Chapter 2: The Humans Humans are not the strongest, nor the wisest.
They are not all the richest, nor the cleverest. However, with their great numbers stretching
across Thedas, as well as their dominating role in the land’s history, humans are the
norm. The majority. The most varied. And the most influential. But where did these humans
come from? And why do they control the livelihoods of millions? No one remembers why.
Scholars believed humans first migrated from the northern islands, though their origins
and reasons for moving are unknown. The first human tribe to enter Thedas was called the
Neromenians. As the Nermenian tribe grew large and overtook the Elves, its majority later
separated into three tribes that created their own individual kingdoms: Barindur, Qarinus,
and Tevinter. The separation was temporary, as the tribes later banded together under
one banner: the Tevinter Imperium. While Tevinter did not remain the sole human power across
the centuries, they persist in the modern age. With more infighting and bitter wars,
the human race splintered and continued to expand and occupy the far flung reaches of
Thedas. Ferelden. Orlais. Nevarra. Rivain. Antiva.
The Free Marches. Tevinter. The common factor? These current day nations are dominated by
human citizens. While these countries have consistently allied, fought, and bickered
with one another, or themselves, it's to the surprise of many scholars why the human race
continues to thrive. Despite differences in their various societies, humans are bound
to share values like religion and rule of law.
Faith is the core of human morality. It is also what drives some Thedosians mad. Humans
comprise the greatest number within the Chantry, a religious organization with the belief in
the one true god named the Maker. While two types of the Chantry exist, the Andrastian
Chantry and the Imperial Chantry, humans as a whole believe in or incline themselves to
practice in the worship of the Maker. The Templars and Seekers, military factions acting
underneath the Chantry, are made up of humans, as well as the clergy. Despite Kings and Empresses,
and the highest of nobles, the one thing most share is worship of the Maker.
On the other hand, when it comes to matters of magic, not everyone is in agreement. Some
humans believe that magic is, by the Chantry's teachings, meant to "serve man, not rule over
him." Oppositely, the humans of Tevinter have built their entire civilization on the full
and free practice of magic. Depending on the wielder and intent, magic is the greatest
and most terrible force on Thedas. By command of the Andrastian Chantry, humans within nations
like Orlais and Ferelden have imposed their own magic-restrictive culture against others,
especially the Elves. In stark contrast, those of the Imperial Chantry glorify the use of
magic for all within their lands, placing preferred status on humans with the ability
to wield it. While not all have an absolute stance, humans are the loudest and most dominating
when it comes to opinion for or against magic and forcing specific ideals on societies.
When it comes to other Thedosians, the Elves, Dwarves, and (to a lesser extent) the Qunari,
humans are looked upon in different lights. The Elves feel the most disdain for humans;
ever since the Quickening and the Exalted March against the last Elven lands, The Dales,
Elves have good reason to hold a deep resentment for the race who usurped them. The Dwarves
stand neutral, with opinions swaying with the passing of coin and influence. Dwarves
maintain the underground and humans keep to the surface world, so as long as trade is
prosperous, so is the relationship between the two races. But the Qunari? Qunari see
humans and their culture as a chaotic nightmare festering in gluttonous acts and ridiculous
ambitions, necessitating correction. In the troubled times ahead, no one knows
if the human race will act as the worthy stewards of Thedas, or if they’ll quicken its demise.
With the mages and Templars at each other’s' throats, while those who have strongly believed
in the Chantry challenge its truths, roles of leadership will need to be re-addressed.
And in some situations, overtaken. But that- is a story for another day...