Appearance
For all the variety seen in the other species, none can compare to the Triton. With skin that ranges from a deep teals to pale greens to even pinks and yellows, the only real guarantee is that almost all of these merfolk have fins of some kind. Some might have subtle ones, simply finned ears and elbows, others may have magnificent crests that seem to be taller than their heads. Some triton have hair, which is typically blue or green, while many are bald, or have fins or tentacles that can appear like hair at a glance.
Despite the uniqueness of any individual, the surface folk have a more standardised view of how triton look, for in the rare occasions when an ambassador is sent above the waves, they tend to have similar appearances; blue skin, largely human looking faces (this is not a given for the species as a whole!), and either minor, or aesthetically pleasing fins.
Description
Lords of The Varolian
On the surface, there are more than a dozen different intelligent species all worthy of attention and potentially vying for power or land. Under the sea, however, there are only the Triton. They have ruled The Varolian Sea since records began, with their underwater kingdoms and a general no-contact policy with the world above.
From beneath the waves they operate as an empire larger than any other in the world, and continue aiding the surface peoples without them ever knowing. For it is the triton who task themselves with slaughtering countless dangerous sea creatures, holding back mass invasions from monstrous Merrow and Sahuagin, and maintain the protections around Kraken-holding Sea Locks.
Between all this and more, many have accused Triton of having a superiority complex, for whenever one surfaces they tend to view all others around them as lesser.
Isolationist and Xenophobic
The triton capital has always been hidden from surface eyes, and the only contact they make is through individual ambassadors sent to discuss matters of great importance. More than a few prying mages have attempted to search for underwater secrets only to be violently escorted back to land when they happen too close to a triton settlment.
In addition to their active avoidance of other people, the ambassadors often paint a poor picture of Triton perspective, for they can speak with not only arrogance, but with disdain for the very folk they converse with. Perhaps the majority of Triton are much more humble and gracious, but is is unlikely humanity will ever find out.
Wonders Below The Water
While no land-dwellers have ever seen or written of them, triton settlements are centers of art, culture, and beauty the likes of which few places can compete with. With their own musics and magics never heard of above the water, entire cities grown from coral, and a royal palace that would put even the Aetherial Úrlos to shame, the triton have no shortage of wealth, knowledge, or power available.
Religion & Politics
The Sea
While they know her by another name, triton tend to worship a single deity of water who is often compared to, or directly conflated with
Suróza. The Tidebringer is their matriarch, and the monarch of all underwater lands is thought of by her people as a divine incarnation of this God herself.
Republic of Ósa
Generally triton kingdoms keep their no-contact policy up even for the great and powerful wizards of the Republic, and this is a boundary presently respected by Ósa and its people. Those who know the terrors of the deep often accept the pedestal the sea people have put themselves on purely out of gratitude for how tritons protect the surface from creatures like krakens and other horrors.
Kingdom of Praelos
Praelos as a nation shows triton the most respect of any outsider species by far. Theories for this include a general lack of interest, as there is little point in trying to conquer an ocean, or a genuine fear of the might that could be unleashed should they harm the people of the sea, and anything in between. No matter the reason, the two groups never bother each other.
Mechanics
Ability Scores: Str +1, Con +1, Cha +1
Size: Triton are somewhat shorter than humans, averaging just above 5 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed: You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Aquan
Swim Speed: You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.
Limited Amphibiousness: You need water to breathe, but you can survive for up to 1 hour in open air before suffocating.
Control Air and Water: A child of the sea, you can call on the magic of elemental air and water. You can cast fog cloud with this trait. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast gust of wind with it, and starting at 5th level, you can also cast wall of water with it. Once you cast a spell with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Darkvision: You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Emissary of the Sea: Aquatic beasts have an extraordinary affinity with your people. You can communicate simple ideas with beasts that can breathe water. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return.
Guardians of the Depths: Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage.
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