Auma

A huge jellyfish-like creature native to the world of Pelagant. The adults drift along the surface of the oceans, blown along by a huge sail like structure, their long tentacles hanging down into the ocean depths ready to sting and capture food. The adolescent Auma, are able to use their sails, to catch the wind and actually fly for a while, before they grow to0 heavy, and settle down on the surface of the water.
Oalani clans (iwi) make their homes on the Auma, and will often take the name for their clan from the name of these creatures. Since Auma live so long they can be home to extensive generations of an Oalani clan. In exchange for making their homes on these great creatures the Oalani will keep the Auma clean from parasites, and help protect it from some of the more dangerous ocean predators. The Oalani are often immune to Auma venom (for the most part), though contact with some of the more venomous tentacles can cause severe pain and cramps. The relationship is often similar to that between clown fish and anemones.
Some of the Auma that are homes to Oalani clans are;

• Howiko - Home of the Howhiko Clan
• Tahangi - Home of the Tahangi Clan
• Ngawai - Home of the Ngawai Clan

Basic Information

Anatomy

Auma are jellyfish like creatures. Their tentacles reach down into the depths for hundreds of metres. They have a huge sail like structure that enables the wind to blow them along.

Biological Traits

Their tentacle length can reach more than 100 metres, but they can retract them instead of letting them drag along the bottom in shallower waters.

Growth Rate & Stages

Auma have a very slow growth rate and it can often take them nearly 200 years to reach full size.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Though not really sentient, it can communicate with it's Oalani inhabitants via empathic emotions. If it feels fear, it can pass that onto it's inhabitants. The older the Auma and the more generations of an Oalani Clan that have inhabited the Auma, the closer the bond.

Lifespan

460-600 years

Average Height

100 metres

Average Length

500 metres