Teuthida

Contrary to what some believe, the Elder Races are not all the same, they have variations just as humans do. The Teuthida, or Deep Undines, are the most well-known example. As the name suggests, they are found in much deeper water than the Undines found in and around Osmia, and tend to be larger and tougher, as well as having more tentacles, up to twelve being recorded in some cases. They are known, at least by the Undines, to attack whales and other sea creatures far larger than themselves, and it is not unheard of for them to assault passing boats. Because of these aggressive habits, they are generally feared by humans and Undines alike, though this may also be due to the lack of information surrounding them. Living as they do in the depths of the Inner Ocean, humans have had little contact with them. What is known comes solely from those who have departed their homes in the deep ocean, who usually have a less than complimentary attitude towards Teuthida and in most cases are unwilling to speak about them.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Teuthida share the echoing, bubbling speech of the other Undines, but they speak with much more force. It is speculated that this is a result of their lives in the depths of the oceans, rather than due to any particular hostility, though the latter is certainly a possibility.

Culture and cultural heritage

Teuthida have a culture of combat, where strength is praised and the weak find themselves in servitude to the mighty. Their hunts of large sea creatures is reportedly a kind of competition, and numerous Teuthida have been killed while attempting to single-handedly bring down sharks or other dangerous creatures that lurk in the ocean's depths. They have little time for art or aesthetics, but some are known to make totems with the bones of their kills.

Shared customary codes and values

To the Teuthida, strength is the most important factor as to someone's worth. The mighty are revered, while the weak are shunned. Teuthida often form packs of up to several dozen, who travel together in much the same way as nomadic Wildmen do. They have little love for other Undines, and will frequently start clashes with other Teuthidan packs to prove who is the stronger.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The Teuthida admire strength above all, and as much of their power resides in their tentacles, having more, larger tentacles is seen as a mark of prestige. For that reason, they have little respect for other Undines. Scars are considered a dishonour, proof that a Teuthidan was unable to perfectly win a battle.

Gender Ideals

Like other Undine, Teuthida have little distinction between male and female, but due to their cultural interest in the mighty, they tend to consider as natural leaders the rare third kind, the genderless immortals, and most Teuthida packs are led by one.