Human Ethnicities

Humans are by far the most populous and versatile race on Faerûn. Thesk is the melting pot of the East, where many different human ethnicities come together and work side by side.

(Calishite, Chondathan, Damaran, Illuskan, Mulan, Rashemi, Tethyrian)

Nation: Each nation has different ethnic populations.

Thesk: 50% Damaran, 30% Shou, 15% Mulan, 15% Gur, 5% Tuigan
Rashemen: 92% Rashemi, 6% Nars and 1% Tuigan.
Thay: 65% Rashemi, 30% Mulan and 2% Tuigan.

Arkaiun (similar to Teutonic barbarians in tropic climes)

Considered a fairly new ethnic group in Faerun, the Arkaiun are usually found on the southern coast of the continent (usually around Dambrath). They are shorter and stockier than most humans and typically have dark brown or black hair. Skin color is usually dusky. Arkaiuns are a subjugated group who are ruled relentlessly by the half-drow Crinti in Dambrath. Sometimes the bitterness of being oppressed also affects relations with other races (namely elves).

Bedine (similar to Bedouin nomadic tribes)

These are the nomadic people who inhabit the Anauroch Desert. Originally from the distant land of Zakhara (the continent southeast of Faerun), these peoples are dark of hair and skin. Periodically, blue eyes appear from inter-marriages with the descendants of the Netherese. They have a natural distrust of magic, due in part to the destruction of the Netheril Empire and that kingdom's overuse of magic.

Calishite (similar to Muslim Spain and Morocco/Arabian)

These humans are from the southwestern kingdom of Calimshan. They are shorter and slighter built than most humans and have dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes. They are usually very ethnocentric and see other cultures as short-lived barbarians. They enjoy comforts and respect from peers. Many Calimshans love wealth and have no problems with slavery. Calimshan is dominated by a great desert in the west, is a coastal nation, and many exotic spices and magics are exported from the country.

Chondathans (similar to Italians)

These people hail from the Vilhon Reach areas, the southern Dalelands, Cormyr, Sembia and the Great Dale. Basically, most places in the central parts of Faerun. They are slender and tawny skinned with various shades of light and dark brown hair (with an occasional blond or black). They are usually tall and common eye colors are green and brown. Many Chondathans are risk takers and merchants (on land and in the Sea of Fallen Stars). Often, the peoples of these areas have a deep respect for nature.

Chultan (similar to African)

"Chultans" to the rest of Faerun, these people often refer to themselves as "Tabaxi"- a reference to the "one great tribe" that they feel they belong to. Chultans call the jungle peninsula of southwestern Faerun home. These are a dark-skinned people who enjoy the warm and humid climate of the tropics. By nature, they are reclusive and wary of power & wealth. They often live in tribal units. They have a great respect for magic and don't use it carelessly.

Damaran (similar to German, with slavic influence)

Most of the humans of Thesk are descended from the Damarans who came from Impiltur, although they have long mingled with the Rashemi, Nars, and Mulan who also dwell in Thesk. The Damarans are often proud and stubborn. They hail from north central Faerun Damara, Impiltur, Thesk). Damarans are of moderate height and build, with skin ranging from tawny to fair. Their eye color varies widely, but brown is the most common. Their hair is usually straight with colors randing from light brown to black and brown is usually the most common eye color. Damarans often see the word in black & white/good & evil. They hail from a harsh land and often make a living by mining and logging. Those who live in eastern portions of these lands hunger for the mined gold and are shrewd merchants.

Durpari (similar to Sindh/India)

The Durpari live in the extreme southeastern part of Faerun. The Durpari value freedom and they have a business like approach to their culture. They are at ease with magic and are warm & friendly. Their approach to the gods of Faerun is a little unusual in that they feel that all the gods are part of a unified life force. Hair color tends to be brown and skin color is olive to dusky.

Ffolk (similar to Scotland)

This ethnic group generally live on the southern portions of the Moonshae Isles. They typically have darker hair and skin than their neighbors, the Illuskan (or Northlanders as their called) to the north. The Ffolk claim to have lived on the islands longer than the Northlanders and have a deep respect for the land. Many are farmers and, typically, they are distrustful of strangers. They are especially resentful of the pirates from the Nelanthar Isles to the south. They are organized into a number of small kingdoms.

Gur (similar to Gypsies or Varisian)

Also known as "Selûne's Children" or "the people of the highway", the Gurs live in nomadic societies throughout the Western Heartlands, although a few have settled in some of the poorer sections of cities such as Telflamm, Baldur's Gate, Elturel, and Irieabor. Gurs are notable for their large extended families which go from settlement to settlement in caravans picking up random jobs and selling or trading any unwanted goods. Gurs are often gifted oracles and known for their talent in soothsaying and divining. They are sometimes scolded by other cultures due to instances of theft. Gur culture places a high value on honor. The Gurs mainly follow Selûne, but they have also been known to worship Savras, which may explain the survival of his faith during his long period of imprisonment. Within their own tribes, the Gurs speak Gurri, a creole tongue with roots in Imaskari, but with influence from many other tongues, including many thought long-dead, in particular the Rashemi language. The Gurs are believed to be mainly of Rashemi descent due to their strong similarity with the natives of Rashemen.

Halruaan (similar to Gothic North Africans)

These people are the descendants of the Netheril Empire who fled the destruction and settled in the southern coastal area now known as Halraa (where they intermarried with the Lapal peoples). Halruaans are proud of their Netherese inheritance and their aptitude towards magic. However, their land is composed of rules and regulations that govern their lives. They are a proud and ambitious group and rivalries and conspiracies are common. Skin and hair color range from light to dark due to the mixed heritage of Netheril and Lapal.

Illuskans (similar to Scandinavian/Vikings)

These are usually a seagoing, warlike people that are from northwest Faerun. They are tall, fair-skinned and blue eyed. Around the coastal areas and the northern parts of the Moonshae Isles, hair color is fair or red and eyes are blue. More inland, hair color is black (typically called the Uthgardt - of mixed Illuskan & Netherese heritage). They are a proud folk who have adopted to rough environment of places like the Silver Marches and the Spine of the World. They tend to be alert, serious, and self-reliant. They usually bow to no lord.

Imaskari (similar to victorian/manchu mix)

The Deep Imaskari (as they are known today) have been cut off from the rest of humanity for thousands of years. Those rare peoples who know of their existence say they may be a sub-race all their own. The Imaskari were part of an ancient kingdom that retreated underground when their slaves, the Mulan, overthrew them. Due to years of isolation, they are guarded and detached but have a great love for magic. Their skin and hair are very pale.

Lantanna (similar to Guanche natives of the Canaries)

These humans like contraptions, gizmos, metal devices, and whirling sparks. They are from the island of Lantan off the southwestern coast of Faerun and the god Gond seems to have a strong foothold here. They are a secretive people and usually apprehensive of strangers. The Lantanna aren't much on casual magic. They typically have green eyes, red hair, and fair skin.

Maztican (similar to American Indian)

The Maztican make up a number of smaller ethnic groups that are found on the distant continent to the west of Faerun. Due to Amn, Baldur's Gate, and Waterdeeps interest in the treasure and spices of this land, some Mazticans can be found in these areas of Faerun. They have their own gods and pride themselves on their strong warriors and grandiose artwork. Steel is rare in Maztica, but they have advanced stone weapons. Skin color is a reddish bronze and hair is usually dark.

Mulan (similar to Egyptian/Sumerian or Osirion)

Mulhorandi blood runs thick in the veins of the Mulan. These are the descendants of renegades who rebelled against the Mulhorandi Empire and founded Thay. Often times they are arrogant and conservative. They look at other ethnicities as inferior to their own, for example, it is illegal for any Red Wizard to take on an apprentice of other than Mulan blood. Magic (both arcane and divine) are plentiful in these areas. Class and family ties are often very important to members of these peoples. Some Mulan still venerate the Mulhorandi pantheon. Their numbers in Thesk aren't large, but Thay, its neighbor to the south, casts a long shadow. The Mulans dominate areas of eastern Faerun. The lands are often dry. Notables are Mulhorand (with its own gods - like Horus-Re), the magocracy Thay, and the city states of Chessenta. Mulan are generally tall and slim with eyes of hazel or brown. Skin color ranges from sallow to dark brown. They lack much body hair, and many, including all nobles, shave any hair that they do have. Hair color on an unshaved Mulan ranges from black to dark brown.

Nar (similar to Huns)

The Nars are a tribal society who love to barter. These peoples wear their long dark hair in horsetails and often don gaudy clothing. Their skin is tanned from years of exposure to the sun while on horseback. Their neighbors are the Vaasan and Damarans in north-central Faerun. The Nar are descended from the peoples of the Narfell Empire (after that kingdom fell). Nars are short and stocky, with darkly tanned skin tones and straight, raven black hair, usually worn to the shoulders. They are some of the finest horsemen in Faerun, and famed breeders of the legendary Nar heavy horse.

Raumviran (similar to Norweigians/Vikings)

These peoples live far to the northeast in Faerun between the lands of the Rashemis and the Sossrim. They were once part of the ancient Raumathar Empire. Both this empire and the Narfell kingdom were destroyed when they fought each other. Culturally and physically, they resemble the Rashemi but are a little lighter due to some Sossrim influences.

Rashemi (similar to Turks/Vikings)

Descended from the nomadic tribes that fought and won the Orcgate Wars and later built the empire of Raumathar, the Rashemi are the most numerous human ethnic group on the Priador plateau. Rashemis tend to lack arrogance and have a deep appreciation of their land (in the northeast of Faerun). The society is usually matriarchal (lead by female witches). Most Rashemi average about five and a half feet in height, with stout and muscular builds. Most are dusky of skin and dark of eye, with thick black hair. Rashemi males are unusually hirsute and often sport bushy black beards. Although handsome, many seem almost ursine in nature. Baldness is almost unknown among Rashemi males, although inhabitants of Thay are known to shave all body hair in imitation of the ruling Mulan. Female Rashemi wear their black hair long, often in elaborate braids.

Shaaran (similar to North American Indians)

The Shaarans inhabit a huge swath of grassland that runs through the south-central area of Faerun. Nomadic by nature, the Shaaran tend to be simple, loyal and have a deep respect for the grasslands. Stealing is an acceptable part of Shaaran culture and seen as a survival mechanism in the harsh environment. They are of medium height and build with brown & black hair and eyes. They have tanned/yellowish skin.

Shadovar (similar to Gothic)

The Shadovar form a very rare and reclusive culture. Originally descended from the Netherese, they fled to the Shadow plane with their floating city. Recently, the have returned and are thought to inhabit the southern portion of the Anauroch desert. Nobody really knows what their attitude is, but it appears that they may be malicious. Due to the years of living on the shadow plan, Shadovars have a light gray tinge to their skin. Hair and eyes are usually dark. It is also not uncommon for a Shadovar to become a Shade.

Shou (similar to Asian or Tian)

Due to trade between Kara-Tur and Faerun, a Shou person can often be found in most major cities. They even have small communities in the eastern portions of Faerun (called Shou-towns). They are known for practicing exotic magic (both divine and arcane) and utilizing strange weapons. While the term "Shou" is used to describe somebody from the large country of Shou Lung, often times it is used for others from Kara-Tur (such as T'u Lung, Wa and Kozakura). Skin color ranges from pale to tan - sometimes with a yellow or golden tone. Hair and eyes are usually dark brown or black, although green eyes are not uncommon. These people hail from the expansive Shou Lung empire in the distant lands of Kara-Tur, far beyond the Endless Wastes to the east. Many of the Shou currently living in Thesk were either slaves of the Tuigan Horde or refugees scurrying just ahead of its advance who slipped into Thesk mere days or tendays before their relentless pursuers. Others came with the long caravans of merchant wagons that have been crossing the Endless Wastes between Kara-Tur and the Unapproachable East by means of the Golden Way for centuries. No matter how they got here, the Shou have become a fact of life in Thesk. These foreign people with their strange tongues and exotic ways usually congregate in districts of their own, called Shou-towns, in just about every major city along the Golden Way and beyond. They are slowly starting to have an influence upon the societies of Faerûn as they become more and more common in the region, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the cities of Thesk.

They worship their own deities known as the Celestial Bureaucracy. Most Shou choose a class as bushi (fighter), geisha (bard), gunslinger, kensai (magus), monk, ninja, samurai, shugenja (oracle), sohei (monk), yakuza (thug rogue), yokai hunter (ranger), or wu jen (elementalist wizard). The other classes of Faerûn are foreign to their culture. Shou have yellowish-bronze skin, black hair, and broad, flat features.

Sossrim (similar to Norweigan)

Hailing from the mysterious land of Sossal in the extreme northeastern portion of Faerun, these people use strange magic and are very attuned to nature. They trade in furs, gold and beautiful smooth-curved wooden furniture. They are a hardy folk who seem to enjoy cold weather. Sossrim have fair skin and almost white hair.

Tashalan (similar to Kenya/Tanzania)

The Tashalans live on the northeastern side of the Chultan peninsula. Considered by many to be very friendly, the Tashalan tend vineyards, grow exotic spices, and often enjoy hunting in the jungles of the peninsula. The Tashalan are dark of hair and and have dark or olive skin. They pride themselves on being excellent craftsfolk.

Tethyrian (similar to Basque or Iberia before the Romans)

Tethyrians hail from Tethyr, Amn and areas around the Sword Coast, Savage Frontier and the Silver Marches. Considered a "melting pot" of other ethnic groups (Illuskan, Calishite, Chondothan), their skin ranges from dusky to fair and their hair and eye color vary widely. They are of medium build and height. These people are proud of their diverse heritage and have a strong independent streak.

Tuigan (similar to Monguls)

When the Tuigan Horde was defeated, not all the Tuigans returned home. Some settled down in Thesk. Most of these have little to no education, but they are sharp. Others refused to give up their violent ways and have become bandits. These nomadic tribesmen originally came from the Endless Wastes that lie to the east between Thesk and Shou Lung. Tuigans worship Akadi, Grumbar, and several beast totems. They have yellowish-bronze skin with black hair and broad, flat features. Often referred to as the "Horse Lords," the Tuigan live on the eastern fringes of the continent. Their lands separate Faerun and Kara-Tur. Approximately 10 years ago, a horde of Tuigan invaded the eastern lands of Faerun. Eventually, they were rebuffed, but some stayed behind to start new lives. Tuigan are superstitious and initially distrustful of strangers. They are fierce warriors and excellent horsemen. They have yellowish-tan skin and dark hair. Men often grow moustaches.

Turami (similar to Persian)

Turami men wear long, squared beards. They are a tall, mahogany-skinned, proud people who take pride in farming and finely crafted items. Turmish is located in central Faerun on the western shores of the Sea of Fallen Stars. Peaceful by nature, Turami lands are democratically governed.

Ulutiun (similar to Eskimos)

The Ultutiuns- enjoy the cold areas of the world and live in the extreme northern reaches of Faerun (close to the north pole). Their world is usually endless ice and snow with a short warming period during the summer. They are a robust and keen peoples with dark hair and light brown skin. Men do not grow beards. They survive by living off marine animals and migrating caribou. Shamanistic magic is utilized by certain members of these peoples.

Vaasan (similar to Finland)

A tough, silent group of people, the Vaasan are used to monsters and bandits making life difficult. Vaasa is a fledgling kingdom that has just recovered from monstrous rule. Of the same stock as the Damarans, Vaasans tend to be a little fairer due to barbarian (possibly related to the fair-haired Illuskan) influences from the Great Glacier.

Zakharan (similar to Arabian)

This group of humans is very rare in Faerun and, when encountered, tends to be along the southern coastline as merchants. Both the Calishite and Bedine are distantly related to the Zakharan (via portals). They believe that honorable people must be hospitable. Their cloths are foreign (turbans, sashes, & keffiyehs) and they have their own gods. Due to the dry climate, skin is usually tanned and hair colors tend to be darker.

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