Tritons

'Hold, landwalkers. You come close to the Forbidding Sea. If you continue your course, you leave our protection, and that of Bathyran. That ocean is not meant for mortals to travel. If you wish to turn back, we shall escort you to land. If not, on your heads be it.' - unidentified triton, addressing the crew of the Red Sun

The stories say that, shortly after the gods left the world, a mighty elven city on an island north of Pyandonaea fell into the sea. Many of its residents drowned, but some became creatures eminently adapted to life in the deep water, children of the god Bathyran - the tritons. Living in a number of settlements in the deepest parts of the ocean, they are largely reclusive, much preferring their undersea cities to life on land. Their hands and feet are webbed, and they have fins on their wrists and calves, making them incredibly swift to move in water. It is said that they protect the surface world from the terrors of the deep sea, and many sailors have tales of being saved from sinking ships by groups of tritons who guided them back to shore. Many triton are eager to inform sailors not to enter the Forbidding Sea, claiming that it was not meant for mortals to cross.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

While triton can survive on land, they are eminently suited to life in the water. On land, they greatly prefer damp areas, as their skin can dry and damage if they spend too long in a dry environment.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Triton primarily eat fish and underwater plants, such as kelp, consumed raw as it's nigh-impossible to cook underwater.

Biological Cycle

Tritons mature at a similar rate to humans, reaching adulthood in their late teens. They breed slowly, laying a single shelless egg which hatches after a number of weeks.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Tritons have relatively humanlike facial proportions, with amber eyes which glow slightly. They have pointed ears, though much less prominent than those of elves. They also have gills, typically with openings on their upper neck

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Tritons are named in Primordial, the language of the elementals, with a forename and a traditional family name.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Tritons largely speak Aquan and Common.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Despite being believed to be descended from the elves, tritons have an incredibly distinct culture, dedicated to protecting the surface from the horrors of the deep sea. Their culture greatly emphasises duty and honour, and can often appear patronising to the surface races who don't believe they need protecting.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Tritons are on friendly terms with most other species, though they are often seen as haughty.

Lifespan

200 years

Average Height

5ft

Average Weight

Similar to humans of the same size

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Tritons' skin is any of a number of blue, with accents and patterns of a number of colours.