Naiad

Naiads are elemental spirits of water. The humanoid race are fairly well known Underhill, being one of the groups that live there. Naiads come in two general varieties; salt and fresh, with saltwater naiads having stronger ties to the ocean and freshwater naiads being tied to rivers, ponds, and lakes. Naiads are generally not physically tied to a specific body of water, but many do develop affections for particular locations near where they make their home and guard those spots.

Physiology

Naiads are among the most exotically colored of natives, with skin tones that usually range through a wide variety of blues and blue-greens, from nearly white to almost black. Eye and hair colors tend to be in the same range, but expanding to include whites, creams, and soft gray shades and rare blacks. Naiads of mixed elemental ancestry, a not uncommon phenomenon, may have atypical coloring in one feature.

Physically, naiads run the range of heights from about 4'6" up through 6'6"; there is no 'typical' height amongst them. Builds are equally varied, although naiads who hold running water dearer than still are more likely to be lean. Of the elemental spirits, naiads are the longest lived behind the oreads; averaging between 700 to 1000 years old, the 'oceanic' saltwater naiads living longer.

Culture and Mannerisms

Native naiads tend to intermingle heavily with other sentient Yuriban species, both culturally and often reproducing with others as well; many fae or kitsune have a trace of elemental ancestry, with naiad being the most common. Naiads tend to be strongly polyamorous, even among Yuribans, flowing freely and easily between relationships; despite this and their often placid temperaments, they are infamously dangerous if one does manage to upset them.

Naiads nearly always live very close to water; if they don't actually build their homes on a shoreline, it's a sure bet there's some form of water within a very short walk.