Human
Human Upbringing
A Human not raised by or among their people may have different traits than those described below. If you wish to have a different upbringing for your character—a Human raised by Dwarves, for example—consult with the DM.
- Quick Study – A Human is Proficient in one artisan toolset, gaming set, or musical instrument of their choice.
- Stubborn Resolve – If a Human rolls a 1 on a Death Save, they can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
A Human raised among their own kin can speak, read, and write Common—which uses the Thorass script in its written form—and a bonus language of their 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: Orcish curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish military phrases, and so on.
Human Names
Illuskans
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.
Male Names: Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath, Geth, Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth
Female Names: Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga, Silifrey, Westra
Surnames: Brightwood, Helder, Hornraven, Lackman, Stormwind, Windrivver
Tethyrians
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 brown or blue eyes are the most common.
Male Names: Darvin, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd
Female Names: Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele
Surnames: Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag
Like all of the dominant species of Toril, Humans are not native to the world, but their origins are less clear than the Elves who migrated from Arvandor and Faerie. Many waves of migrations of Humans have settled different parts of Toril, resulting in many distinct customs and cultures, but a Common language developed among them thanks in part to many of these expeditions having passed through Sigil, the torus-shaped city at the center of the multiverse.
Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious of Toril’s dominant species. 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.
Humans of the Sword Coast
Much of the native population of the Sword Coast region is of Illuskan or Tethyrian descent, but travelers from all over Faerûn—and points beyond, including distant continents and planes of existence—have congregated to Waterdeep and surrounding areas. Humans can be found in almost every village, town, or city in the region, though there are very few Humans who are welcome or comfortable in the depths of Dwarven citadels or the sheltered boughs of the Elven forests.
Human Traits
Humans are incredibly diverse, but do have a number of common traits.
Age
Humans reach adulthood between the ages of 16 and 18 and generally live between 70 and 100 years.
Size
Humans vary widely in height and build. Most are between 4½ and 6½ feet tall, but some outliers have been known to reach 7½ feet in height; their size is Medium. At the other extreme, some fully-grown humans have been no more than 2 feet tall, and might be easily mistaken for Dwarves or Halflings; Humans between 2 and 4½ feet tall are Small.
Speed
A Human’s base walking speed is 30 feet.
Resourceful
A Human gains Heroic Inspiration whenever they finish a Long Rest.
Skillful
A Human gains Proficiency in one skill of their choice.
Versatile
A Human gains one Origin feat of their choice.