Humans




Prosperous, adventurous and ever-curious, Humans outnumber most other species 10 to 1 when it comes to a head count. However, they are also the shortest lived species in the world. They also face the most hardships where disease, poison and other such physical weaknesses come calling. Despite these disadvantages, Humans are forever pushing forward as they make their way through time.

Human culture and society is various, colorful and filled with invention which is sometimes hampered by their ever present bouts of superstition. The dangers of the world are never forgotten by most, though some fight to overcome these obstacles while others cower before them. This give and take method has found humanity with less advances in life and learning than the other species found in the world. It is not to say that they aren't good at anything, of course. Many Humans excel in countless different areas, but as a species it seems they sit in middle ground for most occupations and activities.

Depending upon the areas and societies they come from, Humans may tend towards a more Patriarchal social structure. Some do not give their women much room for growth outside of the maternal and home-front ideals. Other human cultures, however, value the female more highly than the male; giving them the comforts of various choices in life and freedom. Those cultures closest to the city of Airialan tend to afford a mix of each of these different outlooks, often times with cultural clashes happening among various humans when they meet. This tendency towards various social structures also factors in to how they view gender, as well as how breeding outside of the species is seen. Some will accept, like and cherish values and ideals that others will not. Some will also value magic while others fear it, with the variable culture's ideals showing in how a mage might handle their talents.

Humans sleep once a day, typically starting towards night-time and waking towards morning. They are the least likely to try to stay awake longer than they should.

If a human beats out the odds weighed against them in life, they might survive to the ripe old age of 90. This has been reached a few times, throughout each culture - and they typically celebrate and revere their elders despite any other cultural differences they may have.

Humans & Magic

For humans, it takes YEARS to harness magical talents, even if they're born with a strong inclination for it. Most will know common magics on different levels, with younger mages being far less powerful than older ones. Those who are well-versed in magic should have one strong talent, with common magic being the basic building blocks of said strong talent. Thus, telekinesis, healing, glamour or low-key elemental manipulation. There will be an opening for necromancy, but at the cost of being an outcast if caught and, of course, with the corruption of the necromancer's own spirit. Humans also run the risk of over taxing themselves quickly - so some have taken to using crystals in which to store energy in. Typically, using the life forces of animals and trapping them in the crystals is the method, though some humans have taken to darker methods - taking after the example of stealing energy from other humans or humanoids as in the stories of the Dream Wraiths.

Humans & Religion

While there is that variety in the Human scheme of the world, many different cultures of humanity view religion in the same fashion - at least within the local stretch of areas surrounding Airialan. Much like the Elves and Faeries, Humans tend to value Nature highly and see it as the height of religion. However, they pay this reverence to a genderless figure referred to as the 'All-Maker', rather than to the idea of Nature itself. They feel that all things stem from this source of divinity, even things like disease and bad luck. Many different sects of Humans believe that ill happenings and situations are a punishment in kind for unsavory actions, though other cultures feel that is a highly outdated view-point. Others believe that retribution for cruelties and inhumanities will be found in the afterlife; a denial of entrance to the Summer Lands is had. There's also the doom to wander the world in spirit form for the rest of time, seeking penance in guiding goodness to the hearts of the hateful and wicked.

For those with goodness in them, and who have been educated by their misdeeds to learn regret for their trespasses; the Summer Lands stay open and welcoming. This is closely akin to the ideals of Heaven or the Elysium Fields; there is not but gentleness and love within the Summer Lands. It is never cold nor is there ever hunger, pain or sickness. There is only joy, eternal youth and the presence of loved ones who have also passed on from life.

For most Humans Cultures, cremation of the dead is the go-to act where funerary rights are involved. This was first conducted in order to prevent disease from spreading in some of the more advanced cultures with understandings towards the such; others tended to pick it up in order to save land-space. Regardless of the reasons, most Humans do practice this; holding large, grand ceremonies for those with loved ones that can afford it. The poorer classes typically have small scale gatherings with private prayers to the All-Maker; requests for the departed to find their way easily to the Summer Lands. While some surviving loved ones will keep the ashes of the departed in decorative urns, others will take the remains and sprinkle them in a place which was special in the departed's life. These actions depend upon the departed's wishes in life, or upon the wants of the family or other such loved ones left behind.

Hybrids are included in these religious outlooks, often times being viewed by Humans as more of their own than the other species they stem from. In the end, it depends on how the Hybrid was raised; if they were raised in a Human fashion - they'd be far more accepted than one raised in a fashion foreign to them.