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Manusia     Manusia was the domain of the Protodragon Pistis the Yellow. Then as now, it was a temperate and diverse realm. The region has warm temperatures and sunny weather, with snowy but bearable winters. Lush pine and deciduous forests cover parts of the rolling plains and the slopes of the Spaulding Mountains, with fertile grasslands filling in the rest.
    Between its foundation and today, however, Manusia has had a very bizarre history. Interestingly, it is the only realm with a non-Draconic name; its original name was abandoned during the Ternary War in 190-220 AFA. During that conflict, the realm was torn apart by volcanic activity, which was caused when white acolytes sabotaged several Hephæstic geothermal power plants. The realm then became known as the Ashen Plains - that is, until plant and animal life returned to the fertile volcanic soil centuries later. When refugees from Wynthia arrived to settle the realm in 834 AFA, they named the land after their expedition’s leader, Manusia Carver.
    Manusia’s Third Alacrian Era history is almost as chaotic as the later Ternary War era. The conflict between the city-factions of Hephæstis and Elysya has been characterized as a fight between industry and intellectualism, and both sides wreaked havoc on the landscape. The legacy of that war continues today; the realm is dotted with innumerable decayed outposts, bunkers, bases, and other infrastructure of war. Manusia suffers more problems with rogue technologicals than any other realm, and adventurers are constantly being employed to protect endangered settlements and clear out troublesome ruins. In addition to technologicals, adventurers in Manusia frequently deal with bandit gangs and wildlife; the plains are home to many roving predators, while all manner of creatures can make their way out of the Spaulding Mountains to prey on vulnerable peasants.
    Today, Manusia’s climate is quite comfortable. Its extremely productive farmland has combined with humanity's naturally high birth rate to rapidly produce a large population, enabling Lur-Asko’s relatively new human civilization to compete seriously with the other realms. It is well-documented that the 12,000 original Manusian colonists were joined by many, many times that number in Lur-Asko humans from their own and other realms, all during the first century of Manusia's growth. These incoming tribes met the Manusians' call for unity with varying degrees of resistance, but today, the vast majority of Lur-Asko humans have been successfully brought together under the banner of Manusian culture and the codes of chivalry. United yet diverse, humans continue to remember their family heritages and even traditions from their pre-Manusian tribal days. Familial coats of arms are notoriously complicated and enigmatic symbols, having become a frequent curiosity of researchers from other realms.
    Humans gathered in Manusia after the Declaration of Methods was already in use in neighboring realms. They ultimately decided to adopt the system themselves, but with a greater tolerance for central authority in dangerous times. Each city is led by a baron who accepts the authority of the Lord of Modale. In everyday life, however, each city-state is basically independent. Each baron maintains a contingent of knights, or lesser landholders contracted to their service. Most nobles hold to Methodianism or Rationalism, with the human traditions of chivalry (personal honor) playing a large role in either.
    Unlike most other realms except Macska, humans tend to expect their nobility to pursue martial skills as well. Jousts between knights are a favorite spectacle for commoners. Participating in various martial tournaments can be a useful way for adventurers to prove themselves to wealthy knights looking to hire help, and it is not uncommon for a well-connected adventurer to become a knight or baron themselves after retirement.

Major Cities Modale     Estimated population: 230,000
    The human capital and cultural center, as well as the largest city in Manusia. It was here that the codes of chivalry were first written, and here that they are preserved in a grand castle called the Keep of Heroes. In addition to chivalric tradition, the castle is a traditional center of the adventuring profession, with great heroes forever immortalized as statues in its halls. Indeed, much of Modale’s economic activity revolves around adventurers, with a wide variety of shops and training academies geared to their needs. Given Manusia’s troubles with the remnants of the Hephæstis-Elysya war and also many bandit clans, this is nothing less than an absolute necessity.

Vil de-Mareé     Estimated population: 180,000
    Home to gentle waters and good sea conditions, Vil de-Mareé is any sailor’s dream port. The only drawback for businesses is the long road over tech-infested hills to get goods out of the city. As such, Vil de-Mareé's economy largely consists of very large shipping guilds able to afford both ships and safe overland transport. Adventurers can usually get a job protecting these shipments on the roads, while those looking to obtain a ship can find a great variety without the exotic tech and prices of the elven shipyards.

Vil Cendreé     Estimated population: 180,000
    Whether Vil de-Mareé or Vil Cendreé is larger or more profitable is a hotly debated topic within each city. The seas around Vil Cendreé are rougher and more challenging than those of its northern rival, but its location on a river mouth allows smaller boats to travel to Modale, avoiding the dangers of Vil de-Mareé’s overland shipping. As such, its ports are preferred by smaller but more proficient operators, and it is the center of a bustling naval adventuring scene. Shortly after its founding, Vil Cendreé built its famous School of Navigation, which continues to rival Hal'Samak as Lur-Asko’s main source of ship helmsmen.

Marché de-Ferr     Estimated population: 100,000
    A center of military training, anyone with an interest in tactics will find this city an educational place. There is a strong government presence here, and it is Manusia’s main producer of non-adventurer military training and equipment. There is little for adventurers to do here (at least compared to elsewhere in Manusia), but barons from the other city-states often contract with Marché de-Ferr to train and equip their soldiers. In addition to comprehensive programs of combat training, the city produces several valuable minerals from nearby pit-mines. Having brought the technology of gunpowder firearms with them from Wynthia, the Manusians built their first gunsmithing industries in Marché de-Ferr due to its proximity to these resources.

Brinequay     Estimated population: 90,000
    A coastal community alongside Lake Wynelde, the humans here supply both Nani and Manusia with fish. The city is one of the safer places in Manusia, being far away from the old Elysya-Hephæstis warfronts. Still, it manages to draw some adventuring attention, as it is an ideal starting point for exploratory voyages to Nexus.

Sedgewood     Estimated population: 40,000
    Located deep in the forests at the foothills of the Spaulding Mountains, Sedgewood is a favorite destination for adventurers - and after many relentless attacks from Hephæstic techs and Exsomnis over the years, they're a welcome sight there. The city is an excellent base for operations within the mysterious forests, and its woodcraft and fletchers are unequaled. Ambitious archers may improve their skills or even take up adventuring through the local Marksman’s College. In addition, the city is home to the Bards’ Tavern - an enormous, ever-expanding log building that has long been a cultural center for some of Lur-Asko's finest art and artists, and for those who wish to see their works.

Perimeter     Estimated population: 32,000
    Perimeter is a heavily fortified settlement bustling with military activity. It maintains several military outposts on nearby foothills, and the garrisons can maintain watch for miles. Surrounding villages enjoy prosperous agriculture, but the primary purpose of the city seems to be to dismantle techs that come down the southern road out of Elysya - altogether one of the most dangerous industries in Manusia.

Midsberg     Estimated population: 28,000
    A quiet city situated at an important crossroads between Modale, Hal’Tayat, and the port city of Vil de-Mareé. Located on the banks of Lake Leadlay, Midsberg also has a deep farming and fishing tradition.

Lisiérre     Estimated population: 22,000
    A classic border town, Lisiérre is also situated on a river large enough to handle small ships. There is a high military presence due to its strategic location, but this refers more to its proximity to Elysyan military outposts than to Hal'Tayat.