Homebrew Zodin Species Details
"As I moved into the light of the oil lamp, it became horrificly obvious that this captain was no elven specimen. She was something I, as a native of Hamcan, was entirely unaccustomed to.
What I had initially mistaken for a pet snake appeared to truly sprout from the woman's scalp, scaly and sickening green locks that moved on their own accord. Shimmering amphibious glands caught the glow of the flames, flexing in and out, a hypnotic dance of oxygen and water. Coral seemed to grow out of her frame, though from afar it appeared to be an aspect of her foreign clothing.
And yet, despite all of these terrifying features, her face remained beautiful, pale skin untouched aside from a faint green tinge, lips full with round pink flesh, and ears still gracefully pointed at the tips, while littered with piercings. She was the most unusual and compelling creature I had ever encountered in my travels. I both loathed and adored the emotions she elicited within me."
— Ander Berthold, A Sailing of the Nandrik
Results of horrific experiments that took place over a century ago on the continent of Merinel, Zodin were once elves, although they are now something entirely different. Their bodies, fused with amphibious and reptilian creations, put them in a position to be adaptable to almost any unexpected battle terrain. They were built to be warriors, but many of them now travel the realm with a sense of being unmoored, unsure of their place in the world. Some attempt to return to an Elven way of life, but are met with rejection and a sense of otherness that has led them to create their own community on Merinel, where they are considered their own race.
Slender and Graceful - an Elven Heritage trait
With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members of many other races. They are slightly shorter than humans on average, ranging from well under 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet. They are more slender than humans, weighing only 100 to 145 pounds. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females.
Elves’ coloration encompasses the normal human range and also includes skin in shades of copper, bronze, and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver. Elves have no facial and little body hair. They favor elegant clothing in bright colors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry.
Amphibious Adaptability - a result of experiments
Their amphibious traits make them well-acquainted with moist settings, but their fusions vary, and their genetics tend to be able to get used to just about any environment that they find themselves in. Many don gills, fins, scales, and occasionally plant matter attached to their form. These people are able to withstand a range of climates, and are resistant to drowning, as they can breathe underwater.
Exploration and Adventure
Zodin, similar to their Elven ancestors, take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration and discovery. They dislike the pace of human society, which is regimented from day to day but constantly changing over decades, so they find careers that let them travel freely and set their own pace. Zodin also enjoy exercising their martial prowess or gaining greater magical power, and adventuring allows them to do so. Some might join with rebels fighting against oppression, and others might become champions of moral causes.
A SENSE OF SUPERIORITY
Many Zodin have developed a sense of superiority over other races, as a result of being rejected by most. They believe that their animalistic features and resistance to environmental effects make them a stronger, smarter, and generally better group of people compared to others. Many tend to be self-centered, and put their own missions before anyone else's.
Zodin Names
Zodin once had Elven names, but now name themselves after the things that they grew up to embrace.
As Elves do, the Zodin began their life with a Child name, and once they come of age, they build on that name to create an adult name. These names usually pull from a trait about themself that they appreciate, in the Zodin tongue, evolved from Elven to accommodate animalistic sounds.
Example Child Names: Tarka, Radri, Ara, Eriyk, Gor, Croe, Lynk, Taib, Nantash, Syltu
Adult Names: Radri'Ak, Tarka'Elar, Ara'Mil, Karteriyk, Gor'Aust, Bru'Croe, Caroa'Ki, Lynk'Ade, Ere'Taib, Hada'Rai, Hei'An, Immer'Ios, Minda'Rtis, Paeli'As, Per'En, Qua'Rion, Riar'Don, Sorel'Ss, Adr'Ye, Torna'Ri, Anas'Tri, Andr'Aste, Bir'El, Cael'Ynn, Enna'Ni, Iele'Nia, Jele'Nneth, Kyl'Thri, Meri'Ele, Naiv'Ara, Nantash'I, Quel'Enna, Sari'El, Silaq'Ui, Syltu'Kan
Family Names (remaining Elven): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)
Subrace (these still apply despite the experimentation)
Ancient divides among the elven people resulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves, and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. Choose one of the two subraces presented below or one from another source. In some worlds, these subraces are divided still further (such as the sun elves and moon elves of the Forgotten Realms), so if you wish, you can choose a narrower subrace.
Zodin Traits
Your Zodin character has a variety of abilities, the result of years of experimentation.Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age
Although elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be 750 years old.
Size
Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.
Keen Senses
You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and Zodin. The Zodin tongue is developed from Elvish, but harsher, with certain inhuman noises incorporated.