Imperial

> *“The realms of Mankind will never fall. Our fate is our own. We mastered the sword. We mastered magic. We mastered the very land itself. We have the determination and the courage to push on. And push on we shall! I promise this, as your Empress.”* - quote from Empress Maria I, during her coronation speech.
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   In the reckonings of most worlds, Imperials are one of the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to Dwarves, Elves, and Lizardmen. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to their elder races, and that’s why they build their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, Imperials are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the world.

## **Physical Description - A Broad Spectrum**

With their penchant for migration and conquest, Imperials are more physically diverse than some other races. For there is no typical human. An individual can stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weigh from 125 to 250 pounds - at least on average. Like all humans, Imperial skin shades range from nearly black to very pale, and hair colours from black to blond - and in a variety of styles. Males might sport facial hair that is sparse or thick and also in a variety in different styles and looks. A lot of Imperials have a dash of non-human blood, revealing hints of Elf, Orc, or other lineages. Like most humans, Imperials reach adulthood in their late teens and rarely live more than a single century.

## **Mentality - Variety in All Things**

Imperials are the most adaptable and ambitious people among the common races. They have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An individual Imperial might have a relatively short life span, but the Imperial nation and culture preserves traditions with origins far beyond the reach of any single Imperial’s memory. They live fully in the present - making them well suited to the adventuring life - but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and as a group, Imperials are adaptable opportunists, and they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.

Just as readily as they mix with each other, Imperials mingle with members of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Imperials serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants, and functionaries of all kinds.

* **Dwarves -** Imperials and Dwarves have a deep relationship with one another. Most Imperials see them as loyal, stalwart friends and trustworthy allies, if a little temperamental.
* **High Elves -** most Imperials acknowledge the superiority complex that many High Elves seem to have, as well as their more manipulative practices. However, they greatly admire their culture and intelligence.
* **Halflings -** many Imperials consider Halflings to be very hospitable and friendly hosts. Their feasts and parties are hard to beat. They do consider their complacency to be their downfall, though, and believe they could achieve greatness if they had more ambition.
* **Vampires and Undead -** most Imperials despise the Vampires and Undead as unholy abominations. Necromancy and dark magic is illegal in the Empire of Man and those seen dabbling with such things are arrested by the Imperial Inquisitors.

## **Society - Lasting Institutions**

Where a single Elf or Dwarf might take on the responsibility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret, Imperials found sacred orders and institutions for such purposes. While Dwarf clans and Halfling elders pass on the ancient traditions to each new generation, Imperial temples, governments, libraries, and codes of law fix their traditions in the bedrock of history. Imperials dream of immortality, but (except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone.

Although some Imperials can be xenophobic, in general their societies are inclusive and welcoming. Imperial lands welcome large numbers of non-humans compared to some other countries, and the Empire of Man in particular is known for its large populations of Halflings, Half-Elves, Demi-Humans, and others.

## **Imperial Adventurers - Exemplars of Ambition**

Imperials who seek adventure are the most daring and ambitious members of a daring and ambitious race. They seek to earn glory in the eyes of their fellows by amassing power, wealth and fame. More than other people, Imperials champion causes rather than territories or groups.

## **Imperial Names**

Having so much variety, Imperials as a whole have no typical names. Some Imperial parents give their children names from other languages, such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of their ancestors.

## **Imperial Traits**

It’s hard to make generalisations about Humans, but your Imperial character has these traits.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.
* ***Age -*** like all humans, Imperials reach adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
* ***Alignment -*** Imperials tend toward no particular alignment, the best and worst being found among them. However, most citizens of the Empire do seem to nudge towards the neutral good side, doing what they believe is right without feeling completely beholden to the law, but still respecting it.
* ***Size -*** Imperials vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is medium.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Skills -*** you gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
* ***Feat -*** you gain one feat of your choice.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Imperials typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, High Elf musical expressions, Dwarf military phrases, and so on.