The Shadowed Sea — the Abyss
Peoples: Orthians — Royal, River and Stillwater
Civilisations: The Orthians of The Abyss
The realm of the Orthians of the Abyss — an amphibious race born in the depths of the world’s waters. Their ruling class governs the city of Chazm deep within the Shadowed Sea, also known as the Abyss.
The Orthian takes various forms, each with its own way of life. They appear human but with pearly obsidian-black eyes, webbed hands, feet equipped with barbed claws, and the sharper teeth typical of ocean predators. Their native language is a combination of sign language and tongue clicking.
The Pure Orthians are the strongest and largest — the Royal Class, born of the seas with powerful tails, caudal fins, gills protected behind keratin cages called otoliths, and retractable venomous fangs. They take pride in their appearance and wear armor and jewelry. They are often seen at the surface in hunting parties with a taste for ocean birds, which has led to incidents with low-flying Keru.
River Orthians have undergone “The Change” — a ritual handed down by an ancient group of Earthmen, ancestors of the modern Thayns. Their tails split in two, they develop lungs, and their gills are enhanced to breathe both salt and fresh water. They are mostly peaceful and spend much time on land. Stillwater Orthians are born in the low pressures of the great lakes and are often seen as mystics — though in truth they are the cast-aside offspring of River Orthians, described as frog-like.