Charoda
From Mizahar Lore
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===Physical Appearance=== | ===Physical Appearance=== | ||
| + | The Charodae have smooth, rubbery skin, like that of a dolphin's, somewhat pliable but quite resistant. The skin shades vary from pale white to deep blue, with many shades - grey, light green - in between. They are very slender and streamlined. Their spine, and ribs, are not made of bones, but cartilage, rendering them extremely flexible. Their bone density is very weak, lea They have no hair whatever, instead having dorsal fins for hair. Their toes and fingers have webbing in between, with long, multi-pointed ears. They have very faintly protruding noses, almost more like slits, and big eyes that lack pupils. Because of the translucent eye lid that always covers their eyes, the eyes usually appear to be the same colour as their skin, although maybe a bit lighter or darker. | ||
| - | + | Once omnivores, the Charodae have resigned themselves to the forced life of vegetarianism, as their bodies cannot digest meat. Attempts to do so leave them violently ill. They have three rows of sharp, triangular teeth in their mouths, a memory of times gone by. But their teeth remain useful for chewing the vegetables that grow below the water's surface. | |
| + | |||
| + | Although the Charodae are built for swimming, they can walk upright on two feet on land. Because of how the water resistance slows the action, the graceful Charodae may seem to be a fair bit quicker on land without that usual resistance there. | ||
===Psychology=== | ===Psychology=== | ||
| + | Once hunter-gatherers who enjoyed testing each other's physical prowess, the Valterrian changed the Charodae completely. Preferring to avoid violence, they have turned their back on it and would sooner solve things with diplomacy, unless faced with no option. They are taught that life is sacred, and that it should not be wasted. They enjoy scavenging along the bottom of the ocean floor and hoarding things, often building up massive collections of all sorts of things, as well as harvesting seaweed and other such plants that they grow for food. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While visitors to Charbosi are rare, the Charodae are quite friendly, and are curious about others... sometimes so much so that they love to gossip. | ||
==Society== | ==Society== | ||
===Social Structure=== | ===Social Structure=== | ||
| + | The Charodae are widely gender-neutral in everything, believing in equity and balance. Duties are split quite evenly - while the female of a family may forage for food one day while their partner works on the coralline structure of their home, they may switch places the next day just as easily. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This balance is reflected in the Circle of Elders, which has an equal number of male and female members. | ||
===Language=== | ===Language=== | ||
| + | The Charodae have their own language, Char, that sounds more like it is being sung than spoken. Its melodies carry well, and linger, leaving a haunting residue. It doesn't sound anywhere near as grand above the water, sounding more like shrill cries, clicks, and whistles. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Traders and scholars have brought the Common tongue to Charbosi, where the young ones learn it in order to communicate with the world above, should they ever decide to seek it. | ||
===Names=== | ===Names=== | ||
| + | Charodaen names vary widely, and most have two parts to their names; a given and family name. The first name is the name they were born with, and the family name, generally taken from both family names of the parents. While there are few patterns to the way the Charodae name their offspring, they tend to be smoother, softer names with less harsher sounds to them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Examples are as follows: | ||
| + | * Yleru | ||
| + | * Tandra | ||
| + | * Ana'tu | ||
| + | * Lyel | ||
| + | * Beless | ||
| + | * Ialea | ||
===Family Life=== | ===Family Life=== | ||
Revision as of 23:46, 11 May 2009
| File:.jpg | |
| Height | 5' - 6' |
|---|---|
| Weight | 90 - 150 lbs |
| Lifespan | 65-80 |
| Major features | Smooth, rubbery skin, pointed teeth, webbed fingers and toes. |
| Abilities | Underwater breathing, swimming, coral manipulation. |
| Population | 5,000 |
| Most common in | Charbosi |
| Reputation | Pacifistic Sea-Dwellers |
| Racial gods | Maktusi, Caiyha |
Intro text on Dummy Race. This should contain the big picture on this race, i.e. one should be able to understand what this is by just reading the intro text.
Contents |
History
The Charoda existed prior to the Valterrian, although they had no contact with any other race, living far away from the closest coast, and far below the water's surface. They were hunter-gatherers and artisans, living in a massive, living, breathing city of coral. They were unaffected by anything that went on far above them.
Until the Valterrian.
The cataclysm that rent the world apart destroyed the coral city of Charbosi, and reduced the Charodae population to a mere fraction of what it was. The survivors were changed completely. They no longer looked the same, could digest their former food sources, and no longer had hair. Concerned about what had happened, the survivors eventually worked up the nerve to send a party to the surface, in hopes of figuring out just what had happened to them. Had they angered the gods such that they were to be changed like this? Was this punishment for something that they had done or failed to do?
The party eventually made it to the surface, and attempted to make contact with the land-dwellers. Slain by hostile forces who had no idea of what was coming from the water and not wanting to know just what they were, they were slain. When no one from the first party returned, the Charodae tried again, this time attempting contact in another area. This was somewhat more successful, but the Charodae soon returned to their people, with tales of the savages that lived on the land. It was decided that they would settle somewhat closer, but still keep enough distance between them and potentially hostile forces.
Biology
Physical Appearance
The Charodae have smooth, rubbery skin, like that of a dolphin's, somewhat pliable but quite resistant. The skin shades vary from pale white to deep blue, with many shades - grey, light green - in between. They are very slender and streamlined. Their spine, and ribs, are not made of bones, but cartilage, rendering them extremely flexible. Their bone density is very weak, lea They have no hair whatever, instead having dorsal fins for hair. Their toes and fingers have webbing in between, with long, multi-pointed ears. They have very faintly protruding noses, almost more like slits, and big eyes that lack pupils. Because of the translucent eye lid that always covers their eyes, the eyes usually appear to be the same colour as their skin, although maybe a bit lighter or darker.
Once omnivores, the Charodae have resigned themselves to the forced life of vegetarianism, as their bodies cannot digest meat. Attempts to do so leave them violently ill. They have three rows of sharp, triangular teeth in their mouths, a memory of times gone by. But their teeth remain useful for chewing the vegetables that grow below the water's surface.
Although the Charodae are built for swimming, they can walk upright on two feet on land. Because of how the water resistance slows the action, the graceful Charodae may seem to be a fair bit quicker on land without that usual resistance there.
Psychology
Once hunter-gatherers who enjoyed testing each other's physical prowess, the Valterrian changed the Charodae completely. Preferring to avoid violence, they have turned their back on it and would sooner solve things with diplomacy, unless faced with no option. They are taught that life is sacred, and that it should not be wasted. They enjoy scavenging along the bottom of the ocean floor and hoarding things, often building up massive collections of all sorts of things, as well as harvesting seaweed and other such plants that they grow for food.
While visitors to Charbosi are rare, the Charodae are quite friendly, and are curious about others... sometimes so much so that they love to gossip.
Society
Social Structure
The Charodae are widely gender-neutral in everything, believing in equity and balance. Duties are split quite evenly - while the female of a family may forage for food one day while their partner works on the coralline structure of their home, they may switch places the next day just as easily.
This balance is reflected in the Circle of Elders, which has an equal number of male and female members.
Language
The Charodae have their own language, Char, that sounds more like it is being sung than spoken. Its melodies carry well, and linger, leaving a haunting residue. It doesn't sound anywhere near as grand above the water, sounding more like shrill cries, clicks, and whistles.
Traders and scholars have brought the Common tongue to Charbosi, where the young ones learn it in order to communicate with the world above, should they ever decide to seek it.
Names
Charodaen names vary widely, and most have two parts to their names; a given and family name. The first name is the name they were born with, and the family name, generally taken from both family names of the parents. While there are few patterns to the way the Charodae name their offspring, they tend to be smoother, softer names with less harsher sounds to them.
Examples are as follows:
- Yleru
- Tandra
- Ana'tu
- Lyel
- Beless
- Ialea