Water Breathing

I'm basically a mermaid now! I just need to figure out how to get a tail...

Water breathing is the ability bestowed by those that consume the rare Sea Peach, a mysterious fruit that grows along the coasts of the archipelago. Little is certain about how consuming the fruit induces this condition, however several theories have formed over the years. The most popular one is that the magic contained within the fruit manipulates the Gold within Elementals. It is believed that this alteration causes the Gold to define the water that would enter the throat to be air, and by doing so the reality of the situation is redefined. Observations that those that consume the fruit and then enter the water do not need to force water out of their lungs once the powers wear off support this theory. Even if the peach's effects wear off while a person is underwater, they will begin as if their lungs were filled with air, and they were holding their breath.

Still, the origin of the magic within the Sea Peach is not understood. While many species around the archipelago have been mutated by Lightning Magic. The closest understood mutation would be the development of the pneumatophores (snorkel roots) on plants in the region. Aside from the high sea levels around the land, Lightning magic has long been believed to not have dominion over the water, aside from what falls from the clouds.

Many have taken the ability of Water Breathing that there exists more than just the four Elemental magics, and that the oceans are ruled by their own. Perhaps with their own sapient Elementals within it. Many a legend has sprung up, speaking of scaled people with tails in place of legs, beyond the shores. Many rumours abound that these people may live north of the archipelago in the Abyssal Shore Reef. The gift the Sea Peach provides is seen as a blessing. However, over the past centuries, many have looked out past shore with disdain, as the last 'gift' of the oceans was far less pleasant than being able to swim without worry of drowning.  

Occurrence

1. To induce water breathing, begin by consuming one Sea Peach. The entire thing should be eaten, minus the seed, to maximize the time the condition will last.
   
2. Wait around 15 minutes until you feel the shift in how breathing feels. While difficult to describe, it seems to get hared to breathe air, or that the air becomes saturated and heavy.
   
3. Finally, go find some water and go take a nice deep breath. Everyone is always hesitant at first, but the condition seems to make it so that breathing water feels more natural than breathing air.

As the condition fades, so too does the feeling. It's important to pay attention to it, and either eat another peach to continue the condition. It is generally not recommended to eat more than five Sea Peaches without a break of at least a couple of days. Eating too many can begin to disrupt an Elementals magic, turning it erratic.