Humans of Estia

Humans are a diverse and multi-cultural species, only united in their adaptability. Each distinct culture has different ideals that they strive for - some value wanderlust, others property, love, or knowledge. The strength of humans does not come from excellence in any single area, instead it comes from their extreme versatility, and their ability to organize themselves and perform great works through cooperation. Humans have spread to every corner of the world from the arid desert to the frozen tundra and the wet jungles, living in communities ranging from tribes with only a handful of individuals to great metropolises with tens of thousands of inhabitants.

Humans come in all shapes and sizes. Most adults stand between 4'8" and 6'6", with men generally taller than women. Their weight can vary between 100 lbs and 250 lbs, depending on gender and body type. Humans become adult at around age 20 and live to around 76 (4d12+50) years of age.

Traditionally in human societies, arcane magic and the study thereof is the purview of women. While men are not unable to learn arcane magic, women seem to have a stronger connection to the Weave - natural-born arcane magi, sorcerers, are about ten times more likely to be female. A man who takes up the wizardly arts, or is born a sorcerer, might have to endure a few snide comments about 'wearing dresses' and the like. About one in fifty humans show some aptitude for arcane magic, but only a few of those have the opportunity to hone their skills much beyond first-level magic - most know only a few cantrips.

This distinction does not hold for divine magic, which is granted by outside forces equally to both genders, as a reward for faith and service. Primal magic-users are rare among humans, with less than one in two hundred being able to grasp its secrets.

Humans are also have a unique affinity to attract extraplanar influence on their being, as a result of direct influence from outside forces, or simply living within a place of such power. Children born under these circumstances can result in tieflings, aasimar, genasi, and other lineages. All of these lineages can further procreate with humans, but most of their traits are recessive, which can lead to them staying dormant for generations.

Cultures

All humans are influenced by the culture they grew up around. This affects their way of thinking, their values, and their goals. Cultures are not necessarily geographically bounded, but they are instead a question of how you were raised. The nobility might raise their children very differently from the regular people, despite living in the same city or village. It is also not a determining factor for your future - nothing says the smith's boy can't become a famous bard, or the fisherman's daughter a devout paladin.

Just because two cultures fall under the same general culture doesn't mean that they are the same. Consider what traditions and customs your specific culture values, and how it expresses itself through clothing, celebrations, art, or other facets. Do they welcome outsiders or do they keep to themselves? What deities are most important to them, and how is this worship expressed? What is the most important occasions throughout the year?

Each different culture is represented by an origin feat that you can take to signify your heritage. These feats are only available to humans. Each culture also presents some common ideals among members of that culture, which are intended to serve as inspiration. You can absolutely use the ideals without taking the associated feat, if that better serves your character's story.