Gillians

A Gillian male sitting on a dock.

Gillians are one of the two dominant aquatic races of Azura, sharing a familiarity of the sea with Tachtans. Resembling large fish with legs, the pseudo-tribal race is a recent addition to Ludwag's history.

## Anatomy

The Gillians are a tall but slender race, sporting long arms with three fingers and a thumb each, a slender tail and two long legs with two toes and a small stub on their heels, these act as ‘anchorage’ points for the Gillian. Gillians typically have scaley skin which differs in color and patterns. These colors and patterns can be inherited. The Gillian also has webbed feet and fingers, as they are primarily ocean-based creatures. They feature an amphibious respiratory system as they have kept their gills upon reaching adulthood. They return to water to lay eggs. They are cold-blooded and are unable to travel to climates that are too cold.

## Psychology

Gillians are a prideful and greedy bunch, seeing themselves as the superior race to the land-dwellers above. They are expert seamen, often finding themselves at the helm of a ship. They firmly believe that they are the best aquatic race, believing that the Tachtan are ‘inferior’ and ‘slow’. This superiority complex often gets them killed, as their overconfidence is usually their downfall. This superiority complex leads to them eating what they deem as ‘lesser’, this can include smaller fish and non-intelligent beings.

## History

The Gillians originated in the Barren sea, coming from a long string of less-developed natives known as the ‘Selli’. In their early years, these groups of islanders developed a hate for outsiders. This was mainly credited to other expansionist groups in the area who the Selli were fighting off. The Gillians carried on this isolationist ideology through the ages, though they were abruptly forced to adapt due to the Great Shift.

Begrudgingly, the Gillians were made to head towards land in an effort of survival. When arriving at the coasts, they were treated like beasts and abominations. The Gillians wouldn’t last long relying on their own, so they took to the seas. Many Gillians used their knack for sailing to work as privateers. Others decided to stick with their old ways, migrating toward some of the most isolated parts of the continent; including the swamp of Northern Ludwag.

Those who migrated toward the swamp took to pillaging and plundering from the natives shortly after the fall of the Meridians and the Tescans. The Gillians made a home for themselves within the swamps, often living in small mobile camps. Very few of these Gillians completely reintegrated into society.

## Culture and Language

Most Gillians still retain the hate for other aquatic races that their ancestors reserved. Gillians that still follow the ways of old believe that the sea gave life to them. As such, many Gillians find themselves worshipping the Goddess Parthan, Queen of the Sea. Hydromancy and Oiram Summoning are also incorporated into Gillian culture, used for rituals and praise.

Additionally, Gillians keep strong ties to their families. They rely on their families to pass down stories, ideas, and heirlooms. Followers of these old ways also have a unique tradition; when a Gillian matures, which is usually in their early teen years, they are given different markings upon their scales. These markings can symbolize many different things, whether it be family history, stories, or recalling the great deeds of the matured individual.

Finally, Gillians are also known for their expertise in sailing. Gillians are often hired as privateers or placed as officers in nations that accept them within their navies.

Gillians speak the Lagarthian language, shared with other races such as Lizardkin. The language is extremely difficult to learn for outsiders, as it requires certain sounds for words that are near impossible to make. This includes hissing and the like.