Lerulean (3.5e Race)

Lerulean
Summary::Lerulean are ancient humans who, alongside their home Lerulis, were sunk below the waves. Thanks to a magic ritual however they were able to survive and adapt to their new aquatic environment. Lerulean evolved beyond normal humans physiology, but did not fully adapted to their aquatic environment nor will they ever because of the magic used to protect them.

Personality
Since they descend from humans leruleans have personality as varied as human, they are however predisposed to certain behavior encouraged by their civilization. Most leruleans are disciplined and obedient but open-minded and freedom-loving, their society encourage charity and teamwork and many lerulean take these principles at heart.

Physical Description
Leruleans descend from the coastal city of Lerulis, they still look very human. Lerulean were divided in a few ethnic groups before their city was sunk, as a result the physical appearance of modern leruleans is very varied. Lerulean are a little bit shorter than humans thanks to the pressure of the deep however their appearance do not vary much from their original appearance because of the powerful magic used to protect them when the city sunk. Among the small physical changes the leruleans have gills and slight aquatic adaptation on their hands and feet. Despite the sun never reaching the sunken city Lerulean are not paler than normal humans, many of them are quite dark skinned as well.

Relations
Leruleans entertain good relationship with their aquatic and land-dwelling neighbors, they are however very territorial and heavily dislike when strangers trespass in their city uninvited. They have bad relationship with aboleth and sahagins who are constantly threatening the city.

Leruleans have a special relationship with the alikos, who were ancient enemies from before Lerulis was sunk. Even under the waves both people fought until the leruleans finally conquered them and annexed them to their civilization. Many leruleans see themselves as better than the alikos, and treat them as second-class citizen and a conquered people who should know their place. Many wise kings of Lerulis however treated the alikos as equals and lifted many of the restrictions forced on them.

Alignment
As descendant of humans, Leruleans do not tend toward a particular alignment by nature. Their society is however fairly strict and encourage lawful good behavior, as a result chaotic leruleans are fairly uncommon while evil leruleans are rare.

Lands
The leruleans are a underwater people, living under the waves of a great ocean in their city Lerulis. The city of Lerulis is great, a former metropolis when it was above the waves. The city is never touched by sunlight as a result the citizen had to build many artificial light sources since they lack the ability to see in the dark. As a result the city is covered in colorful light, making it beauty stand out from of the darkest place in the world. Lerulis is guarded by their sovereign (always a powerful former adventurer) and two eternal scyllas who were defeated but spared by leruleans's first sovereign and finally by Yunqsha, an revered ancient qilung dragon who act both as a guardian and as an adviser. Yunqsha grew fond of the city over time as the resident kept honoring him with gifts and celebration, he is a deeply respected icon of the city.

Religion
During it time above the waves, Lerulis was known for it religious freedom allowing citizen to worship any non-evil God openly. When it was sunk however many of the citizen blamed the Gods, as a result the great majority of leruleans do not worship any deities. Many pay respect to deities of the sea and even some worship Yunqsha as a God.

Language
Leruleans overwhelmingly speak aquan, having lost their own language over the centuries and pretty all their ancient writing evaporating when the city sunk.

Names
Lerulean names are usually in aquan and bear some kind of resemblance to old human names used in the city when it was on the surface.