Volari

Volari are the dominant race in the Kingdom of Asteria where they coexist peacefully with the minority Valka population.

Country of Origin: Kingdom of Asteria

Physical Traits:

• Volari are humanoid with lithe, graceful bodies.
  • Volari have extreme size variations, ranging from 4 to 7 feet tall for both men and women.
  • They have elongated limbs with webbed hands and feet, perfect for swimming and navigating their watery home.
  • Volari have smooth, flowing hair and large, expressive eyes; both hair and eye color usually compliments their skin color.
• Volari have patches of iridescence scales, usually on their back and limbs. Scales may be the same color or different colors from their skin.
  • Men typically have darker colors and women usually have lighter colors; options include blues, purples, greens, blacks, whites, golds, silvers, pinks, and oranges.
  • If a scale is lost, it regrows over a span of a few weeks, going through a cycle of colors before settling into its mature hue.
    • Naturally shed scales are often used in art and jewelry; they retain their natural iridescence and beauty.
    • Forcibly removed/lost scales (through injury, for example) retain a semblance of their iridescence for a few days before decaying into glittering dust.
  • Scales and webbing gain deeper and more saturated hues as the Volari ages.
    • Weakened, injured, or elderly Volari may develop pale, jagged markings that spread across their body.

Abilities and Traits:

• Natural Abilities:
  • Extended lifespan - Volari can live up to 120 years; they mature slowly with long childhoods.
  • Aquatic - Volari are fast, agile swimmers with the ability to hold their breath for extremely long periods of time.
  • Bonding - Volari typically bond with Tidewings.
    • If you are joining your Volari already bonded, you may join them with a Tidewing; otherwise, they will usually need to bond with a standard Astrofel. Contact Signe if you have any questions!
  • Shapeshifting - Volari can shapeshift completely in to a single marine animal at will.
• Strengths:
  • Most Volari have an innate ability to harness the abundant sunlight in their environment for various purposes.
  • Volari can usually communicate with aquatic creatures; the method and reliability of this skill varies depending on the individual.
• Weaknesses:
  • Volari heavily rely on the sunny weather to maintain their vitality and spirit.
    • During prolonged periods of cloud cover or heavy rains, the Volari can experience a significant dip in their energy levels, becoming lethargic.
  • Volari are weak to Moonvine Toxin; exposure to this toxin can lead to hallucinations, impaired judgment, and a loss of control over their abilities for a period of time

Society and Lifestyle:

• Build villages along the coast, often built half on land and half on the water.
• They live in loose social groups, with most people being gatherers, fishermen, and cultivators.
• Homes are constructed from renewable materials like bamboo and are often surrounded by vibrant land or sea gardens.
• Value symbiosis and balance, emphasizing a deep connection with the land, sea, and sun.
• Believe in a radiant afterlife where spirits become luminous beings in a heavenly sea garden.
  • These beings continue to nourish and protect the living, lending their light and warmth.
  • The Sun is viewed as the grand guardian of this cycle, a warm, nurturing entity that oversees the continuous cycle of life and death.

Relationship with Other Races:

• Alliances: Auren, Asterian Valka
• Conflicts: None currently, but have had conflicts with Zenoxi in the past
• Neutral: Zenoxi, Rockfolk, Igneans

Tidewings

Tidewings are unique magical creatures native to Asteria; they are similar to, but different from, the Astrofel found on New Ognos and have an innate ability to bond with Volari.

• Tidewings are large creatures that have a combination of canine and manta ray traits.
  • Their bodies are streamlined and flexible, supported by strong muscles - particularly their tails. They possess smooth, manta-like skin that transitions into a more fur-covered head resembling that of a canine.
  • Tidewings have incredibly expressive faces with gentle ocean-colored eyes that change color depending on their emotions.
  • They are often two-toned and come in a variety of patterns; they are commonly sapphire blue/aquamarine, coral/rose gold, emerald green/turquoise, white/silver, or amber/orange.
  • Tidewings typically communicate with soft barks, whistles, and clicks; they are also capable of telepathic speech with all humanoids.
• Tidewings have fins resembling manta rays’, which they usually keep wrapped tightly around their midsection;when unfurled, they aid in swimming or gliding over the land, catching the wind like sails. Their fins are decorated with bioluminescent patterns that can glow in the dark.
  • Tidewings can be used as mounts both over land and in the sea.
• Bonding is initiated when a Volari seeks out a rare and special seaweed from the ocean floor and presents it to the Tidewing; if the bond is accepted, the Tidewing will eat the offering and a pattern resembling their wing markings appears somewhere on their Volari's body.
  • Tidewings and Volari bond for life; if their bond is severed or one partner dies, the other will usually be unable to bond again.
• While wild Tidewings can be dangerous and unpredictable, bonded Tidewings tend to have a gentle, affectionate nature.
  • It is common for Tidewings to be playful and curious, which means they sometimes get up to all kinds of mischief.
• Tidewings are typically monogamous, meeting with their mate every couple years for a few days at a specific tidepool.
  • If the couple decides to have pups, the female will carry fertilized eggs for two years before giving birth in a tidepool - ideally the one shared with her mate, though any tidepool will work in a pinch.
  • The pups will hatch internally and be born as live young; Tidewings typically have twins, though litters of up to six pups have been documented.
    • The male takes half of the offspring for one year, then they meet and exchange pups again one year later.
    • After two years, the pups are ready to set out on their own; pups typically start out a dull monochrome color, coming into their true colors around this age.
  • Most Tidewings will help their pups make connections with children/people close to their Bonded, ensuring they can stay in touch over the years, but will permit bonding with someone else if the pup seeks it out.

Non-core races like this one require special permission to be joined, as well as a purchase from the Marketplace.  In addition to their innate abilities, characters may elect to participate in either the magic or nanite trees or purchase a custom tree.  There are no restrictions for Guilds, careers, or other progression systems.

This race may join with a free animal partner from the below species, or bond with an Ognos Astrofel at any time; they may also purchase special permissions for alternate partners like usual at any time. Animal partners may follow the Astrofel progression tree; you may also purchase a custom progression tree if preferred.