Post by Trippy Hare on May 4, 2006 20:52:29 GMT -5
The Human race, or as they call themselves, "Terrans", is far and wide the most common in Eshathar. Possessing few magical talents, nor natural weapons, nor built-in survival instincts, humans outside of Waeleden have a very difficult time carving out a living for themselves, and few are thus seen anywhere else. They are almost universally considered inferior, and the word 'human' itself is considered an expletive in many nonhuman kingdoms. Along the frontier, however, terrans are seen in a much less derogatory light, as frontier life is not gentle enough to allow people of any race enough free time to devote to hating each other. Terran adaptation has carved villages and larger townships in almost every environment, making terran villages a popular destination for caravans needing resupply...and in some parts of the world, the only available resupply.
Despite these glaring weaknesses, humans are remarkably clever and innovative, adapting to new environments and situations rapidly or developing apparatuses or machines to perform nearly any imaginable task. Voracious consumers of both materials and knowledge, human habitations need to expand constantly to provide their ever-increasing populace with enough food, fuel, and raw materials. This is the predominant reason humans are seen with such distaste, though their incredible numbers rival the Stygian and their intelligence rivals the Elves. Humanity has responded to the patronizing manner in which they are seen by others with an almost fanatic Egocentrism. While others consider them inferior, childish, and dirty, they see themselves as the absolute pinnacle of life, and all others as pathetic imitations.
Although this adaptability makes humans remarkably skilled at any task they set out to do, their short lifespans, constant infighting, and dichotomous nature prevents them from truly excelling. For example, they are skilled metalsmiths, but nowhere near the skill of the Dwarves. They are excellent archers, but cannot compete with an Avian. In short, humans as a race are jacks-of-all-trades, masters-of-none. Again, along the frontier these discrepancies aren't viewed as problematically. A caravan of starving elves or dwarves or Canids will welcome the sight of any village...and on the frontier, it is a terran village nine times out of ten.
Though human settlements are far and wide, only one human kingdom exists: Waeleden. Deluged by propaganda from birth, Wael humans see themselves, and their king, as divinely inspired and created. Wael humans have been known to encroach into other kingdoms and territories, in order to strip them of minerals, crops, etc.- or to simply burn to the ground any resources they cannot use, in order to deprive other kingdoms of them. Waels also run a thriving slave trade, either selling captives to criminal Guilds orworking them to death in Wael mines. These loathsome activities have earned Wael humans the epithet "Roaches", and has led to numerous and bloody conflicts with Canids on several occasions.
Not all humans share the same fanaticism as the majority of their race, and often separate themselves from it. Most adventurers and mercenaries are human. There are humans living in Failewyn, Doshor Avaroth, and even Krelyst Kain, using the rapid-adaptation that is the definition of the Human race to their advantage. Terran caravans are a common sight along the Gargassun, and Terran farms can be foud just about anywhere. The Terrans as a people have spread much farther than any other, and for the most part, have not gone out of their way seeking trouble save a few isolated incidents.
Despite these glaring weaknesses, humans are remarkably clever and innovative, adapting to new environments and situations rapidly or developing apparatuses or machines to perform nearly any imaginable task. Voracious consumers of both materials and knowledge, human habitations need to expand constantly to provide their ever-increasing populace with enough food, fuel, and raw materials. This is the predominant reason humans are seen with such distaste, though their incredible numbers rival the Stygian and their intelligence rivals the Elves. Humanity has responded to the patronizing manner in which they are seen by others with an almost fanatic Egocentrism. While others consider them inferior, childish, and dirty, they see themselves as the absolute pinnacle of life, and all others as pathetic imitations.
Although this adaptability makes humans remarkably skilled at any task they set out to do, their short lifespans, constant infighting, and dichotomous nature prevents them from truly excelling. For example, they are skilled metalsmiths, but nowhere near the skill of the Dwarves. They are excellent archers, but cannot compete with an Avian. In short, humans as a race are jacks-of-all-trades, masters-of-none. Again, along the frontier these discrepancies aren't viewed as problematically. A caravan of starving elves or dwarves or Canids will welcome the sight of any village...and on the frontier, it is a terran village nine times out of ten.
Though human settlements are far and wide, only one human kingdom exists: Waeleden. Deluged by propaganda from birth, Wael humans see themselves, and their king, as divinely inspired and created. Wael humans have been known to encroach into other kingdoms and territories, in order to strip them of minerals, crops, etc.- or to simply burn to the ground any resources they cannot use, in order to deprive other kingdoms of them. Waels also run a thriving slave trade, either selling captives to criminal Guilds orworking them to death in Wael mines. These loathsome activities have earned Wael humans the epithet "Roaches", and has led to numerous and bloody conflicts with Canids on several occasions.
Not all humans share the same fanaticism as the majority of their race, and often separate themselves from it. Most adventurers and mercenaries are human. There are humans living in Failewyn, Doshor Avaroth, and even Krelyst Kain, using the rapid-adaptation that is the definition of the Human race to their advantage. Terran caravans are a common sight along the Gargassun, and Terran farms can be foud just about anywhere. The Terrans as a people have spread much farther than any other, and for the most part, have not gone out of their way seeking trouble save a few isolated incidents.