Humans are the most powerful and common of all races in Thedas. But it wasn't always this way. While human history has a tendency to ignore or outright refute this scholars believe there was a time where there wasn't a single human on the continent.
The humans are said to have first appeared from the north in a single tribe known as the Neromenians. The race's tribal roots led to the evolution of scholars believe there was a time when there wasn't a single distinct groups with their own languages, customs, and beliefs. human anywhere on the continent.
The humans are said to have first appeared from the north as a single tribe known as the Neromcnians. It's not known where they came from or why they came. The first human settlers were met with hostility from the ruling elves. At the time, the elves were said to be immortal, and what little remains of elven history blames contact with humans for the loss of this immortality. The elves began to age and die as the humans did, a process the elves called "quickening." Fearing the effect, they distanced themselves from the humans, whom they called "quicklings' By retreating from their own lands, the elves allowed the humans to expand well into the continent.
Growing human tribes in the north united to form the Tevinter lmperium and became a significant power. The magic users of the lmperium made peace with the dwarves, but the elves remained their enemies. Eventually, the conflict between humans and elves came to a head. Tevinter laid waste to the elven empire, marching all the way to the capital, Arlathan.
Arlathan's destruction elevated humans to a place of power in Thedas, one they have yet to relinquish. Human influence continued to spread through Thedas with the rise of the lmperium, and then, with the rise of Andraste and her Cult of the Maker.
While humans are the dominant race in Thedas they are also the most fractured. The races tribal roots led to the evolution of distinct groups with their own language, customs, and beliefs. These distinctions have been at the heart of numerous conflicts between human nations and religious movements.
The ancient Tevinter religion, which revealed a pantheon of dragons known as the Old Gods, clashed with the fledgeling Cult of the Maker. When belief in the Maker became the single largest religion in Thedas, conflicts then arose over interpretations of the Maker's teachings. The Chantry, based on Orlais, severed ties with the Imperial Chantry in Tevinter over differing beliefs regarding magic and it's place in the world.
The ambitious of human nations have also made for unstable borders. Both Tevinter and Orlais were at one time vast empires that threaten or outright conquered other human nations like Ferelden or the Free Marches. Scholars wrestle to explain humanity's ability to maintain power over most of Thedas, given all the infighting.
Tevinter lmperium
Neromenian: Believed to be the first humans in Thedas, the Neromenians fought early battles with the elves and were also the first humans to practice magic. They settled the entire coastline along the Nocen Sea. Eventually three distinct broke off to form separate kingdoms: Qarinus, Tevinter, and Barindur. The remaining Neromenians persisted under their own king until the formation of the Tevinter lmperium, the first major human nation in Thedas.
Qarinus: The eastern pre-Imperial kingdom, an offshoot of the Neromenians, was centered in the city now known as Qarinus. It was eventually united under the Tevinter Imperium.
Tevinter: Another offshoot of the Neromenians, this early human tribe aligned itself with the dwarves and eventually absorbed both the Neromenians and Qarinus to form the Tevinter lmperium.
Barindur: Not much is known about this kingdom, which is said to have completely disappeared after losing favor with the Old God Dumat. All that remains is a path and bare Rock.
Fereldan
Alamarri: This ancient people occupied the land now known as Ferelden as members of various tribes, primary the Clayne, Chasind, and Avvar. The legendary Calenhad, backed by the Clayne and some Avvars and Chasind, united Ferelden and forced opposing tribe members into the new nations fringes.
Clayne: A historically powerful Alamarri tribe who joined Calenhad to help form the nation of Fereldan.
Chasind: Some of the Alamarri tribe, called the Chasind, resisted the unification of Fereldan, retreated to the Korcari Wilds in the south. There they continue to live a peaceful if misunderstood life in small communities. Their leaders are shamans, respected in Chasind culture for their magical abilities.
Avvar: Like the Chasind, some Avvar resisted the unification of tribes under Calenhad. They were pushed into the Frostback Mountains, where they remain stubbornly independent people with their own customs and religion. They are frequently referred to as "hillmen" or the "Sky Cult".
Orlais and Nevarr
Ciriane: loosely defined and culturally rich, the Ciriane people prospered in the fertile crescent of what is now central Orlais. While other tribes faced pressure from Neromenians in the north, the Ciriane were largely isolated, and remained a strong, distinct people until the founding of Orlais after the First Blight. Ciriane culture has all but disappeared.
Inghirsh: Originally the largest cohesive culture in the north of what is now Orlais, the Ingrhirsh would become decentralized to the point of wandering family tribes of no more than ten members. Nomadic and isolationist, the Inghirsh were on the losing end of a conflict with the Neromenians. The survivors were largely absorbed into the Ciriane and Planasene.
Planasene: the Planasene were a farming people with a surprising long written history and strong culture of animal worship. Many Nevarrans trace their roots back to this tribe.