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- Oceanus elves, also known as aquatic or sea elves are sometimes
confused by those ignorant of their true nature with their land-dwelling
elfin cousins that live near oceans. Closely related to their
land cousins, they can even interbreed with land elves and humans.
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Oceanus warriors
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- Humanoid in appearance, they have gill slits on the throat, webbed
fingers and toes, silver-blue to seaweed green skin, and green,
cyan, or blue hair of rough texture. They have deep blue or turquoise
eyes, and pointed ears. The Oceanus elves have a life span of
about 1,200 years.
- Aquatic elves prefer warm, quiet sea waters, particularly those
overgrown with seaweed and other marine vegetation, but dwell
throughout the salt and fresh waters of Fälgorna. However, by
far the largest populations of Oceanus elves dwell in the southern
waters of the Adian Ocean, particularly in the Gulf of Bright
and the Barmouth Bay. Significant numbers also live in the Orange
Sea and the Bay of Täghorn. Only small scattered communities dwell
in the colder Turarctic Ocean, mostly in the Cylene Sound and
off the coast of Eirbron. Oceanus elves also live in small numbers
in the Mist Lake.
- They usually settle in large caverns in lagoon bottoms (often
fashioning their own caves) and enjoy reefs near peaceful sea
coasts. They trade with land elves and other races for metal goods,
which are difficult to forge underwater. In exchange, the Oceanus
elves offer coral jewelry, blue shell armor, fish, treasures scavenged
from shipwrecks or sacrifices to the sea gods, and other gifts
of the sea.
- Due to their long separation from their land-based cousins, Oceanus
elves rarely distinguish one race of land elves from another and
extend at least tolerance and good will toward all but Drow (whom
the Oceanus elves view with hatred). The land elves return the
same feelings. Those who are born of an Oceanus elf and a land
elf are at least tolerated, as are those born of a human and Oceanus
elf.
- Though they prefer the company of elves, Oceanus elves tolerate
peaceful humans and demihumans. Unfortunately, ignorant fishermen
and sailors sometimes slay Oceanus elves in the belief that they
are sahuagins. Nonetheless, Oceanus elves are known to save drowning
sailors.
- These elves are quite friendly towards dolphins, with which they
can communicate (by expending nonweapon skill points). Oceanus
elves that can communicate with dolphins can summon them with
their cries if the latter are within 240 yards.
- Oceanus elves harbor a great hatred for sahuagin and ixitxachitl
who are their mortal enemies, and attack them on sight if possible
and reasonable. Kopoacinth (water gargoyles) are usually too rare
to be much of a threat, though the more common koalinth (aquatic
hobgoblins), merrow (aquatic ogres), and scrags (aquatic trolls)
present a real danger in some areas. The hated lacedons cannot
paralyze Oceanus elves, just as land elves are immune to the paralyzing
touch of ghouls.
- Oceanus elves often capture and train certain marine creatures
for use as steeds, beasts of burden, and pets. Sea horses, sea
lions, giant turtles, narwhals, swordfish, and the like are sometimes
found in association with communities of these elves.
- Oceanus elves cannot begin play with knowledge of the Land- or
Air-based Riding nonweapon skills, however, they may learn Sea-based
Riding normally. An Oceanus elf's Animal Handling skill only applies
to water dwelling creatures (default 20%) at first level, but
land-based Animal Handling can be learned normally thereafter.
Several other nonweapon skills, such as Herbalism, will have modified
effects if used outside of a watery environment. Skills such as
Fire-building are not available to Oceanus elves under most conditions.
- The shy Oceanus elves can hide in marine vegetation like their
land-based cousins can hide in natural surroundings. If alone
or only with other Oceanus elves they can also increase an opponents
chance to be surprised in a similar manner to that used by land
elves attempting to surprise in natural surroundings (-4 to surprise
if alone, -2 if a screen or door must be opened). These abilities
can only be used in an aquatic environment; they have no compensatory
ability on land. They can identify dangerous marine life, such
as strangleweed, 90% of the time.
- Oceanus elf characters who have the ability to move silently (rogues
and rangers) learn to swim quietly through the water. Their chance
to move silently on land is halved.
- The weapons of preference for this undersea race include the trident,
spear, and combat net. When employing a spear, trident, or combat
net, Oceanus elves gain a +1 bonus to hit. They do not, however,
gain the normal +1 bonus to hit with long and short swords and
bows. Other weapons useful in undersea environments are also used,
though to a lesser extent: daggers, knives, darts, thrusting and
stabbing polearms and short swords. Javelins and harpoons are
sometimes used by Oceanus elves on surface missions. Some Oceanus
elves also use undersea crossbows (Range: S 6, M 12, L 18; otherwise
as light crossbows). Adventuring Oceanus elves may learn other
weapons if they stay on land long enough, but this is rare.
- Oceanus elves can begin play knowing the languages of Trade Tongue,
Common Elf, Delphinese (dolphin), Locathah, Merman, Sahuagin,
and Triton.
- Oceanus elves have 360' infravision below water and 120' infravision
when removed from the water for more than one day due to the drying
effect on their eyes. The acute hearing of these elves prevents
them from being surprised as often as other characters. When underwater
they reduce their chance for surprise by -2 and when above water
by -1.
- Oceanus elves also have a fully function pair of lungs. In combination
with their gills, they are able to breath air or water at will
for an unlimited duration. However, for every full day spent away
from water, an Oceanus elf must make a System Shock Survival roll
or temporarily loose a point of Constitution. This loss represents
the drying out of the skin and mucus membranes and a maximum of
three points can be lost in this manner. If immersed in water
for a minimum of one hour each day, an Oceanus elf stays in good
physical health. Lost Constitution may be regained by one full
day of immersion in water for every point lost.
- Oceanus elves can swim while wearing blue shell armor, elfin chain
mail, leather, hide or studded leather armor. Armor heavier than
chain mail causes them to sink to the bottom. Padded armor reduces
their movement rate by half. Because Oceanus elves dislike metal
armor, they usually wear armor made from the hides and scales
of sea creatures. A few utilize turtle shells for shields quite
effectively in combat. Oceanus elves move above and below water
at MV 12.
- When fighting underwater, Oceanus elves have no to hit or initiative
penalties as do land-born natives. However, outside the water
they fight with a -1 penalty to hit and a -2 modifier to initiative
(one initiative phase slower) until the character grows accustomed
to the lack of water resistance (usually about one year or at
4th level).
- The Oceanus elves prefer to dwell under the waves, so they rarely
adventure on land. Though they are an amphibious race, they feel
out of place on land, as a land dweller would feel if he spent
long amounts of time underwater. Most Oceanus elves are Chaotic
Good, but PCs may be of any alignment.
- Oceanus elves modify their initial ability scores as follows:
Strength +1, Dexterity +1, Constitution -1, Charisma -1.
- Unlike their elfin cousins, Oceanus elves require no additional
experience points to advance in level.
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