amrat wrote:What about humans? Are they "genetically" and society-wise comparable to, let's say, norse people (with Asral probably closest to certain Norse God) at medieval times?
I see humans as being the most diverse and likely more influenced by origin than elves would be. In making a human character, I think the stats that one sets at the beginning ought to reflect that upbringing.
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Arborea:
I see the humans from Arborea reflecting the city: the human capital, the seat of the scribes and skalds, most every trade guild has an outpost there, as well as the central government. I see the humans from Arborea less rugged, more civilized, and more adept at dexterous tasks. Still more rough-and-tumble than a metro-sexual, but in comparison, Arborea would be where one could see a fop (who would die in the wilderness) doing OK for himself. Also these humans at least recognize that the law exists and breaking the law is more of a willful choice than a flippant whim.
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The forest:
There is also the Arborean forest where humans and elves may see one another more and where the rule of law is less enforced. I see the rangers, the Elvandor guard, the Druids, seafarers who venture away from the coast, brigands, the various caves/canyons/hills/slopes making such an upbringing more colorful, yet more harsh than the city. A true duality of law and common sense.
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Coastal Cities:
The more seafaring cities would produce lighter, less civilized (but perhaps more fun) folk: pirates, seafarers, street merchants. Breaking the law here has less consequences and they may be very well surprised about how lawful other cities are.
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The Plains:
The Amward plains are home of the gypsies. There they contend with sneaking darkelves (who must have an encampment somewhere), bugbear and goblin encampments, a roving giant beast that eats what it can catch, and an occasional abduction. To the south, there is the shadow of a the goblinoid controlled city of IronHold, terror filled swamplands, a forest filled with Orcs, Orc shamen, a few undead, and Vittra -- ever read the description of one of these things! Regardless, these nomadic traders would be tough and know how to survive, but they are gypsies! So, they would have to know how to have a good party too.
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The North:
I cannot comment on how those from Asador would be, but I have a few guesses. Usurers, corruption, loan-shark, mob-boss, fence, pimp . . . but maybe these all imply too much order? Regardless, I see then as having more intelligence and dexterity than their barbaric neighbors. I also see them as having a pretty wide mean streak. The barbarians are Asral followers on the edge of the world. They likely live as the inuits/opening 10 minutes of Connan the Barbarian style village/mogols. I see women and men having vastly different roles. I see pride, honor, and feats of strength as being a huge deal. I see the boys having a rite of passage of some sort as well.
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In summary:
These are just ideas and the norms that I see in the areas. At the peripheries,the Gypsies from the plains likely rely on their wisdom and agility, where the humans in Arborea forest rely on a balance, and the tundra barbarians . . . .well, they are barbarians. Surely there is the outcast barbarian that is smaller and weaker, but in general I see humans from the Tundra as being stronger, wiser, but less intelligent than one who grew up in any of the human cites. And surely there is the big dumb stable boy in the city, but their place of origin and their strengths add to RP. The big strong and less intelligent barbarian would be proud and arrogant and be less willing to ever admit that he/she was second class citizen, whereas the big dumb stable boy would have a more difficult time understanding that his size and strength could be turned into assets. Likewise, the small and agile barbarian would more likely take refuge in Asador and carry resentment to those who shunned him. Likewise, women and men would regard each other and themselves differently depending on their origin. Certainly the roles of gender equality will vary – I see the gypsies and maybe the Asadorarians (??) having more equality and the barbarians far less.
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Other ideas:
I Humans born under Arborea, in Elvandor, in Jameteys, in the dwarven city, in Ironhold?? (could there be a human enclave there?), across the seas. I am sure that the poorly treated under-classes from various cities would bring rise to fun up-and-coming sathonites and thieves.
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.