Hydrowhales

Hydrowhales are one of four main species of Elemental Whales that roam the world of Axordia. Present throughout the seas and lakes of the world, these whales are imbued with elemental magic.
Hydrowhales resemble humpback whales. The colouration of these whales varies dependent on the type of water the whale resides in. Colouration is generally a bright blue in warm water, becoming colder and darker as the temperature drops. It has been observed that the colouration of hydrowhales in saltwater appears to be more green-blue/teal than those in freshwater, which tend to be a purer blue, often with lighter blue spots on their backs.
Many researchers have theorised that their colouration is able to change, and that reducing or increasing the salt that these whales come into contact with will allow their colouring to change, believing that the salt reacts with their skin, creating a green colouration that deepens the more salt it comes into contact with, but that this reaction can also be reversed, allowing the skin to return to a pure blue. If this theory is correct, then by recording the colour of the whales, researchers would be able to estimate how long whales had been in certain areas, and where they may have travelled from, allowing them to ascertain further insight into the behaviour of these magnificent creatures.
Similar to aerwhales, these whales are happy to carry passengers across seas and lakes, under the protection of the Whaleguard, tasked with ensuring the safety and happiness of the creatures. However, these whales are more suited to calm waters when transporting passengers as it prevents passengers from getting drenched by the harsh waves of the continental channels. In Ket'rani, hydrowhale ferries are used frequently as a swift and direct way of crossing the Shattered Ocean.
The migration pattern of these creatures is interesting. It appears that water purity does not affect hydrowhales, and that they can exist happily in both salt and fresh water - with the exception of coralwhales which require saltwater in order to sustain their coral - as the blending of skin colouration implies that many pods travel between water types frequently in their migration patterns.

Subspecies

Abysswhales

Abysswhales reside only in the deepest regions of the sea, and in flooded caves deep underground. So far these whales have only been seen by water genasi and those with the ability to venture deep into the waters of Axordia. They are reported to be darker than any whale seen in the upper waters, almost like the night sky, and have a pattern of spots across their back that they can illuminate at will, allowing them to light the way for other aquatic creatures - or lure them in.

Coralwhales

Coralwhales live in the warmest waters in Axordia near the shore where coral reefs have formed. Due to the environment of their habitats, they have a strong greenish/blue colouring as coral requires high levels of salt in order to grow. Their defining feature is the coral that grows off their backs, with many forms and colourings having been spotted by researchers. It is still unknown how this coral begins to grow, and whether hydrowhales can become coralwhales, or if they must have a certain trait via birth, but regardless, these smaller whales are widely regarded as one of the most beautiful species of whale.

Mirrorwhales

Mirrorwhales are a rare species of hydrowhale, only residing (as far as has been recorded) in the Mirrored Lake of the Duranian Wilds. With smooth, reflective skin, this whale has been spotted surfacing as the eye of the snowstorm passes across the lake, the sheen of its skin making it appear a silvery colour. Very little is known about this species, and its existence within the Mirrored Lake has posed many questions; does its anatomy function similarly to that of Abysswhales, not needing air? But if that is the case, why does it surface? And if it does indeed need air, does that imply some form of tunnel or passage beneath the lake? The researchers at the university of Duren are continuing to study this rare whale's movements.

Frostwhales

Frostwhales reside in areas with large amounts of consistent ice and snow. Their main habitat on Ket'rani is the Duranian Wildlands, a vast ice plain stretching across the eastern region of the continent. Watched over by a near-constant ice storm, created due to the Wildlands being the hunting ground of blizzardwhales, who create constant snowstorms. Frostwhales have the ability to 'swim' through deep snow and ice. Their skin has an icy blue colouration on its underbelly, with a white colouration and small ice crystals covering their backs. Their thick skin provides sufficient insulation, allowing them to remain warm in the harsh conditions, however their internal body temperature does still lie below freezing naturally. As a result of this, a special division of the Whaleguard patrols this harsh ice desert in order to prevent poachers from killing these creatures for their skins.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Resembling the shape of humpback whales, hydrowhales have many different subspecies which alter their appearance and abilities. A generic hydrowhale has a colouration that ranges from blue to a blue-green/teal colour depending on if the whale lives in fresh or salt water. The tone is determined by the temperature of the water, with whales living in warm water being lighter, and those in colder waters being darker.  Abysswhales are the darkest species of whale, but have pattern of spots across their backs that they can, at will, illuminate in order to draw in prey. Coralwhales have the greenest colouration, and brightly coloured coral grows on their backs. Mirrorwhales have incredibly smooth, reflective skin, mimicking perfectly the appearance of water that is absolutely still, making them appear a silver colour. They have wide, flat fins which stretch out beneath the water's surface, allowing them to move without breaking the surface tension of the water. Only the subspecies of abysswhales are confirmed to have the ability to breath underwater (Mirrorwhales unconfirmed). Other species of hydrowhale can go without air for up to 3 hours, but must then resurface in order to replenish their air supply. This is due a combination of incredibly large lungs, and needing less air than most other animals due to their strong links to the element of water.

Growth Rate & Stages

Hydrowhales reach maturity after around 25 years. All hydrowhales are born with the same colouration: a grey-blue with speckled white dots. The exception to this rule so far is the mirrorwhale, which has not yet been observed before reaching maturity. If belonging to the subspecies of abysswhale, these dots will expand as the whale grows, with the pattern solidifying after 4-6 years of growth. The skin will darken due to the extreme cold at the ocean floor, and the whale will begin to be able to utilise the luminescence of the pattern at around 2 years of growth. It appears to gain full control over this ability after 8-12 years of growth. If belonging to the subspecies of coralwhale, the dots will fade over time as the skin is turned greener by the salt, but will remain lighter. From observation, the coral begins to grow in at around 5 years of growth, meaning it can be tricky at times to determine whether a hydrowhale belongs to this subspecies or not before this age. Coral types vary dependent on the region, and the length of time for the coral to fully grow depends on the variant. If belonging to the subspecies of frostwhale, the skin lightens to a pale blue on its underbelly, with its back brightening to a white colour, matching the surrounding snow. After around 5 years of growth, small ice crystals can begin to grow on the whale's back.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Most hydrowhales' diets consist of large quantities of small aquatic creatures, usually fish, but it has been noted that coralwhales are happy to eat algae and sea-shrubs both in conjecture with and instead of fish, implying that this subspecies has the ability to survive as herbivores, or at least omnivores. As of current research, no other species of hydrowhale has been seen to consume plants regularly however, so it is likely that this curious dietary quirk is the result of the subspecies' mutation, not a specieswide trait. Frostwhales mostly consume small burrowing creatures, and other creatures that can survive in the harsh ice plains of the eastern region.

Behaviour

Wild hydrowhales tend to travel in large pods, with up to 15 whales, up until the age of maturity, at which point they travel alone, or in smaller pods of 2-4 whales. Despite this shift from large groups to independent life, hydrowhales appear to be incredibly sociable,

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Blindsight Due to the nature of their habitats hydrowhales are particularly adept with the skill of blindsight, allowing them to 'see' in the low light of the sea by emitting high-frequency sounds, inaudible to most other creatures, that allow them to locate objects and creatures within 120 feet.

Origin/Ancestry

Aerwhales, Pyrwhales, Terrawhales

Lifespan

250 yrs

Conservation Status

Hydrowhales are protected by the Whaleguard, made up of beastmasters, druids, and other warriors and defenders of the natural world who are part of an honoured guild formed to protect and train Elemental whales such as these.

Average Length

15-16m (Adult female), 13-14m (Adult male)