Human

Humans display a wide range of regional phenotypes shaped by the environments in which their ancestors lived. During the early history of Riftmoor, geographic distance, natural barriers, and the territories established by the Wardens kept many Human populations relatively isolated from one another. Climate and solar exposure caused recognizable regional traits to develop quickly.

Six broad Human phenotypes became established in the Vale: Boreal, Temperate, Arid, Monsoon, Oscillatory, and Equatorial. These describe common combinations of traits such as skin pigmentation, hair texture and color, eye color, and other physical characteristics. They are not separate Human species or rigid biological divisions, and considerable variation exists within every phenotype.

Boreal from the Azure Guard were Very fair to light skin; broad variation in hair and eye color, including blond/red hair and light eyes from Cold climates; long winters, short summers, low annual UV.

Temperate from the Lekaris, Fairbarrow, and Haventide were Light to olive/tan skin; predominantly brown or black hair; brown/hazel eyes common from Mild-to-warm seasonal climates; moderate rainfall, sunny summers, mild winters.

Arid from the Bloodhorn were Olive to deep-brown skin; predominantly dark hair and brown eyes from Very dry climates; intense sunlight, sparse rainfall, desert and volcanic wasteland.

Monsoon from the Naja were Light-brown to deep-brown skin; predominantly dark, usually straight/wavy hair and brown eyes from Hot and humid climates; pronounced wet/dry seasons with intense seasonal rainfall.

Oscillatory from the Vah-Yu were Fair to medium/brown skin; predominantly straight dark hair and brown eyes from Strong annual swings between warm/hot summers and cold winters; pronounced seasonality.

Equatorial from the Morvaren were Dark to very-dark brown skin; predominantly tightly curled/coiled dark hair and dark eyes from Hot, high-UV conditions year-round; relatively little seasonal temperature variation.

These same broad phenotypes can also appear among many other humanoid Heirs, including Dwarves, Halflings, and other peoples that spent long periods living in the same regions.

As the Heirs spread beyond the Vale, isolated populations developed additional regional variations and mixed phenotypes. Increasing travel, migration, intermarriage, and eventually off-world settlement greatly reduced the isolation that originally produced these distinctions. In later ages, phenotype therefore indicates ancestral geography far more reliably than faction, culture, nationality, or character.