Humans

Race: Human
Category: Humanoid
Lifespan: 60–90 years

Backstory:

Humans are the most adaptable and widespread race across the continents of Aelyndra. As the first race to emerge, their influence and legacy can be seen throughout history, politics, culture, and inter-species relations. While they lack the natural magical affinity or longevity of elves or the raw physical prowess of races like Oni or Wolfkin, humans are known for their versatility, ambition, and ability to thrive under any condition.

Human civilizations span from small rural villages to massive capital cities, including those under the banner of the Valralorian Republic, the most powerful human political entity in the current age. The Republic is built on unity, innovation, and inter-species diplomacy—though this hasn't always been the case.

In ancient times, humans were both revered and resented due to their unpredictable nature. Some tribes allied with demi-human races; others waged wars against them. As time progressed, however, humans began to intermingle romantically and politically with other races, giving rise to hybrid races such as Half-Elves and Half-Dwarves, and later contributing to the eventual emergence of Evolved Oni.

Over the centuries, inter-species marriages and births have become more stable, occurring primarily for political reasons or genuine love between individuals. The Valralorian Republic, after decades of problems, managed to bring inter-species relationships under control with clear laws and protections for the children and mixed couples.

To the southeast, the Domain of Tides, a powerful oceanic kingdom inhabited by aquatic demi-humans, has followed suit. The seafolk have long had strong cultural ties to humans, particularly those from fishing and coastal communities. Intermarriage between seafolk and humans is now commonplace and even celebrated in some provinces, with human mates often serving important familial or ceremonial roles.

However, not all human kingdoms share these progressive values. To the southwest, the Kingdom of Obsidia has become a festering scar on Valralor’s political landscape. Practicing strict human supremacy, Obsidia openly engages in slavery, capturing and selling demi-humans, with a particular emphasis on Oni and Evolved Oni. The kingdom is notorious for cruelty and corruption, and is despised by nearly every other nation and race.

Obsidia’s slave trade was responsible for one of the most tragic events in recent times, the massacre of Whisperwind Village, home of Akame and Suzuran. Thirteen years ago, a bandit group connected to Obsidia, raided the village in search of Oni to abduct. Upon discovering that there was an Evolved Oni family, the bandits murdered their parents and slaughtered the village. Only Akame and Suzuran survived, with Akame awakening her power during the chaos. She massacred the raiders and fled with her sister to Opal’s Reach.

Intimacy & Relationships:

Human romantic behavior is just as diverse as their culture. From monogamous couples to polyamorous arrangements, humans are capable of forming deep emotional bonds, passionate sexual relationships, and stable families. Their emotions are broader than many other races, allowing them to express vulnerability, love, jealousy, and loyalty in rich, layered ways.

Human males are often seen as single minded, but with a wide range of behaviors depending on background and experience. Some are fiercely protective, others sensitive and romantic. Human men are known for their versatility and ability to form strong emotional connections with partners of nearly any race. Because of this, they are particularly attractive to demi-human females who crave emotional fulfillment alongside physical intimacy.

Human men are also often targeted by demi-human women who desire children, stability, or companionship. This desirability has led to numerous interspecies relationships where the male human becomes the “center” of a multi-partner relationship. He often assumes a leadership or provider role in such relationships.

Human women are sought after across all races due to their diversity, body shapes, and maternal instincts. Female humans are emotionally open and typically seek connection through both romantic gestures and physical touch. In relationships, they are passionate lovers and nurturing mothers.

They are also one of the most commonly chosen partners in cross-race relationships due to their capacity to bond quickly with members of other races. High-Elves often seek out attractive human females for marriage, viewing them as ideal mates for producing beautiful children.

Humans are compatible with almost every humanoid race. While the offspring of these relationships often inherit traits of the non-human parent, the human gene is surprisingly potent and often influences appearance or personality even when not dominant.

It’s not uncommon for demi-human partners to take pride in their child, especially among those who have fallen deeply in love with their human mate. In cases of multi-wife households involving a human male and multiple demi-human females, competition is common, with each wife wanting to bear the first child for status and affection.