Zora Ethnicity in Hyrule | World Anvil
BUILD YOUR OWN WORLD Like what you see? Become the Master of your own Universe!

Zora

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

All Zora typically speak common Hylian, as well as Zora. The Zora language is very melodic and song-like, and can be heard for great distances when spoken underwater.

Culture and cultural heritage

Zora, as fish people, have always been one with the sea and other Hylian waterways and as such, cherish them greatly. They are very proud and protective of their home, and have a deep respect for the other amphibious creatures that live there, as well.

Shared customary codes and values

Zoras typically share a strong sense of honor and loyalty to their home and people. Since they've lived in the deep for so long, they're very used to defending themselves and their territory, and will protect them at all costs.   There is nothing stronger, or more easily damaged than a Zora’s pride. Whatever they or their people excel at is all that matters to them, and any comparison with a non-Zora equivalent will be met with hearty guffaws and scowls. Only victory will soothe their wounded pride.

Common Etiquette rules

It is very unwise and rude for a landwalker to fish or sail wherever Zoras live unless given express permission. Fishing is very dangerous for a Zora that might not see a hook, and if a fish is actually caught, it can be considered stealing from them. The Zora also have the rights to most Hylian rivers, claiming that they had been using them as highways for trade long before the other Hylian peoples.

Common Dress code

Zora are one of the races that don't share the same sense of modesty that most Hylians do. Instead, if they choose to wear clothing, it usually only includes armor or the occasional sash or scarf.

Art & Architecture

Most Zora architecture is made from coral and smooth, polished stone. It's also said that their most beautiful structures are deep underwater, sometimes even so deep that barely any sunlight reaches them. However, Zora also build some homes and shops above the water or on the shores of rivers, lakes, and the sea, but these structures are usually just created with "landwalkers" in mind to facilitate trade and give poorer or exiled Zoras a place to live.   Zoras love music and the arts. Most Zoras learned some sort of instrument growing up, even if they don't play it through adulthood. Zoras are also very talented sculptors, and it's rumored that a Zora sculptor was even hired to create a statue of Princess Zelda, herself.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Beautiful Zora women are known for their beautiful scales and flowing fins, adorned with all sorts of jewelry set with precious stones. Zora men tend to try to bulk up, with more rigid fins that allow for fast swimming.

Gender Ideals

Zoras are among the two races in Hyrule that enforce strict gender roles among their people. The males are expected to fish, guard, and protect the Zora people. The females are expected to bear young and take care of the household.   Zoras also get very uncomfortable if they're not able to tell the gender of another Zora right away, as females are generally more "decorated" than males, whether it's with jewelry or flashy scales.

Courtship Ideals

Whenever a Zora woman has chosen her male, it is customary for her to craft a suit of armor for him, and to gift it to him as a sign of her affection.

Race Stats and Abilities

Ability Score Increase. You increase your Constitution score by 2.

Age. Zoras reach adulthood at the same rate as humans, and live for around two centuries.

Size. Zoras are medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Water Adaptation. All Zoras feel at home in aquatic environments, gaining advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks in them.

Classes. Zoras are drawn to the Bard class, as music is important to their society. Zoras are also known to be effective Fighters and Rangers. Some Zoras opt to train as Monks, instead, often choosing the Way of the Four Elements.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Strong Swimmer. You have a swimming speed of 40 feet, and gain advantage on all Strength (Athletics) checks made underwater.

Amphibious. Zoras can breathe water just as easily as they can breathe air.

Fins. Ocean Zora fins are very sturdy. Unarmed strikes utilizing them deal slashing damage instead of bludgeoning damage, and increase the damage die to 1d4 if it isn't already higher. As a bonus action, you can instead deploy your fins as a shield, gaining a +2 bonus to AC but losing the ability to make slashing unarmed strikes. This doesn't stack with any bonuses from an actua lshield. You can switch back to making slashing unarmed strikes with another bonus action.

Bioelectricity. You know the Shocking Grasp cantrip. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip is Charisma.

Diverged ethnicities
Related Locations
Pinterest Board

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!