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What sort of aquatic race should be done?
  Naga, half snake semi-aquatic race typically able to breath underwater
  Mermaids and Mermen, being fully aquatic, but able to breath air
  Third unnamed mostly original race most similar to the Zora from the legend of zelda games
  All three
  Screw it we don't need an aquatic race
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BoredTears

PostPosted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:53 pm


So I have been having a hard time figuring out what to do for an aquatic race, even though I really like aquatic races. I was going to write up three different races, but I can't find a tape measure and I need a visual reference.

So I have decided that having reached two difficulties I would make a topic on here for people to talk about the options and what should be done.

So first a basic overview of the three races I was going to write.

First Naga,
Naga are usually half snake half human creatures, and while they aren't always aquatic I tend to think of them that way. I was thinking of doing them as a semi-aquatic group, with gills and an ability to survive on land. I was also thinking of making them sort of demonic.

Second Mermaids,
Classical mermaids, I'm not that fond of them but they are common so I was going to write them up as an option.

Third, original
I don't have a name for them really, I'm not good with names anyways. They would be humanoid with fins off the back of their shoulders, sides of the hips, and calves, and possibly other places. They would also have some minor shape shifting ability allowing them to shift body parts for an aquatic form or a land form. They would appear like a human or elf, but with the fins, gills, and likely a light blue skin tone, with skin, not scales.


So, personally I favor number three, though I would like naga to exist in some form in the world.


And I don't know what else to say, though I feel like I am missing something.
PostPosted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:29 pm


I love that you are offering to write up an original aquatic race biggrin I'm not a fan of mermaids and such, but I think we should have options for underwater campaigns. I like the idea of having the Naga being slightly demonic as well. I think we should have a hand full of demonic races scattered in all regions of the world.

I'm glad you are soo good at writing up races...truthfully, races have always been my weakest area of development for worlds, but you have detailed information even for the classic races. I'm so glad to have you on the team. With that said, you go ahead and write up your original race and the Naga if you want and I can try tackling the mermadia race and I'll include another race for the water, so we could possibly have something of a running society underwater as well.

Feign Child


BoredTears

PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:30 am


... I don't actually consider what I did detailed, redface I could have written those up, and had them three times that length, with ease. I've had to stop myself on all of them, for fear that no one could add anything or modify them.

Probably going to hold off on the naga for a while, not sure how to do them demonic without a bit more of our lore done, and magic. Probably have them done right after the creation story, so long as we have some idea of what to do for magic.

Thinking of doing naga as a split society, with most being demonic and the rest avoiding demonic things, likely have the demonic side fairly hierarchical and religious, with the other side being far more individualistic. I was going to do it the other way around, but with other aquatic races I think we can manage a balance.

Going to be working on the original race now, going to have it ready in a day or less.
PostPosted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 12:56 pm


*Hmmm* Well... we have not much here yet suggested or made. However, I think is proper to remind you in this case that having a race tied up to the "demonic" is a bold step. Why? Simple: we still have not defined if demons, devils, fiends, or such things EXIST in this world and, if they do, we haven't decided if they are part of a common underworld of sorts, an spiritual realm, one or several alternative planes, etc. However, if you want to make them, at this point, "demonic" in the sense of their own believes, I guess that is fine, as having "poly-culturism" on a world is to be expected in different countries/nations, specially if they are comprised of completely different species. Once again, like in previous cases, I would say it's a concept to be held with care lest we risk getting generic-oriented in the nowaday trend that "everything cool" is associate to demons (like in mass production anime) and "demons" on their own can be actually whatever thus turning the very concept into a deus-ex-machina solution of sorts to avoid impossible explanations.

Diana Yantra


BoredTears

PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:49 am


Here is my original aquatic race, I would like help thinking of a new name for it, as I suck at thinking of names.

BoredTears
Name: Terrnil (I suck at coming up with names, and would like this one to be changed later)

Detailed Description: Terrnil are a slender, slightly lanky race on land, and while appearing a much larger, and more agile race when under water. The average hight is 6 feet(183cm) with a variance of around 4 inches(10cm), though some individuals near 7 feet(213cm). Their shoulders are on average the little wider then their hips, typically being between 17 and 22 inches(43-56cm).
Their limbs are all wider then average racial proportions, giving them a slightly broad appearance.
Being an aquatic race they have fins coming out of various body parts, most notably: the back of the shoulder(which are the longest fins possibly being longer then the rest of the body), the side of the forearm(the shortest fins), the middle of the back(fairly short), the sides of the pelvis(second longest fins sometimes longer then the legs), and the sides of the calf(usually down to the feet, though they can be longer). Though some have fins in other places, most commonly the side of the hand and the feet. The fins are usually long, narrow, and slightly bony, however their shape shifting abilities allow them to change this to a degree. The fins are most commonly blue, however some reds and purple colors also appear and are not considered too uncommon.
Their skin is unusual as it appears incredibly smooth, holding few lines or bumps, and none on their knees or elbows. The skin color is typically light blue, between white and sky blue, with some accenting features on certain areas, mostly the face, back, and chest.
The race, though aquatic, tend to keep long hair, which tends to be multi shaded, the most common of which is a blond and green. The rarest shades are dark on light combinations, with dark shades themselves being rare.
The two genders appear very similar, the greatest difference is in the chest, while females do have breasts, they are small compared to most races. The real noticeable difference is in shape and size, male chests are on average more barreled, and up to twice the size of female chests which are also flatter, excluding the breasts themselves. Male faces also appear slightly more masculine by human standards.
Beyond this however androgyny is common, such as females having barreled chests or males having slim. However members of the two genders tend to use their shape shifter abilities to help clarify their genders, with females maintaining their fins at a much larger size when on land, and males maintaining a smaller fin size even when under water. Females also often use their shape shifter ability to increase breast size around other races, however it is not commonly done inside Terrnil communities.

History of Origin: Unlike other races Terrnil tend not to care of their race's origin. However this has led them to having a great many origin stories, most common of which is that they are the result of sentient water receiving a physical form. Which happens to be the prevailing belief among other races as well.
Another origin story is that they are the result of a great massacre of life, resulting between a battle between the land races and sea life. As the story goes after the battle, which had no winner, the bodies of the dead were swallowed by the sea. The sea seeing the great loss of life took the bodies and reformed them into a being similar to all. This story is the second most common among the race itself, and is most common among people who hate the race, who typically twist it to be darker and more necromantic.

Specialties: Terrnil are a race with shape shifting powers, though not true shape shifters the race can modify their bodies a great deal. All members of the race have two basic forms. A land form, where they typically look similar to humans or elves, though with various fins poking out of their bodies. And a water form, where all of their joints change shape and allow for greater mobility, the fins extend to their full length, the feet flatten in line with the leg, the fingers gain webbing between them, and the neck shifts so the face can be forward in the marine environment.
Beyond the two forms they can modify the shape of their fins a great deal, going so far as to make fins which can mimic nearly any form of fin. They can also change their body's appearance a significantly, to, where in skilled individuals, they can mimic other humanoid races, and in the most skilled individuals even dwarves. However they can not change their skin tone, though they do have some ability to modify the accent colors. Also their fins never truly disappear, and the process can be very slow, they are also unable to change their faces, or for that matter even their heads. The shape shifting is a basic part of their ability to handle both land and water, which has been taken to extremes by some.
The race, being aquatic, have gills and can thus easily breath underwater, though they close and disappear in their land form.
The race are also among faster healing races, and are among the races that are able to regenerate lost limbs. They also have one of the best immune systems, able to fight off and prevent most infections. Do to the bacterial dangers of the marine environment, they need to be able to heal wounds quickly and prevent infections.
They are also very fast, and very agile, both in the water, and on land. Their top running speed is around 40mph(64kph) and top swimming speed is around mph55(88kph), both of which are sprints, and are unable to be maintained for more then 30 seconds. Most of their speed and strength is short lived, and happens in bursts. This is needed for them to be able to escape some sea creatures.
Their fins are much tougher then the rest of their bodies, often being able to block swords without damage, they are also able to add a sharp edge to them with their shape shifting. These exist in place of any other natural weapons which other marine predators poses, as the development of tools underwater can be difficult. This also serves as a replacement for armor as their shape shifting prevents the proper use of armor.

Combat: The Terrnil often fight one another in weaponless tournaments attempting to show off, or to settle non-legal disputes.
The race also tends to be common as mercenaries in coastal areas.
Because of their nature and general lack of fore thinking they tend to get into a lot of fights.
When in combat they will often strike fast and furiously with bladed weapons and their fins, striking with speed only otherwise seen in elves, in an attempt to end the fight quickly, or wound their opponent so as to give themselves a reprieve.
They also tend to fight with a more endurance based defensive style using bladed pole weapons.
In fights against their own race they tend to fight in rounds, fighting furiously then taking a break between rounds.

Alignment tendencies: Terrnil tend not to think much about consequences, and instead focus on doing what they feel like doing, and can thus be seen as rather chaotic. They however tend to form strong bonds with friends, or even strong bonds to authority figures, who they would otherwise ignore. Due to forming a strong bond with authority figures they can be very loyal towards authority, or if they don't form such bonds, be rather uninterested in such things.
The race is rare in that they tend to form morals based upon desires and emotions, such as a general notion against killing only for the reason that that might prevent them from dealing with or using that person in the future.
They also tend to like or dislike people intensely.

Climate and Terrain: The race basically requires temperate to tropical climates with large amounts of rainfall. However they can manage cold areas, provided they can sleep in places which are much warmer.
Of terrain they prefer coastal areas, and for inland they prefer wet areas.
Of water they prefer clear shallow areas.
They require a high humidity, or suffer all manner of health problems.

Family/Organizational Structure: The family structure of the Terrnil is nearly non-existent, and it is hard to determine who the parents are, who siblings are, and who are unrelated friends.
This is mostly because Terrnil children are born far more developed then other races, at the equivalent of a 5 year old human, and they develop much faster becoming adults by the age of 10. This is because of a general need to develop quickly and be able to swim properly very soon after birth.
All individual members of a family, who can afford to, own their own home, as well, the family, or even just a group of friends, own a family home. The family home is typically home of the children, and where they are raised, it is also a place for socializing.

Any further information you can think of: Terrnil are actually a very long lived race having the same level of immortality as elves, however they are far more prone to early death then other races, do to their behavior. Do to this most races think they are mortal race like humans due to typical life expectancies.
An oddity of child birth among the Terrnil is that females of the race have their entire torso increase in size when pregnant, and only show typical signs of pregnancy when nearing the child's birth, at the late 14th month. This leads some races to think that they lay eggs in place of having life young.


I also think that they may need to be modified later.
PostPosted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:32 am


*Hmmm* Not bad at all... Somehow I feel something is missing here, but I can't put my finger on it this time. Perhaps it is just me this time. Very good job, Bored Tears.

Diana Yantra


Toast My French

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:59 am


Wecould base one of the races off of the octopus that mimics other fish. I forget what it's name is at the moment, but I think it would fit if we adjust a few things. It could be larger, or smaller, able to mimic more efficiently, and more then just other fish. It could have another defense then just mimicing. I'm not sure it would work as a playable race, but more so as one you would just see in the ocean. That the aquatic races could interact with.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:30 am


(O.o) I only have one concern about this. What is it? The scope of their domain. I mean, it's one thing on land. On land, there's a limited amount on each mass, and we can just put up boundary lines so we can halt development on a race. Underwater however....Just think about it. Where specifically do we put them? How far is their expansion? Are there other underwater kingdoms? And if so, are they of the same species or, at least, of the same specific culture and race? I'm just saying, because it seems like to me that we can't really tie them down onto a specific area on our current map without having them branch off around the complete perimeter. When it comes war time, you already know who's going to win. The aquatic race. Why? Because if they can breathe water, all they have to do is storm the beaches. LOL! Then they cover all perimeters and move in for the kill.

Of course, the other races can pollute the water and kill them off that way, but that's a double edged sword tactic.

Neotepid

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BoredTears

PostPosted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:07 am


Ok I'm about to start work on the Naga, and quite frankly, I think that they are going to be the largest race, not only in body mass, but in general size as well. I figure around 3 ft(91cm) for the torso(and head, though also pelvis), which given other snakes dimensions as far as how much of their body they can lift vertically, leaves the rest of their body at between 7(213) and 9ft(274cm).

Though I could give them 2ft(61cm) torsos, and a much smaller body length, however then they would only really get to be about chest high on humans, when they are trying, and they probably wouldn't be able to move when trying to be that tall. And though that does make them cute, very cure(and by my standards, absurdly cute), it wouldn't make for a very imposing, demonic race.

Also if a Naga was 6ft(183cm) tall and having a torso of a human of such a hight, properly it should be a total of 18ft(548cm) in length from head to tail. And such a Naga, when trying, could easily be taller than any other race thus far.

So yea I have no idea how large to make the Naga, and actually this is why I did Trolls and Orcs before Naga because I have no idea how large to make them and have them be of appropriate dimensions.

So I have also been thinking, if naga body dimensions are going to be that large in comparison it might just be better for me to make them really ******** huge from the start.

So how big should they be anyway? [text removed do to it just being me obsessing over the idea of cute naga, no matter how many times I rewrote it] sweatdrop

Yea... I've made naga before for a setting and they were huge, 9ft(274cm) when "standing", 4ft(122cm) torsos, something like 21ft(640cm) of lower body, and a total of around 27ft(823cm). So, huge, and I don't really think that such a large race would really fit in in our setting.

Edited: I messed up a conversion.
PostPosted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 6:58 am


(O.o) Do you know that some snakes and fish keep growing the more they age. In fact, octopuses do it too. If an octopus lives, oh let say, a hundred years, then it could possibly get mistaken with Cathulu. Do you get what I mean? Maybe the older, and I mean really old, ones could be bigger. I'm just saying, I can imagine Naga's being 'cute' Nagas that look like gorgons(Medusa) or Nagas that could potentially go King Kong on people. Though, I don't think a lot will get to that height.

Neotepid

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BoredTears

PostPosted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 12:15 am


I've thought about letting the Naga have an indeterminate growth. I actually meant to add the idea to that post, however I was sidetracked by the idea of the cute naga, and ended up forgetting.

I was also thinking about indeterminate growth being a side effect of their demonic rituals. As my plan has been to make them a sort of demonic race I have thought up a great many demonic rituals for them, some starting at birth, or even before birth.

Another thing that I was going to add to that post, but forgot because of my apparent weakness to the idea of pint sized half snake girls, was the question of eggs or live birth. Now biologically speaking live birth could have issues in naga, due to the large size requiring lungs that extend down the length of the body. However eggs would make them rather unique among the races thus far. I was also thinking of eggs being another side effect of the demonic rituals.

Oh as for how they breath, I was thinking they breath on land with lungs, and in the water through a magical exchange. The magical exchange is an effect of their scales, and I was thinking that maybe their scales could be used to make dive suits for other races. I was also thinking of the Naga having an ability to safely fill their lungs with water so that they could go deep without worries of them collapsing.

Though my biggest issue here is the length of the naga, I like the idea of a 6ft(183cm) "tall" naga being around 20ft(610cm) long. However that does give them 14ft(426cm) of tail, which is ******** huge. So I'm sort of here wondering what dimensions other people think Naga should be.
PostPosted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 8:36 am


THey're like snakes. And, if they're predators like I'm thinking, then giving them that size will, not only, be opposing, but also, help other races(prey) be aware of the naga presence before it is too late. You know what I mean?

Neotepid

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