Human
In the reckonings of most worlds, humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds.
A Broad Spectrum
With their penchant for migration and conquest, humans are more physically diverse than other common races. There is no typical human. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds. Human skin shades range from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from black to blond (curly, kinky, or straight); males might sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. A lot of humans have a dash of nonhuman blood, revealing hints of elf, orc, or other lineages. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live even a single century.
Variety in All Things
Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people among the common races. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual human might have a relatively short life span, but a human nation or culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single human’s memory. They live fully in the present—making them well suited to the adventuring life—but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.
Lasting Institutions
Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the responsibility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret, humans found sacred orders and institutions for such purposes. While dwarf clans and halfling elders pass on the ancient traditions to each new generation, human temples, governments, libraries, and codes of law fix their traditions in the bedrock of history. Humans dream of immortality, but (except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone.
Although some humans can be xenophobic, in general their societies are inclusive. Human lands welcome large numbers of nonhumans compared to the proportion of humans who live in nonhuman lands.
Exemplars of Ambition
Humans who seek adventure are the most daring and ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. They seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by amassing power, wealth, and fame. More than other people, humans champion causes rather than territories or groups.
Human Names and Ethnicities
Having so much more variety than other cultures, humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.
The material culture and physical characteristics of humans can change wildly from region to region. In the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing, architecture, cuisine, music, and literature are different in the northwestern lands of the Silver Marches than in distant Turmish or Impiltur to the east—and even more distinctive in far-off Kara-Tur. Human physical characteristics, though, vary according to the ancient migrations of the earliest humans, so that the humans of the Silver Marches have every possible variation of coloration and features.
In the Forgotten Realms, nine human ethnic groups are widely recognized, though over a dozen others are found in more localized areas of Faerûn. These groups, and the typical names of their members, can be used as inspiration no matter which world your human is in.
Calishite
Shorter and slighter in build than most other humans, Calishites have dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes. They’re found primarily in southwest Faerûn.
Calishite Names: (Male) Aseir, Bardeid, Haseid, Khemed, Mehmen, Sudeiman, Zasheir; (female) Atala, Ceidil, Hama, Jasmal, Meilil, Seipora, Yasheira, Zasheida; (surnames) Basha, Dumein, Jassan, Khalid, Mostana, Pashar, Rein
Chondathan
Chondathans are slender, tawny-skinned folk with brown hair that ranges from almost blond to almost black. Most are tall and have green or brown eyes, but these traits are hardly universal. Humans of Chondathan descent dominate the central lands of Faerûn, around the Inner Sea.
Chondathan Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd; (female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (surnames) Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag
Damaran
Found primarily in the northwest of Faerûn, Damarans are of moderate height and build, with skin hues ranging from tawny to fair. Their hair is usually brown or black, and their eye color varies widely, though brown is most common.
Damaran Names: (Male) Bor, Fodel, Glar, Grigor, Igan, Ivor, Kosef, Mival, Orel, Pavel, Sergor; (female) Alethra, Kara, Katernin, Mara, Natali, Olma, Tana, Zora; (surnames) Bersk, Chernin, Dotsk, Kulenov, Marsk, Nemetsk, Shemov, Starag
Illuskan
Illuskans are tall, fair-skinned folk with blue or steely gray eyes. Most have raven-black hair, but those who inhabit the extreme northwest have blond, red, or light brown hair.
Illuskan Names: (Male) Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath, Geth, Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth; (female) Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga, Silifrey, Westra; (surnames) Brightwood, Helder, Hornraven, Lackman, Stormwind, Windrivver
Mulan
Dominant in the eastern and southeastern shores of the Inner Sea, the Mulan are generally tall, slim, and amber-skinned, with eyes of hazel or brown. Their hair ranges from black to dark brown, but in the lands where the Mulan are most prominent, nobles and many other Mulan shave off all their hair.
Mulan Names: (Male) Aoth, Bareris, Ehput-Ki, Kethoth, Mumed, Ramas, So-Kehur, Thazar-De, Urhur; (female) Arizima, Chathi, Nephis, Nulara, Murithi, Sefris, Thola, Umara, Zolis; (surnames) Ankhalab, Anskuld, Fezim, Hahpet, Nathandem, Sepret, Uuthrakt
Rashemi
Most often found east of the Inner Sea and often intermingled with the Mulan, Rashemis tend to be short, stout, and muscular. They usually have dusky skin, dark eyes, and thick black hair.
Rashemi Names: (Male) Borivik, Faurgar, Jandar, Kanithar, Madislak, Ralmevik, Shaumar, Vladislak; (female) Fyevarra, Hulmarra, Immith, Imzel, Navarra, Shevarra, Tammith, Yuldra; (surnames) Chergoba, Dyernina, Iltazyara, Murnyethara, Stayanoga, Ulmokina
Shou
The Shou are the most numerous and powerful ethnic group in Kara-Tur, far to the east of Faerûn. They are yellowish-bronze in hue, with black hair and dark eyes. Shou surnames are usually presented before the given name.
Shou Names: (Male) An, Chen, Chi, Fai, Jiang, Jun, Lian, Long, Meng, On, Shan, Shui, Wen; (female) Bai, Chao, Jia, Lei, Mei, Qiao, Shui, Tai; (surnames) Chien, Huang, Kao, Kung, Lao, Ling, Mei, Pin, Shin, Sum, Tan, Wan
Tethyrian
Widespread along the entire Sword Coast at the western edge of Faerûn, Tethyrians are of medium build and height, with dusky skin that tends to grow fairer the farther north they dwell. Their hair and eye color varies widely, but brown hair and blue eyes are the most common. Tethyrians primarily use Chondathan names.
Turami
Native to the southern shore of the Inner Sea, the Turami people are generally tall and muscular, with dark mahogany skin, curly black hair, and dark eyes.
Turami Names: (Male) Anton, Diero, Marcon, Pieron, Rimardo, Romero, Salazar, Umbero; (female) Balama, Dona, Faila, Jalana, Luisa, Marta, Quara, Selise, Vonda; (surnames) Agosto, Astorio, Calabra, Domine, Falone, Marivaldi, Pisacar, Ramondo
Human Traits
It’s hard to make generalizations about humans, but your human character has these traits.
Ability Score Increase
Your ability scores each increase by 1.
Age
Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live less than a century.
Size
Humans vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Humans typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.
Standard Human
Source: Player’s Handbook
- Ability Score Increase. Your ability scores each increase by 1.
Variant Human
Source: Player’s Handbook
- Ability Score Increase. Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.
- Skills. You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
- Feat. You gain one Feat of your choice.
Mark of Finding
Source: Eberron – Rising from the Last War
If your Human has the Mark of Finding, replace all Racial Traits found in the Player’s Handbook with these, except for Age, Size, and Speed.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
- Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60ft. of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colors in darkness, only shades of grey.
- Hunter’s Intuition. Whenever you make a Wisdom (Perception) or a Wisdom (Survival) check, you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the total ability check.
- Finder’s Magic. You can cast the Hunter’s Mark spell with this trait. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast the Locate Object spell with it. Once you cast either spell with this trait, you can’t cast that spell again until you finish a Long Rest. Wisdom is your Spellcasting Ability for these spells.
- Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.
- Spells of the Mark. If you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature, the spells on the Mark of Finding Spells table are added to the spell list of your Spellcasting class.
Mark of Finding Spells
| Spell Level | Spell |
|---|---|
|
1st |
Faerie Fire, Longstrider |
|
2nd |
Locate Animals or Plants, Locate Object |
|
3rd |
Clairvoyance, Speak With Plants |
|
4th |
Divination, Locate Creature |
|
5th |
Commune With Nature |
Mark of Finding
Source: Eberron – Rising from the Last War
If your Human has the Mark of Handling, replace all Racial Traits found in the Player’s Handbook with these, except for Age, Size, and Speed.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and one other Ability Score of your choice increases by 1.
- Wild Intuition. Whenever you make a Wisdom (Animal Handling) or a Intelligence (Nature) check, you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the total ability check.
- Primal Connection. You can cast the Animal Friendship spell and the Speak With Animals with this trait, requiring no material components. Once you cast either spell with this trait, you can’t cast that spell again until you finish a Long Rest. Wisdom is your Spellcasting Ability for these spells.
- The Bigger They Are. Starting at 3rd level, you can target a Beast or a Monstrosity when you cast Animal Friendship or Speak With Animals, provided that the creature’s intelligence is 3 or lower.
- Spells of the Mark. If you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature, the spells on the Mark of Handling Spells table are added to the spell list of your Spellcasting class.
Mark of Handling Spells
| Spell Level | Spell |
|---|---|
|
1st |
Animal Friendship, Speak With Animals |
|
2nd |
Beast Sense, Calm Emotions |
|
3rd |
Beacon of Hope, Conjure Animals |
|
4th |
Aura of Life, Dominate Beast |
|
5th |
Awaken |
Mark of Making
Source: Eberron – Rising from the Last War
If your Human has the Mark of Making, replace all Racial Traits found in the Player’s Handbook with these, except for Age, Size, and Speed.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and one other Ability Score of your choice increases by 1.
- Artisan’s Intuition. Whenever you make an Intelligence (Arcana) or an Ability Check involving Artisan’s Tools, you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the total ability check.
- Artisan’s Gift You gain proficiency in one type of Artisan’s Tools of your choice.
- Spellsmith. You learn the Mending cantrip. You can also cast the Magic Weapon spell with this trait. When you do so, the spell lasts for 1 hour and doesn’t require concentration. Once you cast this spell with this trait, you can’t cast that spell again until you finish a Long Rest. Intelligence is your Spellcasting Ability for these spells.
- Spells of the Mark. If you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature, the spells on the Mark of Making Spells table are added to the spell list of your Spellcasting class.
Mark of Making Spells
| Spell Level | Spell |
|---|---|
|
1st |
Identify, Tenser's Floating Disk |
|
2nd |
Continual Flame, Magic Weapon |
|
3rd |
Conjure Barrage, Elemental Weapon |
|
4th |
Fabricate, Stone Shape |
|
5th |
Creation |
Mark of Passage
Source: Eberron – Rising from the Last War
If your Human has the Mark of Passage, replace all Racial Traits found in the Player’s Handbook with these, except for Age, and Size.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and one other Ability Score of your choice increases by 1.
- Courier’s Speed You gain a base walking speed of 35ft.
- Intuitive Motion. Whenever you make an Dexterity (Acrobatics) or an Ability Check involving operating or maintaining a Land Vehicle, you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the total ability check.
- Magical Passage. You can cast the Misty Step spell with this trait. Once you cast this spell with this trait, you can’t cast that spell again until you finish a Long Rest. Dexterity is your Spellcasting Ability for these spells.
- Spells of the Mark. If you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature, the spells on the Mark of Passage Spells table are added to the spell list of your Spellcasting class.
Mark of Passage Spells
| Spell Level | Spell |
|---|---|
|
1st |
Expeditious Retreat, Jump |
|
2nd |
Misty Step, Pass Without Trace |
|
3rd |
Blink, Phantom Steed |
|
4th |
Dimension Door, Freedom of Movement |
|
5th |
Teleportation Circle |
Mark of Sentinel
Source: Eberron – Rising from the Last War
If your Human has the Mark of Sentinel, replace all Racial Traits found in the Player’s Handbook with these, except for Age, Size, and Speed.
- Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
- Sentinel’s Intuition. Whenever you make an Wisdom (Insight) or a Wisdom (Perception) check, you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the total ability check.
- Guardian’s Shield. You can cast the Shield spell with this trait. Once you cast this spell with this trait, you can’t cast that spell again until you finish a Long Rest. Wisdom is your Spellcasting Ability for these spells.
- Vigilant Guardian Once a creature that you can see within 5ft of you is hit with an attack roll, you can use your reaction to swap places with the creature, and you are hit by the attack instead. Once you use this trait, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
- Spells of the Mark. If you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature, the spells on the Mark of Sentinel Spells table are added to the spell list of your Spellcasting class.
Mark of Sentinel Spells
| Spell Level | Spell |
|---|---|
|
1st |
Compelled Duel, Shield of Faith |
|
2nd |
Warding Bond, Zone of Truth |
|
3rd |
Counterspell, Protection From Energy |
|
4th |
Death Ward, Guardian of Faith |
|
5th |
Bigby's Hand |
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