Swimming

Description:


 * The Oceanborn are truly born swimmers, as even the slowest among them is at least twice as fast as the fastest unaided human in the water (thanks to their special abilities).


 * However, among the Oceanborn, some are faster still.


 * Swimming competitions is among the most ancient form of competitions between Oceanborn, with extremely high renown attached to being known as the fastest swimmer around.


 * Whether fairly or not, Oceanborn, especially Naians, tend to assign greater respect to faster swimmers than slower, which delights the Fins to no end.


 * Swimming mostly covers the mechanics of going deep, and fast and hard, as well as surface dives or deep diving. It is the Aúräna skill which is primarily concerned with grace and maneuverability underwater.


 * Syrens are the only Oceanborn known to have practiced surface diving.


 * Manteans are exceptional deep divers.


 * There are many means that Oceanborn can use to increase their swimming prowess.


 * Flipfins are essentially flippers that can be folded up over the shins, often vital for raiding Surfacer waystations.


 * Monofins, also called a 'Syren's tail', but which resemble nothing so much as a mermaid's tail from the legends of Old Terra. They can be used to build up incredible speeds, enough keep pace with Fins for short bursts and to breach the water in majestic fashion - a favorite sport of the Syren.


 * Finsuits are a somewhat rare body sheath type article of not-quite translucent material that actively repels water, and possesses rather sharp, fin-like blades on the forearms.

Specialties: Nearly limitless.
 * Geje is a clear, usually odorless and always slippery gel-like substance that Oceanborn, especially Naians, have learned to harvest from several different speciel of sea fauna or flora, each requiring different treatment and of varying desirability. It is rubbed into the hair and onto the bodies in what is an almost daily ritual, that prevents excessive salt or moisture damage to hair and body, inhibiting excessive tangling. It is claimed that having it freshly applied makes one especially hydrodynamic in the water. Perhaps most importantly, it has some congealing, or coagulating effect on minor cuts or scratches, which can be a lifesaver. It is initially very slippery when applied, though after a dip in the water, is hardly noticable, lasting for many hours.