The Stormborn

Often regarded as scavengers and slightly bigger Lizardfolk, the Stormborn are an amphibious race of quasi-Dragonborn that live in temperate tropical waters and shorelines of Earssea. With a nomadic culture and flighty disposition, they tend to avoid trouble as best they can, although some of them develop ties with communities and friendships outside their flotilla, prompting them to act selflessly in times of danger and war.
Boasting a powerful tail (the envy of other dragonborn) and a set of gills, the Stormborn are truly amphibious and capable of remaining underwater indefinitely. If cornered, they often resort to using an inborn defense mechanism; a concussive blast from their maws, capable of knocking an enemy back and dealing some damage, allowing them to attempt an escape.
A Stormborn clan is called a flotilla and as such is constantly on the move, often in a wide circuit. These circuits often overlap on specific islands, were flotillas meet up and converse. The Islands also serve as the nursery for the clutches of Stormborn eggs, as well as the final destination for elderly Stormborn, whose final act is to raise their grandchildren. When an old one nears death, they make for a cave or hollow in on the island and die among the bones of their kin. It is customary for a young Stormborn to assist their senior on this path, but the young are never permitted to enter the cave of their ancestors. This is as close as a funeral that Stormborn can get.
Anyone who gets to know a Stormborn will often tell you that although they are similar to the lizardfolk, they are significantly more conversational. Don't challenge them to a contest of swimming though, they're fast in water, likewise they are slower then most on land, their muscles more attuned to their aquatic home.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Jutting sternum. Gill slits running along spine, beginning mid-neck and ending between shoulders, one set.
Long powerful arms, semi-webbed hands, small curved claws for climbing onto rocks.
Retractable fins on anterior and posterior of tail, flaring in the last foot and tapering to a point at the end of the tail; providing for the bulk of the creatures aquatic locomotion.
Legs are strong, and close to the length of the arms, with heavier claws on the feet for digging in to climb a high bank or rock face.
When swimming, the creature tucks its arms in close to its chest, while the legs hang behind and assist the tail with propelling it forward.
Creature has a wide mouth similar to most reptilians. Lips conceal teeth, but not well. A mandibular membrane extends from jaw to skull, it is more significant then in most reptiles and may aid in hunting and aquatic breathing.
Skin is covered in hard scales, with groves and ridges aligning with the spine of the creature.

Biological Traits

Independent of mother at age 3, Sexually mature at 9 years old.

Genetics and Reproduction

Prefered method: sexual reproduction. Females will lay a clutch of six eggs every 3 years. Culture has a degree of monogamy, although it is temporary and unenforced. Unions last three years, with occasional renewals with a new clutch of eggs.
Alternative method: If a female experiences long periods of loneliness, she will enter a sad estrus. If she does not mate by the end of her estrus, she will lay a clutch of eggs containing clones of herself. Offspring born in this manner tend to be more timid and desperate, and will often try to find another flotilla.

Ecology and Habitats

Coastal waters. Seldom going deeper then 150'. Known to forage for fruit near the shore.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omniverous, prefers raw food.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Honored father leads the flotilla. Flotilla is made up of friends and kin. Parents guide young, while fathers almost exclusivly advise adolescents.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Great salvagers.

Facial characteristics

Males have varying spines in vague symmetry jutting backwards, growing from jawline and braincase. Females have smoother features, with less or no spines.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

All tropical coastlines, wherever water is clear. Some live in inland lakes, but require large amounts of salt on their food.

Average Intelligence

On par with Humans.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Eyes posses a nictitating membrane that protects against debris. Eyesight is comparable to humans. Creature possess a humans sense of scent, touch, and taste.
Two sets of tympanic membranes, one for hearing on land, located on the sides of the head, another set is located behind the jaws, permitting aquatic listening directed behind creature.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Remora, sea lice, barnacles. Only if aquatic for too long.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

They favor incorporating a hard S sound in female names and a heavy K sound in male names. This aids in transmiting sounds underwater.

Beauty Ideals

A handsome male has a bright blue tail fin. A beautiful female has a large spineless skull dome.

Gender Ideals

Fairly ambivalent to gender norms. A good father swims near the family for the first three years. A great father stays close to his offspring for another six.

Courtship Ideals

A wise female will position herself at the edge of a high cliff so that her suitors can see her. The first to climb that cliff is often the one who desires her company most.

Relationship Ideals

Don't nip after the clutch is laid, but the odd gift of fish is appreciated.

Average Technological Level

Stone age, although they purchase non-ferrous tools readily.

Common Etiquette Rules

A bow on land, a tail flash in water makes for a proper hello.

Common Dress Code

Wear a loin cloth on land. Cloaca don't impress land lovers.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Showing the bottom of the neck is s sign of trust (it is the most vulnerable point on a Stormborn).
Traveling to visit the Telai is a dangerous tradition undertaken by Stormborn in the Rift. Some have opted to stay in the Sanctuary, rather then traverse the waters surrounding Stromhalle; which is under persistent siege by Saughain. Those who remain integrate into Telai culture and usually join the Subaqua guard. A sizeable population live there now.

Common Taboos

For females only Don't make yourself lonely. It is self centered and cruel to your children.
Males mainly Don't eat those eggs!

History

Oral traditions declare an ancestry derived from the leviathan. Disputed by scholars, as the leviathan has never been seen in recent memory.
Preferred stories include tales of daring escapes, close calls and clever deals.
There is a reverence for fathers who successfully see the whole of their clutch to adulthood. Such males are often chosen to lead flotillas by their peers. Tales of these heroes are told not to children but to young adults ranging out in the world.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

On good terms with the Telai. Occasional trading with humans with clean ports.

Scientific Name

Draconidae Procella Inferiori

Origin/Ancestry

Draconic

Lifespan

40 years

Average Height

Fully extended standing upright: 7' They prefer a hunch that brings them down to 5'

Average Weight

180lbs. in Males 240lbs. in Females

Average Physique

Athletic. A hedonistic Stormborn gets slow and gets eaten.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Shades of blueish grey. Blue is considered attractive.