Human

Humans are a race of the Ea species that has traditionally occupied the central regions of the continent of Ditarre as well as the Phocachirsk Peninsula on Däegarden. The human ethnic groups are the Uzeb, Iloisa, Nokin, Phocahn, and Metzi.

History
The Humans developed on one of the Four Islands during the Infinite War, after a 10,000-year isolation period. After the conflict, they began settling the central regions of Ditarre. Different groups of humans were separated by vast mountain ranges and developed into the Uzeb, Iloisa, and Nokin ethnic groups. The Iloisa eventually took over all human territory and formed the Iloisa Empire, the world's first large-scale government.

Tulkon Bytu was an Iloisa who became the world's first Tulkon. He migrated to the Phocachirsk Peninsula, where the Phocahn group would develop. Thanks to the efforts of Tulkon Ytinise in 471 AT, the Empire was reorganized into the Republic of Usybork. The country was later fragmented into the Republic of Independent Human States by Tulkon Bodor, and for the next nearly 2500 years would be the dominant human government (despite competition with the Kingdom of Usybork, which was occasionally a member state). The RIHS was officially disbanded by Tulkon Vonha in 2910.

The human population was heavily affected by the disease Colitzl, which originated in Nokina. Nearly half of all people who were infected died of the disease, and Tulkon Ico sacrificed himself to eradicate it.

The current human-majority states are the Usybork Republic, the Ilois Republic, Nokina, and Honsinad.

Ethnic Groups
During the pre-Tulkon era and the age of the Iloisa Empire, human ethnic groups lacked distinct cultural markers other than location. After the fall of the Iloisa Empire, the groups began to truly diversify.

Uzyb
The Uzyb are the largest and oldest of the human ethnic groups. They were the first subset of any of the Four Earthly Peoples to settle the world after the end of the Infinite War. Prior to their conquest by the Iloisa Empire, they mainly spoke Uzyb, a close descendant of Proto-Uzyb, the language spoken by the first humans to reach Ditarre, but language shift caused them to speak Iloisa. They mainly inhabit the country of Usybork. A majority of Uzyb are Tulkonists. They mostly speak Iparah, a descendant of Iloisa. A minority of Uzyb, especially in the north, have Dwarven ancestry.

Iloisa
The Iloisa first came to be when a second group from Ukohah landed on Ditarre. They formed the first large terrestrial empire, the Iloisa Empire. Today, they mainly inhabit the Ilois Republic. Most Iloisa are Tulkonists and speak Iloisa. In modern times, their culture has been heavily influenced by many immigrants that have settled in the Ilois Republic.

The Vardo are a subgroup of the Iloisa who live in the city of Ygasa Vardo. Ygasa Vardo was founded as an Elven city, but it was also settled by the Iloisa Empire. Modern-day Vardo live a highly multicultural existence, with most Vardo having about half Elven ancestry. They speak Vardoic, an Iloisa-A'Roic Creole. They mostly practice U'ma Däeism and occasionally Tulkonism.

Nokin
The Nokin came to be when a third group of Humans made it to Ditarre. Rather than settle on the continent's western coast, they continued to travel east until they reached the Nokina Peninsula. Prior to their conquest by the Iloisa Empire, they mainly spoke Nokin, a close relative of Uzyb, but language shift caused them to speak Iloisa. Most Nokin are Pantulkonists and inhabit the country of Nokina, and speak Dekoisa, a descendant of Iloisa. Many Nokin have a small percentage of Orc ancestry.

Phocahn
The Phocahns' ethnogenesis was when Tulkon Bytu led several groups of immigrants from all over the Iloisa Empire to the Phocahn peninsula, forming a third new culture. Phocahns are the most diverse group of humans, with many having ancestry from all over the Human provinces and elsewhere (including Ynoforan and Keghotuhr ancestry), leading to the development of a unique culture. Modern Phocahn identity is based less around ancestry and blood, and more so around the shared history and culture of the region. Most Phocahns are Tulkonists, but about half of their religious population are Daëists or Prophetists. They mainly reside in the nation of Honsin. They speak Iloisa as a mother language, although Däegic has become a popular vernacular, especially in southern Honsin.

Metzi
The Metzi people are a group of humans who live on Metzi Island, located in the center of Crescent Bay. They constituted a second group of humans that left the island of Ukohah after the Infinite War, and lived in isolation during the pre-Tulkon era and afterwards. They made contact with the Iloisa Empire in the 400s during the Iloisa Conquest, and were then annexed into the Empire. After the fall of the Empire, they came under Usybork rule, where they have remained for millennia.

The Metzi have been victims of Uzyb colonization and cultural suppression. The Metzi language has been a significant influence on Iparah (words like colitzl, for example, originated from Metzi). A majority speak Iparah and practice Tulkonism as a result of Uzyb influence, and legally, they are considered Uzyb, as well. However, a growing number have called for legal recognition as their own people, and have promoted use of their native language.

Real-word influences
The Iloisa Empire and pre-Iloisa conquest Human culture is primarily inspired by the Roman Empire, as well as Southern Europe. The Metzi people are inspired by Mesoamerican cultures such as the Nahua. Post-Iloisa conquest culture is inspired heavily by Latin America.