Humans
Humans are not as hardy as the immortal fay, being given to sickness and age. Nor are they as crafty as the underfolk, being slow to develop the crafts of alchemy and lore of natural philosophy. Yet humanity has one gift that surpasses every other: war.
Humankind is built for war. The crafts they have learned from dwarves and elves have been turned ingeniously to this purpose. They breed and mature quickly to resupply their cities with men and women, replacing those lost to hardship. They are fierce, doughty, and brave. Using their arts of war, mankind has conquered much of the Wide World. They are the conquering kings, proud and terrible.
Even so, they are fractious. Humanity has never united themselves under a single banner (though various warlords have attempted the feat). Matters of philosophy, religion, or blood will divide them—as will ambition. Therefore, the power of men is spread through a handful of notable empires and hundreds of petty kingdoms.
Still, humans display many praiseworthy traits. They are loyal folk, lauding fidelity as the most noble of virtues. They long remember the deeds of their fathers in song and story, and strive to emulate them. This, in turn, creates a drive to win glory and renown for their families. Their communities are strengthened by this desire for fame, as they eschew the unworthy for fear of bringing shame to their lineage. Indeed, few folk are more fiercely protective of their kith and kin than mankind. They have a great capacity for kindness, for all their ferocity.
A myth of humankind
The Monad is one. The Monad is many.
Like a sky scattered with many constellations; like a building with many sides; the Monad has many faces that all reflect the greater truth of His unity.
It was the prophet Mythrys who taught us these mysteries (praise be unto him). It was Maiden Wisdom who gave him birth (blessed be her name).
Mythrys taught us that the many gods honored by the different great houses were all emanations of the one true god. This one true god is called the Monad.
Mythrys taught that the Monad has twenty-one separate emanations. And, though maidens might pray to the Lovers for aid in love, and warriors might pray to the Strong for aid in battle, all prayers and honor are ultimately going to Him. For men have limited perceptions, and see many faces where there is but one.
Human names
Male names:
Addam, Alesander, Bennard, Carl, Dafyd, Edric, Fenton, Gregor, Jack, Justinius, Kevyn, Lews, Marq, Omer, Polliver, Reynard, Robin, Samwell, Sylvestris, Tybalt, Usher, Zachery
Female names:
Alanys, Brenda, Catlyn, Colette, Dion, Eleanor, Imogen, Janna, Jonquil, Kaya, Lanna, Marla, Olivia, Regan, Rhonda, Saera, Sybelle, Tanselle, Ursula, Violet, Walda
Every human is a member of a kinship group called a house. Humans either introduce themselves by saying “of House X,” or by simplifying their house name into a surname. There are hundreds of houses active in the City; six examples on the following page.
Human kin
Humans divide the world into two parts: us and them. They do this by forming great and noble houses. They bind themselves together through marriage, love, and oaths. They fly beautiful banners over their keeps and display proud coats of arms on their crafts. They are instilled with a respect of certain virtues from a young age. Even the basest born and most wretched slave children are born where some banner flies. Two humans with the same house are of the same kin. They might not be directly related, but they probably know each other.
Human characters begin the game with the following talent:
Kin talent: Proud and Ancient
Describe or draw the sigil of your house. Write the motto of your house.
When your house sigil or motto is dramatically appropriate for an action being attempted, you test fate with favor.
Additionally, during Challenges, you may spend a Resolve and use the Speak Incantation action to cry your motto aloud. You—and all members of your house that hear your war cry—gain favor on their next action.