Human

Humans are one of the four civilized races on Auseka.

They are also the youngest, having arrived on the continent a mere 2000 years ago as refugees from the sinking Prem at the beginning of the Dwarven Kingdoms Epoch.

Summary

The humans of Auseka are very much like humans were in the real world during the european middle ages. Keep in mind that just like Europe (or any other place), the world is not uniform. There are differences in attitude, superstitions, customs and laws as well as skin tone, hair colour and body size.

Regional Differences

The continent of Auseka spans a range from a cold, but not frozen, north to an almost tropical south, so it has even more variety than Europe or Northern America. Humans in the north tend to be a little more burly, though in a world dominated by agriculture and with famines not unheard of, you should keep in mind that only the very rich can afford to be fat. Among nobles, only the highest of nobility, because everyone else is still expected to be in shape for battle in case of war.

Humans living in Grasalia, Biesen and Schap are similar to a viking stereotype in body shape and behaviour. Not very talkative, strong and used to the cold, and greatly supportive of family and clan.

Towards the south of Vericum, and in Palan, Sila, Mun and parts of Hampy, most people are of a mediterranean type with darker skin, dark hair and tending more towards the slender, adapted to constant heat in summer and warm winters. Many of them are friendly and talkative, but shallow with strangers.

There are also the influences of dwarves, elves and gnomes. Most humans living near the dwarven kingdoms have come to respect the engineering and building talent of the dwarves, and have become somewhat more technical minded themselves. You can find many areas here where mechanical talent, reliability and being always true to ones word are highly valued. Meanwhile humans in regions influenced by elven culture often (but not always) take some pieces from there. Harmony with nature, using the forest instead of cutting it down, intricate carving art and a calm demeanor can be commonly found there.

Society and Politics

As a society, feudalism is the dominant concept. Every human is connected to someone above and someone below. A peasant owes taxes, often a share of his harvest, to his lord and is responsible for the protection and well-being of his family. His lord owes fealty and in case of war his sword and a number of armed men to his duke or king, and is responsible for the safety of his people and the proper governance of his lands. The king owes royal duties to the gods, ensuring the well-being of his subjects and domain while being able to draw on their military forces and levy taxes. Of course, in most places the system is more complex than this basic outline, with more layers and many more responsibilities, but the basic principle is that everyone gives and receives - taxes are exchanged for protection, land fief are exchanged for military support, work is exchanged for coin. Unlike our modern evaluation, most common folks in this system do no feel oppressed, but understand that they have a position in the system the same as the king does, just that his position is higher.

It is important to understand that there is almost no social mobility in a feudal system. Most humans have personal, realistic goals and dreams in their lives. To find a good wife. To bring up your children successfully. To enlarge the farm. To become a master craftsman. Moving from the countryside into the city is already a huge, life-changing step, similar to moving to another continent in our modern times.