Humans are the predominant race on Athas. They can easily adapt to situations involving elves or dwarves, and even more exotic races such as half-giants and thri-kreen. Where other, less tolerant races come into contact with one another, humans often serve as diplomatic buffers.
Humans are common mostly in city-states where they are considered significantly better than the "lesser races". Humans are generally tolerant of other races.
The children of humans and other races produce the so-called half-races: half-elves and muls.
Characteristics
2nd Edition
Human characters are not restricted in either the classes they can choose or the levels they can attain. High-level humans can easily become the most powerful characters in the campaign. Although humans can not be multi-classed characters, they can be dual class characters as described in the Player's Handbook.
General Description
Humans have very little distinction from the real world equivalent. Humans make up the majority of the nobility in most City-States. They have rounded ears, humanoid shape, and hair on their head.
An average human male stands between 6 and 6 1/2 feet tall and weighs 180 to 200 pounds. A human female is somewhat smaller, averaging between 5 1/2 and 6 feet in height and weighing between 100 and 140 pounds. The colors of skin, eyes, and hair vary widely.
On Athas, centuries of abusive magic have not only scarred the landscape —they've twisted the essence of human appearance, as well. Others, however, have marked alterations to their appearance. Their facial features might be slightly bizarre; a large chin or nose, pointed ears, no facial hair, etc. Their coloration might be subtly different, such as coppery, golden brown, hueds of grey, or patchy. The differences may be more physical, such as webbed toes or fingers, longer or snorter limbs, etc.
History
During the Cleansing of Athas, the Champions realized that Rajaat was not human like they were. And that he was planning on cleansing humans from the world and placing the Halflings in charge.
Roleplaying
2nd Edition
The notes given on roleplaying each race are also very important, since a character earns additional individual experience point awards when played according to these racial descriptions.
Sources
- Dark Sun Boxed Set. 2nd Edition. TSR Inc.