Homebrew Zora Species Details

Zora
Where the hylians rule the land and the rito rule the skies, it
is the zora who rule the seas. An aloof and long-lived people,
the zora are guardians of the seas and lakes of Hyrule. The
zora are a people both graceful and strong, gliding through
the waters so quickly they become invisible to the naked eye,
and yet strong enough to challenge the flow of the strongest
tides, even conquering waterfalls, according to legend. They
are long-time allies of the hylian people, and though they are
somewhat reticent friends, they are known the world over as
wise and true, still. The zora make their homes on the shores
of beaches and concealed grottoes far away from the bustling
cities and lands of Hyrule, valuing the silence of such places.
They are well aware of the direction the world is moving, and
even they cannot ignore the tides of progress forever. An old
and distinctive people, the zora are a welcome sight among
any adventuring party for their unique abilities and company.

Self Reliance
The zora are an amicable people, but not overly friendly or
forthcoming. Their culture values being both reserved and
self reliant in all things. They do not ask for help from their
neighbors, but do not complain, either. A zora's problems are
a zora's problems, and a zora will stoically bear any troubles
they face unless pressed by a great need. It is in these times
that they have forged alliances with the other races such as
the hylians and the rito, their cousins of ancestors long ago.
But these alliances aside, the zora are isolationist in nature,
living far from the societies of the land and modern industry
especially by choice. A friend in the zora is a friend for life, for
within their teachings of self reliance is a code to help the
helpless. If the friend of a zora is in trouble, they'll be hard
pressed to find a more worthy friend to stand at their side.

Sea and River
Oft confused by the landlocked races of Hyrule, there are the
zora of the rivers who make their presence known with fiery
vengeance. In truth, the river zora as they are known are not
related to the sea zora at all. For in the zoran language, zora
is written with the same character as the phrase, to breathe,
referring to breathing underwater specifically. Thus, all who
find breath underwater are zora. The river zora understand
this, and have chosen to call themselves zora as well, leading
to confusion among other races. The river zora and the zora
race have battled for centuries for the sole right to Hyrule's
waters and have become enemies for it. To confuse a zora for
the river folk is a great insult. To differentiate themselves, the
zora call the river folk zola, a corruption of the word zora and
a declaration of superiority over those that reside in the river.

Zoran Royalty
The patron diety of the zora is Jabu-Jabu, a gigantic and lordly
fish with divine power. Living among his people, Jabu-Jabu
provides safety and good fortune to his people as long as he
is well fed and taken care of. The zora worship him, with the
most prominent of his following being the royal family. Under
his protection, the royal family has grown proud and strong,
with the kings and princes reaching enormous heights and
strength. To the queens and princesses, he grants spiritual
power to fend off evil. The princesses act as his caretakers
and priestesses, keeping the waters pure and his health in
order. If he is sick, they offer blessings and treatment, and if
he ever dies, they raise his reincarnation to maturity. These
duties help keep the good fortune the zora enjoy, allow their
domain to flourish and expand, and grant them clear waters.

Zora Names
The zora belong to one clan, and that is the clan of Jabu-Jabu. It isn't uncommon to hear a zora refer to themselves by Jabu-
Jabu before they speak their given names. Male children tend to be named after heroes of legend, and female children tend
to be named after famed royalty, the warrior queens of old.
Male Names: Akili, Baaz, Cleff, Dento, Evan, Dorephan,
Gruve, Herak, Muzu, Pershas, Rivan, Sidon, Volsun, Zigfri
Female Names: Altoh, Dunma, Finley, Kodah, Lulu, Marot,
Mipha, Note, Oren, Pazu, Ruto, Sopran, Torfeau, Vokal

Zora Traits

+2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom, Amphibious, Clear Water, Dolphin Jump, Bioelectricity, Zora Training, Languages

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by
2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Zora are mature by the age of 30, and can live to 300.

Size

Zora are tall creatures, commonly growing to about 6
or 7 feet tall, while being lithe enough that they rarely exceed
250 pounds in weight. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 ft. 

Swim Speed

You have a swimming speed of 30 ft.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Clear Water

You're impossible to spot in the sea. When you're underwater, you can use an action to become
invisible until the end of your next turn, or until you make an
attack, cast a spell, or are no longer underwater.

Dolphin Jump

When you're underwater, you can use a
bonus action to move up to 30 feet in a straight line in any
direction. If this causes you to no longer be underwater, you
can continue this movement as if you jumped that distance.

Bioelectricity

You gather energy within your body, which
you discharge whenever you're threatened. When a creature
touches you or hits you with a melee attack while it is within
5 feet of you, you can cause the creature to take 1d4 lightning
damage as a reaction. When you're underwater, you can use
this trait without using your reaction.

Zora Training

You have proficiency with the javelin, net,
spear, trident, and the Athletics skill.

Languages

You can speak, read and write in Hylian and
Zoran. The Zoran language was made to describe the beauty
of nature, and is poetic in both text and tone for this purpose.