Humans (Blades of Light and Shadow)

These are the Humans of the Blades of Light and Shadow series.

History

Two thousand years ago, during the era of the elven empire, humans were largely a servant caste to the elves, acting as laborers and farmers for the many elven houses. However, after the elven civilization fell in the Great War, humans flourished. They took over many of the elven cities and manors, and quickly created an impressive civilization of their own. For about 500 years, Morella was divided into two dozen fiefdoms, constantly at war. But this period of darkness and chaos ended when the Lords of Whitetower triumphed, conquering the territories one by one to create a unified dynasty.

Legend has it that the Divine Valleros - a common-born servant who took up arms against the Shadow Court - earned the blessing of the Light and sheltered humanity from the Great War. After the fall of the elven empire, the Divine Valleros married the daughter of a Priestess of the Light. Their descendant became the first human king of Morella. Since then, the Valleros Dynasty from Whitetower has ruled over the humans of Morella, barring the occasional civil war and peasant uprising. King Arlan Valleros VII currently sits on the throne. Known as the Gentle King, Arlan has reigned over a period of great peace and prosperity. He has two sons: Baldur and Aerin.

Characteristics

Humans are the dominant sentient species in the Kingdom of Morella. Smaller than orcs and shorter than elves, they are most physically distinguished by their agility. Magical affinity is rare among humans. Less than 1 in 1000 possess the gift, and most of those that do are quickly adopted by one of the major temples.

Politics

The human kingdom of Morella is a traditional dynastic monarchy, with the seat of power residing with a single monarch in Whitetower. This role has been held by the Valleros family, passed down from parent to eldest child, for 1500 years. Beneath the monarch are two dozen lords, each presiding over a region. While the monarch was once absolute, over time his power has dissolved, and lords now operate with a fair degree of autonomy. The current monarch is Arlan Valleros. Falsely known as the Gentle King, Arlan is an awful monarch and an even worse father. He has two sons: Aerin and Baldur.

Romantic Customs

Humans are generally monogamous, with the majority of families structured around a pair of two humans who either have or adopt children. Human courtship is a protracted affair, often spanning many years, as humans attempt to determine if their partner is the one they want to spend their life with. This involves frequent dates, as well as very often a trial cohabitation period. The average human is married by age 30, though this varies significantly. While among the nobility marriages are arranged for political reasons, most humans choose their own partners. The notion of 'true love' holds great cultural importance and drives most partnerships.

Marriage

Most weddings are held in the couple's town's square. If the town has a Priest of the Light, he will officiate. If not, a local leader -such as the mayor or a merchant- may officiate. The wedding contains at least one night of wild festivities. Common traditions include a feast, the Dance of the Chairs, and a drinking contest between the families.

Religion

Human religions are highly varied, with different faiths flourishing in different regions, or even within the same region. In Whitetower, the Faith of the Light flourishes, led by the High Temple. This religion celebrates the older elven pantheon, particularly those affiliated with the concept of the Light. In the outlying regions, local faiths have taken hold. In Dunbar Forest, they worship the spirits of the trees. Along the Gold Coast, fishermen pray to the White Whale. Some residents of the southern settlements even worship a spirit known as The Great Beetle.

Combat

Human combat is centered around weapons; Most human warriors choose a single weapon and specialize in it. Common specializations include melee, archery, and cavalry-based combat.

Military strategy however is based around the notion of coordinated strategy. Soldiers are grouped by specialty such as archery, infantry, and cavalry. Military tactics focus on numbers and coordination; each soldier is one part of a larger whole that can often overwhelm and out-maneuver opponents. Because of this, the most revered members of the military aren't fighters but are tacticians.

Pets

Common animals include cats, dogs, birds, and horses. Voxpers are the most "elevated" pets, a sign of status among the nobility.

Known Humans

Human	Description	Status
	She is a Priestess of the Light.	Alive
	Mal is a thief. He was a member of the Thieves Guild and he grew up in the slums of Whitetower.	Alive
	Kade is Your Character's brother by circumstance.	Alive
	Scholar Vash is a High Priest of the Light and Nia's mentor. After being struck by Duke Erthax, he is poisoned and dies.	Deceased
	He attempts to arrest you, Mal, and Nia and accuses you of being bandits. He is a servant of the Shadow Court who is killed at the end of the chapter.	Deceased
	He is a prince, traveling with his brother, Baldur. Although he is more meek and shy than his brother, he is the kinder of the two. He feels that he is unworthy to be king due to Baldur's popularity. In Chapter 14, he reveals his true colors as a manipulative, power-hungry psychopath who has been spreading the Shadow Court's influence across the realm.	Alive
	He is Aerin's brother, and the first in line as heir to the throne of Morella. Unlike Aerin, Baldur is haughty, arrogant, and prideful. He is killed by Aerin in Chapter 14 as revenge for the years of bullying and abuse he was subjected to.	Deceased
	Solerne is the High Priest of Light.	Alive
	Arlan Valleros is the King of Morella.	Alive