Fiery Justice
2009-06-22, 05:21 PM
I was trying to think of a view of humanity in a fantasy world that was fairly close to normal without being too humano-centric. So I wrote up what I thought of and here it is, open to criticisms.
Humans
Among the short-lived races of the world, there dwell the humans. They are a prolific race, much as the orcs or the goblins are, and can be found in almost any corner of the world, though they dominate only the plains. Tallish day-walkers of middling intellect and strength, humanity distinguishes itself by its curiosity and its religion.
Humans distinguish themselves among the races in their tendency towards focused worship. Few humans offer more then lip service to more then one god. They are more likely to pay their focused devotions to a god of death or of agriculture, these two factors dominating the average human life. Still, you can find dedicated cults of worship to any known god in most major cities.
Humans have a tendency to be dogmatic religiously and to frown upon arcane magic which puts off many other races, who tend to view humans as fools or cosmic brown-nosers. Human churches are also known for their many rituals or laws which cause disruptions in the daily interactions with those of dissimilar faiths. However many races have great respect for the will and devotion humans have toward the divine, and more respect the power that it grants them.
Curious as they are, humanity is known for its explorers and scholars, who are willing to dedicate their lives to the simple act of learning. Though they are not above using their knowledge to their advantage, few among those who pursue knowledge do so for that purpose. Every new horizon or unanswered question is a challenge to humanity, an affront.
This has led to many complications over the years as humanity's curiosity has pushed it into places where it does not belong, the lands and homes of other, stronger (or worse, weaker) races. It has lead to much theft, cruelty, and war. It has also revealed secrets long buried, answered ancient mysteries and reshaped the world for the better. But, while humanity considers it worth it, human curiosity has won few friends.
Human society is almost always stratified into classes based on birth, with very little or no movement in between except during times of great crises, which tend to wrack the race every seven or eight generations. Still, each crises seems to increase mobility a little bit and the rulers cycle fast enough that no individual tyrant has yet ruined the race.
Human heroes are generally stereotyped as devout, hard-working, open-minded and skilled in many areas as opposed to expert in any particular area. Oddly for a stratified race, heroes may spring from any background to win acceptance and renown if their deeds are heroic enough and they don't step on too many toes.
Humans
Among the short-lived races of the world, there dwell the humans. They are a prolific race, much as the orcs or the goblins are, and can be found in almost any corner of the world, though they dominate only the plains. Tallish day-walkers of middling intellect and strength, humanity distinguishes itself by its curiosity and its religion.
Humans distinguish themselves among the races in their tendency towards focused worship. Few humans offer more then lip service to more then one god. They are more likely to pay their focused devotions to a god of death or of agriculture, these two factors dominating the average human life. Still, you can find dedicated cults of worship to any known god in most major cities.
Humans have a tendency to be dogmatic religiously and to frown upon arcane magic which puts off many other races, who tend to view humans as fools or cosmic brown-nosers. Human churches are also known for their many rituals or laws which cause disruptions in the daily interactions with those of dissimilar faiths. However many races have great respect for the will and devotion humans have toward the divine, and more respect the power that it grants them.
Curious as they are, humanity is known for its explorers and scholars, who are willing to dedicate their lives to the simple act of learning. Though they are not above using their knowledge to their advantage, few among those who pursue knowledge do so for that purpose. Every new horizon or unanswered question is a challenge to humanity, an affront.
This has led to many complications over the years as humanity's curiosity has pushed it into places where it does not belong, the lands and homes of other, stronger (or worse, weaker) races. It has lead to much theft, cruelty, and war. It has also revealed secrets long buried, answered ancient mysteries and reshaped the world for the better. But, while humanity considers it worth it, human curiosity has won few friends.
Human society is almost always stratified into classes based on birth, with very little or no movement in between except during times of great crises, which tend to wrack the race every seven or eight generations. Still, each crises seems to increase mobility a little bit and the rulers cycle fast enough that no individual tyrant has yet ruined the race.
Human heroes are generally stereotyped as devout, hard-working, open-minded and skilled in many areas as opposed to expert in any particular area. Oddly for a stratified race, heroes may spring from any background to win acceptance and renown if their deeds are heroic enough and they don't step on too many toes.