Sea Elves

The Sea Elves are a sub-race of Elves that dwell in the oceans of Aedron.

## Ecology

Sea Elves, like their three land dwelling cousins tend to be tall, slim, humanoids that have long ears and long lives.

A typical Sea Elf stands between 6'4" and 6'10" with males tending to be only slightly taller than females. Being about 2" taller on average.

Sea Elves have skin shades that are significantly different than other Elf sub-races, and is usually the first thing anyone notices about them. their skin hues range in a rainbow of colors, from sunset orange through to cool blues and greens. Many have patterns and designs on their skin in similar fashion to tropical fish. These patterns are often hereditary, so family resemblances are typically easy to determine simply by looking at the patterning on their skin.

Sea Elves hair also tends to be in a unique set of colors, tending towards blue-green hues and naturally growing short so as to not obstruct their vision underwater.

A Sea Elf's skin is made of tiny yet tough fish scales, enabling them to tolerate being submerged in water indefinitely, as well as acting as an impressive defense against the cold of the oceans.

Along the neck, between the clavicle and jawbone a sea elf sports a number of gill slits that allow them to filter air from water, this is in addition to the lungs they normally carry, allowing the Sea Elves to be fully amphibious if must needs.

Sea Elves hands and feet are also somewhat abnormal for Elf sub-races. Their fingers and toes do not end in nails like a normal elf, but in a pointed thin claw. These fingers and toes are also longer than those of surface elves, and between them are wide webs of scaled skin to allow them to push water effectively. While on land they can fold these between their fingers and toes so that do not impede walking or using their hands in any way.

Sea Elves also have a unique physiology when it comes to reproduction. Similar to many kinds of fish, Sea Elves go through a sort of spawning dance with a mate, and perform the fertilization of eggs externally. This is of course done behind closed doors, and said eggs are placed in protective vessels similar to cribs for maturation. This also means that Sea Elves tend to have large families, and possess one of the higher rates of population growth among the Elf sub-races (1.2% annually).

## History

In the Ancient times of Aedron, a strong and wise Elf man named Akkar lead an expedition of Elves across the sea. His wisdom, knowledge, and skill were legendary, and he had a great deal of followers who wished to learn from him and assist him in his endeavors. Akkar had created the first sailing ships, and using his knowledge of the weather and the seas, managed to sail himself and his followers far from Obbedore. Upon reaching the furthest reaches of the Ocean, he was approached by Pylias, who was offended at his trespasses in his domain, and the affront to his power that these ships represented. So the two entered into a negotiation, Pylias thinking he was getting a new set of worshippers to suppliment his domain. Yet Akkar was ever the crafty negotiator, and managed to carefully word his requests to prevent Pylias from ever controlling himself or his followers, only accepting that the Ocean be their home as well, and that they would construct temples in his name, but never agreed to actually worship him. Pylias agreed without realizing his mistake, and granted Akkar and his followers their new forms, becoming the first Sea Elves.

The group settled in the oceans between the northern and southern continents around a series of small islands called the Ith'mernian Archipelago, and created their grand capital of Aerbar that existed both above and below the waves. Pylias watched with excitement as they constructed a grand temple in his name, and dedicated it to their patron god, then immediately closed its doors and never went inside. Pylias realized his mistake immediately and flew into a rage, throwing storms and waves at their city, but they simply fled beneath the waves, as the ocean was now their home as well, or so went their agreement with Pylias.

The Sea Elves of the modern age exist in a state of relative peace and isolation, trading only rarely with surface races, and perhaps sending a diplomat or two once a generation to their cousins on dry land.

## Society

Owing to the example set by Akkar, Sea Elves tend to be exacting in their words, always being careful when speaking. They also tend towards a patriarchal society, with only males filling leadership roles and venturing beyond their borders while females are expected to tend hearth and home, and raise young. Crafts are practiced by both sexes as well as any manual labor, though it is viewed as strange for a female Sea Elf to perform manual labor, and often looked at as a failing of their partner that they must resort to such labor.

Sea Elves, whether on land or sea, live in houses, though the construction varies depending on environment. They grow food with agriculture, and raise livestock, much the same as any settled race. They value their children more than anything, and protect them and their unhatched young with their lives.

## Territory

A wide archipelago called Ith'mernia, located between the northern and southern continents. Their Capital is the now sunken city of Akkaria, a massive and rich metropolis of Sea Elves.

## Cities

There are many cities under the control of the Sea Elves, this is by no mans a complete list, just notable examples.

Akkaria, the Capital and finest city under the waves

Falfost, a trade post built above the waves allowing non Sea-Elves to exchange goods and gold.

## Governance

Leadership of each city is made up of a council of patriarchs. Each family sends their eldest or wisest male to a governing body to meet and pass legislation. All families have an equal vote, and their legislation tends to be moderate in all things.

## Cousins

High Elves are typically mistrusted, as they are too interested in the accumulation of power and influence for the tastes of most Sea Elves.

Wood Elves are usually pitied, for they have to live under the oppression of the High Elves.

Dark Elves are feared, not for what they could do to the Sea Elves, but for what the represent. They represent the potential of corruption of Elf-Kind, if they could be twisted and fall, then so perhaps could the Sea Elves themselves.

#### Children of Akkar (1 RP)

Sea Elves tend to be tough and are known for being canny folk, they gain a racial +2 bonus to Constitution and Intelligence.

#### Swim (2 RP)

Sea Elves use their webbed hands and feet to move quickly underwater, granting them a swim speed of 30 feet and a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks.

#### Amphibious (2 RP)

Using their gills and lungs, Sea Elves can breathe both air and water, allowing them to exist perpetually in either environment with no penalty.

#### Acclimated to the Deep (3 RP)

Sea Elves are used to the deepest and coldest extremes of water. They have Darkvision 60' as well as Cold Resistance 5.