Physical Description
The Sea Elves are a striking and ethereal subrace of elvenkind, uniquely adapted to the vast and mysterious depths of the ocean. Their skin glistens with an iridescent sheen, ranging in hues of deep blue, emerald green, and oceanic turquoise that seem to ripple like sunlight across water. This natural luminescence aids them in the shadowy depths, casting faint glows that allow them to navigate even the darkest trenches.
Their eyes resemble gleaming pearls or shimmering sea glass, with shades that reflect the myriad colors of the ocean—seafoam white, jade green, and abyssal black. These eyes are specially adapted to low light, capable of perceiving details in near-complete darkness.
Sea Elves also possess subtle webbing between their fingers and toes, enhancing their ability to swim with remarkable grace and speed. Their limbs are elongated and streamlined, their bones denser to endure the pressures of deep-sea environments. Hair color varies from the vivid green of seaweed to deep blues and silvery whites reminiscent of moonlit waves. This hair flows freely in water, shimmering faintly with the magic of the tides.
A unique trait among Sea Elves is their ability to hold their breath for extended periods, far surpassing that of any other race. This, combined with a natural resistance to cold and pressure, allows them to thrive in oceanic depths that would crush lesser beings.
History
The origins of the Sea Elves are steeped in both legend and mystery. According to ancient elven lore, the Sea Elves are the result of a union between Umbraith (Shadow Elves) and Therannis (Wild Elves) who departed Lunora's forests and shadows to explore the uncharted waters of the world. This exodus was driven by necessity and ambition—some say it was to escape persecution, while others claim it was in search of forgotten Titanic ruins hidden beneath the waves.
Their initial settlements were small and scattered along the coastlines of Rivermond and the islands of Vikholm, but as their mastery of oceanic magic grew, so did their dominion. Legends tell of Mythrinar, the First Sea King, who tamed the leviathans of the deep and established the first underwater stronghold in the The Dormond Sea.
In time, the Sea Elves became entirely oceanic, abandoning land life for the embrace of the depths. Their society flourished beneath the waves, constructing sprawling cities out of enchanted coral, bioluminescent kelp, and stones hewn from the ocean floor. They discovered tidal magic, a unique form of arcane manipulation that allows them to command currents, shape water, and even manipulate the weather along coastlines.
Society
Sea Elf society is structured around decentralized communities scattered across the ocean's vastness. Unlike their terrestrial kin, the Sea Elves favor a fluid hierarchy, valuing independence and personal prowess over rigid political structures. Villages and city-states are governed by Tidecallers, leaders chosen not through birthright, but through demonstrations of magical ability and wisdom in navigating the seas.
Harmony with the Ocean:
The Sea Elves hold a deep respect for the ocean and its creatures. They believe that all life in the sea is interconnected—a living web maintained through symbiotic relationships. Schools of fish, pods of dolphins, and even massive sea serpents often live in harmony with Sea Elf communities, acting as both protectors and companions. Some Sea Elves can communicate with whales and leviathans, capable of calling upon these massive beings for protection or guidance.
Sea Elves are known for their unique form of underwater agriculture, cultivating enchanted kelp and coral that are not only sources of food but also provide natural illumination and defensive wards for their settlements.
Names and Language
Sea Elven names reflect the ebb and flow of the ocean, melodic and fluid, reminiscent of crashing waves and rolling tides. Their language, Thalassian, is spoken with rhythmic intonations and melodic cadences, designed to be carried through water.
Common names include: Neria (Daughter of the Tides), Thalassia (Voice of the Deep), Morvran (Child of the Abyss), Liriel (Keeper of the Waves)
Family names are often descriptive of their aquatic heritage, such as Wavecaller, Reefsong, or Stormtide.
Relations with Other Elves and Mortals
Sea Elves are highly territorial and secretive, viewing surface dwellers with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Their historical split from the Umbraith and Therannis left lingering distrust, though they hold a certain respect for the Therannis' connection to nature. Relations with mortals are rare and usually conducted through intermediaries or tide-touched emissaries who surface only when necessary.
Some mortal sailors whisper of The Tidesworn Pact, a secretive agreement between certain Sea Elf clans and Rivermond’s old kingdoms, where the Sea Elves offer protection from storms and sea monsters in exchange for safe passage and secrecy.