Homebrew Zora Species Details

 "You mean the Spiritual Stone of Water, Zora's Sapphire, don't you? My mother gave it to me and said I should give it only to the man who will be my husband. You might call it the Zora's Engagement Ring!"

— Princess Ruto, Ocarina of Time

The Zora are aquatic folk who possess fish and amphibian like traits, including fins, webbed feet and gills, which allow them to swim and thrive underwater. They serve Hyrule's Royal Family by protecting Hyrule's water source, Zora's Fountain. The territory of the Zora is limited only by where water flows, but all pledge allegiance to a single royal family who call Zora's Domain home.

Aquatic Beings

Zora come in various shapes and sizes. Most individuals (but not all) have fins attached to their limbs and a tail at the back of their head, making their head alone resemble a fish. However, some lack the head fin, or have a different type of head fin (for example resembling a manta ray) and others have a more rotund appearance. Some Zora possess fins that greatly resemble the folds of clothing. Their skin color ranges between white, blue and gray, but a few may also appear to have bright red or brown skin as a rarer variant. They are taller than Hylians on average, standing between 5 and 7 feet tall. 

Like A River's Flow

Zora are known to have long lifespans of at least 500 years. Zora lay eggs, which hatch within three days into tadpole-like young. While they resemble tadpoles when they first hatch, they become humanoid even before reaching adulthood. Zora reach maturity at 100. Zora children age in such a way where 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 are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. 

Guardians of Water

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, and are protective of Zora's Domain, they have limited interaction with other races. They navigate waters better than any other beings, protect temples long submerged and forgotten, and keep hidden passages a secret to allow discreet travel not possible over land.

Zora primarily subsist on fish and other marine life, and many are skilled fishers. They are specifically suited to water based activities and can swim against the current and up waterfalls. Particularly athletic Zora can even carry Hylians on their back when they swim. 

Their home also contains a wealth of ore, and so the Zora have become crafters of beautiful stone buildings and intricate metal jewelry and equipment.

Fish Out Of Water

Many Zora do not leave the safety of their domain, preferring to guard the source of Hyrule's rivers and lakes. Some Zora, though, are more adventurous, growing up on tales of Hylian heroes, and take up the life of adventurers or merchants. However, this is not without its trials. If you have not submerged in water within 3 days, at the end of every long rest you take 1 level in exhaustion. You lose all levels of exhaustion after submerging in the water again. While in Zora's Domain, there are deep communal pools to sleep in. 

Serenade of Water

Time passes, people move... Like a river's flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition. Young love will become deep affection. The clear water's surface reflects growth.

Sheik, Ocarina of Time

Zora Names

Zora names commonly recall fish or music.

Male Names: Bazz, Bon, Cleff, Dento, Dorephan, Evan, Fronk, Gruve, Japas, Jiahto, Kapson, Kayden, Keye, Ledo, Mikau, Muzu, Ralis, Rivan, Seggin, Sidon, Tijo, Toto, Tottika, Trello, Tumbo

Female Names: Dunma, Finley, Gaddison, Jellyf, Kodah, Laflat, Laruta, Laruto, Lulu, Marot, Mipha, Oren, Rutela, Ruto, Tona, Torfeau, Tula

Variations

If you are playing a Sea Zora, swap your waterfall ability for darkvision.

Zora Traits

Your Zora character has a variety of natural abilities.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Zora mature around 100, and can live well past 500 years.

Alignment

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

Size

Zora range from 5 to 7 feet tall. While many have slender builds, some are more rotund. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your swim speed is 40 feet, including up waterfalls.

Zora Weapon Training

You have proficiency with the spear, trident, light crossbow, boomerang, and net.

Amphibious

Zora are amphibious. You have a swimming speed of 40 feet, you can swim up waterfalls, and you can breathe air and water. You also have advantage on athletics checks made in the water.

Friend of the Water

You are at home among water creatures. Using gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple ideas with any beast that has an innate swimming speed.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial (Aquan). Primordial is the script used for both the Goron and Zora languages.