Otaru

''"We left the ocean, but the ocean did not leave us." ''- Xaobar

Otaru are amphibious descendants of the great Uthulian sea creatures. Retaining much of their aquatic ancestry, Otaru are equipped with gills, webbed hands and feet, facial tentacles, a crest of fins running down their spine, and deep black eyes. Generally, Otaru are leaner and more flexible than Humans.

Otaru are sequential hermaphrodites; when they first hatch, they are both male and female, and their skin is a bright salmon-pink colour. Once they reach adolescence, their sex changes to either male or female, and their skin tone gradually shifts to a slick, pearlescent blue.

Though it has been eons since their primordial ancestors first crawled out from the ocean, Otaru tend to congregate only in coastal towns and cities, as they are hesitant to ever stray too far from the sea. In addition, their females still have to lay their eggs underwater in order for them to hatch. Most of the Otaru population is located at their city of Vyssus Mar, which sits inside an enormous spiralled seashell on the southern shores of Ausaris.

Divide between land and sea dwellers?

Otaru are not technologically advanced, and have so far refused to adopt Novium power, preferring to use simple tools and natural resources. Food is their primary source of trade - fish, shellfish, seaweeds, etc - which they cultivate far more effectively than other races.

Music is another staple of Otarun culture, and many of their instruments use water to create unique sounds. During low tide, various festivals are held at Vyssus Mar where both music and food are shared in abundance.