Post by PyrasTerran on Dec 12, 2006 2:54:34 GMT -5
Description
The aquatic race of Hylia, Zoras are covered from head to toe in a smooth, silky and hairless skin which becomes quite slippery when wet, making them perfect for their water homes. Their colors range from predominantly white to shades of pale or aquamarine blue and lavender that spot their extremities. Their heads, while mostly similar, can differ in many ways. Most Zoras(usually males) have a long caudal extension behind their heads, many times ending in a dolphin-like tail. All Zoras have similar the placement of their gills, on the sides of their chest where lungs are located. Zoras often have webbed feet, though rarely have webbed hands. All Zoras share large ulnar fins placed on their arms near their elbows, which seem similar to long, stretched sleeves and are used for swimming. They may also have these flippers by their waists or ankles. All Zoras also have noses, which may be to allow breathing of air. Zoras are similar to Twili in that their bodies shape similar to basic human anatomy yet are without orifices or details(no navels, nipples, etc.). Zoras usually have very well-built humanoid bodies with little body fat, with some exceptions*.
Zora males have eyes that are completely black or sometimes a dark blue, distinguishing them from females. They are most likely to have the 'dolphin tail' heads, though they are seen without the dolphin tail at the end and merely the extension, which all Zora males share(it is small and curled upwards when they are very young, and grows out as they grow). Other than this, they may sometimes grow flippers over the sides of their heads that can resemble human hair parted from side to side.
Females are far more diverse. Like Twili, they are more humanoid than their male counterparts, as they have regular human-style eyes. Their irises can be of any color in the rainbow. They also differ in their headstyles, as female Zoras can have scales and flippers atop their heads shaped like a variety of female hairstyles. They are also able to have the same kind of head structures as males (with the extensions in the back), and some of the more upper-crust Zoras have large almost alien-like heads, colored a dark hue. Zora females tend to pierce whatever flippers they have on the sides of their heads, and sometimes wear small jewel beads over their faces similar to Indian/Hindu fashion. There are some female Zoras that even have a mane of scales over their heads that can resemble actual human hair in consistency as they trail down their shoulders.
*There is a rare group of Zoras, usually of the sea, that have none of the features of regular Zoras and have bodies that resemble those of other fish, including manta rays. They usually have stout bodies and are often silly-looking. They are, however, not at all segregated because of their physical differences. These Zoras are almost always male(Because the great majority of Zoras are male).
History
Water nymphs that have existed for as long as sentience existed in the land, the Zoras were originally a very seclusive species, though peaceful and friendly. They were discovered by humans when one of their young almost drowned in the river and was rescued by a Zora. This was the first time Zoras and humans met face to face, and have been on great terms with each other ever since. The Zoras and humans helped one another progress, Zoras learning of the land, and humans of the waters, and are probably the most closely knit alliance between any of the races. History occurred when a Zora princess fell in love with a human male, and actually reproduced with no difficulty, proving Zoras to be the only race to be able to procreate with a different species(humans, specifically), leading many to believe that humans and Zoras are more related than first believed(a few even believe that Zoras may be the higher evolution of mankind, and/or that humans descended from them). Before this happened, Zoras all looked very similar to one another. When humans were added to the mix, Zoras were hatched with head designs never before seen in a Zora, often imitating hairstyles of a human parent. As these Zoras reproduced with one another, the diversity of the Zora population increased in a chain reaction, allowing Zoras to be as different from one another as humans are. This relatability has only helped the relationship of the two races, as they created a symbiotic relationship with each other, both races doing their part to keep the waters safe and clean for everyone.
Culture
Zora culture revolves around the water, some of their favorite phrases are terms unique to their culture, such as the common greeting 'are the fins damp lately?'. Zoras, although not known for dancing, are extremely into music, particularly of music similar to jazz, Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. Female Zoras usually grow up learning to be amazing singers. Zora society is ruled by a royal family composed of a king and a queen who have equal power, and are very sociable with the community that live in the Zora palace. It is important to note that although the Zora population stretches throughout the whole of Hylia, all Zoras follow the traditions of and hold allegiance to the royal family. Zoras are a serene society built around tolerance and understanding; they are difficult to upset casually.
Zoras are the only non-human race who can not only easily fall in love with a human, but can reproduce with one as well. (human races count as any humanoid race with at least 80% identical physiology and anatomy to regular humans. This includes Ordonians, Hylians, Sheikah, Gerudo, and Rito.) While male Zoras do not have outside genitalia, they excrete semen from the same location where a human's genitals would be, allowing for reproduction. While a female Zora's genitalia are similar to those of a female human, when walking around casually they are tightened and cannot be seen by the human eye, explaining why a Zora female can walk about naked like males and be just as shapeless down south. Zora females, when pregnant, lay a cluster of eggs. (The Zora gene is always dominant, so a human female will always give birth to a Zora with features similar to the mother as well as the father, and a Zora female will always lay a Zora egg cluster regardless of the male's race).
Despite the compatibility, however, such relationships between Zoras and humans are actually very rare, and while not necessarily frowned upon by society, both Zoras and humans alike can be weirded out at the prospect of it.
Zoras otherwise maintain healthy terms with all races, though they seem distant to the Gorons for obvious reasons.
Abilities
With both gills and lungs, Zoras can breath and survive just find on land provided they are not dried out by being out too long in the sun. Zoras are able to wear special vests, collars and other articles of Zora clothing that keep them hydrated, made from the same materials that Zora Tunics and Armor are. Zoras have a sort of heightened sense ability, able to detect changes around them more easily than other races. They are also slightly empathic, able to detect changes in mood and emotions from others. Zoras have strong bodies fit for combat as well as swimming, and are able to learn magic easily. Their weapons of choice are usually in the line of spears, pikes, halberds, and even tridents, though they are also partial to hookshots and other fishing-style weapons(A giant fish-hook is popular for some of the more hardcore crowd). When it comes to swimming, they are second to none, able to swim with the speed and grace of a dolphin. While underwater, they are actually able to generate an electric charge around their body similar to an electric eel, allowing them protection from many attacks. This ability is extremely draining though, and some Zora even go their entire lives not knowing how to activate it.
Zora do have one prime weakness, being dry heat. They cannot survive in a desert climate without water, and fire burns them far more easily than other races. Even being near it for too long can cause them to dehydrate rapidly and go into a stroke.