Homebrew Zora Species Details

"It's really terrible to be at that awkward Zora age where I'm a young woman but I haven't had my growth spurt yet."

- Zoran Princess

The long-lived Zora patrol the waters of their Domain, safeguarding Hyrule's water sources and extensive history.

Blessings of Nayru

Unlike the other goddesses, Nayru is the patron of only the Zora. Various scholars have suggested that perhaps another race existed that was more Hyrulean, to counter Din's Gerudo and Farore's Kokiri. It is suspected that perhaps Nayru in her Wisdom found it more beneficent to the natural law of the world to invest in a single race. It is for this reason perhaps why the Zora live extraordinarily long lives. The Wisdom of the goddess extends to her knowledge that connecting Din's Earth to Farore's Life requires the quintessential essence of water, and so in this way her people are inextricably linked to it.

Unique Biology

Zoras hatch from eggs, but only after a few days of being laid. It is believed that their conception is a mixture of both gestation and incubation. 

Zora have a very unique lifespan compared to other races of Hyrule. To begin, Zora will typically live well into 250-300 years. They physically grow at about 1/4 of the rate of the rest of the races of Hyrule, Reaching young adulthood around 70-80yrs old, (17-20 for Hyruleans) and in their prime from 100-130. The last few decades of their lives see them aging exponentially, and this phase of life is known as "Drying". Zora however, also age at differing rates not just physically, and it seems that their emotional maturity rate is about 1/2. To summarize, Let's take a 100 year old Zora. They would typically act like a 50-year old, and physically appear as a 25-year old. With this in mind, it is not absurd to reason that an adult Hylian might be the same age as what would appear to be a "pre-pubescent" Zora, and engage in a meaningful and consensual relationship with them. Interestingly The Princess Mipha was in her 60s when she died, physically similar to a 15 or 16 year old girl. Sidon was probably 16 or so as a toddler, therefore around 116 during the events of Breath of the Wild.

Zora primarily subsist on fish and other marine life, and may are skilled fishers, as they themselves take to the water with grace and ease. The most skilled can even swim up waterfalls. 

A Kingdom of Their Own

Zora take pride in a strong sense of duty and respect for the history, laws, and leadership of their people. They do not often stray far from water, so interaction with other races tends to be limited. This is especially true of Zora's Domain. Typically, only official messengers or those on sanctioned business are allowed within the inner court. It is expected for the Zoran King to grow to Huge Sized through the blessing of Nayru.

Zora Names

Depending on the dialect, the Zoran language is reminiscent of whale song or trickling streams. A thick zoran accent might sound like someone attempting to speak with their mouth half underwater.

Reputable Zora: Mipha, Sidon, Dorephan, Rutella, Ruto, Mikau, Lulu, Ralis, Lulia, Cor, Muzu

Male Zora Names: Kapson, Gruve, Ledo, Tona, Tottika, Torfeau, Bazz, Cleff, Dento, Dunma, Finley, Fronk, Kayden, Gaddison, Jiahto, Kodah, Laflat, Marot, Rivan, Seggin, Trello, Tumbo

Female Zora Names: Mei, Tula, Keye, Laruta, Natolu

Zora Traits

Your Zora character has traits similar to an anthropomorphic Fish Person.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity or Constitution score increases by 2, and your Intelligence or Wisdom score increases by 1

Age

Zora live well into 250-300 years. As part of this, they physically age at  about 1/4 the rate of Hyruleans, and emotionally mature at 1/2 the rate. In the last few decades of their lives, the growth begins an exponential curve, and age quickly catches up to them. This is referred to as the "Drying" period.

Alignment

Zora are generally lawful and good, they have a strong sense of duty for history and order.

Size

Zora are much like Rito in that they have a broad range of builds depending on their Ethnicity. On Average, Zora range from 6.5 - 7.5 feet tall, and in exceptional cases may be as short as 4.5, to as tall as 9.5 feet. Regardless, Your size is Medium.

Speed + Swim

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swim speed of 50 feet.

Amphibious

You can breathe underwater

Shape Water

You gain access to the Shape Water cantrip

Underwater Hunter

You gain weapon proficiency with Tridents, Spears, Nets, and Javelins.

Extensive Study

You gain proficiency in History, two other skills of your choice, one artisan tool and any other tool.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Hyrulean and Zoran.