Zapbenders are mysterious, fully aquatic creatures, named for their ability to emit bolts of electricity from their external gills. They use these electrical signals primarily to communicate with one another underwater in a light-based language, and are responsible for the frequent lightning flashes that can be seen in most freshwater habitats in the Runiverse (most notably, the Lake of Lanterns, where they have their largest population). While they are friendly and peaceful by nature, when threatened, they can produce a voltage high enough to seriously maim (even kill) a wizard. Very few zapbenders have ever been captured against their will, but when befriended, they can make for a powerful ally.