Human

Humans possess exceptional drive and a great capacity to endure and expand, and as such are currently the dominant race in the world. Their empires and nations are vast, sprawling things, and the citizens of these societies carve names for themselves with the strength of their sword arms and the power of their spells. Humanity is best characterized by its tumultuousness and diversity, and human cultures run the gamut from savage but honorable tribes to decadent, devil-worshiping noble families in the most cosmopolitan cities. Human curiosity and ambition often triumph over their predilection for a sedentary lifestyle, and many leave their homes to explore the innumerable forgotten corners of the world or lead mighty armies to conquer their neighbors, simply because they can.

Physical Description

The physical characteristics of humans are as varied as the world's climes. From the dark-skinned tribesmen of the southern continents to the pale and barbaric raiders of the northern lands, humans possess a wide variety of skin colors, body types, and facial features. Generally speaking, humans' skin color assumes a darker hue the closer to the equator they live.

Base Age Age Mod Middle Age Old Venerable
15 +1d6 35 53 70
Gender Base Height Height Mod Base Weight Weight Mod
Male 4'10 +2d10 120 *2d4
Female 4'5 +2d10 85 *2d4

Personality

Humans are the most adaptable, flexible, and ambitious people among the common races. They are diverse in their tastes, morals, customs, and habits. Others accuse them of having little respect for history, but it’s only natural that humans, with their relatively short life spans and constantly changing cultures, would have a shorter collective memory than dwarves, elves, gnomes, or halflings.

Society

Human society comprises a multitude of governments, attitudes, and lifestyles. Though the oldest human cultures trace their histories thousands of years into the past, when compared to the societies of common races like elves and dwarves, human society seems to be in a state of constant flux as empires fragment and new kingdoms subsume the old.

Relations

Humans are fecund, and their drive and numbers often spur them into contact with other races during bouts of territorial expansion and colonization. In many cases, this leads to violence and war, yet humans are also swift to forgive and forge alliances with races who do not try to match or exceed them in violence. Proud, sometimes to the point of arrogance, humans might look upon dwarves as miserly drunkards, elves as flighty fops, halflings as craven thieves, gnomes as twisted maniacs, and half-elves and half-orcs as embarrassments—but the race's diversity among its own members also makes humans quite adept at accepting others for what they are.

Alignment

Humanity is perhaps the most heterogeneous of all the common races, with a capacity for great evil and boundless good. Some assemble into vast barbaric hordes, while others build sprawling cities that cover miles. Taken as a whole, most humans are neutral, yet they generally tend to congregate in nations and civilizations with specific alignments.

Religion

Unlike members of the other common races, humans do not have a chief racial deity. Pelor, the sun god, is the most commonly worshiped deity in human lands, but he can claim nothing like the central place that the dwarves give Moradin or the elves give Corellon Larethian in their respective pantheons. Some humans are the most ardent and zealous adherents of a given religion, while others are the most impious people around.

Language

Humans speak Common. They typically learn other languages as well, including obscure ones, and they are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elven musical expressions, Dwarven military phrases, and so on.

Names

Unlike other races, who generally cleave to specific traditions and shared histories, humanity's diversity has resulted in a near-infinite set of names. The humans of a barbarian tribe have much different names than those hailing from a subtropical nation of sailors and tradesmen.

Adventurers

Ambition alone drives countless humans, and for many, adventuring serves as a means to an end, whether it be wealth, acclaim, social status, or arcane knowledge. A few pursue adventuring careers simply for the thrill of danger. Humans hail from myriad regions and backgrounds, and as such can fill any role within an adventuring party.

Notable Humans

AishaHuman Rogue 1, Vampire 5

head.jpgAisha01.jpg

CaydenHuman Wizard 1

head.jpgCayden01.jpg

DanielHuman Fighter 1

head.jpgDaniel01.jpg

DaphneHuman Witch 1

head.jpgDaphne01.jpg

GwendolynHuman Duskblade 1, Vampire 1

head.jpgGwendolyn01.jpg

JacenHuman Cleric 2

head.jpgJacen01.jpg

LanchoHuman Paladin 1

head.jpgLancho01.jpg

LuciusHuman Wizard 12

head.jpgLucius01.jpg

LunaHuman Barbarian 9

head.jpgLuna01.jpg

MasonHuman Rogue 1

head.jpgMason01.jpg

MollyHuman Witch 1

head.jpgMolly01.jpg

ServiaHuman Cleric 15

head.jpgServia01.jpg

UfgadHuman Barbarian 2

head.jpgUfgad01.jpg

Racial Traits

  • +2 to One Ability Score: Human characters get a +2 bonus to one ability score of their choice at creation to represent their varied nature.
  • Medium: Humans are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
  • Normal Speed: Humans have a base speed of 30 feet.
  • Bonus Feat: Humans select one extra feat at 1st level.
  • Skilled: Humans gain an additional skill rank at first level and one additional rank whenever they gain a level.
  • Languages: Humans begin play speaking Common. Humans with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic).
Most content is Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc..