Demi-Human

> *“When you break it down, it never really made any sense why some people considered Demi-Humans inferior to them. They can be faster and stronger than us, retain information better than us. If anything, they regularly outperform most humans. As I said, it never really made any sense.”* - Sofia Shackley, Imperial citizen and Demi-Human rights activist.
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Trapped between two very different worlds, Demi-Humans are a strange middle-ground between the world of humanity and the wild animal world. Demi-Humans are believed to be created by a magical anomaly, though nobody actually knows how they came to be. Though they are visually quite similar to humans and almost always have human ancestry, their animal-half renders their biology radically different. The Empire of Man once saw the Demi-Humans as inferior to regular Imperials, however they recently gained status as equal citizens by Emperor Karl Ragnor, grandfather to the current Empress. That said, there is still a long way to go to reach complete social equality.

## **Physical Description - Human and Animal Biology**

Like humans, Demi-Humans vary greatly in height, weight, skin colouration, and most aspects of their physical appearance. They can range from a little under 4 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and weight varies just as much. As a rule of thumb, however, Demi-Humans interestingly tend to mimic their animal halves. A Demi-Bear, for example, will typically be taller and heavier than a Demi-Rabbit. They also tend to have noticeable features that imply their animal aspects. A Demi-Cat will have cat-like ears, a Demi-Tortoise will have scaly skin, a Demi-Bird might have spots of feathers on their bodies, and so on. In this way, Demi-Humans mimic both their human and animal aspects.

It is believed that a Demi-Human’s animal-half has the potential to be practically any species, though mammalian species are seemingly more common.

## **Mentality - Stereotypes and Discrimination**

Despite being considered equal citizens in the Empire of Man, where most of their population can be found, Demi-Humans are still considered second-class citizens by a vocal minority of the Imperial population. This means that Demi-Humans truly have no nation to call their own in some cases, and so have become brilliant improvisers and wordsmiths. They are able to diffuse many situations, or at least manipulate the situation to avoid direct conflict. They are very similar to Half-Elves in this regard. Typically, Demi-Humans have to resort to these tactics due to their very unique and prominent features - features that make blending in all the more difficult. Interestingly, due to their people-skills and talents in speech, Demi-Humans are swiftly becoming popular choices for ambassadors, diplomats, and business representatives.

A popular stereotype that is applied to Demi-Humans is that they mimic the behavioural traits of their animal-half, such as Demi-Bears being naturally more aggressive. Those that believe this assume that the physical also applies to the emotional and mental. However this is untrue more often than not. Demi-Humans are not susceptible to one particular emotion or behavioural pattern any more or less than other humans are.

## **Society - March of Progress**

Though they have no country entirely of their own, Demi-Humans are primarily considered citizens of the Empire of Man. They used to be considered second-class citizens, working as servants and labourers and enjoying less rights than their ‘regular’ Imperial counterparts. But they are now considered equal citizens. However, it is clear that society still has a way to go before Demi-Humans are considered completely equal. Demi-Humans make up an extremely small number of the upper classes and generally seem to get less opportunities than Imperial citizens do. It is therefore unsurprising that there are several Demi-Human rights groups.

Despite the clear downsides and social problems, most Demi-Humans remain in the Empire as they consider themselves loyal citizens first-and-foremost. As a result Demi-Humans in other lands are somewhat rare. Those that do are typically there on Imperial diplomatic missions, business assignments, or as travelling wanderers. In other lands they are generally treated the same as any other ‘outsider’ races would be - for better or for worse.

## **Demi-Human Adventurers - Ambition and Freedom**

Demi-Humans that turn to adventuring typically do so out of a sense of ambition, a sense that is present in most humans, and a desire for true freedom. Given that they live in an unfair society, this is perhaps quite unsurprising. As part of an adventuring group, Demi-Humans can be some of the greatest and most loyal allies one can find, as long as they are treated equally and with respect.

## **Demi-Human Names**

Being mainly citizens of the Empire of Man, Demi-Humans typically adopt Imperial naming conventions. In some cases, they might be given names that correlate with the animal aspect of their being - but this is not always the case.

## **Demi-Human Traits**

Your Demi-Human character has some qualities in common with their Human and animal aspects, a useful combination that is unique to them.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** two different ability scores increase by 1. One is your choice, the second is linked to your animal-half.
* ***Age -*** though some believe that Demi-Humans live longer or shorter based on their animal-half, they actually live the same lifespans as regular Humans. They reach adulthood in their late teens and live for just under a century on average.
* ***Alignment -*** like most Humans, Demi-Humans are not beholden to one particular alignment. The best and worst can be found among them. Some fall onto the chaotic or neutral side, valuing their freedom due to past wrongdoings. Others become very lawful in order to better integrate into society.
* ***Size -*** Demi-Humans vary in height, partially depending on their animal-half. Wherever they fall onto the range, though, it will typically be between a little under 5 feet to a little over 6 feet. Your size is Medium.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Animal Aspects -*** due to your animal-half, you gain features and aspects of a specific animal. This varies greatly, from better hearing to a defensive shell. Either way, you gain two traits depending on your animal half.
* ***Skills -*** you gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak Common and one extra language of your choice. Demi-Humans vary greatly in their typical speech mannerisms, just like most humans, however some might be influenced by their animal-half.