monsterfef humans

HUMANS

There are three main ethnic groups of humans on the Continent.
The Vang who live to the north, the Luce, who live in the west and the Sardan, who live in the east.

Humans are unique in that while most have no magical ability, humans have proved themselves able to learn the magic of other races - and even iterate on it.

VANG

The Vang are hardy folk. They were unified by the famous King Balthe at the end of the Age of Blades and Claws. Forged into a unified kingdom before his betrayal and death, the Kingdom of Vang lasted beyond him. They once held dominion over much of the world, including the city of Yenn's Landing south of the Spine. They lost their western territory to the Draconic Empire at the end of the Age of Dragons, and Yenn's Landing to the Sardan a mere twenty years ago.

The Spine, built from the bones of the Tyrant Worm, is their greatest defence. Fort Sen is a large bulwark, and prevents many forces from heading past into the Vang heartlands. Though the Tyrant Worm bored countless tunnels below, without a experienced guide, none could hope to traverse the tunnels and emerge again.

Culturally the Vang value loyalty highly - to kin and to the local lord. There is no formal standing army. Lords are expected to be able to summon a warhost when called for by the King, and otherwise are responsible for maintaining law and order in their own lands, meaning laws can vary between provinces. The King's lands are around Balthe's Fall. There are four Lords - informally known as the Large Lords - who control the remaining cities. Lady Sen controls Fort Sen, Lady Farwater controls Krakenreach, Lord Brisk controls Brisk, and Lord Targen controls Arreni. The Little Lords (though best not to call them that to their face) are many more, and control smaller amounts of land in between the major provinces.

Their military forces rely on heavy infantry, with nobility acting as cavalry. Their vanguards are to be feared. Vang have little magical ability, with most mages possessing at least traces of Sardan or Luce blood. Despite that, dark magic originated in Vang, where they learned from the Spiders of Culri's Forest.

Vang tend to have dark and more muted hair and eye colours, with pale skin.

Example names: Jonathon, Sara

LUCE

The Luce are the western people of the Continent. Once ruled by the dragons, they overthrew them and established the Union of Liberated Cities a hundred years ago - more commonly known as the Liberty Union. The Luce have no kings or emperors, with every city having an elected Representative to a Grand Council. Generals, City Mayors, and the like are all chosen by the Grand Council. Only landowners may vote, and only humans are permitted to own land - thus, only humans may vote, though technically all species have the right.

The Luce are undergoing a cultural renaissance, and produce a great deal of art and newer technology, both magical and mundane. The traditions of the past are being done away with, and new ones established in their stead. The Luce are the foremost leaders in magic, and have the greatest number of Anima mages by far. From the fire magic utilised by the dragons, the Luce derived both Wind and Lightning - the latter of which helped them overthrow their oppressors.

Culturally the Luce value cooperation and obedience. The Luce also have keen eyes for profit, and trade with everyone they can - including the city of Freeport, who is technically still their enemy. The city of Freeport is ethnically mostly Luce, though increasing numbers of Vang have migrated to the prosperous port. There is a saying - "The Luce will rob you on in the shops, not the roads"; while they may fleece you in a trade deal, their roads are heavily patrolled and bandits dealt with harshly.

Their lands are fertile, and their people are many. The Liberty Union is the richest and most powerful nation on the Continent.

Their military forces are made up of infamously poor line regiments, but backed with powerful mages and elite regiments of heavy cavalry and pegasi knights. Particularly famous is the Wyrmslayer Legion - who only takes applicants who have personally slain a Dragon. Thanks to the Legion, no living dragons can be found in the Liberty Union.

Luce tend to have brightly coloured eyes and hair, with white or tanned skin.

Example names: Pierre, Josseline

SARDAN

The Sardan are desert-dwellers, living primarily in the Ator Desert alongside the Lamia. Indeed, the Sarian Sultanate holds no difference between the two species. The harsh life of the desert has bred a hardy people, but they are much fewer than the Luce or even the Vang.

The Sardan, recognising the rising star of the Liberty Union, formed a military alliance with them, and in the last war took the city of Yenn's Landing. Some worry, however, once the Vang are defeated, the eye of the Luce may fall on them as well.

The Sardan were once the most advanced people in the world - but a combination of entrenching traditions and the Luce's renaissance has caused them to fall behind. Culturally, they value respect and tradition highly.

The Sardan are highly religious, and have the greatest numbers of Light mages. In the desert, the fickle whims of the gods may be the difference between life and death.

Their military forces are a combination of Lamia, light cavalry and wyverns, backed by light mages and plentiful healers. The enemy are harried and picked to pieces, slowed by the desert sands, with the Sardan's own wounds healed.

Sardan tend to have bright eyes and dark hair, with darker or heavily tanned skin.

Example names: Raamiz, Ghamina