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| | [[Image:Cecaeliawiki.jpg|thumb|right|450px|Picture by Genzoman and used with artist's permission. For larger version visit [http://genzoman.deviantart.com/ Genzoman's gallery].]] | | [[Image:Cecaeliawiki.jpg|thumb|right|450px|Picture by Genzoman and used with artist's permission. For larger version visit [http://genzoman.deviantart.com/ Genzoman's gallery].]] |
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| − | Chlaenas are a giant chimeric race that resembles a tauric cross between a human and an octopus. They can be found in many of the seas of Felarya, especially in the abyssal depths of the [[Topazial sea]] and in their underwater city [[Sea depths#Ryzelm’oire|Ryzelm’oire]]. However, roaming chlaenas have been known to go closer to the surface and even onto land. A chlaena’s body is made up entirely of muscle and soft tissue; they have nearly no bones or other rigid internal structure, which means that they have unparalleled flexibility and contortion abilities. They are capable of greatly compressing themselves into tight spaces, or expanding their body to swallow a creature nearly their own size. While this helps a lot when it comes to large prey, a chlaena’s compressibility can also work against them, and relatively smaller predators might be able to stuff a chlaena down their throat and swallow them! | + | Chlaenas are a giant chimeric race that resemble a tauric cross between a human and an octopus. They can be found in many of the seas of Felarya, especially in the abyssal depths of the [[Topazial sea]] and in their underwater city [[Ryzelm’oire]]. However, roaming chlaenas have been known to go closer to the surface and even onto land. A chlaena’s body is made up entirely of muscle and soft tissue; they have nearly no bones or other rigid internal structure, which means that they have unparalleled flexibility and contortion abilities. They are capable of greatly compressing themselves into tight spaces, or expanding their body to swallow a creature nearly their own size. While this helps a lot when it comes to large prey, a chlaena’s compressibility can also work against them, and relatively smaller predators might be able to stuff a chlaena down their throat and swallow them! |
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| − | While a chlaena must stay wet to survive, as long as they have ready access to water, they are able to traverse land much more ably than one might expect. A [[Mermaids|mermaid]] who climbs up onto shore for safety from aquatic predators is often rudely surprised when a chlaena merely follows her, dragging themselves onto land with their tentacles. | + | While a chlaena must stay wet to survive, as long as they have ready access to water, they are able to traverse land much more ably than one might expect. A [[Mermaids|mermaid]] who climbs up onto shore for safety from aquatic predators is often rudely surprised when a chlaena merely follows her, dragging themselves onto land with their tentacles. Terrestrial beings often find chlaenas disturbing, for reasons they just can't put their finger on. Maybe it’s the eight tentacles extending from their octopus-like lower body, or their large, staring eyes that don't blink often enough... Or maybe it’s the fact that they seem to be unnaturally cheerful, all the time, and the way that their boneless, ‘unnatural’ way of moving (particularly on land) tends to make intelligent vertebrates shudder. A chlaena is capable of turning their head nearly 360 degrees around, so if they want to look at you, they will typically not turn fully around to do so... which can be somewhat unnerving. |
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| − | Terrestrial beings often find chlaenas disturbing, for reasons they just can't put their finger on. Maybe it’s the eight tentacles extending from their octopus-like lower body, or their large, staring eyes that don't blink often enough... Or maybe it’s the fact that they seem to be unnaturally cheerful, all the time, and the way that their boneless, ‘unnatural’ way of moving (particularly on land) tends to make intelligent vertebrates shudder. A chlaena is capable of turning their head nearly 360 degrees around, so if they want to look at you, they will typically not turn fully around to do so... which can be somewhat unnerving. | + | |
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| | Chlaenas, like the other cephaloid races, have odd mindsets; they simply do not think the way the “normal” races do. Their logic is pretty much the only kind they are really capable of following, and their behavior can often be frustrating or frightening to those incapable of understanding their motivations. However, one thing you can rely on is for a Chlaena to be cheerful and honest, even at inappropriate moments. Of course, their "honesty" is by their own standards for honesty, just because a chlaena tells you that she isn't going to eat you does not mean she is never going to eat you. “Of course I’m not going to eat you!” in a chlaena’s mind means, “No, I’m not going to eat you right now. Maybe later!" | | Chlaenas, like the other cephaloid races, have odd mindsets; they simply do not think the way the “normal” races do. Their logic is pretty much the only kind they are really capable of following, and their behavior can often be frustrating or frightening to those incapable of understanding their motivations. However, one thing you can rely on is for a Chlaena to be cheerful and honest, even at inappropriate moments. Of course, their "honesty" is by their own standards for honesty, just because a chlaena tells you that she isn't going to eat you does not mean she is never going to eat you. “Of course I’m not going to eat you!” in a chlaena’s mind means, “No, I’m not going to eat you right now. Maybe later!" |
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| − | | + | == Powers and abilities == |
| − | === Powers and abilities ===
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| | Chlaenas are capable of squeezing into very tight spaces, by compressing their flexible body and shifting their organs around inside their body. This allows them to pass through an opening only 10-15% the size of their entire body. Most chlaenas possess a mild paralytic venom, which can help take some of the fight out of large prey. In all but a few subspecies, this venom is non-lethal, as it affects only the voluntary muscles. | | Chlaenas are capable of squeezing into very tight spaces, by compressing their flexible body and shifting their organs around inside their body. This allows them to pass through an opening only 10-15% the size of their entire body. Most chlaenas possess a mild paralytic venom, which can help take some of the fight out of large prey. In all but a few subspecies, this venom is non-lethal, as it affects only the voluntary muscles. |
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| − | Due to millions of specialized cells in their skin called chromatophores, chlaenas are able to rapidly change the color of their entire body, or select parts of it. They use it either to match their surroundings, or for communication and to display their mood. Nearly all chlaenas have ink glands located somewhere in their bodies, which they can use to squirt a pressurized spray of ink into the water, quickly creating an underwater ‘smokescreen’ to cover their escape or give them the advantage in an attack. Some chlaenas can even mix their venom into the ink, creating a cloud that dulls the senses of predator or prey. Just about all chlaenas lack the [[predator sense]] (some subspecies are an exception, but they are very rare), and must rely on their normal senses only. However, most chlaenas are capable of seeing in conditions with low levels of ambient light, and some are even capable of seeing part of the infrared spectrum. The average chlaena also possesses a very keen sense of touch, making some able to sense small vibrations and water currents. | + | Due to millions of specialized cells in their skin called chromatophores, chlaenas are able to rapidly change the color of their entire body, or certain parts of it. They use it either to match their surroundings, or for communication and to display their mood. Nearly all chlaenas have ink glands located somewhere in their bodies, which they can use to squirt a pressurized spray of ink into the water, quickly creating an underwater ‘smokescreen’ to cover their escape or give them the advantage in an attack. Some chlaenas can even mix their venom into the ink, creating a cloud that dulls the senses of predator or prey. Just about all chlaenas lack the [[predator sense]] (some subspecies are an exception, but they are very rare), and must rely on their normal senses only. However, most chlaenas are capable of seeing in conditions with low levels of ambient light, and some are even capable of seeing part of the infrared spectrum. The average chlaena also possesses a very keen sense of touch, making some able to sense small vibrations and water currents. Chlaenas also tend to have a fair degree of magical potential, and most of them eventually learn the pressure-based Deep Magic common among the abyssal dwellers of the Topazial sea. This allows them to ascend and descend quickly without severe injury or death, by carefully regulating the pressure in and around their bodies. |
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| − | Chlaenas also tend to have a fair degree of magical potential, and most of them eventually learn the pressure-based Deep Magic common among the abyssal dwellers of the Topazial sea. This allows them to ascend and descend quickly without severe injury or death, by carefully regulating the pressure in and around their bodies.
| + | == Culture == |
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| | + | === Known Chlaenas === |
| | + | *Jalandro |
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| − | == Cecaelias ==
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| − | Cecaelias are another chimerical cephaloid race, and are a tauric cross between a human and a squid. They typically measures 80-90 feet from head to base (the length of their tentacles is excluded from this measurement and some species of Cecaelia have tentacles twice as long as their body!). They are mostly found in the the oceans of Felarya, particularly the Topazial sea, however cecaelias are drifters and wanders, and have been known to roam far and wide, one might pop up in the places you’d least expect to see one.
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| − | Unlike their chlaenas cousins, cecaelias have a semi-rigid internal shell and more bone-like structures, although not nearly as widespread as in vertebrates. This makes them significantly less flexible than their cousins, but also much sturdier. Cecaelias are still capable of fitting into tight spaces like chlaenas are, but not nearly to the same degree. Typically, a cecaelia is capable of compressing themselves up to 40%-50% the size of their entire body. Cecaelias also have ten tentacles instead of eight. Their primary pair are much longer and stronger than the others, which are roughly equivalent in strength to those of a chlaena, perhaps slightly weaker. A blow from one of a cecaelia’s main tentacles can strike with devastating force, and they are capable of cracking them like a whip; dealing a strike as powerful as a giant [[nagas|naga]]’s tail! Unlike a chlaena’s tentacles, the tentacles of a cecaelia usually only have suckers at their tips, but with barbs and hooks made of the same horn-like material as their teeth and fingernails protruding along their length.
| + | == Chlaenas Sub-species == |
| | + | *<b>[[Cecaelias]]</b> |
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| − | Although very similar in behavior to their cousins in some ways, cecaelias are much more active and aggressive, cruising the oceans and hunting prey in a shark-like manner. Practically anything that catches a cecaelia’s interest winds up in their mouth at some point. This, along with the fact that they roam far and wide, often causes problems with other aquatic species when the cecaelia wanders into their territory. Being non-territorial, cecaelia have difficulty understanding such a concept, and often inadvertently start conflicts when all they wanted to do was investigate something interesting. Not even chlaenas understand them completely. They often act in a similar manner, but there are times when a cecaelia just does or says something that leaves the chlaenas around them completely baffled. Needless to say, it can be rather difficult for a human to comprehend their motives and thinking patterns as well.
| + | *<b>[[Kraken Caelias]]</b> |
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| − | Cecaelias are excellent and speedy swimmers, able to cut through the water with seeming ease due to their jet propulsion and streamlined bodies. They are much faster than chlaenas in open water, and some are capable of keeping up with [[Mermaids]] (who are among their favorite prey). All cecaelias are also capable of changing their color to reflect their mood, although the ability to fully blend into their backgrounds is not nearly as common among them as it is among their smaller cousins. cecaelias have excellent senses and are able to hunt efficiently in conditions where there is only the faintest glimmers of light. Their tentacles help them sense nearby vibrations and water currents, and their eyes are capable of perceiving even the tiniest amounts of light against the pitch-black background of abyssal zones.
| + | *<b>[[Vetaelas]]</b> |
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| | + | *<b>[[Nihlmarreths]]</b> |
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| − | === Powers and abilities ===
| + | *<b>[[Cepias]]</b> |
| − | Their powers and abilities are roughly the same as a chlaenas. However, cecaelias are capable of shattering stone with one of their primary tentacles, with the same amount of effort one would use to lightly smack a friend upside the head. The muscular strength of their two primary tentacles is immense, and a matter of great pride among cecaelias; seriously damaging or severing one of these two tentacles will always anger a cecaelia, and make you a dangerous enemy. Their venom is much weaker, and it takes quite a bit of time, or several bites, to have a discernible effect. They usually use it to slow their prey, or an attacking predator, down rather than paralyzing them outright.
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| | + | *<b>[[Glass Caelias]]</b> |
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| − | == Kraken Caelias ==
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| − | A taurian cephalopod of truly colossal proportions, often compared to the legendary [[mermaids#Leviathan Mermaids|leviathan mermaid]]. Kraken caelias have eight octopus arms on their lower half, as well as two very long, incredibly powerful tentacles like that of a cecaelia, totaling twelve limbs, including their humanoid arms. Their bodies are elastic and lack a rigid body structure, which means that a kraken, quite frankly, has no concept of “full”, since there is little that could fully satiate it. They are considered a massive threat to the majority of the creatures in the ocean, and sometimes above it.
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| − | Surprisingly, they may agree, like leviathans, to provide [[humans|human]] vessels safe passage. The only difference is that while leviathans do so for altruistic reasons, krakens do so out of selfish ones. Their idea of “protecting the humans” is actually to use them as bait and eat any predator that comes to investigate! As such, they are considered as a fickle, chaotic, and dangerous (but effective) allies by humans. Like leviathans they are extremely rare though. It is believed that there are no more than two dozens in all the [[Topazial sea]].
| + | *Credits goes to TheQuantumMechanic, Zoekin, Shaman, Xeno the hedgehog, and Fish for the design of Cecaelias and their subspecies. |
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| − | Their behavior is utterly unpredictable. They can crawl across the ocean floor, investigating everything they come across, usually accidentally destroying things along the way, or they can suddenly appear at the surface for no other reason than to sow discord and chaos, showing up at battles they don’t belong in and basically raising hell. There are even reports of one kraken caelia actually crawling out of the ocean, perching on an island, and simply watching the horizon, occasionally snatching up a harpy or human vessel that would come to investigate. Despite that, their action don't actually seem malicious; their way of thinking is just a little bit alien to most races and their great size and formidable strength grants them full reign of wherever they wish, with little to stand in their way.
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| − | == Vetaelas ==
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| − | Giant vampire squid-people, mysterious and very rarely encountered. This ancient race of beings may have been the first offshoot from the common ancestor of all the cephaloid races, and may have actually existed alongside the ancestral race. As a result, they have an uncanny knowledge about the past, present, and future along with a deep insight into the nature of other living beings.
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| − | They greatly value knowledge, even more than simply getting a meal. If you draw a vetaela's attention, you can ask them a question. If they know the answer, they will give it honestly, albeit sometimes in a complex or cryptic manner. However, if you ask them a question, they will ask you a question in turn. If you know the answer, you had better answer truthfully; if you don't know or attempt to lie, you have a high chance of getting eaten! If you are able to answer it, the vetaela will merely let you be on your way, rarely giving you a second thought. What makes this question and answer game difficult, and the reason people rarely survive it... is that vetaela will only ask a question about something that they don't know. Considering that they are ancient, and extremely knowledgeable about a wide variety of subjects, including many forgotten secrets, ancient magic and geography, knowing something that they don't may not be very easy.
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| − | == Nihlmarreths ==
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| − | They are also commonly known as blue-ringed chlaenas, and are one of the smallest of all chlaena subspecies. On average, they measure about a foot from base to the top of their head, and not many grow much larger. While nihlmarreths are just as voracious as other chlaenas, their small size means that they pose very little threat to [[humans|human]]-sized creatures as predators; their typical prey are crustaceans, fish, shellfish, and other creatures that can be found near the shores and reefs of the Topazial Sea.
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| − | Despite their small size, nihlmarreths are more than capable of defending themselves from most predators; the small creatures possess an absolutely devastating neurotoxic venom, which is capable of paralyzing a 60 foot [[mermaids|mermaid]] in just under two minutes. Multiple bites from an individual or a small group of nihlmarreths are lethal to even the largest oceanic predators; this means that most predators who know about the small chlaenas tend to leave them alone. Fortunately, nihlmarreths are a friendly, if somewhat odd, species; their behavior is similar to that of many pacific island cultures, and they are cheerfully welcoming to most beings they encounter. As long as they aren’t threatened or seriously angered (which is a bit easier to do than with the average chlaena), they are very sociable and laid-back creatures.
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| − | It is easy to tell when a nihlmarreth is angered or feels threatened enough to defend herself; their skin changes color from its usual pattern to a bright yellow color, with glowing blue rings and slash-like marks standing out sharply against the yellow background. If you see this display, consider it your final warning, and stop doing whatever it was you were doing! While nihlmarreths tend to have little to fear from the average predator, some mid-sized predators have become extremely adept at feeding on the little chlaenas; particularly some species of sea [[slug girls]] whose natural immunity to nihlmarreth venom makes these predators the biggest threat nihlmarreths face
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| − | == Cepias ==
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| − | Cepias, also called "cuttlefolk" are half-cuttlefish-half-humans beings, living in small village-like enclaves among coral reefs at various depths. They are usually human-sized, but can grow several times larger. The leader of a tribe of cepias, which can consist of a dozen or so individuals, is chosen mainly for their size... if someone is big enough to swallow you, then cepias think that they must be smart, strong, and wily, in order to have survived and grown so big. Their societies are similar to that of chlaenas, albeit more primitive.
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| − | Cepias are preyed upon extensively by their larger cousins and merfolk alike, and they aren't totally safe from one another, either. They are very expressive to one another with their complex and extremely rich, chromataphore-based language, and also pretty aggressive too, having a mindset similar to a cecaelia's, for the most part. Oddly enough, some tribes choose to worship the massive kraken caelias that wander the oceans, apart from normal beliefs held by both chlaena and cecaelia.
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| − | == Glass Caelias ==
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| − | Dwellers of the very deepest parts of [[Topazial sea]], they possess transparent bodies, which gives them their namesake. It is possible to see right through them, and their internal organs are visible. They are a medium-sized subspecies, usually growing to only about 40-50 feet. They can easily be preyed upon by the dangerous creatures in their environment but glass caelias have developed an unusual defense against this. While their skin is completely transparent and lacks the chromatophores other cephaloid races have, their internal organs do possess these color-changing cells. In addition, they have bioluminescent glands located in several places inside their body, that they can control at will. This allows a glass caelia to float motionlessly in the abyssal depths, using their chromatophores to make their organs blend into the background, leading to the glass caelia becoming nearly invisible. At the same time, they can make the bioluminescent glands in a portion of their body glow (such as at the tip of a tentacle), and slowly wave it back and forth.
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| − | When a creature comes to investigate, possibly in hopes of finding prey, the glass caelia will spring into action, often swallowing it in an instant before their prey even has a chance to realize what has happened. Glass caelia also seem to be utterly undetectable by the [[predator sense]], making it a bit easier for them to conceal themselves from dangerous creatures... which is a necessity, since they are much weaker and more fragile than other species of cecaelia. Glass caelias rely entirely on concealment, ambush, and the element of surprise to survive in their deadly environment.
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| − | Not much is known about glass caelias, as they are shy and reclusive beings, and notoriously unsociable. They seem much less curious about things outside of their experience than other species of caelia, and rarely ever leave the "security" of the dark world they inhabit. It is said that the last time a glass caelia visited [[Sea depths#Ryzelm’oire|Ryzelm’oire]] was over 500 years ago, and the previous visit was nearly a millennia before then!
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| − | *Credits goes to TheQuantumMechanic, Zoekin, Shaman, Xeno the hedgehog, and Fish for the design of Cecaelias and their subspecies.
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| | [[Category:Races]] | | [[Category:Races]] |
| | + | [[Category:Chlaenas]] |
Chlaenas are a giant chimeric race that resemble a tauric cross between a human and an octopus. They can be found in many of the seas of Felarya, especially in the abyssal depths of the Topazial sea and in their underwater city Ryzelm’oire. However, roaming chlaenas have been known to go closer to the surface and even onto land. A chlaena’s body is made up entirely of muscle and soft tissue; they have nearly no bones or other rigid internal structure, which means that they have unparalleled flexibility and contortion abilities. They are capable of greatly compressing themselves into tight spaces, or expanding their body to swallow a creature nearly their own size. While this helps a lot when it comes to large prey, a chlaena’s compressibility can also work against them, and relatively smaller predators might be able to stuff a chlaena down their throat and swallow them!
While a chlaena must stay wet to survive, as long as they have ready access to water, they are able to traverse land much more ably than one might expect. A mermaid who climbs up onto shore for safety from aquatic predators is often rudely surprised when a chlaena merely follows her, dragging themselves onto land with their tentacles. Terrestrial beings often find chlaenas disturbing, for reasons they just can't put their finger on. Maybe it’s the eight tentacles extending from their octopus-like lower body, or their large, staring eyes that don't blink often enough... Or maybe it’s the fact that they seem to be unnaturally cheerful, all the time, and the way that their boneless, ‘unnatural’ way of moving (particularly on land) tends to make intelligent vertebrates shudder. A chlaena is capable of turning their head nearly 360 degrees around, so if they want to look at you, they will typically not turn fully around to do so... which can be somewhat unnerving.
Chlaenas, like the other cephaloid races, have odd mindsets; they simply do not think the way the “normal” races do. Their logic is pretty much the only kind they are really capable of following, and their behavior can often be frustrating or frightening to those incapable of understanding their motivations. However, one thing you can rely on is for a Chlaena to be cheerful and honest, even at inappropriate moments. Of course, their "honesty" is by their own standards for honesty, just because a chlaena tells you that she isn't going to eat you does not mean she is never going to eat you. “Of course I’m not going to eat you!” in a chlaena’s mind means, “No, I’m not going to eat you right now. Maybe later!"
Chlaenas are capable of squeezing into very tight spaces, by compressing their flexible body and shifting their organs around inside their body. This allows them to pass through an opening only 10-15% the size of their entire body. Most chlaenas possess a mild paralytic venom, which can help take some of the fight out of large prey. In all but a few subspecies, this venom is non-lethal, as it affects only the voluntary muscles.
Due to millions of specialized cells in their skin called chromatophores, chlaenas are able to rapidly change the color of their entire body, or certain parts of it. They use it either to match their surroundings, or for communication and to display their mood. Nearly all chlaenas have ink glands located somewhere in their bodies, which they can use to squirt a pressurized spray of ink into the water, quickly creating an underwater ‘smokescreen’ to cover their escape or give them the advantage in an attack. Some chlaenas can even mix their venom into the ink, creating a cloud that dulls the senses of predator or prey. Just about all chlaenas lack the predator sense (some subspecies are an exception, but they are very rare), and must rely on their normal senses only. However, most chlaenas are capable of seeing in conditions with low levels of ambient light, and some are even capable of seeing part of the infrared spectrum. The average chlaena also possesses a very keen sense of touch, making some able to sense small vibrations and water currents. Chlaenas also tend to have a fair degree of magical potential, and most of them eventually learn the pressure-based Deep Magic common among the abyssal dwellers of the Topazial sea. This allows them to ascend and descend quickly without severe injury or death, by carefully regulating the pressure in and around their bodies.
