Aquinarets

Aquinarets are beasts of nature hailing from a long evolutionary line originally birthed in the deep sea. Their serpent-like bodies carry them through different sea territories. Their powerful muscle structure also supports their survival on land, though the vast majority of Aquinarets and Echoes prefer to stay near waters, where they are at their most comfortable and in their most natural state.

Their first appearance or mention in humanity's history came from old sailors' journals recovered from shipwrecks. The stories were the same. One night out at sea, a sailor would be alarmed to find a monstrous creature wrapped around their boat, or ominously watching a ship from nearby - their eyes and grimy bodies reflecting the light of the moon or any source of light from the ship. In the day, the creature would stay slightly further, but their attachment to the sailor's ship would last for several days.... at which point the journal would end, as would the voyage.

Inspecting these ships showed an abnormal decay from the bottom in every instance, which would eventually come to cause the sinking when a boat would take on water. The decay would leech just to where the boat's siding would hit the waters, and in the end, the ship would crumble apart and be lost forever beneath the surface. This unique, destructive occurrence scarred the name of the beast in the mouths of experienced sailors. Be vigilant. Don't travel through certain zones. A lengthened trip of detours is worthwhile when the alternative is to lose everything.

Some more wealthy and prepped sailors began to carry weaponry to attack and try to chase off Aquinarets, but shipwrecks with the same apparent damage would continue despite any efforts of that sort. Theories changed again and again as to how Aquinarets were sinking ships, but nothing was certain other than the toll of death that would come if one too far out to sea were to encounter such a beast. 

. . .

It was long into the future when the truth was uncovered. Territories containing nesting Aquinarets were also apparently home to another two unique species. A small type of parasite that would cling to different sea formations and surfaces around them, oozing a protective but incredibly dangerous and potent toxin which would cause decay on most surfaces. A species of fish that readily consumed those parasites despite the toxin. The parasites would move beneath the seas and sometimes attach to the bottoms of traveling ships, the fish would hover about beneath the waters and consume the parasites, and Aquinarets would appear to consume the fish that would inevitably show day-by-day. In truth, the Aquinarets who terrorized sailors time and time again were harmless towards humans and humanoids.

Aquinarets in the modern age are well-documented and understood, despite their oddities as a species and number of varying breeds.

Aquinarets come in a "Standard" sea beast form, but also stray into two groups of variant types, called Mid Echoes and Minor Echoes. Standard Aquinarets are the only type able to ascend into ancient form, and are at the core of the Aquinaret evolution lines. 

     Overview:

Aquinarets have a slightly higher percentage of water in their bodies than other creatures similar in nature. They have a strong affinity with water and can use appendages on their bodies to manipulate the seas and water in general. The main breed of Aquinaret and most commonly seen in the wild is a very standard appearing beast categorized by their long, serpent-like bodies and necks, head appendage which tends to grow about half as long as their tail, ridges on the ends of their tails that fold inward to conceal additional parts (useful attachments for varying purposes, referred to as 'Echo Assets'), their clingy hands and feet (feet often appearing to be long, with long, thin toes, sometimes webbed and sometimes not) (hands are referred to as 'Pod hands' with fingers lined in a circle around an opening, with a suction cup (or applicable variant part) nestled within the ring of fingers). 

Their faces are rounded and have 4 nasal passages. Their eyes are off-putting to most others, appearing wide and extruding slightly from their skull. In the dark reaches of the sea, a light against their eyes show that they're extremely reflective and shiny. Their skin is extremely thick and difficult to cut, and seems to solidify to an almost stone-like matter as they enter Ancient years, if they live that long and manage to pass the physical and mental challenges that bring about the shift to Ancient. Their bodies go through changes throughout different periods of their lives, and they never entirely stop changing. 

     Mid and Minor Echoes:

As Aquinaret understanding and documentation progressed, it was discovered that there are a number of beasts related to the Standard Aquinaret – these variant beasts are classed in two groups. Mid Echoes, and Minor Echoes. Echoes all relate back to the Standard Aquinaret, but have unique characteristics which further define them. 

Standard Aquinarets can develop signature assets seen in both Mid and Minor Echoes, but generally need to Ascend in order to develop more than 2 Mid Echo Assets and 4 Minor Echo Assets.

Mid Echoes have slightly less strength and ability to manipulate water as opposed to the Standard Aquinaret. They are often about half the size of a Standard, and could easily be mistaken as spawns of Aquinarets, rather than their own breeds. Mid Echoes are unable to ascend to Ancient. Mid Echoes can carry up to 2 unique skills, organs or other sorts of features seen in Minor Echoes. They're often taken in within port towns and seaside locations as companions because of the usefulness of their assets. They can function as protectors, assist with certain forms of labor and are generally loyal and well-intentioned with those they've bonded with, and with humans or humanoids in general.

Minor Echoes are slightly smaller than most Mid Echoes, and are particularly weak compared to their upper-classified brethren, but make up for their size and physical inability with unique assets and body formations that function as the core of their nature. They're often seen as the best variant group for house-pets and companions to those inexperienced with the Aquinaret species, but still require a permit to own in many locations. Similarly to Mid Echoes, they cannot Ascend.

     Ascension:

Ascension allows long-lived Standard Aquinarets to take on the form of an Ancient.

This process can only be initiated after 2 Mid Echo and 4 Minor Echo Assets are developed on/in the body of a Standard Aquinaret. It invokes an internal power and creates a spiritual link within the creature, which strengthens their elemental aspects, Echo Assets and physical forms, and binds them to the existences of generations of Ancients before them.

The process of ascension can be initiated in several ways.

In the early developmental days of the Aquinaret Species, many of these sea beasts felt a primal drive to grow and develop as individuals. It wasn't only a matter of increasing survivability, but a calling to those with a deep connection to the spiritual elements of the seas. This connection maintained itself through generations of Aquinarets and other sea beasts. Ancients who had ascended in the Old Times had broken the limits of their kind and become something else entirely. The catalyst for ascension had always been an internal nature, like a budding flower waiting to blossom.

An awakening of intellect.

Obtaining greater knowledge and understanding through new or unusual acts could cause an Aquinaret to Ascend. The event/act must have significant meaning in regards to the Aquinaret's environment, will and life.

An awakening of spirit.

Determined and persistent Aquinarets who yearn to acquire a full and intimate understanding and connection to sea elements or spirits through experimentation, personal trial, traversing new environments and methods of spiritual communication can initiate the Ascension process as they obtain elemental power and affinity to the seas and other Ancients.

An awakening of sacrifice.

A sorrowful awakening, often bringing about death before benefit, the process of losing oneself in tragedy can turn into a creature's greatest strength...

     Variant/Echo Specifics:

Study of Echoes have revealed a diverse array of internal and external bodily structure development in Aquinarets.

See below for more in-depth explanations.