Tidal Souls
Tidal Souls are a subgroup of Ethereans, born from the union of Seerth's inhabitants and beings from the elemental plane of water or possessing strong ties to it. These individuals embody the ebb and flow of aquatic life, possessing both the calm serenity of still waters and the destructive force of a storm.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Tidal Souls often have features reminiscent of their aquatic heritage, such as webbed fingers, gills, or skin that shimmers like the surface of the sea. Their physical forms might also adapt to their environments, allowing them to thrive both in water and on land.
Biological Traits
Innate abilities may include water manipulation, underwater breathing, enhanced swimming speed, and resistance to cold. This is reflected in their aquatic appearance.
Genetics and Reproduction
Their genetics are a blend of terrestrial and aquatic traits, with the possibility of passing down abilities related to water manipulation, breathing underwater, or enduring extreme pressures.
Growth Rate & Stages
Similar to humans, with specific milestones that mark the awakening of their aquatic abilities. Some may undergo transformations during puberty that more closely align them with their water elemental lineage.
Ecology and Habitats
Preferring coastal, riverine, or underwater habitats, Tidal Souls can be found anywhere water is abundant. They often establish communities in these areas, living in harmony with the aquatic ecosystem.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Their diet can include both terrestrial and marine food sources. Many have a particular affinity for seafood, and their culinary practices often reflect the bounty of the waters.
Behaviour
Tidal Souls are known for their adaptability, embodying the changing nature of water. They can be as gentle as a babbling brook or as fierce as a tidal wave, depending on the situation. Many are drawn to the sea over the course of their lifetime.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Tidal Souls communities are often egalitarian, organized around the stewardship of water sources and the protection of aquatic life.
Facial characteristics
Distinctive features might include scale-like patterns on their skin, eyes that reflect the depth of the ocean, or hair that flows and reacts as if underwater.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Concentrated around bodies of water, from secluded lakes to bustling port cities. Older Tidal Souls find solace in the deep sea.
Average Intelligence
Varies, with some exhibiting extraordinary intelligence or physical strength, especially in aquatic environments.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Tidal Souls possess enhanced senses that allow them to navigate and perceive their environment in unique ways, such as detecting changes in water pressure, sensing currents, and even communicating through underwater sounds.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Tidal Soul names often reflect the aspects of water they are most connected to, such as "Rivern", "Oceanglide", "Stormwhisper", or "Deepcurrent". These names serve not only as identifiers but as a testament to their heritage and abilities.
Major Organizations
The Order of the Cresting Wave: A guild of Tidal Soul navigators and explorers dedicated to charting the unknown waters of Seerth and safeguarding sea routes.
The Circle of the Tidal Guard: A coalition of warriors and mages who specialize in defending coastal regions of Ilmurar from threats, both mundane and magical.
Average Technological Level
While Tidal Souls excel in the manipulation of water for various uses, their technological advancements are often centered around navigation, shipbuilding, and harnessing water for energy. They are pioneers in creating living structures from coral and underwater habitats.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Tidal Souls speak a variant of the common tongue, infused with aquatic terms and expressions. They also have a unique sign language developed for underwater communication.
Common Etiquette Rules
Respect for the sea and its creatures is paramount. Greetings often involve the exchange of water in some form, symbolizing shared life and journeys.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Tidal Souls' culture is deeply intertwined with the sea. They celebrate festivals tied to lunar cycles and tides, and their art and music emulate the ocean's beauty and power. 
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Tidal Souls' culture is deeply intertwined with the sea. They celebrate festivals tied to lunar cycles and tides, and their art and music emulate the ocean's beauty and power.
Common Customs and Observed Traditions:
The Festival of the Moon Tide: A night of celebration during the highest tide, where stories of the sea are shared, and the ocean's bounty is feasted upon.
The Rite of the First Wave: A coming-of-age ceremony where young Tidal Souls learn to fully harness their abilities by calling forth and riding a wave crafted from their own power.
Common Taboos
Polluting the waters or harming sea life without need is strictly forbidden, seen as an affront to their very essence.
History
Tidal Souls, the descendants of unions between the denizens of Seerth and entities from the Elemental Plane of Water, have a history as fluid and deep as the oceans themselves. Initially emerging in coastal regions and island communities, they quickly became known for their mastery over water and their innate ability to navigate the treacherous seas. Over centuries, Tidal Souls have played pivotal roles in the exploration of uncharted waters, the establishment of maritime trade routes, and the defense of coastal territories against sea-born threats. Their history is marked by tales of Tidal Soul navigators guiding fleets through storms, of settlements saved from tidal waves by their intervention, and of battles won with the power of the seas.
In the Age of Convergence, when planar gates opened more frequently, Tidal Souls' ancestors were often seen as mediators between the worlds, their dual nature making them ideal emissaries. However, their growing numbers and the fading of planar gates led to a gradual assimilation into the societies of Seerth, where they became revered as guardians of the waters, maintaining the balance between the elemental forces and the material world.
Common Myths and Legends
Tidal Souls have a rich mythology centered around the ocean's mysteries, including tales of lost underwater cities, sea gods, and legendary creatures that roam the depths.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Their relationships with other races are generally positive, especially with those sharing an affinity for water, like merfolk. However, their history with scalekind adds a layer of complexity to their interactions with reptilian races.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Their ancestry traces back to ancient and rare interactions between water elementals or aquatic extraplanar beings and the people of Seerth. These unions, whether born from love, curiosity, or the machinations of fate, have resulted in the Tidal Souls.
Lifespan
Varies, with many living longer than typical humans due to their elemental resilience.
Average Height
Reflects human averages, but can vary widely depending on their specific extraplanar traits.
Average Weight
Reflects human averages, but can vary widely depending on their specific extraplanar traits.
Average Physique
Varies, however most are slimmer than their non hybrid counterparts with some exhibiting extraordinary dexterity or physical strength, especially in aquatic environments.
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