Homebrew Zora Species Details

While still generally humanoid, the Zoras resemble various marine creatures in their body structure. Most of them wear no clothes, but certain members of their species do wear clothing or a helmet that completely encases their heads. They are generally covered in silver scales, which give them a pale blue sheen from a distance, and have dark blue spots on their extremities. Where humans sometimes have long hair, average Zoras have rear-hanging caudal extensions of their heads shaped like the tails of dolphins or sharks, perhaps as a cephalic form of dorsal fins. These tails undulate periodically, which gives a Zora's head the unique semblance of a fish. Zoras have two large ulnar fins located distally on their forearms, and some have smaller fins at their ankles. They are sometimes depicted as having webbed feet and hands. They lack ears in the traditional sense but do have pronounced noses. Zoras have gills on their ribs, analogous to the placement of lungs on a human. Most Zoras have green eyes but other colors do appear rare among them. Another thing to note is that River Zora tend to resemble lake fish, while friendly Sea Zora resemble sharks or ocean mammals.

Zora lay Eggs hatch into tadpole-like young. Their Eggs hatch one to three days after they are laid, provided that the water they lie in is of a proper temperature and that the Eggs that were laid at the same time are together. While they resemble tadpoles when they first hatch, they become humanoid even before reaching adulthood. Zora are known to have long lifespans, the oldest living up to 500 years. Zora children age in such a way that even as young adults they can still appear to be children before reaching a growth spurt. As Zora age, they hold themselves to higher standards of speaking as a matter of pride. They have a strong sense of duty for history and order. Because they do not travel far from sources of water and are protective of Zora's Domain, they have limited interaction with other races. Zora primarily subsist on fish and other marine life, and many are skilled fishers. They can swim against the current and even up waterfalls. Women of their royal family have been given the crucial role of sages and have been shown to produce mighty champions of both genders in times of need.

Zora Traits

Size: Zora come in many variations, standing at a mere 5 feet to a towering 11 feet tall. Your size is medium. Languages: Zora tend to rely on trade from other races allowing most to speak Common as well as their own Zora language.

Life Sustaining Waters

Zora mature slowly reach adulthood by the age of 50 and many have lived up to 500 years old.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Amphibious

You can breathe both in and out of water normally.

Power Swimmer

You have a swimming speed of 40 feet, and you have advantage on all Athletics checks made while swimming.

Zora Weapon Training

You have proficiency in spears, nets, tridents, and shortswords.

Natural Water Magic

You know the shape water cantrip. You can cast the Create or Destroy Water spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can also cast it using spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.