Sea Elf

With an almost supernatural speed, the forms rocketed by my expedition team. They looked like people, yet were more elven looking. We were sure that they were strange creatures from the depths looking to strike us down. However, they seemed to not care for us, chasing this similar looking figure with tendrils. I know not what they are, but those creatures seem to have their own hierarchy.

— Notes from an expedition in the Kyratos Sea.

Sea Elves, also known as Kyran'ossa, are a community of elves that mainly live in the depths of the oceans, however over the recent centuries, a small number have found their way to the surface. While they often resemble their surface counterparts, over the years, several cultures of Sea Elves have adapted features similar to the many creatures down at the depths of the aquatic realm.

Description

The majority of Sea Elves resemble their surface counterparts with pointed ears and long flowing hair. However, their skin is often a pale cool color and a set of gills flare from their neck outwards. Over the years, some Sea Elves have found themselves with bright coral color skin and hair, with deep black eyes. These special Sea Elves are known as Maaltra due to their extensive color.

However, the Sea Elves of the depths are drastically different, divided into two main cultures and looks. The Quiir'konara have adapted over the many years to resemble sharks and other predatory species, with their skin being almost rubbery when on land and has a grey tone even when hundreds of miles deep in the water. Each member of the Quiir'konara also are known to have sharp teeth ready to pierce into the flesh of various fish around them.

Alternatively, there are a group of Sea Elves that were touched by an aberrant influence. These Hlessanists are known for looking similar to creatures of the depths, with strange appendages and suction cups to lures to draw in creatures of all kinds. Most of them have hair made of strange tentacles that float with seemingly a mind of their own, reminding anyone who has seen them of Jellyfish filled with bioluminescence.

Society

Maaltra

Considered by those on the surface to be the standard culture of Sea Elves, Maaltra often gather together in larger settlements with three classes of people: Akknassah, a Priestly Order; Etterassi, Hunters and Warriors; and Gloth'nai, Explorers, Artists, and Academics. While some from the surface may see this class structure as divisionist, the Maaltra have a very fluid understanding of these structures allowing someone to excel in all or none of the classes.

Most family units of Maaltra consist of all those that a person can love, whether familal, romantic, or platonic. It is not uncommon for families to comprise blended and polyamorous relationships of all kinds. A family unit is known as a Koltro, which translates to the people who surround you.

It is common that settlements of Maaltra have powerful religious symbols and an intense magical connection, with areas prepared for those who require air to breathe. Maaltra seem to be the most diplomatic type of Sea Elves, open to communication with Athlara and the surface world. As a result, much of their culture is dictated by long agreed treaties and ancient clan traditions.

Quiir'konara

Known for being extremely nomadic, Quiir'konara spend most of their time travelling in packs. They clearly wear clothing woven from red coral, a link to their heritage as a specific clan of Sea Elves who were focused hunters. A collection of Quiir'konara is known as a pod, with it being mostly comprised of a family unit, led by the eldest capable hunter among them.

A core tenant of Quiir'konara is the idea of moving ever forwards. It is not uncommon that the weaker among a pod are left behind, finding themselves abadoned and taking this as a time to calm down and stop their hunt. This is similar to the funerary rites that are performed when a member of a pod dies, particularly during combat. Rather than grieving together, the pod leave behind all but one thing to remind them of the person they lost, then they carry forwards.

Hlessanist

The culture of the Hlessanist is centrally related to the power of The Maw, with many of the scattered groups all taking refuge in the deep ravines of the ocean floor. Hlessanist prefer the darkness, and as a result covet it as part of their traditions. Darkness and death are known as the "embrace of The Maw" by Hlessanist collectives.

There aren't family units among the Hlessanist, particularly because they have adapted to reproduce as a singular parent. Usually Hlessanist gather together as a collective under the guidance of a singular priest of The Maw. This priest is treated as a direct mouthpiece for The Maw to that collective, showing how intense devotion is to the Hlessanist.

Funeral rights among the Hlessanist are drastically different to what is expected in other cultures. When a Hlessanist dies, the leader of a collective starts a ritual known as The Feed. During this ritual, the leader starts the process of consuming the dead corpse of the Hlessanist. After a few moments, the rest of the collective get to feed on the remaining psychic energy and physical flesh that has not been taken by the leader.

Sea Elves

Biological Information

Creature Type	Humanoid
Ancestry	Elf
Communities	Maaltra Quiir'konara Hlessanist
Senses	Darkvision
Abilities	Child of the Sea Friend of the Sea

Physical Characteristics

Size	Medium
Lifespan	Around 750 Years
Average Height	Around 5'6"
Average Weight	Around 90 lbs
Skin Color	Blue, Green, Coral Colors
Hair Color	Commonly White, Black, and Dark Green
Eye Color	Humanoid-like or solid black

Sociocultural Information

Also Known As	Kyran'ossa
Planes	Material Plane (Nonvyrox)
Languages	Elvish (Sea Elvish)
Notable Sea Elves	Sha'ren Tulthron Mellera Thynas Aliimus Myrthek Nalasvin Fiy'ashe

History

Early Origins

After the First Elves left the , they found themselves open the various different religious ideas and cultures. Some of these First Elves found themselves influenced by their time on the coast and alongside different sea-fairing nations. The ancestors of the Sea Elves were these First Elves, many of whom were followers of Akorvis.

The First Elves who followed under the Sea's Call either had or were granted magic which allowed them to learn to breathe underwater for a longer time than most humanoids. After a few centuries of using this innate magic, the physiology of these First Elves began to change, leading to the physical changes that allowed the Maaltra to exist, creating the first set of Sea Elves.

Hlessanist Divide

Before The Shatter, some of the Sea Elves found themselves deferred from their beliefs by a strange aberrant entity known as The Maw. This creature was able to control and influence some of these Sea Elves, separating them from the rest of Sea Elven society. Many of the Sea Elves called these the Hlessanist, named as the Sea Elven for "alien followers".

Eventually, after a few decades of the Hlessanists existing, a group known as the "Hunters of the Depths" or the Quiir'konara started to hunt them down, leading to the two communities that exist today. Influenced by the more predatory nature of existence, the Quiir'konara became influenced by the use of ancient hemocraft to use it to empower their senses and ability to hunt down the Hlessanists easier.

The Tide Still Turns

In general, the Sea Elvish technology is still successful under the water, with many different arcane technologies comparable to the Arvadians. However, how much of the technology survived The Shatter is unclear.

Much of the history of the Sea Elves was hidden or lost during the war, with many scholars believing that they were dead until 497 AR, when the first Sea Elf approached members of the surface. From this year, many different types of Sea Elves have been found across the realm, with their history slowly being uncovered.

Early Origins

After the First Elves left the , they found themselves open the various different religious ideas and cultures. Some of these First Elves found themselves influenced by their time on the coast and alongside different sea-fairing nations. The ancestors of the Sea Elves were these First Elves, many of whom were followers of Akorvis.

The First Elves who followed under the Sea's Call either had or were granted magic which allowed them to learn to breathe underwater for a longer time than most humanoids. After a few centuries of using this innate magic, the physiology of these First Elves began to change, leading to the physical changes that allowed the Maaltra to exist, creating the first set of Sea Elves.

Hlessanist Divide

Before The Shatter, some of the Sea Elves found themselves deferred from their beliefs by a strange aberrant entity known as The Maw. This creature was able to control and influence some of these Sea Elves, separating them from the rest of Sea Elven society. Many of the Sea Elves called these the Hlessanist, named for the Sea Elven word for "alien followers".

Eventually, after a few decades of the Hlessanists existing, a group known as the "Hunters of the Depths" or the Quiir'konara started to hunt them down, leading to the two communities that exist today. Influenced by the more predatory nature of existence, the Quiir'konara became influenced by the use of ancient hemocraft to use it to empower their senses and ability to hunt down the Hlessanists easier.

The Tide Still Turns

In general, the Sea Elvish technology is still successful under the water, with many different arcane technologies comparable to the Arvadians. However, how much of the technology survived The Shatter is unclear.

Much of the history of the Sea Elves was hidden or lost during the war, with many scholars believing that they were dead until 497 AR, when the first Sea Elf approached members of the surface. From this year, many different types of Sea Elves have been found across the realm, with their history slowly being uncovered.

Abilities

All Sea Elves have the ability to breathe on both land and in the sea. This is thanks to a dual gill system that was adapted by the Sea Elves through the use of magical enchantments cast over the course of centuries. These enchantments seem to have also given Sea Elves resistance to the cold that lies in the depths of the ocean.

Over many years, the Sea Elves have also learned to communicate telepathically with the beasts of the sea, though Sea Elves cannot understand their thoughts in return.p;

Each of the three fragmented communities have different abilities that they can use, each of which help them in their main environment.

Maaltra

Maaltra are able to control the water around them, letting them speed faster through the waters than even the most athletic of other Sea Elves can't keep up with. This also allows them to use high currents of water to produce blades, barriers, and other solid objects.

Quiir'konara

Quiir'konara have a unique ability that allows them to be more deadly against injured foes. Their sharpened teeth covered with barbs and strange protrusions that dig deeper and more sharply into the hide of any other creatures.

Hlessanists

Hlessanists seem to have latent psychic abilities that are remnants of their ancestral following of an aberrant sea entity. Some have been able to control the physical presence of individuals, while other can delve deep into the minds of sentient creatures.

Notable Sea Elves

Name	Pronouns	Description
Sha'ren Tulthron	He/Him	Maaltra from the Tylathoram Coast. Sha'ren had been a leader among the Maaltran people for the past three centuries. He has skin that is a vibrant pink and long white hair that seems to stay consistent regardless of if he is underwater or not. After a coup led by his brother, Sha'ren was thrown onto the surface and found himself a small community to join. Now he spends his days working as a soothsayer for the local Kynrolta people.
Mellera Thynas	She/Her	Maaltra Tidebearer in Skorage. A Chosen of Sea's Call, Mellera was once a member of a Maaltra commune off the coast of Qiras, but slowly made her way to the mainland as she found herself drawn to a powerful divine beacon. She is commonly seen wearing a circlet of silver that contrasts her blue skinned frame and sea foam green hair.
Aliimus Myrthek	She/They	Ancient Hlessanist Witch. While some confuse Aliimus for a Fae being, she is a Hlessanist who has lived for at least six centuries. Stories tell of her residing on the island of Torren'thos off the south of Ossalimar. Allimus has found several powerful magical items that allow her to enchant those she wished not to visit her island. Despite her age, Aliimus uses a glamor to make herself seem more appealing to those who visit her island. In her true form however, Aliimus resembles a normal Sea Elf with an elongated face and a large lure stemming out from her forehead like an angler fish.
Nalasvin Fiy'ashe	They/Them	Quiir'konara Blood Hunter. Nalasvin emerged around Kyradon, despite its desert terrain, Nalasvin has found himself hunting down a powerful creature onto the surface. They are commonly called the "Shark of the Desert" because they are known to wander in search of the powerful entity they know for harming their shiver. Nalasvin resembles a great-white shark in some forms, with several large fins along their body, though they have learned to use their hemocratic abilities to transform into a large hulking shark-like humanoid.