Vedalken

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tall & slender humanoids, on average a head taller than humans, but roughly the same weight

Genetics and Reproduction

Like many amphibious species, their reproductive organs can change during their lifetime to best suit their partner & the continuation of the species

Growth Rate & Stages

Matures at around age 40, can live for up to 750 years

Ecology and Habitats

Originally inhibiting tropical islands, they retreated beneath the sea during the Calamity to preserve themselves from as much of the fighting as possible

Dietary Needs and Habits

Similar to other humanoids

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Hawaiian &/or Maori

Major Organizations

• Government
• Military & Guards
• Arcane Universities
• Libraries / Universities
• Mechanical Tinkering Society
• Fishing & underwater farming guilds

Courtship Ideals

Arranged partnerships to maintain a diverse enough gene pool with such a small & long-lived society

Average Technological Level

Lost most technology other than what was required to create underwater domes during the Calamity. However, the youngest survivors of the Calamity only died about 80 years ago & their knowledge has helped to propel the Vedalken rapidly ahead in arcane technology compared to other species as Exandria recovers.

Common Dress Code

Split between those who try to hold onto the traditional ways, who dress as their islander ancestors did, and those who dress in more modern styles.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Imperfections are opportunities for improvement, which should be celebrated, for nothing is perfect!

History

According to one myth, the Vedalken originated during the earliest years of the Age of Arcanum, when a secluded community of elves began experimenting upon themselves in ways that irreversibly altered their physiology to become more amphibious / fish-like. According to another they were cursed by the Gods to become the way they are. Either way, the Vedalken have always strived to improve upon the imperfections of the world around them. Once long ago they inhabited islands across Exandria, however, the Calamity was an imperfection so immense that the only way to improve the situation was to escape the turmoil. The Vedalken retreated beneath the seas as the Calamity began in order to preserve their society & have scarcely been seen or heard from by most humanoids since then. Scattered communities of Vedalken exist across Exandria, each one operating as an independent part of a greater whole society. They share knowledge freely between settlements & trade with one another whenever necessary, but otherwise don't commingle very often, leading each to have distinct subcultures.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Extremely isolated in the Post Divergence Era.

Lifespan

750 years

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Whole spectrum of blues & some greans