Sea Elf
With the speed of this challenge, it shall be published before it is ready, as a result, I would highly recommend returning to this as the week goes on.
Sea Elves, also known as Kyran'ossa, are a community of elves that mainly live in the depths of the oceans, however over the recent centuries, a small number have found their way to the surface. While they often resemble their surface counterparts, over the years, several cultures of Sea Elves have adapted features similar to the many creatures down at the depths of the aquatic realm.
Description
The majority of Sea Elves resemble their surface counterparts with pointed ears and long flowing hair. However, their skin is often a pale cool color and a set of gills flare from their neck outwards. Over the years, some Sea Elves have found themselves with bright coral color skin and hair, with deep black eyes. These special Sea Elves are known as Maaltra due to their extensive color.
However, the Sea Elves of the depths are drastically different, divided into two main cultures and looks. The Quiir'konara have adapted over the many years to resemble sharks and other predatory species, with their skin being almost rubbery when on land and has a grey tone even when hundreds of miles deep in the water. Each member of the Quiir'konara also are known to have sharp teeth ready to pierce into the flesh of various fish around them.
Alternatively, there are a group of Sea Elves that were touched by an aberrant influence. These Hlessanists are known for looking similar to creatures of the depths, with strange appendages and suction cups to lures to draw in creatures of all kinds. Most of them have hair made of strange tentacles that float with seemingly a mind of their own, reminding anyone who has seen them of Jellyfish filled with bioluminescence.
Abilities
All Sea Elves have the ability to breathe on both land and in the sea. This is thanks to a dual gill system that was adapted through the use of magical enchantments cast over the course of centuries. These enchantments seem to have also given Sea Elves resistance to the cold that lies in the depths of the ocean. Over many years, the Sea Elves have also learned to communicate telepathically with the beasts of the sea, though Sea Elves cannot understand them back.
Each of the three fragmented communities have different abilities that they can use, each of which help them in their main environment. Maaltra are able to control the water around them, letting them speed faster through the waters than even the most athletic of other Sea Elves can't keep up with.
Quiir'konara have a unique ability that allows them to be more deadly against injured foes. Their sharpened teeth covered with barbs and strange protrusions that dig deeper and more sharply into the hide of any other creatures.
Hlessanists seem to have latent psychic abilities that are remnants of their ancestral following of an aberrant sea entity. Some have been able to control the physical presence of individuals, while other can delve deep into the minds of sentient creatures.
| Sea Elves |
|---|
| Biological Information |
|---|
| Creature Type | Humanoid |
| Ancestry | Elf |
| Communities |
|
| Senses | Darkvision |
| Abilities | Child of the Sea Friend of the Sea |
| Physical Characteristics |
|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Lifespan | Around 750 Years |
| Average Height | Around 5'6" |
| Average Weight | Around 90 lbs |
| Skin Color | Blue, Green, Coral Colors |
| Hair Color | Commonly White, Black, and Dark Green |
| Eye Color | Humanoid-like or solid black |
| Sociocultural Information |
|---|
| Also Known As | Kyran'ossa |
| Planes | Material Plane (Nonvyrox) |
| Languages | Elvish (Sea Elvish) |
| Notable Sea Elves | Sha'ren Tulthron Mellera Thynas Aliimus Myrthek Nalasvin Fiy'ashe |
Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies
History
After the First Elves first left the , they found themselves open the various different religious ideas and cultures. Some of these First Elves found themselves influenced by their time on the coast and alongside different sea-fairing nations. These were the ancestors of the Sea Elves, First Elves who were followers of Akorvis and developed a closer understanding of the ocean and its depths. Many of these First Elves had magic which allowed them to learn to breathe underwater for a longer time than most humanoids.
Before The Shatter, some of the Sea Elves found themselves deferred from their beliefs by a strange aberrant entity known as The Maw. This creature was able to control and influence some of these Sea Elves, separating them from the rest of Sea Elven society. Many of the Sea Elves called these the Hlessanist, named for the Sea Elven word for "alien followers". Eventually, after a few decades of the Hlessanists existing, a group known as the "Hunters of the Depths" or the Quiir'konara started to hunt them down. Leading to the two communities that exist today.
In general, the Sea Elvish technology is still successful under the water, with many different arcane technologies comparable to the Arvadians. However, how much of the technology survived The Shatter is unclear. Much of the history of the Sea Elves was hidden or lost during the war, with many scholars believing that they were dead until 497 AR, when the first Sea Elf approached members of the surface. From this year, many different types of Sea Elves have been found across the realm, with their history slowly being uncovered.
Notable Sea Elves
| Name | Pronouns | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sha'ren Tulthron | He/Him | Maaltra from the Tylathoram Coast. Sha'ren has been a leader among the Sea Elven people for the past three centuries. He has skin that is a vibrant pink and long white hair that seems to stay consistent regardless of if he is underwater or not. Upon a coup among the Sea Elven people off the Tylathoram Coast, he was thrown onto the surface and found himself a small community to join. Now he spends his days working as a soothsayer for the local Kynrolta People. |
| Mellera Thynas | She/Her | Tidebearer in Skorage. A chosen of Akorvis, Mellera found herself drawn to the powerful beacon of Skorage under the guidance of Akorvis. She is commonly seen wearing a circlet of silver that contrasts her blue skinned frame and sea foam green hair. She was once a member of a Sea Elven commune off the coast of Qiras, but slowly made her way to the mainland to seek out the 'beacon calling her' |
| Aliimus Myrthek | She/They | Ancient Hlessanist Witch. While some confuse Aliimus for a Hag, she is a Hlessanist who has lived for at least six centuries. Stories tell of her residing on the island of Torren'thos off the south of Ossalimar. Allimus has found several powerful magical items that allow her to enchant those she wished not to visit her island. Despite her age, it seems as if Aliimus has not aged as she uses a glamor to make herself seem more appealing to a wider variety of people. In her true form however, Aliimus resembles a normal Sea Elf with an elongated face and a large lure stemming out from her forehead, almost like an angler fish. |
| Nalasvin Fiy'ashe | They/Them | Quiir'konara Blood Hunter. Nalasvin emerged around Kyradon, despite its desert terrain, Nalasvin has found himself hunting down a powerful creature onto the surface. They are commonly called the "Shark of the Desert" because they are known to wander in search of the powerful entity they know for harming their shiver. Nalasvin resembles a great-white shark in some forms, with several large fins along their body. They use their lust for blood to transform into a large hulking shark-like creature that can strike at any moment. |
Each of the three Sea Elf factions is really unique! I love how you described the differences between them. I’m especially intrigued by the Hlessanists’ psychic abilities. I’d love to know more about their settlements and how all the factions use their abilities in underwater environments.
The underwater world of Nonvyrox is on my list to flesh out, especially as I am trying to get different ideas for how to expand and make it more unique!