<span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Draishok </strong></span></span><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Draishok Capitol City</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="floatright">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/Shalymar/Avatars/Locations/DraishokCapitolCity_zps25432d68.jpg)</div></div></div>The Draishok were rumored to have once been elves that chose to worship an offshoot of the main elven deities. Rather than revere the earth, they worshiped the sea and all of its bringings. Thus they were granted the ability to breathe underwater for months at a time simply by filtering sea water through the pores of their skin. They’ve built their cities within coral reefs in the more tropical waters of Ceres. Physically, their skin tends to be lighter, with hints of blue and green coloring. Upon land, they appear to look almost identical to the Trithos other than the skin undertones.<br/><br/><strong>**Gm's Note**: </strong>Please note, these are NOT mermaids/mermen. The first sheet I get with fins, I will roll it up, and redden your bottom with it. Then kindly hand it back, and ask for you to edit<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Other Details:</strong></span><br/>Crafting Specialty - Glazing (Glassmaking)<br/>Preferred Dwelling - Modified Coral<br/>Aging - 6x slower aging (600 Year max)<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Physical Description:</strong></span></span><br/>Over their immensely long history of the land, living in the bays, outer bays of various coastlines and all across the seas of Ceres, you will find the Draishok Elves or aquatic elves. Civilized and good-hearted at their core, they have adapted to, and inhabit the world under the sea. Draishok elves have developed a number of physical characteristics which seem to give them an advantage in their environment. They possess a layer of fat which protects them from the cold depths of the oceans. Also, their bodies tend to have long linear features which assist them in moving through the water with both speed and grace.<br/><br/>They have long, heavily muscled limbs and their skin ranges in color, from a radiant green to a deep blue, with hair that appears akin to seaweed. These colors stand out dramatically in any surface environment, making Draishok elves easily discernible. But such coloring makes excellent camouflage in their natural home. They're rather tall even compared to that of their land cousins, and their bodies are also a bit larger than usual. Their limbs are long and trained for swimming, with thick webbing between their fingers and toes.<br/><br/>Draishok elves also have webbed fingers and toes, though there is a wide range of variation on this feature. Many people assume that Draishok elves have gills, and that's why they can live in the water as they do. Most, however, do not. The reason Draishok elves can survive in water so well is due to their radically increased lung capacity and the ability to filter the water through the pores of their skin. This makes Draishok elves akin to creatures like dolphins and whales. It is rumored, however, that a few Draishok elves do indeed have gills, most likely granted to them by the gods and goddess of the Draishok themselves, but this is wildly unconfirmed even among their own kind. Note: Player character Draishok elves do not have gills.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>History:</strong></span></span><br/>The knowledge of Draishok Elves in the bays and Seas of Ceres has long been rumored and speculated about. However, the Draishok cousins of the land dwelling Elves have a history just as long and as rich as the other elven races.<br/><br/>The Draishok, Peranos and Trithos were once a single elven race before they had splintered off into three sub races. No one can remember now why they split, that part of their history has been lost to the sands of time. But here now, the Draishok can often be found swimming and frolicking within the great lakes and oceans of Ceres. Before building their undersea cities, the Draishok Elves spent years and years simply exploring the new world they lived on, leaving no rock under the sea left unturned. The Draishok Elves began settling down on the floors of the Seas across Ceres. Over the next thousands of years, they began building settlements, outposts, cities and colonies all across the ocean floor. Draishok elves tend to only trust their close neighbors and family, despite sharing many strong bonds of history and culture with any land-dwelling elf acquaintance.<br/><br/>It was this naivety and curiosity, their legends say, which cost them something they held dear- their magic. According to Draishok Elven legends, a dark and mighty wizard let loose a creature that single handedly stole most of the magic from their cities, and placed it all in a black pearl. No one has been able to find any proof of this, and historians, in further attempting to shed light on this myth, have divined that the wizard had indeed worn a single black pearl around his neck. Whether or not he was the one who stole the magic from the Draishok, or this is simply just myth or legend, a story told throughout the ages to explain the changes and laws with regards to magic, is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak.<br/><br/>The Draishok elves of course knew of their air-breathing cousins, but they were hesitant to allow that relationship to become anything other than simple acknowledgement. It wasn't until that, they too, found themselves drawn into the ongoing conflicts between humans and elves that they began associating with their land-dwelling cousins once again.<br/><br/>Shortly after the Centos cast destructive High Magic rituals to call “stones from the sky” and “the seas to boil and the trees to scream”, the Elven kingdoms that existed at the time met multiple times in great conclaves, to decide how to deal with the war-like Centos. At first, the leaders of the Draishok spurned their advanced, but when their land-dwelling cousins began sending the leaders of the Draishok elves dreams in their reverie, they began attending these conclaves. Unifying the three races as a whole against these kinds of attacks in the future. Currently, the Draishok maintain amiable relations with the other Elven races.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Outlook:</strong></span></span><br/>The ocean is a dynamic place, on the edge between order and chaos. Yet predictable currents still exist. Draishok elves are usually of the mindset that deep attentiveness to one's environment is the key to staying alive and prospering.<br/><br/>In the ocean, the nearly exclusive source of food is through hunting. As such, Draishok elves tend to be rugged, strong and often quite stoic. Hunting needs demand small bands, wide territories, and thus significant spaces between each settlement.<br/><br/>Because of this, Draishok elves tend to be seen as reserved, private and sometimes secretive, although they still see value in alliance and trade with other humanoid races. The Draishok are generally, but not completely isolated from other elves,  though they still have similarities in culture and history with their land bound kin.<strong>(See Elven information) </strong>Community, in any form, is important, as are alliances, as the Seas are a dangerous place. They see the arrogance and divisiveness of the other Elven sub races to be detrimental to their survival, and as such, make their best efforts to not emulate such behavior.<br/><br/>Those who do not fully understand the psychology of a Draishok Elf sees this kind of behavior as paranoid, and skittish, as they are never fully trusting of anyone who is not of their kin, or community. However, as, in their history, the Draishok Elves have been tricked, and taken advantage of time and time again, the Draishok Elves have learned their proverbial lesson, and believe they can only trust those they inherently know. All outsiders, no matter how true and genuine they seem, can and usually do have ulterior motives.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Draishok Elf Society:</strong></span></span><br/>Draishok Elf society is structured into a loose feudal system, where the nobility follows a patriarchal inheritance structure. Most political power falls upon the eldest male child of a ruling family. Despite all of this, women still exercise a good degree of influence in Draishok society, and power is not vastly divided based on sex.<br/><br/>The Draishok Elves also form very close-knit communities and relationships with each other. In the eyes of the Draishok, community means survival. Every resident or family in an Draishok Elven community has a dwelling for themselves, or their family. However, society dictates that personal property is nonexistent, and that property belongs to the entire community. When one is in need of an item, they are usually welcome to use whatever tool or object is needed that is in the possession of another. However, this idea of communal property doesn’t include those that are not Draishok, even if they live in a Draishok settlement either on land or under the sea.<br/><br/>While a Draishok elf can live on land for short periods of time, they must return to the sea at least once a month, and while it is not unheard of nor frowned upon, many do not choose this way of life and choose to remain among their own kind under the sea.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Language and Literacy:</strong></span></span><br/>All Draishok Elves speak their own dialect of Elven. Meanwhile, some of the Draishok learn the languages of their land dwelling cousins especially those that frequently have contact with the surface world.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Spells and Spellcasting:</strong></span></span><br/>Draishok Elves that are spell casters are forced to use materials that can hold up in the watery environments that they inhabit. For their spell books, they have developed a special kind of ink that doesn’t run or disperse. Scrolls are made of alternate materials, such as sharkskin or certain varieties of seaweed. They also use alchemical processes to ensure these items do not decay in their natural environment that is so hostile to written works.<br/><br/>Draishok Elven spell casters have also developed their spells in such a way that spell components are more readily available to them. In other words, they have adapted their spells to require material components that are available under the sea.<br/><br/>Because of their obvious connection to water, most Draishok Elf mages prefer spells that somehow manipulate water. Spells that allow them to breathe air, or that allow others to breathe water, are also commonly used.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Draishok Elf Deities:</strong></span></span><br/>Like all other Elves, the Draishok venerate the Old Elven Gods. However, they venerate the Great Sea God above all others as the creator of the Draishok Elven race. Along with The Great Sea God, they also worship the sea itself. The temperamental goddess of oceans, creation, knowledge, Draishok Elven beauty, and water magic. All concepts that the Draishok hold dear.<br/><br/>All Draishok elven cities have at least one temple dedicated to The Great Sea God within them, and they are usually used as both a spiritual and social center for the city. Across the ocean floor, religious Draishok dot the landscape with small shrines dedicated to the God and Goddess that are used as places of reverence and safety, when crossing the open Seas.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Song, Dance and Music:</strong></span></span><br/>It is told that the Great Sea God and Goddess gave to the elves two priceless gifts. The first of these was the ability to breathe under water, and the second of these was music. Many say the second gift is indeed the greater, and that all the music played by other races is but a pale imitation of the music of the Draishok. It is true that Draishok music has great power and beauty, so much so that musicians of other races can despair at their own meager skills. For this reason, many Draishok bards do not travel nor do they share their music with other races. For one thing, they don't want to destroy the enjoyment humans find in their own music. For another, they know humans would never leave the elf cities alone if they knew of the sublime beauty elves are capable of producing with music.<br/><br/>Song and dance play an important part in everyday life. They find that music provides an outlet for their centuries of experience, pain, and joy. The Draishok that does not have at least some experience with an instrument or some proficiency in dancing is a rare being, and one might suspect that he or she is somehow emotionally stunted.<br/><br/>Draishok music is an incredibly complex and beautifully crafted art, although it is not often played around non-elves. Draishok have learned that their tunes haunt anyone who has an ear for music, for it leaves these people with a vague, unsatisfied yearning that can never be filled with anything but Draishok music.<br/><br/>Those who have been fortunate enough to hear Draishok music claim that humans learned music from the Draishok. Although human music is but a poor imitation, the humans continually strive toward the ultimate musical experience that the Draishok provide. The best human and half-elf bards are those who have learned from masters, yet even they can only echo the Draishok. This is the reason, some sages surmise, that so many wonderful musicians remain dissatisfied with their work.<br/><br/>Draishok songs of grief are often acapella wordless melodies. Those listening to such songs who are non- Draishok will find themselves in tears before they are halfway through, for the anguish expressed in the lilting voices of the Draishok transcends the human experience of heartfelt pain. Those who hear the Draishok mourning rituals are never quite the same, returning to the present sadder and somehow wiser. The sorrow that the songs express often haunts the listeners for the rest of their lives.<br/><br/>Music plays a pivotal role in the ritual, religion and magic of Draishok elves. It is important in the worship of all the Draishok, but most especially in the worship of The Great Sea God. Priest of the Draishok are expected to encourage and foster music, and are often musicians themselves.<br/><br/>Much Draishok magic is bound up with music. The high mages often use song to aid them in forming there powerful circles, both as a way of focusing and of linking. Music is also an integral part of Blade singing, which weaves magic, song and combat into a deadly mix. Some songs are magical in their own right.<br/><br/>Draishok Elves have a remarkable ability to remember melody, lyrics and arrangement in exact detail for centuries. The network of magical gates ensured that Draishok bards moved freely between the various centers, and this meant no one region developed a distinctive style. Draishok Elves also recognized the importance of keeping the old ballads unchanged. These factors all meant the style; mood and techniques of music remained essentially unchanged for many millennia.<br/><br/>Music is also a form of historical record for the Draishok. The full version of a ballad may follow a storyline across the centuries and can be tens of hours long. The words are only part of the information – the melody and the accompaniment can convey a wealth of mood and imagery. Keeping the old songs unchanged is more than just preserving a tradition; it is a way of preserving the memories and stories of their race.<br/><br/>However, understanding all of this falls far short of understanding how important music and dance is to a Draishok elf. It is something that is as much a part of them as their blood and bone, and without it they will wither away. To dance under the sea beneath a starlit sky is something almost sacred to the Draishok. A Draishok without music is not truly a Draishok.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Instruments Used by the Draishok:</strong></span></span><br/>•<strong>Harp</strong>– A smaller version than the human instrument, triangular in shape with between 20 to 36 strings. They usually have a standard sounding box and curving fore-pillar.<br/>•<strong>Horn Harp</strong>– Although similar in size to the human instrument, it is made from the horn of some great beast. The sounds coming from it are wholly dependent on the nature of the crafter as well as the type of horn used.<br/>•<strong>Crystal Flute</strong>- A long tube made of crystal. Some are played held horizontally, others vertically . The sound is made by blowing across a hole, and different notes are made by covering the holes with the fingers. Formed by magic using same crystal used in many Draishok buildings.<br/>•<strong>Twin flute</strong>– A single reed instrument that branches out into two arms. Formed by magic clay or crystal. Both the arms have holes, and different notes are made by covering the holes with the fingers, allowing a skilled musician to play 2 different tunes using the same breath.<br/>•<strong>Birdpipes</strong>– similar to pan pipes.<br/>•<strong>Shalaquin</strong>- a long-necked Draishok instrument played by plucking or strumming while changing the tension of the strings with a ratcheted wheel.<br/>•<strong>Draishok Lyre</strong>- This stringed instrument produces a calming and exquisite sound, and is prized among bards. The body is semi-spherical and supports two arms that curve inward, with a crossbar keeping from 4 to 8 strings taut.<br/>•<strong>Lute</strong>–Generic name for a family of instruments with an oval or pear shaped body about half the size of a guitar. It has six metal strings, or four paired strings, and a long neck.<br/>•<strong>Mandolin</strong>– A much smaller instrument than the lute, usually with four strings, sometimes paired, and a shorter neck.<br/>•<strong>Hammer Dulcimer</strong>– This has a large flat body, with many paired metal strings stretched over a series of bridges. It is played flat on a frame or on the lap, using a small hammer in each hand to hit the strings.<br/>•<strong>Glaur</strong>– a short curved horn resembling a cornucopia.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Relations with Other Races:</strong></span></span><br/>Draishok Elves remain somewhat isolated from other races, including fellow Elves. When necessary, they interact with others races, but would rather keep to themselves when possible. The Draishok Elves do understand the value of alliances and trade, however.<br/><br/>Their curiosity of land-walking surface races is matched only by their caution and hesitance to deal with these same groups. They even make little distinction between land bound Elves, their cousins. As for other races of the world beneath the waves, they are normally on good terms with Merfolk, Tritons, and other goodly folk living under the sea. But, unfortunately, they have just as many enemies as they have friends.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Draishok Elf Equipment:</strong></span></span><br/>The environment of the Draishok Elves dictates what kind of equipment is used and what is preferred. Metal tools of any kind are rare, because most are undoubtedly susceptible to corrosion that comes when in contact with saltwater for prolonged periods of time. An exception to this near universal rule is gold and crystal, which is used by the Draishok Elves to fashion jewelry, and is used with trade, with surface dwellers.<br/><br/>Forging metals beneath the waves is practically impossible. After all, it is nearly impossible to light a flame underwater, even in the magical world that we live in. So, any metal that is used by the Draishok Elves must be beat into shape by hand. Because of this, they have mastered this technique, and are capable of crafting beautiful jewelry from gold and crystal. Most mundane items are produced using materials that are readily available underwater, such as stone, coral, or shells. Many times, shipwrecks are scavenged to obtain materials.<br/><br/>Draishok Elves also use potion bladders instead of vials. Drinking potions from vials would be rather difficult beneath the waves, so pastes and unguents are used in place of liquids. Draishok Elven alchemists have perfected the art of turning liquids, such as magical potions, into pastes, jellies, and unguents.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Animals and Pets:</strong></span></span><br/>Draishok Elves have a strong affinity for dolphins and porpoises. Most Draishok Elven communities utilize the services of several of such creatures. They normally serve as guardians, messengers, and personal companions. Draishok lions are sometimes trained to be guardians too, especially in hazardous areas.<br/><br/>The Draishok also have great respect for whales, although their migratory patterns and sheer size prevent them from becoming permanent companions or guardians. Many Draishok Elven communities are even situated alongside whale migration routes, as to afford the protection of these massive mammals, and sometimes, young Draishok Elves even leave home for a year or so, so that they may travel with a pod of whales.<br/><br/>The killing or hunting of any of the above mentioned creatures is absolutely appalling to all Draishok Elves, for not only do they believe that no one should ever slay any animal larger than oneself for food, but also that whales and dolphins are sentient and intelligent creatures and are seen as friends to the Draishok.<br/><br/>One animal that Draishok Elves despise, however, are sharks. Sharks are seen as unnatural monsters by many Draishok Elves, and it is even said that sharks like the taste of Draishok Elves. Whether or not this claim is true, however, is something not known. In the minds of Draishok Elves, considering the hatred affinity for sharks, it is only logical that the fish are tainted by the Draishok Devils. Legend says the evil gods of the sea, takes the guise of a shark. One need not be overly wise to draw a connection.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Arms and Armor &amp; Combat:</strong></span></span><br/>The weapons and armors used by the Draishok Elves are, as most things, chosen with consideration of their environment in mind. Most weapons that are common on land are relatively useless underwater. For example, what good is a sword under the water, where a simple riposte is slow and ungainly? Because of their environment, Draishok Elves use weapons that pierce almost exclusively. Tridents, spears, darts and thrusting daggers are the favored arms of the Draishok.<br/><br/>Weighted nets are also used, and the Draishok Elves have perfected methods to throw these nets underwater in ways that resemble manta rays or octopi- they drift and unfold while in motion. Draishok Elven weapon smiths have also have also developed a unique bow that can fire underwater, unlike ordinary bows. Draishok longbows lack the range of normal longbows, but as ranged weapons under the Draishok go, they are second to none.<br/><br/>Without metal, the materials used to make weapons are usually more fragile, but are still easy to use in the construction of these weapons. The Draishok Elves are known to use bone, narwhal horns, and even coral to build their weapons.<br/><br/>Armor, on the other hand, is rarely used at all. It hinders their mobility, and most metals wouldn’t survive very long being submerged in the water for such excessive amounts of time. Shields, the most common form of armor, are usually made from shells, stone, bone, and coral.<br/><br/>Although they generally discourage the use of armor, there are a few alternatives that some Draishok Elves utilize. These include sharkskin armor, chitin armor, and Draishok Elven Scale Mail. Sharkskin armor is, for all purposes, similar to leather armor. Almost all Draishok Elves find the thought of wearing sharkskin abhorrent, as sharks are widely hated in mainstream Draishok Elf society. Chitin armor is made from the shells of giant crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans. It still hinders the movement of the extremely agile Draishok Elves, but not as much as metal armor would.<br/><br/>Draishok Elven Scale Mail is mundane scale mail adapted to their environment, although it is more often used in ceremony than for actual protection. It is made of metal that has been treated as not to rust, and is affixed to eel skin. It is expensive to produce, so it is worn almost exclusively by the Draishok Elven elite. It is finished with a beautiful silver coating, made of mithril treated to survive long-term submersion. Draishok Elven Scale Mail is nearly as valuable as “ordinary” Elven chain mail.<br/><br/>The Draishok prefer, much like their cousins the Peranos, to use guerrilla warfare to conquer any land based threats. As battles to overtake their cities have never occurred, they tend to focus more on water-source assaults. Whereas the Peranos lie in wait up in the trees, the Draishok tend to occupy rivers, lakes, ponds, and beaches. Their strategies are simple, allow the invaders no water to sate thirst, and attack them when they become weakened. Preferred weaponry includes slings, tridents, and thin, needle-like daggers often grown from coral that are meant to break off after entering a body. Most weapons are coated in a thin layer of venom from what would be known as Lion-fish, or the ever dangerous puffer fish.