Society
Humans
Humans are a race that has settled on Erdent for as long as recorded history. While they bear similar appearances, many aspects of their culture are starkly different from each other depending on which Haven they originate from. Humans are an incredibly persevering race, surviving disaster and thousands of years of suppression by the Beasts. Of course, Humans come with a variety of personalities, but most are incredibly hard working and will do anything to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Humans represent 85% of all people.
It is not known when Humans had first existed. The oldest written records from the Old Worlds dictate that Humans had arrived on Erdent some twenty millennia ago, but there is little surviving evidence that shows this. The remnants of the Old World show that Humans have lived in Erdent for at least 8,000 years before the start of the Long Dark.
Humans vary in appearance, but are all physically similar. Those who live in the Northern Havens are usually taller, have fair to light skin and have a stronger facial structures. Those who live in the Southern Havens are shorter and have olive to tanned skin with more rounded facial structures. In the Eastern Havens near the desert, Humans have tanned to dark skin with a mix of the two facial structures in the North and South. To the East lays the Oscian Ocean where no Human lives because they cannot breathe underwater. Between these extremes lies a melding of facial features and skin tones. It must be noted that these are generalisations – many Humans move at least once throughout their lifetime, meaning a large population of fair skinned Humans can be seen in the Southern Havens and vice versa. Additionally, skin tone, facial structure and other features are spread from progenitor to progeny rather than dictated at birth.
Humans live for over a century, often until they are around 150 years old. Most often, Humans prefer to live in a single place their entire lives, or for long durations of their lives. They enjoy a sense of stability and safety within the Havens which is disturbed when they move their abode. While Humans do not move homes often, they love to explore. They have a natural curiosity for the world and travel to other Havens to experience other cultures.
Humans are also inherently prideful creatures. To a Human, their identity is one of their strongest anchors in life. Many take pride in their culture, their occupation, their way of life, or a variety of other things that they can bond to. They will defend their identity and often resolve to stubbornness, unwilling to change it. Yet, while Humans in general can be thought of so, not all Humans are quite the same. Some are more willing to change their beliefs than others. Younger Humans with less of a rigid identity will often find themselves through their ventures.
To a Human, their legacy is the most important thing. All Humans believe in strong family values, passing on a ‘bloodline’ and the belief that their worth can only be measured by others after they have died. Some humans prefer to make the greatest legacy, achieving many feats throughout their lifetime to be remembered. Others instead build up fortunes that are passed down to their progeny who themselves can build their own legacy. To each Human, their ideal of a legacy is completely different, but all Humans pride themselves on what they do.
Zweir
The Zweir are a nomadic race that appears to be half-Human and half-Beast. Their poor treatment by Humans often place them on the bottom rung of society. They have a variety of traits, but are generally agreeable and friendly people, always looking for something new and interesting reflecting their nomadic nature. The Zweir have difficulty settling down in a single Haven for most of their life unlike the Humans. They often settle in groups in an area for months at a time before moving on. Most Zweir have commitment issues, being unable to remain stable in their decisions and choices for long periods of time. Interestingly enough, the Zweir also speak the common tongue. The Zweir represent 15% of all people.
It is said that the Zweir came from the far reaches of the Arian Wastes – a desert to the east. Zweir stories say that they travelled for 40 Mes Cycles before they finally reached Human lands. They only appeared after the Long Dark – a time of great suffering for the Humans. They believe that the Zweir are instead monstrous creatures created when Humans had spent too long in the Outlands – but this is a rumour that holds no water. The spoken culture and history of the Zweir makes it difficult to discern the truth from the tales.
The Zweir have a broad set of appearances, but they are all recognisable by their animal features. Most bear a tanned, olive skin, perhaps due to their previous occupation past the Arian Wastes. However, some bear a fairer or darker tone, and may have come from colder or hotter climates. The Zweir have a range of severity in terms of their Beast-like features. They may have claws, horns, tails, ears, fur, etc. that give them the appearance of Human-like Beasts. These can range to minor features that can be hidden to extreme ones which make them look almost like a Beast themselves. The severity of their features often dictates how well treated by society they are.
The Zweir do not live as long as Humans do. While most Humans usually live until they are 150, most Zweir live until they are 80. However, many Zweir place themselves in dangerous situations and meet their end early. Zweir are viviparous, and produce live young. The Beast-like features of a Zweir and their severity are determined by the features and severity of their parents.
Most Zweir do not live a wealthy life, but they do not mind. Many Zweir focus on a nomadic life, following their spoken culture and travelling the world to gain experiences in life. To do this is often not expensive and the Zweir only pack what is necessary. They are usually mistreated by Humans, scared of the Zweir’s nature and appearances. Those who can hide their features well can often work where Humans do, integrating into society. Those who cannot resort to unskilled labour, often dangerous. A Zweir with rare and exceptional physical skill can become a Hunter. Through this, the can gain wealth and travel – fulfilling their desires. More often than not, the Zweir’s wealth does not continue from one generation to another. Each one believes that they must craft their own journey without assistance from those who lived before them – much different to Humans.
The Zweir and the Humans have an unsteady, but neutral relationship. The Humans often call them slurs – Beastmen, Outsiders and Strays, but more recently, some Humans have accepted the Zweir’s true name. In some Havens, the Zweir are recognised as a different but equal race of beings, while in most others, they are looked down upon as the scourge of society for their differences.