Human

Humans in Faerûn are widespread, can be found in most regions and, in general, are fierce and disagreeable, which can sometimes lead certain other races to view them with contempt. They are renowned for their diversity and ambition, and although they lack specializations like other races, they can excel in many areas.

Physical Characteristics
Humans come in a wide variety of complexions and sizes. Light skin is most common amongst inhabitants of the northern climates and dark skin amongst those of southern regions, but these are hardly absolutes and most falling somewhere in between the two extremes. Human hair is usually black or brown, but may be blond or red as well. Most human eyes are brown, blue, or hazel, though green or gray eyes are also fairly common with some abnormalities like red or violet also heard of.

Humans are short-lived compared to races such as the elves and dwarves whose lives can span many centuries. The average longevity of a healthy adult human is about 75 years, though some venerable members of the race live as long as 90 and some humans, through magical means, have obtained a lifespan that is measured in centuries or even millennia.

One of the key features of humanity is their adaptivity, which carries over to both their physical and mental characteristics. The natural human capacity for physical adaptation means humans are a widely varied lot in appearances and also gives them a strong advantage for survival under adverse condiitions.

Psychology
Humans are, by their nature, decisive and occasionally rash beings when compared with other humanoid races. Humans are willing to take bold risks and reach high for both knowledge and power, hurling themselves into perilous situations and dealing with the consequences as they arise. Humans, as a rule but not an absolute, think first and worry later, trusting their instincts and willpower to carry them through danger.

Humans look towards the future, seeking to bring change to their surroundings rather than live in a stasis. For better or worse, humans chase their ambitions and seek to make their mark on the world and humans are commonly explorers or conquerors, the main reason behind their widespread presence in the world.

The human race is known for a tendency for adaptation, which other races often see as their key strength and the main cause for their prolificity. Although this adapatability means humans are widespread across Toril it is not always enough for survival, however, and in some places humans find themselves subjugated to the whims of others.

Culture
Human culture is extremely diverse, making it difficult to pin down any one cultural trait as definitively human. Generally, humans tend to be a pious race, worshiping a wider variety of gods than most races, including multiple pantheons. Likewise, humanity's diversity makes them usually tolerant of other races, though exception to this cultural rule exist. The downside of this diversity is that humanity is more divided than the other races, and wars between human nations are relatively common.

Major Ethnic Groups


While there are no natural human subraces, planetouched subspecies of humans have arisen in the Realms. These include the aasimars, genasi, and tieflings. There is also great ethnic diversity between humans in different regions.

The following are the most prevelant and largest ethnic groups to be found on Faerûn at this time. These are by far the most common ethnicities to be found within the Heartlands.


 * Calishites
 * Chondathans
 * Damarans
 * Illuskans
 * Mulan
 * Rashemi
 * Tethyrians

Minor Ethnic Groups
The following are ethnic groups which are either small in number, or who are most commonly found in lands far from Faerûn's heartlands. In their own distinct regions, they may very well be the major local ethnic people.


 * Bedine
 * Chultans
 * Durpari
 * Ffolk
 * Gurs
 * Halruaans
 * Imaskari
 * Itzas
 * Lantanna
 * Mazticans
 * Nars
 * Netherese
 * Raumvirans
 * Shaarans
 * Shou
 * Sossrim
 * Talfir
 * Tashalans
 * Tuigan
 * Turami
 * Ulutiuns
 * Vaasans