Sea Elf

Beneath the oceans of the Twin Worlds, there is life, even civilizations all but unknown to those above. Just as Amaun has elves on its lands, so too does a race of elves exist beneath the waves. These are the sea elves.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Sea elves are very similar physically to other elves. The primary difference is that the sea elves are fully capable of breathing water. This doesn't hamper their ability to breathe air at all, making them fully capable of living indefinitely on the surface. Most sea elves find being dry a thoroughly alien and unpleasant experience, however.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

The physical features of the sea elves are as delicate as their land-borne kin, and they are considered just as attractive by other races. One of the most obvious physical differences is the webbing on their fingers and toes that assist in swimming.
Their coloration is far different, as well. Their skin color varies widely, with shades of green, blue, blue-green, yellow or even gold being possibilities. They also often have markings on their smooth skin that resemble the patterns of fish scales, with delicate stripes being by far the most common. Their hair is most often dark colors, traditionally kept long and flowing. Their eyes are bright, with gold, blue, and green being the most common colors.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Most sea elves are deeply religious, owing to their history. In particular, the traditions of the Temple of the Twin Goddesses, are followed almost exclusively. They are, however, accepting of other religions.
The sea elves are, by and large, a freedom-loving people. Even the most orderly of sea elven society is nowhere near as restrictive as those of more lawful peoples, such as tritons. So long as others are not disadvantaged or endangered by one's actions, no crime is committed. They are, however, more than willing to punish those who disturb the peace.

History

Since the earliest days of the Ancient Elven Empire, there have been those who worshipped the twin goddesses of the sea, Estae and Theane. These people lived on the coast in peace, sailing the seas they loved and harming no one.
All of that changed with the coming of the First Rising, when the mind flayers and their thralls swarmed over the surface world. The peaceful people on the coast were forced to fight or lose their minds in service to those horrors from below. Instead they prayed to their goddesses, who changed them, so that they might flee to the safety of the ocean.
As safe as the seas were from the mind flayers, they were far from safe overall. The newly created sea elves found themselves forced to fight for their survival from the beasts of the sea, slowly losing their pacifist ways. Still, they survived and thrived, creating a civilization of their own.
According to their legends, the goddess Estae entrusted her crystal heart to them before she joined her sister in the stars of the oversky. This is how the sea elves became the guardians of one of the Hearts of the Sea, and they searched far and wide for a place worthy of it. Finding no such place, Estae, herself shaped the perfect home for her heart: the holy city of Mir'assen.
Part of this legend has recently been called into question, however. According to the word of a noble marid named Shah Orah, the elves used the vast power of the Heart of Estae to steal a great coral sphere from his domain in the Plane of Water, and built their city on it. He instigated a plot to steal the city back, but was defeated by a group of adventurers calling themselves the Cake Squad.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The sea elves are more cosmopolitan than other elves, and far more so than the ice elves. Their communities tend to be very welcoming to outsiders, valuing the diversity they bring. Conversely, many sea elves enjoy travel, visiting the communities of other races frequently and often becoming adventurers, some of them even going as far afield as the surface world.
The one exception to the tolerance of the sea elves is the sahuagin. Their long history of violence against all other peoples makes them unwelcome anywhere, with the communities of the elves being no exception.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Elf

Lifespan

800 - 1000 years

Average Height

5.5 - 6 ft

Average Weight

100 - 140 lbs