Homebrew Aquatic Elves Species Details

 

 

We were cast out by our own. Forced to live in the below. Had we a choice we'd have taken to the air. Alas our magics would not allow it. Instead we entered into the blue depths. And what reception did we receive there? Anger, Hostility, vitriolic diplomacy. We had to forge our own space. Adapt, Adjust, Conquer. And that is what we did. Now, we have forged our rightful place as leaders of this watery universe. Now we are recognized for what we are; better than anyone else. 
                - Sangelin Phenemis , 23rd Emperor of the Aquatic Elven Empire         

 

    The Great split happened in the distant past, so distant that many elves refuse to believe to even acknowledge it ever happened. Some claim it was the wood elves who split into two factions, those forsaking their more natural existences in pursuit of knowledge, magic, and refinement of spirit. Yet others claim it was the high elves who split, fractured upon ideological lines. What is certain though is that millennia ago, the first elves to enter into the oceans were not welcomed by the aquatic races already there. 

Each inch of Ocean territory gained was fought for. When the elves found a place thought uninhabited, a clawfane colony would be discovered, or ancient sharkhaan hunting grounds suddenly revealed. The only solution was to avoid territory all together. Using their most powerful magics, the elves transformed their bodies, twisting and reshaping their forms to better suite life under the water. And yet, try as they might, there was still a yearning for the forest and the bright shine of the stars. A solution presented itself, floating city island, capable of allowing the aquatic elves, as they'd been termed by the others, of walking on land under the stars but also living below the surface, in the blue depths of the ocean.

Now after centuries of refinement, the aquatic elves have become part of the oceans of the world. Able to live in both environments, they have brought with them sophistication of the high elves, the passion of the wood elves, the malice of the Dark elves, and the unpredictable nature of the oceans to the aquatic world. Masters of their domain, the other races of the seas had to learn to adapt to these interlopers. Indeed, it seems impossible to imagine an ocean without the aquatic elves and their floating city islands. Massive cities hang beneath the large mobile islands, with classic elven architecture, and frequently have a city built atop them too, though less opulent than those beneath. Ruled over by the elder council, all aquatic elves pledge to support one another, a trait that somewhat comes from the elves they so long ago separated themselves from. Despite coming from the forsaking drow they have kept some of the cruelty towards others and the viciousness to others that threaten their own. 

The aquatic elves are not the same as the sea elves, were the aquatic elves come form the drow, the sea elves come from other elves. Because of this they do hold different qualities to themselves and tend to have different outlook on life. 

Adventuring
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Aquatic Elves frequently go adventuring to see what is in the great blue. Their ancestors took the greatest step, from land to sea, and it is not uncommon for younger aquatic elves to want to do the same in reveres, exploring the lands above. They often see things differently from surface dwellers, using archaic descriptions and words learned from older elvish languages. It is assumed to be a rite of passage, for once aquatic elves have seen what it is like in the Above, they usually return home in a century or two.  

Aquatic Elf Names
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Aquatic elves have three genders, Mara, Satra, and Eoasta. An unusual side effect of the magic they used to transform their bodies Mara is the more Masculine and Satra is the more feminine, and the Eoasta are the androgynous. An Eoasta is required in order for a Mara and Satra to have children. The Eoasta carries the child to term, and acts as a caregiver while the other parents act as instructors. Bonds are usually formed between all three for life. 

Mara names are generally shorter and only two syllables: Arden, Tyrus, Danas, Rayin, Teran, Kydas, Ayrin
Satra names generally have three syllables: Indigo, Erablia, Tanquina, Hovali, Embatha, Volana, Pentalo
While Eoasta names are often short and easy for children to pronounce: Aga, Hos, Dam, Wur, Uli, Cos, Fai, Bana

 Age
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 Aquatic elves reach maturity at about the age of 120, like their elven cousins. They perceive time differently than most other races, as they can live well over 750 years old.  

Alignment
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 Aquatic Elves are aloof and ethnocentric. They have shunned their Elvish cousins on land and revel in the relative solitude of the oceans depths. As a result, many aquatic elves are neutral, but to other races they may seem evil.  

Size
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Your Size is medium

 From Elves
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As part of the separatist elves that left or was thrown from the great elven empire several thousand years ago, your ancestors chose the ocean instead of the underdark, as your ancient brothers and sisters did. Thus you have the ability to breath both Air and Water. Additionally, you are not the same as your cousins, you can not use the Trance, nor are you reborn when you die. You do require 8 hours of rest instead of the 4 hours like the rest of your cousin. 

Aquatic Elves Traits

Less than Dexterous but vastly more intelligent faster swimmers than sea elves they do posses similar qualities.

Ability score increase

Increase you Intelligence by 2, and your Dexterity by 1 

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 ft. Your base swimming speed is 40 ft. 

Aquatic Adaptations

You gain proficiency in the Animal Handling skill. You also gain proficiency in spears and tridents. Likewise you are also resistant to cold damage  

Dominion Over the Ocean

You can cast Speak with animals, with this trait, starting at 3rd level you can cast Animal Friendship, and starting at 5th level you can cast Dominate Beast. All these innate spells you can cast are restricted to aquatic creatures only. Once you have cast these innate spells using this trait, you can't cast them again until after you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Language

Because of the millennium spent under the waves you know both Aquan and Common