Ejundi

The Ejundi were once a single people, but over many thousands of years they became divided into two distinct groups: the Natii'Ejundi, who inhabited the fresh waters, and the Setal'Ejundi, who made their homes in the seas and oceans of Encara. Together with the Yundra, they are among the least populous of the elven peoples to have arrived on Thaedros. Born in the water and adapted to its embrace, the Ejundi live most of their lives beneath the surface. While they are amphibious and capable of surviving on land for years if needed, most prefer to return to the water as often as possible. Even those Ejundi who live on land maintain grottos and natural pools where they can rest and reconnect to their aquatic origins.

The majority of the Ejundi remained in the lakes and oceans of Encara, building vast cities of shaped coral and living in close communion with aquatic life. Their diet, shaped by countless generations beneath the waves, consists exclusively of water-dwelling plants and fish. Their territories were safeguarded by whales and dolphins, whose voices carried for dozens, even hundreds, of miles. These allies served as sentinels, ensuring the peace of the Ejundi domains. Within these tranquil waters, the Ejundi flourished as a culture of artists and healers, dedicating themselves to the beauty and sanctity of life rather than to the pursuit of resources or territory. Even the less-evolved aquatic races deferred to them, granting the Ejundi the sovereignty of the seas in exchange for their respect and stewardship.

The transition to Thaedrosian waters, however, has proven to be a harrowing ordeal. The aquatic life of this new world does not know the Ejundi, and the elves have only begun to learn the foreign languages of the creatures that dwell there. Thaedros' oceans and lakes are treacherous and alien. The currents are harsh and unfamiliar, capable of dragging the unprepared into the vast, lightless depths. Predators rise silently from the darkness, their movements utterly foreign and their intentions devoid of the connection the Ejundi once shared with Encara's creatures. These dangers have made the transition particularly perilous for the Setal'Ejundi, who venture further into the open oceans than their freshwater kin.

The Natii'Ejundi, the lake-dwelling branch of their people, have struggled to find a stable home. The lakes of Thaedros, while rich and teeming with life, remain unsettled territory, and the Natii'Ejundi often roam in search of a place to call their own. For this reason, they are eager to join surveyors and explorers, offering their unparalleled skill as scouts. Their expertise in navigating Thaedros' waters and their willingness to brave the unknown make them invaluable to those charting this new world.

The Setal'Ejundi, by contrast, have begun to settle in the coastal waters off western Enethir, seeking the security of their kin. Yet, they now spend far less time beneath the waves than they once did. Their numbers are too few to risk bold exploration of Thaedros' open seas, where silent predators lurk in the black depths, waiting to strike. Whatever horrors the surface world of Thaedros may hold, they pale in comparison to the dangers hidden in the lightless expanse of its oceans.

For the Ejundi, the seas of Thaedros are a frontier far more dangerous than the land. Yet, they persist, driven by a deep reverence for the waters that sustain them. Whether navigating the perilous currents or forging new bonds with the creatures of this alien world, the Ejundi remain a people of quiet resilience. In time, perhaps they will find their place in Thaedros' waters, just as they once did in Encara. Until then, they tread carefully, knowing that survival in this world will demand every ounce of their courage and skill.

Racial Traits

Special Abilities

Fey Ancestry You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic cannot put you to sleep.

Trance Instead of sleeping, you enter a deep meditation for 4 hours, gaining the same benefits as an 8-hour rest.

Amphibious You can breathe both air and water. You have a swim speed equal to your walking speed.

Deep Vision Accustomed to the dim light of the depths, you have Darkvision up to 60 feet. Additionally, you can see in natural underwater darkness as if it were dim light.

Basic Traits

Speed Your base walking speed is 35 feet (30 feet + 5 feet elven bonus). You have a swim speed equal to your walking speed.

Languages You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish.

Backgrounds

Tideborne Explorer

You have spent your life navigating the currents of both freshwater and oceanic depths. Whether as a guide, scout, or adventurer, you are accustomed to the unpredictable nature of water and its dangers.

• Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Perception
• Tool Proficiencies: Navigator's Tools, Water Vehicles
• Languages: One of your choice
• Feature: Current Reader - You instinctively sense changes in water currents, allowing you to predict storms, tidal shifts, and hidden underwater dangers with uncanny accuracy.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom

Voice of the Depths

Trained in the ways of the ancient sea-speakers, you learned to communicate with aquatic life. Though Thaedros' creatures do not yet know your people, you are among the first to reestablish this bond.

• Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Insight
• Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit, Calligrapher's Supplies
• Languages: One of your choice
• Feature: Sea-Whisperer - Through subtle gestures and sounds, you can communicate simple concepts to aquatic creatures. While they are not magically compelled to aid you, those with neutral or friendly dispositions will often respond with curiosity.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Wisdom, +1 Charisma

Waveguard Sentinel

You trained as a protector of Ejundi waters, safeguarding your people against threats from both above and below the waves. You have learned to fight in the shifting tides and strike with the precision of a hunting shark.

• Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Stealth
• Tool Proficiencies: Net Weaver's Tools, Spear or Trident Proficiency
• Languages: One of your choice
• Feature: Tidal Combatant - While underwater, your movement is unaffected by difficult terrain, and you have advantage on attack rolls against creatures that are swimming but lack a swim speed.
• Ability Score Increases: +2 Strength, +1 Dexterity