Human
65e2cb1a78a9ad9352b3fa3b29339695.jpg

Humans—sometimes known as the race of Man—are the most common of the races. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. They are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the world, carving kingdoms and shaping the lands to suit them.

A Broad Spectrum


With their penchant for migration and conquest, humans are more physically diverse than other races. There is no typical human. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds. Human skin shades range from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond (curly, kinky, or straight); males might sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. A lot of humans have a dash of nonhuman blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lineages. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live even a single century.

Variety in All Things


Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people among the races. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single human’s memory. They live fully in the present—making them well suited to the adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.

Lasting Institutions


Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the responsibility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret, humans found sacred orders and institutions for such purposes. While dwarf clans and elf elders pass on the ancient traditions to each new generation, human temples, governments, libraries, and codes of law fix their traditions in the bedrock of history. Humans dream of immortality, but they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone.

Although some humans can be xenophobic, in general, their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of humans who live in nonhuman lands.

Exemplars of Ambition


Humans who seek adventure are the most daring and ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. They seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by amassing power, wealth, and fame. More than other people, humans champion causes rather than territories or groups.

Human Names and Ethnicities


Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.

The material culture and physical characteristics of humans can change wildly from region to region. In Baridor, for example, the clothing, architecture, cuisine, music, and literature are different than in the magiocracy of Alaria—and even more distinctive in far-off Pytes. Human physical characteristics, though, vary according to the migrations of nations—such as the expanse of the Cathian Empire, the exodus of the Marianites, the wandering of the Qids, and the exploration of the Taoese—so that the humans of Rockport have every possible variation of coloration and features.

In the Realms of Sothis, nine human ethnic groups are widely recognized—Alarian, Marianite, Montegan, Nidian, Nord, Qid, Surran, Thannonite, and Veldarian—though over a dozen others are found in more localized areas of Schön.

Alarian


Alarians are descended from a mixture of Cathian stocks sprinkled with elvish blood and homogenized over the centuries and show a great deal of diversity. They are generally tall, slim, and brown to beige-skinned, with eyes of brown, blue, or green. Their hair ranges from brown to red, though darker shades of blonde are not unheard of.

Alarian Names: (Male) Alden, Aldred, Algamaine, Danithar, Gilden, Grethophis, Hax, Jerath, Laslos, Lux, Mesaniel, Nemo, Othaniel, Rex, Teroth, Vyris, Zandebast; (female) Andralia, Dilirabith, Lita, Theer, Vyra; (surnames) Di'Caela, Karthax, Lorelander, Mordain, Reel, Rheil

Cho-Tuk


The Cho-Tuk are natives of the Dreadmoore. They have terra-cotta skin, brown hair, and dark brown or black eyes. They are particularly small for humans, most standing just over five-feet.

Cho-Tuk do not have surnames but are known as vo or "child of" followed by their father's name.

Cho-Tuk Names: (Male) Chok, Hayko, Hortu, Koku, Urub, Vok; (female) Eekee, Ogee, Tubu, Ufee, Zeefu

Etraen


Etraens are an unusual race of humans with a wide variety of racial features as the matriarchy enslaves men from a variety of cultures with which to procreate. Etrean women are usually tall, while men, particularly those born in Etrean society, tend to be slight. They have skin ranging from dark to light, hair of brown or black, and occasionally blonde. Their eyes are usually brown, but hazel, green, and blue are seen as well.

Etraen Names: (Male) Azizi, Batrui, Hami, Hashaani, Kamili, Kondi, Rethi, Tabari; (female) Aeisha, Aries, Atiena, Elest, Kella, Merra, Nasha, Nea, Sefua; (surnames) Ajan, Dima, Ekua, Eze, Lekoa, Omiata, Yarili

Marianite


Found throughout the Realms of Sothis, the Baridorians, Dargaulians, and Galdorians are primarily descendants of Maran. They are of moderate height and build, with skin hues ranging from tawny to fair. Their hair and eyes are usually brown, though hazel is common in the noble bloodlines.

Marianite given names are often traditional while surnames are typically occupation-based. Nobles surnames are derived from the regions from which they hail.

Marianite Names: (Male) Arcus, Arist, Aurias, Baelion, Baelrin, Baenon, Bainbridge, Barid, Barish, Bartus, Bedard, Begenald, Blenden, Bon, Brederic, Brynan, Carder, Daelron, Daelyerd, Derian, Dolan, Drae, Draegon, Drenaen, Eumas, Ferus, Gaelin, Gaelus, Gallen, Galvis, Gaulresh, Geoh, Gelid, Grover, Hyderon, Inconicus, Indorian, Joss, Kaegon, Kael, Kalen, Karus, Keor, Lauren, Len, Maerin, Marthanian, Mason, Mel, Milan, Naethon, Obediah, Orel, Overiath, Raethier, Redric, Regenald, Rubbus, Saegus, Sothias, Staed, Surran, Taren, Thalus, Thonn, Torem, Uthus, Vaeldron, Veronaen, Victor, Vinelle, Vohn, Vynen, Ward, William; (female) Aellyn, Aesia, Cora, Everess, Marinda, Rose, Ryleigh, Sinia, Sothis; (surnames) Brand, Barber, Carver, Cartwright, Cooper, Cross, Elderman, Fletcher, Forge, Freeman, Glazier, Greendale, Hawkins, Horner, Joiner, Mercer, Miller, Noreen, Ploughman, Taller, Thaelron, Trapper, Valeman, Vintner, Wayman, Waywalker, Weaver, Windstone; (noble houses) Bloodstone, Crownkeeper, Daybreaker, Dragonslay, Everblade, Fairhope, Faithkeep, Freeholt, Hawkhaven, Heartstone, Highguard, Highhold, Justreaver, Newtimber, Oakheart, Ogresbaen, Overhill, Sealcrest, Stonelake, Strongbow, Truthwarden, Westled, Woodkeep

Montegan


The native humans of Montega are lean and generally shorter than other humans with tawny-skin and dark hair. Their green eyes and smooth cheeks are said to be the mark of elven ancestry.

Montegan given names reflect nature. Montegans living in Baridorian influenced regions sometimes name their children after aspects of the natural world in Cathian.

Montegan Names: (Male) Ash, Baerd, Bear, Brook, Buck, Elmaniel, Fox, Jorren, Kreston, Leaf, Oak, Osiah, Ridge, Roe, Storm, Thamoses, Thunder, Travor, Wick, Zaradhath; (female) Autumn, Bayrn, Cendeigh, Ellan, Habri, Jerrebecca, Leah, Liss, Melody, Massah, Mia, Naria, Nethija, Raven, Sarai, Springwater, Star, Wheldrya, Winter, Wren; (surname) Avid, Cleod, Ebram, Iraan, Mahan, Nalkai, Shan, Sheon, Zedeki

Nidian


Nidians are umber-skinned with dark-brown or black eyes and hair. They have slight builds. They are natives to the region of Nidia south of Dargaul and the Ragnar Mountains.

Nidian Names: (Male) Ayus, Birju, Brahmu, Gagan, Nadhir, Piush, Porrey, Taaraz, Tanju, Zeerin; (female) Ashmi, Bhuvana, Ghodavari, Gori, Meira, Meisha, Nalasha, Navashri, Prani, Sonali, Yara; (surnames) Acharya, Bhakshi, Dhar, Khatri, Laghari, Madan, Massander, Shah

Nord


Nords are tall, fair-skinned folk with blue or steely gray eyes. Most have light-brown or blonde hair, but a few of the western clans boast red hair.

Nord Names: (Male) Bedric, Bore, Bren, Burgo, Clyden, Drusel, Emil, Erric, Farren, Ghondis, Gunther, Krutzer, Ludwin, Menon, Oederic, Oingal, Orn, Saorgomann, Stephön, Svirindane, Thorindale, Thoringal, Urthen, Welhiem, Wellim, Weromann, Würtoff; (female) Ara, Æona, Dulphia, Fran, Halga, Hune, Kara, Sefja; (surnames) Boro, Farnstall, Heimrem, Martron, Merrith; (noble surnames) Mön Caraven, Mön Hermus, Mön Martyn, Mön Martyre, Mön Mastion, Mön Menan, Mön Merrith

Pytian


Pytians are dark-skinned, ranging from brown to sepia. They have dark hair and eyes. Most Pytians are tall and muscular. They are natives of the desert regions south of the western Ragnar Mountains.

Pytian Names: (Male) Ahkmet, Aliek, Hezrah, Khalid, Khemed, Sarendiq; (female) Atala, Chione, Dalilah, Jasmal, Kissa, Methina, Zasheida; (surnames) Al-Aamer, Al-Kindi, Al-Lilji, Al-Rhi, Antar, Bin-Hadir, El-Habib, El-Moeen, Hajjar, Seif

Qid


Qids have tawny to dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes. Known as travelers and gypsies, they’re found throughout Schön, but trace their ancestry south of the Ragnar Mountains.

Quidish names have routs south of the Ragnar Mountians, but they often borrow names from the cultures they visit.

Qid Names: (Male) Bast, Haseid, Khol, Mehmen, Ramm, Sef, Torish; (female) Allia, Ceidil, Hama, Meilil, Seipora, Yasheira; (surnames) Basha, Dumein, Jassan, Mostana, Pashar, Rein

Surran


Surrans are known to hail from the Ragnar Mountains where few other humans live. They are tawny skinned with pale eyes of hazel and blue and have hair ranging from blonde to medium brown. Surrans have moderate builds, though some are extremely tall.

SurranNames: (Male) Khuri, Kuvakar, Sahsha; (female) Alaina, Hagartha, Ivahn; (surnames) Ahkad, Khan, Vladshi, Yshak

Taoese


Taoese are natives of the far west, beyond the Andoran Mountains, though their ancestors settled there from a distant land. They are bronze-toned with black hair and dark eyes. Taoese surnames are usually presented before the given name.

Taoese surnames are often given before the given name.

Taoese Names: (Male) An, Chen, Chi, Fai, Jiang, Jun, Lian, Long, Meng, Mii, On, Shan, Shui, Wen; (female) Bai, Chao, Jia, Lei, Mei, Qiao, Shui, Tai; (surnames) Chien, Huang, Kao, Kung, Lao, Ling, Mei, Pin, Shan, Shin, Sum, Tan, Wan

Thannonite


Thannonites are slender, tawny-skinned folk with thick, black hair and eyes, but no facial hair. Most are tall compared to other humans. They are natives of the Plains of Thannon.

Thanonites don't use surnames, but may give the name of a parent of their village.

Thanonite Names: (Male) Palemoon, Runningbear, Swiftpaw; (female) Brooksong, Cloudchaser, Silvershade

Veldarian


Velderians are generally lean with medium builds and have brown eyes, though green and hazel are seen as well. Their skin tones range from fawn to tawny and their hair is brown or red.

Veldarian Names: (Male) Borren, Brant, Devlin, Dragian, Dravan, Dran, Drin, Duran, Dwyer, Finn, Finnius, Frantz, Garthwyn, Keagan, Lor, Mandarian, Meliun, Midian, Rand, Rigley, Sheidioüs, Yopan; (female) Conni, Feona, Garebella, Gwyned, Heiraquin, Kayla, Maivis, Phy, Vierah, Warrina; (surnames) Darklund, Darron, Dragomann, Egil, Elren, Marin, Mylin, Nightlund, Nydalian, Redler, Seawarg


Human Traits

It’s hard to make generalizations about humans, but your human character has these traits.

  • Ability Score Increase. Your ability scores each 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 the 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 Cathian (or the common tongue of your people) and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects.

Variant Human Traits

If your campaign uses the optional Feat rules, your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of which replace the human’s Ability Score Increase trait.

  • Ability Score Increase. Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.
  • Skills. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
  • Feat. You gain one feat of your choice.
Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License