Humans
Humans are the most common people in Amantia, found on every continent and in virtually every nation. Six distinct ethnicities exist, each shaped by geography, culture, and history. Humans are versatile, ambitious, and adaptable — qualities that have made them dominant across the world.
Racial Traits
Size: Medium | Speed: 30 ft | Age: Mature ~18, live ~80 years Alignment: Varies widely by culture Languages: Varies by ethnicity (see below)
The Six Human Ethnicities
Siórtharan
Old Name: Ananthean
Inspiration: Celtic / Irish / Gaelic Language: Ananthean Homeland: The Rose Subcontinent — the Siórtharan kingdoms (High Kingdom of Séraevirhae, Tir Aelyrhae, Tir Maelwynnara, etc.) Character: The most numerous ethnic group in the western world. Deeply tied to druidic and bardic traditions, clan structures, and the natural world. Their political culture revolves around bards, druids, and hereditary monarchy.
Physical Traits: Pale to olive skin; hair ranging from red and auburn to dark brown and black; often freckled; green, blue, or grey eyes common.
Cultural Notes:
- Strong bardic tradition — the High Council of Bards and Druids wields real political power in many Siórtharan kingdoms.
- The Oath of the Wolf (Tir Maelwynnara) is an example of the deep covenant culture — binding mortals, druids, and spirits.
- Names tend toward melodic Celtic constructions (see AppendixA_Names_09March2024.pdf).
Iljarnskarn
Old Name: Aislandtic / Il’tuik
Inspiration: Norse / Germanic / Viking Language: Aislandtic Homeland: Northern kingdoms — Stornhjem, Fjarrkaldra, Thulraskar, Elarathir, the northern marches of the Holy Rose Empire Character: Hardy, martial, proud. Society built around clan chiefs, jarls, sea-lords, and strength. Rule is often held by strength and consent of chieftains rather than hereditary right alone.
Physical Traits: Fair to ruddy complexion; light to dark blond, red, or brown hair; blue, green, or grey eyes; often tall and broad-shouldered.
Cultural Notes:
- Revere ancestor spirits, rune magic, and gods of war and winter.
- Found in large numbers throughout the Holy Rose Empire as settlers and soldiers.
- Sea-faring tradition; longships and coastal raiding are part of their history.
Malkûn
Old Name: Al’ Malik
Inspiration: Arabic / Middle Eastern / North African Language: Al’ Malik Homeland: The Sultanate of Dār al-Ḥikmûn, the Ben-Hazzir Coast, parts of the Jewel Coast Character: Scholarly, mercantile, and deeply spiritual. The Sultanate of the House of Great Wisdom reflects their cultural emphasis on learning, philosophy, and faith.
Physical Traits: Warm brown to dark brown skin; dark hair (black, dark brown); dark eyes; often lean and sharp-featured.
Cultural Notes:
- Strong merchant tradition; the Jewel Coast and trade routes are heavily Malkûn.
- Deep ties to the elder and primordial pantheons in some regions.
- Often multilingual due to trade culture.
Bakassari
Old Name: Sikassan
Inspiration: West African / Sub-Saharan African Language: Sikassan Homeland: The Jewel Coast, Kaduna, the Great Shining Plain, the Pridelands of Nobanion, and southern Nesian regions Character: Communal, spiritually rich, and deeply connected to the land and its spirits. Warrior traditions and griotic (oral history) traditions are both highly valued.
Physical Traits: Deep brown to dark brown skin; black hair in a wide variety of styles; dark brown or black eyes; often tall and athletic.
Cultural Notes:
- The Pridelands of Nobanion are a primarily Bakassari/Wemic shared territory with a strong lion-veneration tradition.
- Strong spiritual traditions around ancestor veneration and nature spirits.
- Leonin and Leopard Tabaxi frequently share regions with Bakassari communities.
Vanakuti
Old Name: Nesian
Inspiration: South Asian / Indian / Southeast Asian Language: Nesian Homeland: The Nations of the Spirit People, the Shessian Empire, parts of the Nesian subcontinent; Jaipur Character: Philosophical, spiritual, and artistically sophisticated. Strong traditions of ritual, caste-like social structures in some regions, and spiritual devotion.
Physical Traits: Warm brown to dark brown skin; black to very dark brown hair; dark eyes; wide range of builds.
Cultural Notes:
- The Shessian Empire features both Vanakuti humans and Yuan-ti, suggesting a complex intertwining of serpentine and human culture.
- The Nations of the Spirit People have strong animist traditions.
- Rakshasa and tiger Tabaxi share territory with Vanakuti peoples in some regions.
Arcavéan
Old Name: Arcadian
Inspiration: Mediterranean / Greek / Roman / Eastern European Language: Arcadian Homeland: The Republic of Arcadia, the Avignon Empire, Le Provence, Lombardi League; also heavily present in the Holy Rose Empire Character: Civic, mercantile, and deeply tied to classical ideals of law, republic, and philosophy. The Republic of Arcadia is the heartland of Arcavéan civilization.
Physical Traits: Olive to light brown skin; dark hair; dark or hazel eyes; wide range of builds.
Cultural Notes:
- The Arcadian calendar days and gods form the template for much of the world (Aurinvaldrsday, Tirealsday, etc.).
- Arcadia is cosmopolitan — aasimar, genasi, gith, and greater minotaur are all found there.
- The Holy Rose Empire draws heavily from Arcavéan cultural aesthetics.
See also: Species Index | Country Index | AppendixA_Names_09March2024.pdf