About the Manu

Manu - the closest the aether has to what we could call ‘humans’ - are the most prevalent and widespread mortals by far, having discovered, inhabited, and adapted to just about every habitable realm in the Great Sphere. They call the great city-pearl Novalassa their home, and even those who stray far from its borders tell fond stories of the hope and light that it represents in an age of despair and tribulation. 

 

Manu are a people that are hard to describe in general terms, but other civilizations often think of them as the most daring, fearless, and endlessly adventurous people of all. Stories of the grandest heroes and cruelest villains are told among their kind, and Manu are known to change just about everything they touch, for the worse or for the better. They are a people who are constantly evolving and adapting, blessed by their unique magical ‘birthgifts’. They venerate gods of many kinds, especially the Seven Ascendants and their daimonic children, the Lords of Sin and Virtue, creating a diversity of faiths within their kind - all of which are accepted in the grand cathedrals of Novalassa. But most cherished of all are the Ascendants of Fate and Choice, Ananka and Licentia, to whom Manu believe they owe their freedom of will. Their legends tell of how Licentia rose from mortal to god, a hero born in the ancient past among the Manu to fight for their freedom from once-controlling deities.

 

Manu society is strictly - and very passionately - communal and democratic by nature. Long ago they rid themselves of monarchies and tyrants, embracing councils of elected officials to govern, with the vote of the poorest and richest weighing the same (at least, on paper). The Novalassan system of government inspired that of the Iona, the aether’s grand capital. 

 

Birthgifts.

The Manu’s most distinct feature is their unique magical talents that arise in childhood, called Birthgifts. Each Manu is born with one unique gift, determined by their Birthstar and the will of the gods. Birthgifts have two aspects, Major and Minor, that work together in tandem to produce a unique talent. This talent is said to indicate what magical potential the Manu child might wield later in life. For instance, a Manu child who can control small flames might grow up to become a legendary pyromancer, or one who can turn themselves invisible might then become a performing illusionist. Many of the most powerful specialized mages in history were Manu, despite other races like the Capry being known for their most wide-reaching arcane talents.

 

Unique among their kind is their ability to hybridize with other mortal races, namely the ones that are capable of doing so. Half-Zephyr and half-Capry children are the most commonly seen, combining the birthgifts of the Manu with the quirks of their unique bloodlines. These hybrid children are beloved by most Manu for the gifts they provide.

​

Manu in Society

As the aether's most common and widespread people, the manu have connections with just about every other species of the aether, both other mortals and aetheric beings. They are fundamentally an inquisitive and insightful people keen on learning new experiences and welcoming cultural enrichment from many other species. Manu make friends, enemies, comrades and rivals with just about anyone. As frequent adventurers, they often form parties with fellow adventurers of all creeds.

​

Manu Naming Conventions

The Manu of Novalassa have broad naming conventions derived from any kind of human name in the real world. Most often, they have a given name and a surname, and may have a middle name as well. Manu raised outside of Novalassa may have unique naming conventions depending on the cultures they have been exposed to, or any hybrid heritage they might possess.