Post by lex on May 17, 2017 21:36:34 GMT
The Merfolk
“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.”
-T.S. Eliot
Overview
“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.”
-T.S. Eliot
Overview
Otherwise known as the Fish-People, the Merfolk are one of the rarer races of the realm. These elusive beauties mostly keep to themselves, and only go on land when it is absolutely necessary; they usually like to stick to the murky depths of the islands of the land. The Merfolk are a very vibrant group, and are seen as a wonder of the biological world due to their natural ability to shift between having the tail of a fish and human legs.
The Merfolk are quite pompous. Their enchanting nature and the effect they have on other people makes them quietly see themselves as above other races. However, they are usually bubbly and kind, trying to gain the sympathy and alliances of other races. They follow a monarchy, with the decision-maker being the queen or princess. The male political figures are simply bystanders with all matters.
The Merfolk are very colorful. They have several attributes that make them very curious to those who dwell on land. Such characteristics include:
Tails/Scales: When a merperson is in their “aquatic” form, so to speak, they can range in height anywhere from 6 feet to 7 feet, head to caudal-fin tip. Their tails are one large muscle itself, and are covered in scales of any color or pattern. Usually, their tails will begin around their upper waist, with few scales being present on the skin. Eventually, the scales will fan out and group together to form the beginnings of the tail. The scales are ovular, overlapping each other as they run down the tail. These scales are also present all over the upper body of the merperson like on the hands, forearms, shoulders, neck and hairline. However, these scales are for cosmetic purposes only, and can not be used as “armor” in any way.
Legs/Arms: When a merperson changes into their “legged” form, their height and weight changes drastically. With legs, their height will shrink to anywhere from 5 to 6 feet, and their weight will range anywhere from 100-150 pounds, typically. For instance, a 6-foot mermaid in her aquatic form will be about 110 pounds and 5 feet, 5 inches with legs. The arms of a merperson in their legged form will not change; they will retain their cosmetic scales and webbed hands. Like their hands, the feet of the Merfolk are webbed as well.
Hair: The hair of the Merfolk is just like that of a normal human. It can range in texture from straight to wavy, and be coarse or smooth. The Merfolk tend to refrain from dyeing their hair, as it will just wash out because they spend so much time in the water.
Gills: The gills of a merperson can be found anywhere on their neck. Typically, they are found flanking the sides or back of the neck. The gills are surrounded by the cosmetic scales that decorate the body of the Merfolk. Like on a normal fish, this respiratory organ is used for breathing.
Eyes/Ears: The eyes and ears of the Merfolk are sensitive. Their senses of sight and hearing are heightened to an extreme. This allows them to hear and see clearly underwater. Above water, the Merfolk dislike sudden noises and bright light, as this might cause them harm in the long run. Cosmetically, the eyes of the merfolk are no different than that of a human. They range in color from green, blue, grey, brown, and are always a rather light hue. The ears, however, are webbed like their hands and feet. Furthermore, the Merfolk are unable to cry or produce tears.
Build: The build of the Merfolk is very similar to humans. Males and females can both develop muscle, but females are much curvier, especially in their legged form.
Other Miscellaneous Information
The Merfolk are very colorful. They have several attributes that make them very curious to those who dwell on land. Such characteristics include:
Tails/Scales: When a merperson is in their “aquatic” form, so to speak, they can range in height anywhere from 6 feet to 7 feet, head to caudal-fin tip. Their tails are one large muscle itself, and are covered in scales of any color or pattern. Usually, their tails will begin around their upper waist, with few scales being present on the skin. Eventually, the scales will fan out and group together to form the beginnings of the tail. The scales are ovular, overlapping each other as they run down the tail. These scales are also present all over the upper body of the merperson like on the hands, forearms, shoulders, neck and hairline. However, these scales are for cosmetic purposes only, and can not be used as “armor” in any way.
Legs/Arms: When a merperson changes into their “legged” form, their height and weight changes drastically. With legs, their height will shrink to anywhere from 5 to 6 feet, and their weight will range anywhere from 100-150 pounds, typically. For instance, a 6-foot mermaid in her aquatic form will be about 110 pounds and 5 feet, 5 inches with legs. The arms of a merperson in their legged form will not change; they will retain their cosmetic scales and webbed hands. Like their hands, the feet of the Merfolk are webbed as well.
Hair: The hair of the Merfolk is just like that of a normal human. It can range in texture from straight to wavy, and be coarse or smooth. The Merfolk tend to refrain from dyeing their hair, as it will just wash out because they spend so much time in the water.
Gills: The gills of a merperson can be found anywhere on their neck. Typically, they are found flanking the sides or back of the neck. The gills are surrounded by the cosmetic scales that decorate the body of the Merfolk. Like on a normal fish, this respiratory organ is used for breathing.
Eyes/Ears: The eyes and ears of the Merfolk are sensitive. Their senses of sight and hearing are heightened to an extreme. This allows them to hear and see clearly underwater. Above water, the Merfolk dislike sudden noises and bright light, as this might cause them harm in the long run. Cosmetically, the eyes of the merfolk are no different than that of a human. They range in color from green, blue, grey, brown, and are always a rather light hue. The ears, however, are webbed like their hands and feet. Furthermore, the Merfolk are unable to cry or produce tears.
Build: The build of the Merfolk is very similar to humans. Males and females can both develop muscle, but females are much curvier, especially in their legged form.
Other Miscellaneous Information
Lifespan: Typically, the average merperson will live 200-300 years, making them a race that is relatively long-lived.
Reproduction: The conception of a mer-baby is miraculous; they are an incredibly rare race, and remain tight-knit family nonetheless. To have a baby, they try for one in their human forms. The conception is a failure most every time, due to most mermaids being infertile. If the conception is a success, the mother must try her best not to do anything that will harm the baby; too-frequent transformation between forms will kill the baby, along with swimming down to great depths underwater. The pressure will be too much for the baby, and the pregnancy will miscarry as a result. When giving birth, although rare, the parents should find an area with warm water. The mother should be in her legged form, the father in his aquatic form. The baby will be birthed in their aquatic form, so the father can remain in the water with his child. The family will stay here until the mother has recovered from childbirth. The only way a mer-baby can be conceived is if the one getting pregnant is a mermaid. If a merman tries to impregnate a woman of any other race, the baby will most likely come out deformed or be miscarried altogether.
Languages: The Merfolk have developed their own language which they speak amongst themselves, refusing to teach it to any other race. However, most Merfolk are bilingual, choosing the common tongue as their second language to communicate with land-walkers.
Red Lines:
Reproduction: The conception of a mer-baby is miraculous; they are an incredibly rare race, and remain tight-knit family nonetheless. To have a baby, they try for one in their human forms. The conception is a failure most every time, due to most mermaids being infertile. If the conception is a success, the mother must try her best not to do anything that will harm the baby; too-frequent transformation between forms will kill the baby, along with swimming down to great depths underwater. The pressure will be too much for the baby, and the pregnancy will miscarry as a result. When giving birth, although rare, the parents should find an area with warm water. The mother should be in her legged form, the father in his aquatic form. The baby will be birthed in their aquatic form, so the father can remain in the water with his child. The family will stay here until the mother has recovered from childbirth. The only way a mer-baby can be conceived is if the one getting pregnant is a mermaid. If a merman tries to impregnate a woman of any other race, the baby will most likely come out deformed or be miscarried altogether.
Languages: The Merfolk have developed their own language which they speak amongst themselves, refusing to teach it to any other race. However, most Merfolk are bilingual, choosing the common tongue as their second language to communicate with land-walkers.
Red Lines:
- Staying on land for a prolonged period of time will cause a 'dry out,' in which the Merfolk will become severely dehydrated and in need of a water source.
- Merfolk are unable to cry.
- The Merfolk should not consume alcohol as when faced with drunkenness and hangovers, they will dry out quicker.
- When faced with starvation, the Merfolk will result to cannibalism and become feral.
- The Merfolk cannot become pregnant with the child of any other race. This is elaborated more in the "Reproduction" section.
- Above land, the Merfolk have heightened hearing and vision. This results in them being more sensitive to loud noises and bright lights. This is elaborated more in the "Eyes/Ears" section.
