Zeferan

## Settlements

**Surfstein** - A settlement amongst the Zeferan that is known for its great waves. A popular area for the races of Eprea to gather and surf along the waves, and typically used as a vacation spot. Located towards the **Enela Sea**.

**The Brine** - Extremely salty water. Only Zeferan with the thickest of skin and cleanest of gills are able to survive here. Not many Zeferan visit here because of the possible erosion on their natural slime coat, but the salt baths and spas that are within the Brine are sought out by all the races of Eprea. To allow for the land races of Eprea to enter the settlement for the spa treatments, the Zeferan have developed a system of bubble-like transportation networks to bring them to air-sealed areas within it. Located towards the shores of **Eulazus** in the **Agitas Ocean**.

**Oceans Veil** - A natural film of mucus is found in the water here, making it a very sought out area for the Zeferan to replenish the film on their bodies. Located along the shores of the **Kriqora Sea**.

**Seraphina’s Grace** - It is said that the waters here are the purest as they come, due to the Zeferan belief that **Seraphina** herself had asked for **Juena** to make the waters as pure as possible, with her request being granted. Located within the Agitas Ocean.

**Norfolk** - A settlement with naturally occurring mushrooms that grow on the rocks and stones of the underwater caverns and surrounding area. The mushrooms are sought out by **chefs** worldwide, due to the hearty texture and naturally salty taste. Located along the southern edge of the continent of **Orifora** within the **Enas Ocean**.

**Clambay** - A settlement with an abundance of clams. It is said that if an outsider comes here with a lot of money, the Zeferan here will give them a feast of kings. Located on the outer stretches of the Kriqora Sea.

**Juena’s Heart** - Deep within the caves here are highly sought after gems by **jewelcrafters** and smiths. The Zeferan will mine these gems, and charge a hefty price to outsiders if they want them. Located deep within the Enas Ocean near Sea’s Crown.

## History

The Zeferan came to be around Year 201. They were the third of the **Oril** to come to **Juena** with the desire to appease the **Celestial** and serve her within the **oceans**. Juena, at first, was extremely skeptical of the small axolotl’s that had come to her, but agreed to put them to a trial.

Despite the smaller size of the axolotl, Juena refused to take it easy on them. The Celestial subjected the creatures to the trials of pressure, commanding them to swim to the trenches of the oceans and return with the precious **gemstones** within them.

The axolotl, despite their fear of the deep sea and the possible overexertion on their gills from the amount of salt, set off to do the Celestial’s challenge. Many of the axolotl had overexerted themselves within the deep oceans and met their deaths within it, but a handful successfully managed to reach the trench. Within it, the remaining axolotl put their heads together, using the hard rocks and shards to dig into the cliffside. They dug the gemstones out, carrying them back to the Celestial.

Once the remaining axolotl had returned to Juena, they placed the gems within a woven bowl at the feet of the Celestial. Juena, impressed by the determination and tenacity of the small creatures, gave them her blessing. The blessing altered the appearance of the axolotl, giving them longer features and more humanoid statures, creating what is now known as Zeferan. **Seraphina Domna**, one of the most notable Zeferan, was the first to bring back the gems. She became Juena’s **guardian** once **Italus** had been replaced, and now roams the oceans with a **sea serpent** to keep them safe.

Zeferan are now often seen around the edges of the oceans, staying near the shallow, freshwater rivers and banks. Now mutated and blessed, they are able to venture deep into the salty oceans without fear, but many choose not to due to their natures.

## Physical Appearance

Zeferan heights range anywhere from 2'4 feet (73.15 cm) to 7'3 feet (222.5 cm).

Female Zeferan typically have wider bodies than the males, while the male Zeferan typically have longer external gills. Many have wide faces with round eyes, along with long, thin fingers.

Their colors are far and wide, but the most common colorations of a Zeferan is leucistic, golden albino, xanthic, and albino. All Zeferan have the limited ability to alter their colors in order to blend in with their environments better.

All Zeferan have flat chests and broad hips, allowing them to move through the water easier. Fins line their arms and legs, as well as their backs and tails. Some Zeferan choose to only wear clothes around their waists and legs, letting their tops stay bare regardless of their sex.

### Life Span

Zeferan live from 800 to 1000 years, due to the blessing of **Juena** and **Seraphina** as their **guardian**. The average age of their death is around 830.

Unlike other races, the Zeferan physically age extremely quickly. They are children from the ages of one to five, adolescents from six to ten, adults from 11 to 700, and elders from 701 and on. Despite this, Zeferan mentally age at the same rate as the average Manna, causing the newly adult Zeferan to still be seen as children.

## Culture

Zeferan populations are small, due to many of them falling during their trial. There are less than 100 Zeferan per settlement in the oceans and riverbanks, with many others roaming on their own or living in settlements on the lands.

Zeferan possess a strange healing ability. Their bodies do not scar, and they are capable of regenerating lost limbs within a few months. Their natural regeneration makes them **Juena’s** favorite as frontline warriors, due to them being able to regrow their limbs and any damaged organs.

Zeferan often settle within lush areas of the waters, building their homes out of the **seagrass and seaweed** that grows within it. Sometimes they will venture onto the land, harvesting wood and coating it with beeswax to preserve it. They use the wax coated wood to build up their settlements, covering the tops with more of the natural foliage to camouflage into the ground, protecting them from any enemies who may attempt to attack. Zeferan have a natural hatred for **Xevea** and **Ceardians**.

Due to a natural territorial instinct, Zeferan fiercely defend the **oceans** and rivers that they inhabit. Known as the warriors of the tides, they are quick to strike before speaking if an unlucky Eprean is spotted walking into their lands, and are even quicker to land killing or crippling blows on those who fight back.

### Food

Zeferan diets consist of **molluscs**, worms, insects, arthropods, and small **fish**. Their favorite dish is a **fillet of fish**, wrapped with seaweed and fish eggs. They primarily hunt through their sense of smell, attacking at a quick pace.

The Zeferan often gather in small packs, sharing their meals while sitting on the beaches near their settlements. It is common for Eprean’s to pass riverbanks and see groups of Zeferan sitting on them, due to the race's tendency to traverse between the land and water on the daily.

### Trade

Due to the trials that **Juena** had put the Zeferan through, they have a keen sense of finding precious **gemstones**. Their favorite to gather is gold nuggets, which they will bring onto land to polish and carve into sculptures or keep as pieces to sell. Zeferan are happy to trade them away, but will often expect a hefty amount for them.

### Worship

The Zeferan heavily worship **Juena**, viewing the **Celestial** as their creator and who they gain their strength and abilities from. As a result, the Zeferan take it seriously when they are protecting the **oceans** in the Celestial's name.

### Romance

When courting, a Zeferan does a dance within the water, using their fins along their arms and legs to mimic the movements of a ribbon dancer. They use their tails to help propel themselves through the water during their dance, with the other returning the dance if they are interested in the advances. The two will come close, wrapping their tails and legs with eachothers to show approval.

When being wed, Zeferan will wear long, translucent veils, and often have their weddings on the beaches. Their weddings are partially submerged into the water, with the altar being on the surface. It is believed that Zeferan have their vows exchanged on the surface as a way to silently promise to stay by each others sides, whether that’s in the **oceans** or on the land.

### Childcare

Zeferan has an easy time having children. They’re capable of laying upwards of 1000 eggs, but will selectively pick out ones that they want to keep, leaving the rest to fend for themselves.

Zeferan are able to have children with **Manna**, other **Oril**, **Zogardian**, **Ceardian**, and **Vlennite**.

### Death

When a Zeferan has passed away, their loved ones take their body into the open ocean.

The Zeferan believe that their bodies belong to the tides, therefore leaving their loved ones' bodies on the surface to float. After saying their goodbyes, they leave to allow the waves to carry the body to wherever they desire.

### Language

In the Eprean language, Zeferan means "determined."

The name and title for the race was given to them due to the admiration that many Epreans have towards the tales of the Zeferan who went through their trials.

## Leadership

Zeferan are ruled by the **Guardian** Seraphina and only **Seraphina**. She often has the most say in what happens within Zeferan landscapes, and many Zeferan revere and comply with what she has to say.

Due to the brash nature of the Guardian, some Zeferan will get into duels with her and attempt to overtake her title, but often find themselves fallen by her spear. Despite their duels and challenges to her leadership, Seraphina rules over the Zeferan with a fair hand.

A small council of Zeferan made up of the higher ups of each settlement are underneath her, working as a voice for the settlements. It is unknown who is on this council.