Human

"Where they walk the land is changed. Where they touch, time frays and splinters. The uncertainty that surrounds them is a veil over all-time." -Almalexia

Human is often associated with the term "mankind" though this is technically incorrect. Mankind refers to all humanoid species in the world, while Humankind specifies humanity.

Humankind are a people of historical mystery. Clearly they existed long into the Mythic Era, for the earliest of their kind were used as genetic material for the creation of Dwarves. Furthermore: expeditions to the Esterlands have often met with indigenous humans - mostly existing in tribal structures similar to how some were found within Seler'endor during the Exodus.

Because of these facts, it's hard to place how important Humankind was in the shaping of Erebus, for what survives of Aeytheri records includes them only as slaves.

Regardless of their past, they have carved themselves a distinct and important role within the world as an Empire that lasted hundreds of years, originally founded by Emperor Trajan I who after a successful rebellion and subsequent slaughter of the Aeytheri created Trajan's Empire.

The Empire lasted throughout the Second and Third Era, spreading throughout the Heartlands, Valfothr, Caldera, Raraku, and even the Cascadian Isles for a time.

However, the Empire would not last, for the Flood that ended the Third Era and Trajan's bloodline would begin the slow and eventual death of his Empire.

Now, humanity exists in a stalemate amongst themselves as Lords vye for control of the Heartlands, and Setia (a human-led Monarchy) retains and spreads the teachings of the Vigil in a way more insular than ever as heathens are marked for crusade.

Culture
Human culture follows much of what was adopted by the Aeytheri's Vigil worship, with the addendum of Trajan I as an ascended God.

Humanity's short lifespans and warlike tendencies often cause them to be nihilistic in their culture: favoring worship of Hood as opposed to the Aeytheri's preference of Aumaunator. For this reason: human cities are often constructed to appear as mausoleums or crypts with dark shingled rooves and dark statues.

Currently: human society is structures feudally, and females amongst their kind are not often given the same level of citizenship as males, though this is mostly left up to the strata of whatever Lord rules over any given region. Due to humanity's past, Setia much like Trajan outlawed Slavery, though the feudal serfdom that some find themselves in may arguably be considered worse.

Traits
Humans are a people of many talents, and though Heartland society is feudal by nature, they can be found filling all roles of society.

Ability Score Increase: Two ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Skills: You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.

Feat: You gain a feat of your choice.

Language: Humans speak common, as well as one extra language of your choice.

Alignment: Humans tend toward no particular alignment. The best and worst can be found amongst them.