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Midworlders

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Midworlders are the children of the dirt, stubborn and wild. Where we built monuments to the stars, they built homes to weather storms. And still, they endure.
—Imrael of House Phassa, Discourse on Humility

Midworlders, a term coined by the High People, refers to all non-Yevim inhabitants of the earth. Chief among them are humans, a race noted for their adaptability, resilience, and remarkable capacity to rebuild after upheaval. Where the High People claim divine origins and celestial purpose, humans are defined by their connection to the land and their ability to thrive under conditions that would break others.

According to Yevim lore, humans are the result of their own folly. After the defeat of Asag, a faction of Yevim belonging to House Valaris descended from Muraius to live on the surface, separated from the God Tree’s presence. Without its divine connection, their immortality faded, and these surface-dwellers became mortal. Over time, their descendants, now known as humans, scattered into tribes and began the long process of forging their own civilizations, often in defiance of the dangers posed by Asag’s children and the chaos left in the wake of the Great Crystal’s shattering.

Whether this tale is true remains a matter of debate among the sages of Ambion and beyond. Some suggest that humans predate the Yevim, pointing to artifacts and ruins that even the High People cannot fully explain. Regardless of their origins, humans have proven to be remarkably tenacious. With lifespans averaging between one hundred and one hundred fifty years, they are among the shortest-lived of the earth’s peoples but make up for it with their ability to readily adapt to their environment.

Midworlders’ diversity is their greatest strength. While Yevim culture is steeped in tradition and hierarchy, human societies range from tight-knit clans to sprawling empires, each shaped by the environments they inhabit and the challenges they face. This adaptability, coupled with their social nature, allows them to thrive in nearly every corner of the world, from the frozen wastes of Farlas to the sun-scorched dunes of Mamara.

Adventure Hook

The dichotomy between the “world above” and the “world below” immediately suggests a power dynamic between the High People and all the other races. How you design the relationship between the High People and other Midworlders will set the tone for all adventures that take place in the campaign.

Ancient ruins are discovered in the depths of an unexplored jungle, bearing signs of human craftsmanship predating the Yevim’s arrival. The party is hired to uncover their secrets, but the expedition draws the attention of Yevim archaeologists who claim the site for themselves, dismissing the evidence as heretical.

What truths lie buried within the ruins, and how might they reshape humanity’s understanding of their origins?
Can the party navigate the growing tension between the human explorers and the Yevim archaeologists?
What dangers linger in the jungle, guarding the ruins’ secrets?

Tags: Peoples

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