Humans (Ringworld)

Humans in the Ringworld Universe have descended from the Pak, and are native to the planet Earth.

During the first phase of human interstellar colonization (i.e., before humanity acquired the Quantum I Hyperdrive), simple robotic probes were sent to nearby stars to assess their planets for habitation. The programming of these probes was flawed: they sent back a "good for colonization" message if they found a habitable point, rather than a habitable planet. Sleeper ships containing human colonists were sent to the indicated star systems. Too often, those colonists had to make the best of a bad situation.

The Puppeteer government concluded that humans' most notable quality was luck, and decided to improve this trait. Manipulating politics on Earth through bribery and blackmail, the Puppeteers caused the "Birthright Lottery" on Earth around 2650, biasing human genetic selection towards encouraging luck.