Lorn, Voices of the Water
This world is very much a work in progress, so please forgive any continuity mishaps
Lorn are the sapient amphibious race of the oceans of Aereltia. They are very lizard-like, with three sets of limbs and a long, powerful tail. They possess both lungs and gills, but underwater they must be in constant motion, moving water past their gills, to be able to breathe. 'Lorn' is the Strasian name for the sea dragons; they call themselves Khma-kul ts'ali, Voices of the Water.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Lorn are cold-blooded amphibious lizards, so-called the dragons of the sea. They look very akin to the seahorses of earth, albeit much larger, with six limbs and a long whale-esque tail. These six limbs can be used as either hands or feet, but the first pair are most like hands, more nimble, more finely boned. Their third pair of limbs are much stronger than the other two, suitable for bearing the entire weight of their body. All their limbs have a long, ribbed fin running along the outside of the arm or leg, which can be folded back against their arms/legs when not in the water (see Fig. 2).
Atop their head, Lorn have a large frill crown (see Fig. 3; not quite as large or as bony), which can be folded down against the neck or fanned upright; usually kept at the relaxed 'half-mast' position. Treated much like human hair, it's a versatile object of beauty; often decorated with a wide variety of piercings, from pretty shells to crafted chains of gemstones.
Lorn possess two voiceboxes: regular vocal cords that produce sound in air, and a unique [whatever whales have] that create sound in the water. This second voicebox can also be used out of the water, however it's not able to be used for speech. Instead, Lorn use their two voices to sing impossible songs, singing both words and music. Even when not purposefully using their second voice, Lorn speak with a strange rumbling or whistling undertone, their two voices sliding over one another. This strange double-voice sound has led to many nicknames; the Haunted, the blind wailers, whisperlings, mournmouth, to name a few.
The most notable anatomical feature of the Lornic people are the Lines. These are large 'veins' running just below the skin, carrying the bioluminescent fluid known as lumin, which glows with a bright faintly blue light. These Lines begin at the nape of the neck, just behind the head, and run across the back to the tail, splitting evenly on either side of their body until they reach the end of the tail. There the Lines converge tightly, before spreading over the broad tail fins. The fins along their spine and the frill crown also have Lines, however these Lines loop between the fin spines like christmas lights (see Fig. 4).
Atop their head, Lorn have a large frill crown (see Fig. 3; not quite as large or as bony), which can be folded down against the neck or fanned upright; usually kept at the relaxed 'half-mast' position. Treated much like human hair, it's a versatile object of beauty; often decorated with a wide variety of piercings, from pretty shells to crafted chains of gemstones.
Lorn possess two voiceboxes: regular vocal cords that produce sound in air, and a unique [whatever whales have] that create sound in the water. This second voicebox can also be used out of the water, however it's not able to be used for speech. Instead, Lorn use their two voices to sing impossible songs, singing both words and music. Even when not purposefully using their second voice, Lorn speak with a strange rumbling or whistling undertone, their two voices sliding over one another. This strange double-voice sound has led to many nicknames; the Haunted, the blind wailers, whisperlings, mournmouth, to name a few.
The most notable anatomical feature of the Lornic people are the Lines. These are large 'veins' running just below the skin, carrying the bioluminescent fluid known as lumin, which glows with a bright faintly blue light. These Lines begin at the nape of the neck, just behind the head, and run across the back to the tail, splitting evenly on either side of their body until they reach the end of the tail. There the Lines converge tightly, before spreading over the broad tail fins. The fins along their spine and the frill crown also have Lines, however these Lines loop between the fin spines like christmas lights (see Fig. 4).
Biological Traits
Female Lorn are larger than males, having a larger pelvis and additional abdominal muscles for laying eggs. Due to the high undersea pressure the egg must withstand, the shell is very thick; additional shell material is deposited on the outside of the shell by the mother during gestation/calcification, making the egg very large for their bodyweight.
Males are more brightly colored and tend to have stripes or mottling on their skin. They also have more lumin and larger Lines than females, which made them primary targets during the years leading up to the Years of Night/Blood War. Freshies are smaller than their oceanic cousins, up to a meter shorter. They also have a smaller frill crown and Lines; while being far more brightly colored and have far different skin coloration. Freshies usually have teal or cerulean skin, but can have amber or honey colored skin, even redder rust or ochre skin.
Salties have darker blue and green shades of skin, more navy and forest green.
Males are more brightly colored and tend to have stripes or mottling on their skin. They also have more lumin and larger Lines than females, which made them primary targets during the years leading up to the Years of Night/Blood War. Freshies are smaller than their oceanic cousins, up to a meter shorter. They also have a smaller frill crown and Lines; while being far more brightly colored and have far different skin coloration. Freshies usually have teal or cerulean skin, but can have amber or honey colored skin, even redder rust or ochre skin.
Salties have darker blue and green shades of skin, more navy and forest green.
Genetics and Reproduction
Lorn lay eggs in deepwater trenches, near volcanic hotwater vents on the seafloor. Most Lorn lays their eggs in the same trench they were born in, though in recent years, due to the international tension of the Gates of Tiros, several trenches in the area surrounding the island have been abandoned. Lorn tend to mate for a season, finding a new mate every year. Female Lorn lay one egg per year, near a volcanic vent, often choosing where based on the nursemaid assigned to look after the newborn children of that small area. The eggs then incubate for roughly 4-8 months, depending on the temperature.
Growth Rate & Stages
Babies progress quickly to young adults and are considered full grown within 13 years. From then on physical growth is almost nonexistent. Babies are largely smooth and colorless versions of adults, without the frills or biolumin. Within a year, they have grown all their frills, and once they reach two or three years of age, they can begin using biolumin.
Lornic children are raised collectively by nursemaids in the trench they're born in, for about 6 months, when their lungs begin to develop. They are then moved from the trench to one of many Lornic islands in the Endless Waters. From six months up until the age of 10, young Lorn are at 'school;' taught to sing, use their biolumin, and the many traditional songs of Lornic history.
Roughly from the age of ten, children are tasked with finding an Art they want to pursue. They're free to choose anything they like, so long as it seems worthwhile. Once the children choose an Art, they must then find a mentor, someone already proficient in the same Art. Most Lorn apprentice themselves to a mentor by the age of 12 or 13; their mentor becomes their guardian in the same sense as a parent. Apprentices traditionally stay with their mentor for the rest of the mentor's life, but depending on the chosen Art and the abilities of their apprentice, the mentor may choose to send the apprentice to a more experienced mentor.
Ecology and Habitats
Lorn are primarily aquatic, but they are amphibious. They can be found in any watery habitat, but generally prefer the open ocean. Freshwater Lorn, colloquially known as "freshies", are much more brightly colored compared to their oceanic cousins, generally live more on the land, and are less traditional. City kids, really.
Oceanic Lorn, known as "salties", are bigger, darker in coloring, usually in shades of blue, black and green. Much more traditional and stoic.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Lorn are, obviously, fish-eating. They eat mostly fish, but will eat shellfish and 'land food.' These days, fish are herded and farmed by the Lorn, much like one would cattle.
Biological Cycle
Salties live rather static lives, as the ocean isn't really affected by the seasons. Freshies tend to live more seasonally, some like to move back to the sea during the winter.
Behaviour
Lorn are playful and curious in nature, always seeking the next adventure. They believe the sea is the ultimate guide: swift, strong, passionate, and full of beauty and bounty. They have a strong perfectionistic culture, especially in regards to the I'icante; they must be accurate and as complete as possible, leaving no stone unturned and no scrap of knowedge on a subject unknown.
They tend to be cooler in nature toward other species, mostly because during the Years of Night (the Blood War) they were captured or killed and used as a commodity: a source of light. This xenophobia tends to only be expressed toward the Eno, they seem to have amicable relations with the Za'erlir tribes they have encountered.
They tend to be cooler in nature toward other species, mostly because during the Years of Night (the Blood War) they were captured or killed and used as a commodity: a source of light. This xenophobia tends to only be expressed toward the Eno, they seem to have amicable relations with the Za'erlir tribes they have encountered.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Lorn are largely nomadic, and don't have a sense of ownership. They usually move together in pods, staying with the same pod for most of their lives, unless their I'icante or curiosity leads them otherwise.
Lorn have no central government system, but are instead led by the eldest member of the pod, who can choose to relegate their title to the next eldest, or someone of their choosing, at any time.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
During the years leading up to the Blood War, many Lornic pods living around the coasts of Strasia and in the Gulf of Nanl where captured or killed, their lumin used as a light source by the Strasians and sold by the empire to the surrounding countries, predominantly Echya Chen and Corinn.
Some Lorn still secretly sell their lumin at illegal markets, and Lornic trafficking is still present in a few parts of Rushon Prye and Strasia, by both Eno and Lorn.
Some Lorn still secretly sell their lumin at illegal markets, and Lornic trafficking is still present in a few parts of Rushon Prye and Strasia, by both Eno and Lorn.
Facial characteristics
Lorn have long, aqualine faces, strongly lizardian. At their nose, they have a hard, pointed beak; the bridge of their nose is a strong, square ridge neatly divding their face, its edges gradually widening toward the top of the head, flattening into the brow. Beginning at the browline and just behind the eye are two horns, extending in a gentle curve back and up (Fig. 1).
The frill crown is the most dominent facial feature, dwarfing the average Lornic head with its 50 cm radius. This crown is treated much the same as humans treat their hair or ears; Lorn love adorning their crowns with decorative piercings, chains, and sentimental trinkets. Lornic skin is very sensitive to changes in alkalinity/acidity, and will change color based on the Ph level of the water. Many Lorn take advantage of this little quirk and paint their crowns, faces or bodies with the acidic juice of golden silkberries to cause their skin to turn shades of yellow, orange and red; and pulp of leaves from trees from the Eonalea, or brormarch, family to turn skin darker green and blue. (Brormarches are a variety of tree coomonly found in Echya Chen, recognizeable for their broad, vaguely purple leaves)
Lorn have albinistic eyes, meaning they're red in the absence of color. The lack of melanin and large pupil allows the eye to capture as much light as possible below the water.
The frill crown is the most dominent facial feature, dwarfing the average Lornic head with its 50 cm radius. This crown is treated much the same as humans treat their hair or ears; Lorn love adorning their crowns with decorative piercings, chains, and sentimental trinkets. Lornic skin is very sensitive to changes in alkalinity/acidity, and will change color based on the Ph level of the water. Many Lorn take advantage of this little quirk and paint their crowns, faces or bodies with the acidic juice of golden silkberries to cause their skin to turn shades of yellow, orange and red; and pulp of leaves from trees from the Eonalea, or brormarch, family to turn skin darker green and blue. (Brormarches are a variety of tree coomonly found in Echya Chen, recognizeable for their broad, vaguely purple leaves)
Lorn have albinistic eyes, meaning they're red in the absence of color. The lack of melanin and large pupil allows the eye to capture as much light as possible below the water.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the coastlands of the Gulf of Nanl and the Rimourden Sea, they now live in the open ocean of the Endless Waters and the island nation of Annirth.
Freshies live in the various rivers of Maenydes, including the great lake of Echya Chen, Sintrie-wich Lake.
Freshies live in the various rivers of Maenydes, including the great lake of Echya Chen, Sintrie-wich Lake.
Average Intelligence
Lorn are of course sapient and highly intelligent. Due to their oral culture, they have impressive memory and recall; and pride themselves on remembering many I'icante and 'national' songs (Lorn don't really have countries as such, just vague areas of the ocean where one language or dialect is spoken).
Lorn are strongly creative and have almost otherworldly talent in all matters of music, art, sculpting, weaving; almost everything they turn their hand to they can transform into an elegant and intricate art.
Lorn are strongly creative and have almost otherworldly talent in all matters of music, art, sculpting, weaving; almost everything they turn their hand to they can transform into an elegant and intricate art.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Lorn eyesight is rather poor, especially on land, so instead they rely on their extraordinary echolocative/sonar abilities. This can be honed so greatly that many adult Lorn have the ability to see moments into the future (think Jedi pilots using the force, except (bad) science). This peculiar skill has led to the creation of a new verb tense within the Lornic language, known as colloquially 'future possible.'
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
Their religion, Aodha Muirín [fire-born-of-the-sea], worships Anwo, who they revere as the god of the sea (in contrast to the Eno, who believe him to be the god of living things, outside of the Ginn).
The Ealadha Labhraidh [speakers-known-of-art] is a more recent organization, known as the council of speakers. They are tasked with remembering the songs of their people. For a Lorn, this is a relatively easy task; the average Lorn can perfectly recite over a thousand songs without any dedicated study of songs. A studious Lorn can remember and recite over ten thousand songs, and this is exactly the role of the Labhraidh. Each member of the council hails from one of the many 'seas,' learns all the songs of their home, and teaches them to their apprentices. The council typically has about 130 members, but larger 'seas' can have more than one council member.
The Ealadha Labhraidh [speakers-known-of-art] is a more recent organization, known as the council of speakers. They are tasked with remembering the songs of their people. For a Lorn, this is a relatively easy task; the average Lorn can perfectly recite over a thousand songs without any dedicated study of songs. A studious Lorn can remember and recite over ten thousand songs, and this is exactly the role of the Labhraidh. Each member of the council hails from one of the many 'seas,' learns all the songs of their home, and teaches them to their apprentices. The council typically has about 130 members, but larger 'seas' can have more than one council member.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship is a very showy process. Every year during the summer, when their colors are brightest, there is the Parel. The Parel is known as the festival of colors, a time for Lorn to meet and find mates. This typically occurs in particular reef areas, islands, or kelp forests. The traditional place for the Parel in each 'sea' varies greatly, but is always specifically curated. Similar to a park on Earth, the Parel area is kept tidy and beautiful in preparation for the Parel.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Altari is the trade language of the Lorn, used to compose I'icante. It's used so that an I'icante can be taught to any Lorn, no matter where they're from. Most of the time however, Lorn speak the language of their birthplace. Altari is the main language of the Lorn, however due to the very spread-out nature of the species, they have many main dialects.
There are also differences between salty Altari and freshie Altari, so much so that many language scholars have considered classing the freshie Altari as a separate language altogether. This has met with some resistance, as many Lorn are concerned this will only serve to widen the gap between the two groups.
The main oceanic dialects are Cyendathi, used by the trench-dwellers in the deep regions of the south sea; Ikkaric, used by the arctic groups in the northern seas; and Eoctivian, spoken by several coastal groups around the Zaerliran territories as a blend of Altari and the Zaerliran language. Freshies speak their version of Altari, colloquially known as Altano (it's like Australian English to any other English). Freshie communities have truckloads of dialects, seeing as they live in a million places near a hundred other languages.
There are also differences between salty Altari and freshie Altari, so much so that many language scholars have considered classing the freshie Altari as a separate language altogether. This has met with some resistance, as many Lorn are concerned this will only serve to widen the gap between the two groups.
The main oceanic dialects are Cyendathi, used by the trench-dwellers in the deep regions of the south sea; Ikkaric, used by the arctic groups in the northern seas; and Eoctivian, spoken by several coastal groups around the Zaerliran territories as a blend of Altari and the Zaerliran language. Freshies speak their version of Altari, colloquially known as Altano (it's like Australian English to any other English). Freshie communities have truckloads of dialects, seeing as they live in a million places near a hundred other languages.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Tribal, but not insular kind of tribes observed on Earth or among the Za'erlir. Due to Lornic tendency to roam, it's difficult for insular tribes or areas to develop; but there's also no broad government among the Lorn, so no nationalism
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Lorn tend to spend their daytime in the water; raising children, herding fish, mentoring their apprentices, honing their Art, or exploring. In the evening they return to shore, most Lornic cities built in a long string along the coast, instead of a clump. As Lorn must constantly move water past their gills to breathe underwater, they must sleep on land.
Their oral culture encourages swapping information and songs, travelling often to see friends and family further afield, and seeking out Singers (the Lorn in their 99th year who're going around singing to everyone).
While Lorn choose a new mate every year or so, some Lorn will remain together and raise their young as a family. Most of the time, however, eggs are laid in a communal nursery in protected hatching trenches and the children grow up together, raised village style. Siblings often stay together as a pod until their 13th year, when they leave to live with their mentor guardian.
Their oral culture encourages swapping information and songs, travelling often to see friends and family further afield, and seeking out Singers (the Lorn in their 99th year who're going around singing to everyone).
While Lorn choose a new mate every year or so, some Lorn will remain together and raise their young as a family. Most of the time, however, eggs are laid in a communal nursery in protected hatching trenches and the children grow up together, raised village style. Siblings often stay together as a pod until their 13th year, when they leave to live with their mentor guardian.
History
Long before the Blood War, there were many wars between the Eno nations over light resources, and one nation among them emerged strongest, albeit with the blood of her fellows still on her fists.
The exact international history needs revision but the Blood War occured once Strasia was established as an empire. The production of biolumin was kept strictly secret, and the other nations had little idea where the miracle liquid light came from. If they did, they believed the Lorn to be merely dumb animals. It was only a couple decades later or so, when the country of Asrines discovered Lornic settlements in the small islands south of the Dragon's Horn peninsula, that the truth was discovered. Lorn were sentient beings, capable of civilization and speech, albeit a vastly different and difficult speech.
The discovery was quickly made known all across Asrines, and soon spread to the neighbouring kingdom of Ilanis. Many attempts were made to learn the language of the Lorn, but soon it was obviously that they would need the expertise of Strasia, with their plethora of incredible inventions and their many prior years of research on the Lorn. However, Strasia refused to cooperate, closing their borders to the two southern kingdoms, and making all attempts to prevent the news of Lornic sapience from reaching Echya Chen and Corinn, by far the largest importers of biolumin.
Horrified, the kingdom of Ilanis send emissaries to the farther western kingdom of Marlatague, who also shared a border with Echya Chen, entreating them to enlist the aid of the great northern kingdom, and their own armies, to free the Lorn from the grasp of Strasia. Marlatague was understandably hesitant to go to war with the empire, but after sending an ambassadorial corps of both Marltagan and Ilanisian envoys across the mountains to Echya Chen and receiving word of cooperation from them, they agreed.
The war was long and bloody, but Strasia was pushed back, almost to the sea. After the capital city of Greenmere was lost to the Martagans, the Strasians quickly retreated over the river and fell back to the city of Edennes (now Nidrlel). There they fought their feircest, holding off both the combined armies of the Accord of the South (the coalition of Marlatague, Ilanis and Asrines) and the knights of Echya Chen. The Battle of Burning Plains continued for a long and weary seven and a half months.
Eventually, the armies of the Accord, who held the precious river of Greenmere, stormed the gates of Edennes. Strasia faltered quickly after that fateful victory, their stronghold used against them to push them back beyond the Meritham Hills, the mountain range to the far east of Strasia. Having lost their only river and the vast majority of their plains lands, the former empire of Strasia finally surrendered, after a gruelling 11 years of war.
After the war, Lorn remained hesitant allies with the kingdom of Asrines, many choosing to live in the Arms of Rehima, the bay of Al-Karisab. The Lornic population in Asrines grew to the point where almost half the citizens on the streets of Al-Karisab were sea dragons. Tensions grew for [reasons which must be further developed], mostly due to the many restrictions placed on Lorn behaviour by the Asrinesian government, such as outlawing singing between certain hours and in certain places (noise complaints), and Lornic over-fishing the the bay due to their high numbers. The Lornic population decided it was time to move on, for the sake of their friendship with the Asrinesians, and for their people.
Known by Asrines as the Mirazdar-saima, the wandering friends; and by the Lorn as Móirín Manannáin, great-host-exodus-to-the-sea, they left Asrines and travelled into the Endless Waters, marking a new era in the history of the Lorn. It was the Móirín Manannáin who discovered and settled the isle of Annirth, declaring it their home.
The exact international history needs revision but the Blood War occured once Strasia was established as an empire. The production of biolumin was kept strictly secret, and the other nations had little idea where the miracle liquid light came from. If they did, they believed the Lorn to be merely dumb animals. It was only a couple decades later or so, when the country of Asrines discovered Lornic settlements in the small islands south of the Dragon's Horn peninsula, that the truth was discovered. Lorn were sentient beings, capable of civilization and speech, albeit a vastly different and difficult speech.
The discovery was quickly made known all across Asrines, and soon spread to the neighbouring kingdom of Ilanis. Many attempts were made to learn the language of the Lorn, but soon it was obviously that they would need the expertise of Strasia, with their plethora of incredible inventions and their many prior years of research on the Lorn. However, Strasia refused to cooperate, closing their borders to the two southern kingdoms, and making all attempts to prevent the news of Lornic sapience from reaching Echya Chen and Corinn, by far the largest importers of biolumin.
Horrified, the kingdom of Ilanis send emissaries to the farther western kingdom of Marlatague, who also shared a border with Echya Chen, entreating them to enlist the aid of the great northern kingdom, and their own armies, to free the Lorn from the grasp of Strasia. Marlatague was understandably hesitant to go to war with the empire, but after sending an ambassadorial corps of both Marltagan and Ilanisian envoys across the mountains to Echya Chen and receiving word of cooperation from them, they agreed.
The war was long and bloody, but Strasia was pushed back, almost to the sea. After the capital city of Greenmere was lost to the Martagans, the Strasians quickly retreated over the river and fell back to the city of Edennes (now Nidrlel). There they fought their feircest, holding off both the combined armies of the Accord of the South (the coalition of Marlatague, Ilanis and Asrines) and the knights of Echya Chen. The Battle of Burning Plains continued for a long and weary seven and a half months.
Eventually, the armies of the Accord, who held the precious river of Greenmere, stormed the gates of Edennes. Strasia faltered quickly after that fateful victory, their stronghold used against them to push them back beyond the Meritham Hills, the mountain range to the far east of Strasia. Having lost their only river and the vast majority of their plains lands, the former empire of Strasia finally surrendered, after a gruelling 11 years of war.
After the war, Lorn remained hesitant allies with the kingdom of Asrines, many choosing to live in the Arms of Rehima, the bay of Al-Karisab. The Lornic population in Asrines grew to the point where almost half the citizens on the streets of Al-Karisab were sea dragons. Tensions grew for [reasons which must be further developed], mostly due to the many restrictions placed on Lorn behaviour by the Asrinesian government, such as outlawing singing between certain hours and in certain places (noise complaints), and Lornic over-fishing the the bay due to their high numbers. The Lornic population decided it was time to move on, for the sake of their friendship with the Asrinesians, and for their people.
Known by Asrines as the Mirazdar-saima, the wandering friends; and by the Lorn as Móirín Manannáin, great-host-exodus-to-the-sea, they left Asrines and travelled into the Endless Waters, marking a new era in the history of the Lorn. It was the Móirín Manannáin who discovered and settled the isle of Annirth, declaring it their home.
Scientific Name
Lumentys lornii
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
3 - 4 m
Average Weight
2000 kg
Average Length
4- 5 m
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Skin color doesn't vary a great deal among the oceanic Lorn, however the stripes and mottles of the males can come in a wide variety of patterns and shades; predominantly diagonal crescents along the sides of the body and tail, in varying shades of blue-grey.
Related Ethnicities
Discovered by
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