Ocea (oh-shah)
The Ocea are the Elves of the water cycle. All elves were created together by or from forces of their world to embody a system, a cycle; for the Ocea they came straight from the seas to be the cycle of water. From within a creature, to the oceans and to the sky to rain back down again. In this cycle, the water remains water, it simply changes its location and only slightly its form. Not as constant as the Sol because of this but, they are certainly next in the consistent line. All it takes is the outside influence of the world to change the mood of an Ocea, otherwise, they become stagnant and ill-willed. They are keen to keep things moving in a way that has manifested best in maintaining trade in coastal settlements.
They're ambitious in their reach, wishing to have a finger in every pond so to speak, as they speckle influence across the world where they can. For this, they can appear nosy, pushy and domineering at times but often from a place of good intentions, to go along with it can soothe you both. Water has its place but like all things, too much is a bad thing and all at once it can crush you like a tidal wave.
But water yields and molds, they find a way. Even if they and the other aquatic races may never be completely happy with how they must balance one another. Like salt and fresh water, they don't agree with everyone, both are needed and they eventually gradient out between the two. This is best seen in the agreement between their long standing city Nidri and the Erel city of Lashell.
Of all the Elves, the Ocea are considered the most 'greedy,' mind you it's by the need to spread out (such is the way of water) rather than for monetary grain. It just so happens that most of the world functions around money, so that's how they will too.
Appearance
- Ocea skin tones can take on any hue or shade of water, whether that be a murky brown-green to a crystal blue. They are all united by the overlaying pattern of water reflecting off the fluid surface.
- Speckles and mottled like light through water, they are never one solid colour either.
- Their limbs are slightly flatter and wider in places to greater cut through the water and propel them forward.
- Their hair is silky and so happens to usually be the colours of a beach - sandy creams, slightly coral pink, off whites and sometimes black.
- Their eyes are of pitch black or pure white with either small or large black pupils
Height & Weight: Their size and build are similar to humans but more slender and slightly taller than average.
Features
Of a Cycle
Elves are resound in their ways, cycles are about change yes, but only on a set path. To break it is to cause ruin. So Elves are naturally stubborn in their mindsets, but that does come with it's advantages. Magic aiming to claim their minds in any way, struggle to do so.
Their minds also do not travel to the uncontrollable realm of Ribosia
when they sleep - in other words, they do not dream. Instead they sink into a calm nothingness to allow the centuries of memory they accumulate to rest and settle and not add more images to the pile - or otherwise risk losing themselves to madness. As such they are able to remain somewhat alert as they sleep so it's not as easy to sneak up on them and they do not - for better or for worse - feel the effects of Ribosa.
However they can still be put magically to sleep, and depending on intent, this can then force their minds to travel to Ribosa. In fact it's a known ole wife's tale that an Elf can become addicted to such magics - to dreaming - and for minds carefully made to support long lives of memory, doubling the load proves disastrous.
Of Water
While Ocea don't have the ability to breathe water like fish - they represent the cycle of water, not water itself - they do have the ability to hold their breath for about 3 hours, and can descend to the higher pressure and cold of the deep without trouble. Plus their bodies are modified to aid in swimming better than the average humanoid.
Being of the cycle of water, they have some innate magical ability to manipulate its form as well. By enhancing and directing the cycle of water from evaporation, to rain, to fresh water, they can condense about a barrel or two of water or cause it to evaporate without the use of magic. Much more easily they can also simply change the shape of the water, to part it or have it float in the air for as long as they focus on it.
Finally, with a touch more practice, an Ocea can transport from one body of water to another as long as it is connected to the water cycle in some way (by river, rain etc) and the Ocea is familiar with the sources of water.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Elven names are often long (at least 3 syllables), for as long lived as they are they wish for each to individual to stand out - far too easily can history be twisted when one can accomplish so much in so many years.
And a name is all you are, and when you live that long, you are much, and thus so is your name. While they are given a full name at birth, children are referred to a shortened version (like a nickname) until they grow up. Once they are considered an adult, it is considered an insult to be referred to by anything less than their full first name because it is a marker for them growing into themselves - thus 'growing into' your full name. From here on only those considered close, and/or with permission, may shorten an adult Elf's name into the 'nickname' as it shows they have become familiar with the book and it's contents and no longer rely on title and cover.
For these reasons, those of only partial Elven blood are given 'half names' which are much shorter.
On the other hand, some Elves of higher power may enforce use of the shorter version of their name as a way of saying 'you should know of me, and if you don't, be careful.' Although this is usually reserved for nobility and the like.
For an Elf to completely resent their name and give themselves a new one, is to turn their backs on all of Elven kind.
Examples: Sherriala (Sherri), Thaiamasdane (Thaia), Klassmerid (Klass), Varessida (Varess), Matteodan (Matteo), Sersilas (Silas), Rutheron (Ruth), Sessalees (Sessay), Vincender (Vince), Anthearosa (Anthea) or Jabneelin (Jabneel)
Family names are more of a duty and anchor for an Elf to return to if they drift, and so have great meaning in Elven but are usually much shorter.
Examples: Vemor (Vital knowledge), Yerta (Sea Farer), Merthio (Battle hardening), Irphenkiir (the gems of a plant), Jolay (Joy of sweetness), Tomseree (delight in lawful trouble), Sprinona (Spring coloured wind) or Sorcha (Sun warmed sand)
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