Selachii
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Selachii are humanoid creatures with shark-like features, possessing two arms, two legs, and a long, robust tail that they use for combat or swimming. They also have dorsal fins that grow between their shoulder blades. They have gills along their rib cage that allow them to breathe underwater. When they come to the surface, these gills close tightly, allowing them to breathe through their mouths or nostrils instead. Selachii are generally about six to seven feet tall and weigh between 200 and 250 pounds.
Genetics and Reproduction
Selachii offspring have a gestation period of approximately 10-12 months before hatching from egg cases deposited in remote areas of the ocean floor. Once hatched, the young Selachii must fend for themselves with minimal guidance from adult clan members. Typically, Selachii have multiple offspring from a single pregnancy, but few survive to adulthood due to factors such as strong undercurrents, deep-sea predators, and cannibalism of weaker littermates. Newborn Selachii possess innate swimming skills and the ability to sense wounded prey.
Growth Rate & Stages
Selachii children are born with the ability to act independently and learn primarily by observing their clanmates. Adult Selachii typically have no interest in raising their young due to their dangerous lifestyle and "survival of the fittest" mentality. Elder Selachii are rare, but when present, they are usually the ones who guide the young.
Selachii grow steadily throughout childhood until they reach full adult size around the age of 20. Due to their lifestyle, it is uncommon for Selachii to live past their first century. Those who reach 120 years of age enter the elder stage and quickly experience the effects of aging. Those who make it to the end of their natural lifespan typically die at around 150 years of age.
Ecology and Habitats
Selachii settlements are typically found in deep sea areas where they can blend in with their surroundings and provide protection from the harsh underwater environment. These settlements are constructed from natural materials such as rock, coral, and sand, and consist of a variety of structures such as tunnels, caves, and rock formations. Selachii caves are generally small networks of interconnected tunnels and chambers that provide shelter for families or clans, and are either carved out of naturally formed rock formations or dug into openings in the ocean floor. They typically have multiple entrances and exits for easy access to the surrounding ocean and quick escape in case of danger.
Selachii settlements also feature communal structures for important clan gatherings and events, built of durable stone and decorated with various aquatic plants for camouflage. Facilities necessary for their way of life, such as incubation areas for their eggs, food storage areas, and areas for making and repairing tools and weapons, are located in separate chambers within the caves.
Although Selachii settlements are designed to be practical and efficient, some Selachii decorate their personal living areas with objects they find interesting or valuable, such as shells, colorful stones, or artifacts acquired from their pirate activities.
Some Selachii live inland and build their settlements in swampy or wetland areas, constructing mounds of mud and clay covered with vegetation for camouflage. These mounds serve as their living quarters and are only accessible through underwater tunnels. Similar to their ocean-dwelling counterparts, these Selachii have separate chambers for breeding, food storage, and tool making. However, the design and layout of their settlements may differ due to the different environment in which they live.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Selachii use a variety of strategies to capture their prey, using nets and thrusting weapons such as tridents to catch smaller creatures. They are skilled hunters and will occasionally target larger and more dangerous game, such as orcas and large sharks. To take down such prey, they often use long, curved blades in addition to their standard weapons, and work together in groups to increase their chances of success. Using their agility and speed, they will surround their target and camouflage themselves to avoid detection.
Selachii are opportunistic feeders and will consume almost anything they can catch, including fish, squid, crustaceans, and even other humanoids. In addition to hunting, Selachii practice farming and gathering, cultivating and collecting edible underwater plants such as seaweed and kelp to supplement their diet and add flavor to their meals.
Behaviour
The Selachii have a competitive and self-sufficient mentality developed by their harsh underwater environment and dangerous lifestyle. Their society operates under a strict hierarchy where the strong dominate the weak in a "might makes right" mentality. They are fiercely protective of their settlements and hunting grounds, and exhibit a high degree of territorial behavior. The Selachii are also wary of outsiders and may act aggressively toward those they perceive as threats.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Adapted to life on the ocean floor, Selachii have the ability to see well in pitch black darkness. They also have a keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect the scent of blood from a great distance in the water.
Civilization and Culture
Gender Ideals
Due to their "might makes right" mentality, the Selachii do not have traditional gender roles, as both sexes are equally capable as hunters and warriors. Instead, all clan members are treated according to their abilities, regardless of gender.
Courtship Ideals
The Selachii approach to courtship centers on demonstrating physical prowess and dominance over a desired mate or potential suitors. This mentality, rooted in their "might makes right" philosophy, places a high value on fighting skills and physical strength within their society. Those who can demonstrate strength and dominance are considered more attractive mates.
In Selachii courtship, individuals often engage in displays of physical prowess, such as wrestling matches or duels, to demonstrate their strength and skill. These activities serve to eliminate weaker or less capable suitors and ensure that only the strongest and most skilled individuals are chosen as mates.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The Selachii use Aquan as their primary language of communication. Aquan is a language commonly used by water elementals and other intelligent aquatic creatures.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Selachii have a history of conflict with the surface races due to their tendency to raid coastal cities and pillage merchant ships passing through their territories. As a result, even individual Selachii who do not engage in these piratical activities are often met with bitterness and suspicion when they come to the surface. Many port communities have developed strategies for coexisting with the Selachii, such as offering tribute in exchange for the safe passage of their ships. Others have formed alliances with the Selachii, trading surface goods in exchange for guarding their cities and escorting their ships.
Lifespan
150 years
Average Height
175 cm to 230 cm, head to feet.
Average Weight
90 kg to 115 kg pounds
Average Length
250 cm to 330 cm, head to tail.
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