Quintessential Human, The

To many players, a human character is an ideal eidolon or avatar. It allows escapism while simultaneously letting you see yourself in your character’s situation. There is no need to adopt an alien mindset or try to roleplay a person who lives by non-human values. Humans are and always have been the easy choice of race. On account of their versatility, they have unfairly been seen as essentially bland and uninteresting. It is not necessary to detail humans in the game world, because everyone already knows all about them. What is there to say about humans, the opt-out choice of character race, the race that offers nothing in the way of racial features but the increased versatility of additional skill points and bonus feats?

As it happens, there is one heck of a lot left to say. In this volume, we will be looking at the rich diversity of human life in the fantasy world, drawing upon examples found both in the history of the real world and in our folklore and legends. Humans are not bland templates waiting to be individualized but a people of extraordinary resource, inventiveness and adaptability. They are set apart from the other races by the intensity and richness of their lives, which are altogether too brief. Mortality is their curse and yet a peculiar blessing, as the finiteness of their lives is what makes them meaningful. Longer-lived races are prone to ennui and a lack of motivational energy, while humans can truly appreciate the value of a sensory pleasure, the love of a mate or the thrill of adventure. Everything is the sweeter for them, because they know they might never live to see another morning.

The Collector’s Series is a range of class and racial sourcebooks from Mongoose Publishing, all designed to widen greatly a player’s options for his character within the d20 games system. Slotting seamlessly into any fantasy-based campaign, each will give a comprehensive guide to one class or race within the game, allowing both players and Games Masters the chance to present old character types in a completely new way without overpowering or unbalancing the game as a whole. The Collector’s Series will not necessarily allow players to create a better character, but they will be able to do a lot more than they ever thought possible before.

This book breaks completely new ground, daring to look at a race most would perhaps have considered unworthy of serious examination – the humble human. Lacking the exotic appeal of a non-human race, with their promise of other cultures and mores to roleplay, the human has been left untouched until now. There is much more to learn than many players had imagined.

Humans are not all created alike. Character concepts, backgrounds, new uses for old skills, tricks and feats all lend color and originality to a human character. Their nature is explored in depth, with particular attention given to their desire to perpetuate themselves, defying mortality by leaving successors and heirs behind. As well as dealing with the essence of human beings, their adaptability and pioneer spirit, we will be looking at what happens after they have adapted to a given environment. An extensive section on human cultures broadens the idea of what a ‘human’ can be, far beyond the traditional ‘just a normal, boring person’ idea of a human character. It is our hope that with the help of this sourcebook, more of the true nature of humanity, with all its flaws and virtues, can pass into and enrich your campaign.