Cecaelia (suh-KEEL-ee-uh)
The cecaelia are a people displaced from their homes, denied their culture, and used as little more than tools by their rulers.
Curious and social, cecaelia are often the most frequently-contacted of the sentient Marine Creatures in the Outfair Ocean by the surface-dwelling species and cultures.
Often mistaken for Maro at first, it is the cecaelia's lower half that quickly reveals what they are.
Basic Information
Anatomy
As a hybrid Humanoid Species, the cecaelia appear as agile, slender humans with defined musculature from the waist up. Below the waist, they have large cephalopod bodies, ending in eight long tentacles with suckers on the underside.
Genetics and Reproduction
Cecaelia reproduce sexually, similar to non-hybrid humanoid species. However, the male sexual organ is located on one of their eight tentacles. This organ is inserted into the female's sexual organ, which is located beneath their tentacle shroud but is similar to the sex organ of a non-hybrid humanoid female.
Unlike the cephalopod they resemble, a female cecaelia does not lay eggs. They gestate an embryo over the course of approximately six months which ends in a live birth in a manner similar to that of surface-dwelling women.
Traditionally, cecaelia only have one child at a time. However, one in one-thousand conceptions results in the gestation of twins. There are no records of multiple births exceeding this number.
Growth Rate & Stages
Cecaelia are capable of swimming within minutes of birth, even in their infant stage. However, they tire easily and are thus typically carried by their mother or father, or other care provider, until they are in a safe location with minimal current(s).
As a cecaelia matures, they grow in size and length, and their mental capacity reflects the stimulation of their surroundings. Cecaelia are capable of relatively complex cognition, though they do pale somewhat compared to some other species.
Ecology and Habitats
Cecaelia live among the Maro civilizations in the Outfair Ocean, typically near coastlines and atolls, where they serve as messengers and diplomats for their Maro masters.
Cecalia as a species have nowhere to call their own, and so adapt to the environment provided for them. Most attempt to find some sort of balance, but often end up migrating within their alloted boundaries when resources are depleted.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Cecaelia are omnivorous predators, but prefer prepared meals. Traditional cecaelian fare is a pescatarian diet combined with aquatic vegetation such as kelp, sea lettuce, and more.
Cecaelia on the surface are capable of eating most any meal traditionally served among sentient species, though they tend to find spicy fare troublesome for their digestion.
Biological Cycle
Cecaelia mature somewhat rapidly, reaching adolescence by ten years of age and maturity by sixteen years. A cecaelia typically lives to between sixty and ninety years, similar to that of humans.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Cecaelia ink, similar to cephalopod ink, is useful for writing, for distraction, and for creating tattoos.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Historically, the cecaelia could be found in most of the temperate and tropical oceans of Solia. Their numbers have been reduced and the remaining cecaelia subjugated by the Maro, and are now only found in the Outfair Ocean and the central Alabyran Reach.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Cecaelia are capable of seeing in the dark to a range of 60 feet (18.28 meters). While swimming and not otherwise occupied, a cecaelia can spread their tentacles wide to form a sort of 'sensory net' that allows them to feel the movement of anything within 10 feet (3.048 meters).
Cecaelia
Type
Monstrous Humanoid (Aquatic)
Ability Score Modifier
Cecaelias are nimble and have a canny insight, but they tend to be flighty: +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom, –2 Intelligence
Size
medium
Speed
Cecaelias have no trouble moving about on land using their tentacles and have a base speed of 30 feet; cecaelias have a swim speed of 40 feet.; Jet (1 RP): cecaelias can swim 200 feet backward as a full-round action. A cecaelia must move in a straight line when jetting and does not provoke attacks of opportunity when she uses jet.
Language
Cecaelias begin play speaking Aquan and Common. Cecaelias with a high Intelligence score can choose from the following: Aklo, Celestial, Draconic, Djenati, Fiore, Giant, and Nuairan.
Senses
Darkvision: Cecaelias have darkvision with a range of 60 feet. Tentacle Sense (1 RP): While swimming and not grappled or grappling, a cecaelia can spread her tentacles wide to form a sensory net around herself as a swift action. This grants blindsight to a range of 10 feet and lasts as long as the cecaelia concentrates or until the cecaelia attacks with a tentacle or moves.Defensive Abilities
Natural Armor: Cecaelias have a +2 natural armor bonus. Ink Cloud (3 RP): Once per hour as a standard action, a cecaelia can emit a 10-foot-radius sphere of ink while underwater. This ink cloud provides total concealment and persists for 1 minute. Stable Tentacles (4 RP): Cecaelias cannot be tripped.Offensive Abilities
Tentacle Attacks (3 RP): Cecaelias have two tentacle attacks that deal 1d4 points of damage. These attacks are primary natural attacks and have a reach of 10 feet. This extended reach only applies to the cecaelia’s tentacle attacks and not to any other attacks she makes.Alternate Racial Traits
The following racial traits may be selected instead of the standard cecaelia racial traits. Dexterous Tentacles: Occasionally a cecaelia is born with unusually long and agile tentacles. These tentacles allow the cecaelia to sense a greater area and to hold small items. A cecaelias with this racial trait increases the range of her tentacle sense to 30 feet. In addition, a cecaelia with this racial trait can attempt Sleight of Hand checks with her tentacles rather than her hands but with a –4 penalty. This racial trait replaces ink cloud.Garrulous: Some cecaelias have an inherent gift for language. They gain a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy and Linguistics checks, and they learn two languages each time they gain a rank in Linguistics. This ability replaces ink cloud.
Tripping Tentacles: Cecaelias born with rubbery, resilient tentacles can’t use them to detect movement in the water but can use them to attack other creatures more easily. Cecaelias with this racial trait receive a +4 racial bonus on combat maneuver checks to trip an opponent. This racial trait replaces tentacle sense.
Scientific Name
Monstrous Humanoid (Aquatic)
Origin/Ancestry
Source Race: Cecaelia
Lifespan
60 years
Average Height
Approximately 6 ft (1.83 meters)
Average Weight
200 - 250 lbs (90.72 - 113.39 kg)
Average Length
6 - 10 ft (1.83 - 3.04 meters)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Cecaelia skin, hair, and eye color tends to resemble that of neighboring surface-dwelling civilizations, a form of active camoflague that allows them to more easily form bonds. Their lower bodies tend toward brown, emerald green, and deep blue. The underside of their tentacles tend toward coral pink or pale white.
Geographic Distribution
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