Post by Codex on Jan 16, 2017 8:42:05 GMT
The Book of Humans
Government
1. The humans are ruled by a king.
2. Men and Women are on equal footing – in marriages the partner from the smaller family will take the name of the greater and the first born inherits the family wealth.
3. Slavery is extremely common.
4. If you want to overthrow the government, stage a coup. Otherwise the Crowned King or Queen rules until they dies and then their firstborn becomes the new ruler.
5. All transactions sanctioned by the Crown must be done in copper, silver, or gold coins marked with the seal of the Crown.
6. There are policemen, called hounds, that patrol the city streets. It is not against the law for them to take bribes to look away from certain crimes…But only those crimes that will not disturb the greater peace. They tend to ignore abuse or crimes committed against non-humans.
7. Humans desire power. As a result, their government is corrupt. It is a fact, and a commonly known one.
8. There are two worlds; the political one and the poor one. The poor one mixes with shapeshifters and other unseemly characters. Crime rate is high and your life is constantly in danger. The political world is just as dangerous. Only those who exist in the middle (merchants, mostly) are relatively safe.
Spirituality
1. Humans do not care about the balance of nature. They care about themselves.
2. They do have faith in the gods of Litharia.
3. Rather than worshiping all of the gods, humans choose a patron god or goddess to pay homage to. The other gods, they simply respect. Disrespecting any god is bad luck.
4. Humans pray and burn incense to their patron god or goddess to give thanks and ask for blessings.
5. Each city has a temple for each god.
6. Gods have priests and goddesses have priestesses.
7. Temples are always neutral places. Anyone can go there for help and be kept safe. They are sanctuaries of peace. This is true even if you are a criminal, shapeshifter, or both.
8. Priests and priestesses may not couple with priests and priestesses of other gods.
Culture
1. Marriages are most often arranged and viewed as a contract to better one or both families. Unions based upon love are an unseemly fad among young humans and little more.
2. Because unions have so little to do with love or attraction, discrete affairs (including same sex couplings) are not uncommon. They are by no means encouraged but so long as it stays behind closed doors and the affairs are only between HUMANS, most people will turn a blind eye.
3. Bastard children are disgraceful, and even worse when born to an unwed woman. Most of them will be killed as infants, usually by their own mother or her family.
4. The Human Language was brought over from the Human's native land and, compared to the rest of Litharian languages, is absurdly complicated.
5. Most Humans will speak in the common language, but anyone who has been raised within the City or Spirit will have at least a cursory understanding of the Human tongue.
6. Humans who have become another species are worse than dead.
7. Slaves do not count as Human.
8. The Fae are wicked. Daemons are barbaric. Shapeshifters are mere animals. Treat them as such.
Biology
1. Humans have the shortest lifespan, but they breed like bunnies and therefore outnumber the other species .
2. They have an extremely malleable biology. It is possible for them to be changed into Fae, Shifters, or Daemons.
3. They are weaker than the other species, but are more mentally stable.
4. They do not have magic built into them like the others do. Instead, they wield magic by using objects infused with fae blood. These artifacts are made at the temples and readily available for purchase.
5. Humans do not tire from using magic since it does not come from them.
6. They tend to be easier to kill.
7. Humans tend to be drawn towards a specific type of magic. They will feel a shock the first time they touch an artifact with that particular type of magic.
8. The physical endurance of a human is better than that of the fae, but less than that of the daemons and the shapeshifters.
9. Humans can live to about 100 years, maximum.
The Human Laws
1. Every man will pay taxes to the king.
2. Every noble mother will offer their first born child, regardless of gender, to serve the royal army. Any children born after the first may join voluntarily. Only the elite will earn knighthood.
3. Do not steal.
4. Do not murder.
5. Do not rape that which does not belong to you.
6. If you damage another man’s property, you must repay him in kind.
7. Do not make your own money. Money that is not stamped with the official sealed is illegal. Anyone using it is subject to arrest.
The Practices of the Humans
Sky Mages
1. Sky mages worship the god Sekme.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of silver jewelry, usually a bracelet.
3. Sky mages tend to be exceptionally kind or extraordinarily cold.
4. Any natural hair color is possible.
5. Blue, gray, and green eyes are the most common. You will never see a sky mage with brown eyes.
6. All sky mages are fair or olive skinned.
7. The average height of a sky mage is 5’2.
8. Sky mages have elemental magic revolving around air.
Fire Mages
1. Fire mages worship the goddess Fayree.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of copper jewelry, usually an ear ring.
3. Fire mages tend to be exceptionally extroverted and/or extraordinarily moody.
4. Black, red, and blonde hair are the most common. You will never see a fire mage with brown hair.
5. Green and hazel are the possible eye colors.
6. All fire mages are fair skinned.
7. The average height of a fire mage is 4’9.
8. Fire mages have elemental magic revolving around fire.
Water Mages
1. Water mages worship the god Witavir.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of bronze jewelry, usually a necklace.
3. Water mages tend to be exceptionally emotional and/or extraordinarily sentimental.
4. Red, black, and brown hair are the most common. You will never see a water mage with blonde hair.
5. Brown and Green are the possible eye colors.
6. All skin colors are possible.
7. The average height of a water mage is 4’10.
8. Water mages have elemental magic revolving around water.
Known Water Mages:
Queen Arik Hanna
Prince Rayyan of Nehan
Earth Mages
1. Earth mages worship the goddess Emareth.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of gold jewelry, usually a ring.
3. Earth mages tend to be exceptionally calm and/or extraordinarily stubborn.
4. All earth mages have red hair.
5. All natural eye colors are possible.
6. All earth mages are dark skinned.
7. The average height of a earth mage is 5’4.
8. Earth mages have elemental magic revolving around earth.
White Sorcerers
1. White sorcerers worship the goddess Biodenae.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a crystal pendant.
3. White sorcerers tend to be exceptionally intellectual and/or extraordinarily superficial.
4. All white sorcerers have blonde hair.
5. Brown and green are the possible eye colors.
6. Ivory, fair, and black are the possible skin colors.
7. The average height of a white sorcerer is 5’6.
8. White sorcerers have ambient magic revolving around the force of life.
Light Sorcerers
1. Light sorcerers worship the god Lemgarit.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a carnelian pendant.
3. Light sorcerers tend to be exceptionally rebellious and/or extraordinarily hot-tempered.
4. All hair colors are possible.
5.All eye colors are possible.
6. Brown, fair, and ivory are the possible skin colors.
7. The average height of a light sorcerer is 6’0.
8. Light sorcerers have ambient magic revolving around the force of light.
Black Sorcerers
1. Black sorcerers worship the god Sezorel.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a pearl pendant.
3. Black sorcerers tend to be exceptionally deep and/or extraordinarily over-sensitive.
4. Blonde and brown are the possible hair colors.
5.Brown and green are the possible eye colors.
6. Ivory, olive, and black are the possible skin colors.
7. The average height of a black sorcerer is 5’6.
8. Black sorcerers have ambient magic revolving around the force of spirit.
Dark Sorcerers
1. Dark sorcerers worship the goddess Dalyknos.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of an onyx pendant.
3. Dark sorcerers tend to be exceptionally practical and/or extraordinarily possessive.
4. Black and red are the possible hair colors.
5. All dark sorcerers have brown eyes.
6. Fair, olive, and black are the possible skin colors.
7. The average height of a black sorcerer is 5’4.
8. Dark sorcerers have ambient magic revolving around the force of darkness.
Known Dark Sorcerers:
King Thrasius of Nehan
Prince Thyrsis of Nehan
Prince Martyn of Nehan
Princess Zyanya of Nehan
Morrigan
Avian Shamans
1. Avian shamans worship the goddess Reikuani.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of an feathered band, usually a headband.
3. Avian shamans tend to be exceptionally communicative and/or extraordinarily vicious.
4. All avian shamans have brown hair.
5. All eye colors are possible.
6. All avian shamans are olive skinned.
7. The average height of an avian shaman is 5’3.
8. Avian shamans have animal magic revolving around birds or the myths and legends of birds. Magical abilities connected specifically to certain species can only be gained by characters influenced by that species.
Known Avian Shamans:
Keziah Hath
Reptilian/Insectoid Shamans
1. Reptilian shamans worship the Goddess.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of snakeskin gloves or boots.
3. Reptilian shamans tend to be exceptionally passionate and/or extraordinarily snappy.
4. All reptilian shamans have black hair.
5. All eye colors are possible.
6. All skin colors are possible.
7. The average height of a reptilian shaman is 4’11.
8. Reptilian shamans have animal magic revolving around reptiles or the myths and legends of reptiles. Magical abilities connected specifically to certain species can only be gained by characters influenced by that species.
Aquatic Shamans
1. Aquatic shamans worship the goddess Reimee.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a seal hide clothing item or shark tooth pendent.
3. Aquatic shamans tend to be exceptionally nurturing and many are escapists.
4. Blonde, brown, and red are the possible hair colors.
5. All aquatic shamans have blue eyes.
6. All aquatic shamans have ivory skin.
7. The average height of an aquatic shaman is 5’6.
8. Aquatic shamans have animal magic revolving around aquatic creatures or the myths and legends of aquatic creatures. Magical abilities connected specifically to certain species can only be gained by characters influenced by that species.
Mammalian Shamans
1. Mammalian shamans worship the God.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of stuffed tails.
3. Mammalian shamans tend to be exceptionally hard working and/or extraordinarily jealous.
4. All hair colors are possible for this breed.
5. Brown and green are the possible eye colors.
6. All skin colors are possible.
7. The average height of a mammalian shaman is 5’9.
8. Mammalian shamans have animal magic revolving around mammals or the myths and legends of mammals. Magical abilities connected specifically to certain species can only be gained by characters influenced by that species.
Scholars
1. Scholars worship the goddess Seree (Fate).
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a quill.
3. Scholars tend to be exceptionally social or extraordinarily insensitive.
4. All scholars have blonde hair
5. Gray and brown are the possible eye colors.
6. Ivory and fair are the possible skin colors.
7. The average height of a scholar is 5’8.
8. Scholars have skill magic revolving around the scholarly arts.
Known Scholars:
Matthias Ezer Omri
Warriors
1. Warriors worship the god Ortalisen.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a sword.
3. Warriors tend to be exceptionally enthusiastic and/or extraordinarily uncontrollable.
4. Black and brown are the possible hair colors.
5. All warriors have hazel eyes.
6. All skin colors are possible.
7. The average height of a warrior is 6’1.
8. Warriors have skill magic revolving around the battle arts.
Bards
1. Bards worship the god Tataryn.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a mask or instrument.
3. Bards tend to be exceptionally sympathetic and/or extraordinarily irrational.
4. All hair colors are possible.
5. All eye colors are possible.
6. Brown and ivory are the possible skin colors.
7. The average height of a bard is 5’10.
8. Bards have skill magic revolving around the entertainment arts.
Artisans
1. Artisans worship the god Illusen.
2. Their artifacts tend to come in the form of a knife.
3. Artisans tend to be exceptionally wise or extraordinarily nearsighted.
4. Brown and red are the possible hair colors.
5. All eye colors are possible.
6. Ivory, olive and black are the possible skin colors.
7. The average height of an artisan is 5’3.
8. Artisan have skill magic revolving around the crafting arts.
Known Artisans:
Devon Marshall of Norwood