Humans

Humans range across all three landmasses and live in a variety of environments from stifling heat to freezing cold. They are bipedal primates walking on their two rear appendages and using their upper appendages for a variety of grasping and manipulative tasks. They are capable of abstract reason and setting and achieving long term goals.

Like most primates (with the exception of Bobo), Humans are a social species, tending to gather in groups and build complex societies and social networks. Humans are good at exchanging information in a variety of ways including through verbal and written form. Art forms also arise. Like many of the other Sapient species, humans group together in a variety of ways – such groupings is not just through blood kin structure as guilds, clans, and other organizations may easily form.

The technology and crafting level of humans vary greatly from culture to culture. Those dwelling in Ethucan have been quoted as regarding those of Valorn and Kilican as barbaric. Older records of Valorn and Kilican indicate there was once a much higher level of technology and culture.

It is believed most human settlements began as people chose to settle in one place instead of continuing a nomadic, hunter-gatherer tradition. This does not mean humans do not hunt. They do this quite well, and their technology and inventive nature have led to better and better weapons for it. These early settlements were close to water as this was a primary form of transport and an important resource. Arable land and close proximity to other resources were also important considerations. It may be that as settlements grew and interactions between groups was not always favorable, an eye towards defenses against more than wild animals occurred.

Although all humans may interbreed, distinct sub groups have been found. From the three landmasses, individuals will often associate themselves with coming from Ethucan, Valorn, or Kilican. Many of the group identifying themselves as Adventurous have indicated they come from outside these landmasses, including those who come from the now-ruined land known as Kimald. On the average, Adventurous seem to have more variation than the human species they are drawn from. Height and size range can be extreme, as can natural coloration.

The more specific groupings of humans for this guide are explained below in further detail. With the exception of the Mutilated Warrior each appears to be a grouping individuals become a part of due to certain actions, choices, and decisions. They are neither separate species nor breeding populations.

Bandits

These terrestrial pirate kin are found in a variety of locales including the woods north of Dundee and the grasslands near Fartown. Each group has its own organizational structure with the Dundee group appearing more military in nature with various ranks within their hierarchy. This may be due to the fact that individually they tend to be weaker than the ones near Fartown. The environs of Fartown are such that the bandits there are stronger and more likely to act independently.

Crazed Explorers

Survivors from an ill-fated expedition to the crags to the northwest of Fartown, these remnants are dangerous to all but the most prepared traveler. At times, from deep within their chaotic thoughts, the memories of home and hearth seem to revive, and they descend upon Fartown seeking shelter. What caused them to lose their minds is not completely proven, but it is believed to have occurred through their ingesting a native toxic substance that has affected their minds. To date, attempts to reason with them has not borne fruit.

Horrors

Please see separate chapter for more information on these once-human creatures. Horrors

Mercenary Thug and Pickpocket

At times, the human condition is such that individuals will turn outcast from society and operate on their own. Lacking even the organization of such groups as Pirates or Bandits, these individuals lurk in dark, grimy places like the Dundee Sewers and prey on weaker members of Adventurous society.

Mutilated Warrior

Precisely what happened to cause these creatures to come into existence is unknown, but it is believed to be connected with the twisting of the Black Wasteland into the form we see today. They appear to have once been warriors, perhaps patrolling the area, or engaged in battle, when the magic struck. The weapons they bear are corroded almost past use. Although some Adventurous will attempt to use them in battle, they quickly find they are unwieldy and difficult to use compared with modern weaponry.

Pirates

It must be made clear that this entry is for the foul wretched group who prey on others. It is not meant to encompass individuals such as Captain Eldrin Ivanshine the Magic Pirate.

Pirates are opportunistic fighters, who will often attempt to overpower their attackers by coming at them in waves. This is most clearly seen at their wreck site south of Dundee. Due to the difficult nature of the sea near Valorn and Kilican, many have become shipwrecked in various locales. There they attempt to subsist on land-based banditry. At times, they have been known to attack Dundee itself. More frequently they are turned back before advancing too far into the Southern Plains. Pirates have also been reported along the shores of Caernivale and Fartown as well.

While it is hope they are not in league with Balthazar, there are specific accounts detailing them taking advantage of the chaos caused by his attacks. This occurred most recently during his attempt to seal off and ‘darken’ portions of Valorn and Kilican.

Due to the violent lives they lead, it appears that some have become undead – neither passing on into true death nor staying in a living existence. These are discussed further in the portions of this book dealing with the undead.

Prisoner

Deep in Aldwythe’s landing looms a prison deep and wide. You’ll find those who have done wrong, contained firmly inside. Poetical conceit aside, there is much conjecture about the prisoners and prison gang leaders who are pent up in Cory’s cells. Some hold that they are normal prisoners, drawn from across Valorn until their punishment is done. Others state their firm belief that they are the souls of those being punished, who have been enfleshed in Cory’s realm. Whichever it might be, it is clear the guard exist to keep them from exiting the cells, but that within the prison they roam freely sometimes in groups. It is to the guards’ credit that no jailbreaks have been found in recent history.

Townsfolk and others

No work on humans would be complete without making mention of the townspeople and others so many Adventurous fight to protect. They consist of the city and town dwellers, craftspeople, farmers, hunters, shopkeepers, workers and others who populate the towns and countryside (where it’s not populated by things of inordinate size and fierceness). That they succeed in living normal lives is a testament to the adaptability of humans, no matter the circumstances.

(when asked about their thoughts on the fact that some humans are foes)

Angelina Darkwood: “I think I remember being a little shocked coming up again my first pirate, I mean him being a fellow human”

Starling Lackland: “Peepul do be tha best an worst here. Meny be good good frends an oders do be awful fierce fightin when them be baduns. Rather be fightin bad critters than bad peepul. Do be safer cause do be knowin. Hard ta tell wit peepul.”

Yule Long: “I assume they must have been given big promises to turn to the dark side and go against the people”