Fantasy Races: [1/4] Humans

WOW THIS TOOK LIKE TWO WEEKS? Well maybe more like 4 days overall, since I only worked on them over the weekends.
BUT YO, REMEMBER THE FANTASY CHARACTERS I POSTED A WHILE AGO

I'll probably be making more (as well as environments and creatures), but first I wanted to explore the races I had in mind for the world me and *Ai-Bee are building for this.
This project is currently unnamed, but it's something I've wanted to do ever since I was in middle school.

A lot of High Fantasy is very overdone and all the designs are inbred, so as a kid I wanted to see a fantasy world that was more diverse, but used a lot of familiar things from the genre.
I realize I'm taking a lot of liberties with the typical interpretations of High Fantasy...but it's fucking fantasy, dude.
What's fantasy without imagination? I always thought the "rules" some people ascribe to were bullshit anyway.
(sorry any Tolkien/D&D-die-hards, this project probably isn't for you)

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Disclaimers:
I reference a lot of cultures and plan to mix them with more typical fantasy elements, but if anyone who belongs to the cultures that inspired me, by all means please let me know if I've done anything seriously wrong or offensive and I will look into it and fix it as best as I can. And yes, I know where the names I'm using came from.

No body shaming will be tolerated. (ʘ‿ʘ✿)

So without any further ado, here is some thought-vomit on each of the races and sub-races!

Humans

Nomads: Well known for their singing, archery, and animals, the Nomads are a collection of family tribes that occupy the Northeast sector of the world. Their culture values experience above anything, so the oldest members of each respective family typically lead their tribe, regardless of occupation, gender, or physical prowess. From a young age, they are raised alongside the animals they keep, and usually develop a strong bond with their future mount. The death of a mount is mourned just as much as the death of a family member. While their relations with the other Northern races are good, they typically keep out of politics, preferring trade as their only source of interaction.
Inspirations and notes: traditional Mongolian culture. Typically bigger, stout body types. Central-to-North Asian features.

Myrmidons: Also called the Myr, the Western Humans are an ambitious, young nation with a powerful army and steam-powered technology. Working under a prominent royal family, they are a positive and nationalistic kingdom. Though not overtly militaristic themselves, they've been involved in many turf wars through their allies, the West Elven Naiads. Many races consider them the overbearing "little brother nation" to the Naiads, though the Myr view themselves as helpful and loyal, honoring their kingdom and creed above all. They're currently developing a railroad system in hopes of bridging the Western and Eastern sectors to increase good relations and trade.
Inspirations and notes: Victorian era British culture and steampunk. Strong, athletic bodies. Black-American features.

Garuda: Economically poor but culturally rich, the Garuda are a demure and hard-working people famous for their theater, clothing dyes, tropical food, and floating market. They range from artists to traders, weavers, entertainers, and stock-herders, though normally farmers. It's common to find large farming villages because much of their food is sold to the Eastern Elves who live in the trees above them. A very spiritual group, the only leaders in their society are religious figureheads. Traveling monks and nuns who perform religious services and medicinal miracles are also well-known and seen as signs of good luck.
Inspirations and notes: traditional Thai culture. Thin, androgynous bodies, swapped gender expression. Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander features.

Giants: The most distinguished race of humans, the Giants (or Titans) are a powerful and rich nation that lord over the South with a stern but gentle hand. Their royal family is chosen through creed and a series of tests; the elected king and queen rule together with even responsibilities and are typically not married, having personal lives outside of their political sphere. Known for cultivating the best education and scholars, they are a disciplined and sophisticated people that are sometimes faulted for their lack of humor and arrogance. Despite being a political and militaristic powerhouse, the recent technological developments in the West have been causing some tension.
Inspirations and notes: Ancient Egyptian culture. Tallest race, thick, statue-esque bodies. Central to North African and Middle Eastern features.

The other races:


To see more of this world, please visit this gallery!