) Aseir, Bardeid, Haseid.
Khemed. Mehmen. Sudeiman, Zasheir; (female)
Alala, Ceidil. Hama, Jasmal, Meilil, Seipora, Yasheira,
Zasheida; (surnames) Basha, Dumein,Jassan, Khalid.
Moslana. Pashar, Rein
Chondathan Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur,
Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal,
Stedd; (female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri,
Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (surnames)
Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood,
Greycastle, Tallstag
Damaran Names: (Male) Bar, Fadei, Glar, Grigor,
Igan, Ivor, Kosef, MivaI, Orei, Pavel, Sergor; (female)
Alethra, Kara, Katernin, Mara, Natali, Olma, Tana,
Zora; (surnames) Bersk, Chernin, Dotsk, Kulenov,
Marsk, Nemetsk, Shemov, Starag
Illuskan Names: (Male) Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath,
Geth, Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth;
(female) Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga,
Silifrey, Westra; (surnames) Brightwood, Helder.
Hornraven, Lackman, Stormwind. Windrivver
Mulan Names: (Male) Aoth, Bareris, Ehput-Ki,
Kethoth, Mumed, Ramas, So-Kehur, Thazar-De,
Urhur; (female) Arizima, Chathi, Nephis, Nulara,
Murithi, Sefris, Thola, Umara, Zolis; (surnames)
Ankhalab, Anskuld, Fezim, Hahpet, Nathandem,
Sepret, Uuthrakt
Rashemi Names: (Male) Borivik, Faurgar,jandar,
Kanithar, Madislak, Ralmevik, Shaumar, Vladislak;
(female) Fyevarra, Hulmarra, Immith, Imzel,
Navarra, Shevarra, Tammith, Yuldra; (surnames)
Chergoba, Dyernina, Iltazyara, Murnyethara,
Stayanoga, Ulmokina
Shou Names: (Male) An, Chen, Chi, Fai, jiang, Jun,
Lian, Long, Meng, On, Shan, Shui, Wen; (female)
Bai, Chao, Jia, Lei, Mei, Qiao, Shui, Tai; (surnames)
Chien, Huang, Kao, Kung, Lao, Ling, Mei, Pin, Shin,
Sum, Tan, Wan
Turami Names: (Male) Anton, Diero. Marcon, Pieron,
Rimardo, Romero, Salazar, Umbero; (female) Balama,
Dona, Faila, Jalana, Luisa, Marta, Quara, Selise,
Vonda; (surnames) Agosto, Astorio, Calabra, Domine,
Falone, Marivaldi, Pisacar, Ramondo
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
All humans speak Common, which is a single unifying language. The language has since developed multiple dialects based on regions of the world. Around Emberwood and Aurelia, the Common spoken is called Central Common. In Nor'Vagu, Common adopted multiple words and grammar from the Goliath language, making it Northern Common. To the South, Common and Dwarvish produced Southern Common. The clicks and whistles of the Aaracokra to the East helped create Eastern Common. Angdor and Alastar developed Western Common over time with influences from the Tritons. However, all Common follows most of the same rules and have many of the same words.
Culture and cultural heritage
Schools of Magic
Humans were heavily involved in the discovery of Abjuration magic, which is the school of magic that blocks, banishes, and protects. This school focuses heavily on limiting or ending the harmful effects of other magics and extra-planar beings, protecting the weak, and banishing anything evil. Leading up to and during the Great Human-Elf War, Humans received the teachings of Necromancy. As a race closely associated with death, they adopted this school as a way to explore methods of extending their own lives. During the war, it was human necromancers who created the Necrovirus which targeted elven bloodlines and transformed them into fearsome creatures called orcs. They also used the necrovirus to create liches, the soul bound statues, and other horrible inventions of war. After a hundred years of fighting, the humans were horrified by what they had created and completely banned Necromancy from their cities and cultures. To this day, Necromancy is heavily taboo across the entire world.Common Myths and Legends
Humans across the Twin Continents have hundreds of different deities that they pray and worship. The plurality of humans, particularly those closest to Emberwood, believe in Nyrros, the god of the humans. It is believed that Nyrros is the one who created the humans in his same manner as a shepherd and farmer who cares for the land and for the animals.
Other deities are worshipped based on the particular traits of that culture. For example, Nor'Vagu ascribes more worship to Helm, the god of strength. Angdor worships a god of war. The Dathans in the South follow the teachings of Anak.
Major organizations
- Nor'Vagu
- Eimyra
- Angdor
- Alastar
- Karkedon
- Dathan
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