Merfolk

Appearance

• From the waist up, a merfolk can come in all human skin colours. Darker tones are more associated with mermaids that spend time closer to the surface, whilst paler colours originate from the depths. 

  • In the last millennia, with humans breeding with merfolk, they can obtain the same skin colour as their human parent. ​

• Hair comes in absolutely any colour. Sometimes it reflects the vegetation or coral around their place of conception. Other times it is hereditary. There seems to be no real rhyme or reason to hair colour. It can really be anything from a simple brown to an luscious minty green. 

• Merfolk tails are the real main attraction. They are typically over two times longer than their torso, and can reflect just about any sea-dwelling creature. The tail is hereditary. 

  • This means that sharks, orcas, dolphins, squids, octopuses, eels, jellyfish, rays, seals, seahorses, and unique fish such as lion fish are on the table. ​

  • In the case of sharks, squids, octopuses, rays, and eels: these merfolk are typically avoided and seen as destined for evil. 

Origins

• The humans took to land, the dwarves dug deep under the ground, and the merfolk made their home in the depths of the ocean. 

• The surface of the deeps has just barely been scratched. Far, far under the water is a massive civilization of thriving merfolk which have yet to be discovered by the normies of Earth. As they did not have the ability to walk or breathe on land, they never shared history until recent times. 

• The merfolk were very tribal in the beginning. They separated into group of similar-looking beings. 

  • Those with vibrant, summer-coloured tails made their way to the southern reaches where they built their homes from colourful coral. They prized beauty and treasure above all other things. The other merfolk were forced to look to them as superiors in their societies. Atlantis was built next to the Bermuda Triangle, where they begrudgingly had to share waters with wizards in recent times thanks to their supernatural jail being erected in the middle of the triangle. ​

  • Those with frosty, cool-coloured tails took refuge up north, where they developed thick skin that could tolerate the coldest of waters. Since many merfolk were enchanted by bright, colourful colours, they didn't exactly fit in within Atlantis. 

  • The odd-shaped tails which resemble sharks, orcas, squids, octopus, eels, and rays were cast out of the main societies. They were forced to scout around for other dwellings to accumulate in. Because of superstitions out-casting them, they were typically molded into a path of evil and wrong-doing out of necessity to survive. 

• The out-casted tribes began a new worship to try and regain power under the sea. They learned how to worship wild magic and summoned eldritch sea monsters such as the Kraken, Serpents, and Leviathans, to wage war on all who sought to belittle them. 

• For thousands of years, the merfolk have been in constant war against these nightmarish creatures, and live in fear of the outcasts, which they promptly name 'Vashjin' (Vash-yin) which means "evil tail" in the merfolk common tongue. 

• Miraculously, it seemed as though the Northern and Southern tribes were capable of holding back the threats. The Vashjin failed in their attempts, and the eldritch ones were banished from open water. 

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History

• Humans really have a way of leaving their mark on things. From de-foresting, to mining, and now fishing. The carcasses of whales began descending to the depths and littering the merfolks' settlements.

  • Whales were the dear friends of the merfolk, serving as a means for long-distance transportation and messaging service. 

• The whaling was ignored when it wasn't as common, but during the last few centuries, it has become a real problem, indeed. 

• A great white humpback named Wolerfade, with a gold-painted underbelly, fell right upon Atlantis in 1851. Wolerfade was the personal companion of the Atlantian royal family. Enough was enough. 

• Merfolk were known to have charming magic, but only to the extents of mental manipulation and healing. They would need to venture to the depths and seek out the same wild merfolk which summoned the eldritch ones. 

• A Vashjin witch, Nethetida, proclaimed that she could teach the Atlantian priests how to enchant other merfolk with the ability to walk and breathe on the land. With this, they will be able to face the humans and stop their foul play. There was a catch... Nethetida wanted a relic, the heart of Atlantis, which was being protected by the royal family. With the heart, the Atlantians could cloak their proud city from unwanted eyes. 

• At first, the Atlantians refused, but as the trash polluted their waters and sea life started to truly suffer, they decided that they no longer cared if they were discovered. War was on the horizon. 

• They traded the heart to Nethetida and learned how enchant themselves to walk on land. 

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Modern Day

• Since the early 1900s, the land-dwelling merfolk have posed as nature-loving hippies and activists against the inhumane treatment of animals, as well as pollution. They have been responsible for shutting down many neglectful organizations, but they simply can't fight back against all of them. 

• Not knowing what Nethetida intended with the Heart of Atlantis, all merfolk fear that one day they will regret their decision. For now, however, they continue to try and fight the increasing mistreatment of nature as best they cal. 

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Noteworthy People

• Nethetida: A Vashjin witch with a giant octopus-like body. She is aligned with the Eldritch sea monsters and is currently hidden away with them somewhere. It isn't clear what she's up to now, but it's assumed she's up to no good at all. 

• Queen Thela Atlantea: The current queen of Atlantis. She is extremely stern and sharply spoken. She's assisted by her 15 daughters and 8 sons, which she has had with multiple councilors. Her bloodline reaches back to the founders of Atlantis as there has never been a shortage in Atlantea children. It is a true privilege for any merfolk to meet her. (Long term members are permitted to play a member of the Atlantea family as long as they talk to Berry)    

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Advanced Lore

• Merfolk live as long as humans. 

  • However, they are more prone to being sick if they spend less time in the water than on land, which may shorten their lifespan. ​

• Both females and males can give birth... and here's... how... (sorry about this!) 

  • Both genders possess eggs within them, as well as fertile fluids. Their anatomy simply works in a way where no matter which opening is involved, there is a chance to impregnate an egg. ​Whichever party is impregnated will simply develop the offspring and birth them from the same opening without difficulty. Their bodies are designed to cope. (Don't think about it too hard.) 

  • This means that two females can reproduce, as well as two males. Alternatively, a female can also impregnate a male in rare occasions. They refer to their parents by whatever the parent chooses. 

  • In addition, merfolk do not breastfeed. Water mixed with crushed sea vegetation is always the preferred method of feeding. 

• So long as a merfolk is dry, they will grow legs. The moment their legs get wet, however, they will start growing their tail and gills. 

• The type of tail a merfolk gets is entirely hereditary. If their parents are both from different tribes, it will be a 50/50 random chance to adopt one of their tails over the other. 

• Merfolk can sometimes be referred to as 'Siren'. This is when they have adopted a sinful, evil path. Their hearts are no longer in a positive place, and it can oftentimes cause their physical appearance to wilt and become more wicked/ sharp. 

• Merfolk currency comes in the form of golden coins with little crowns and tridents pressed into them. These are most prominently produced in Atlantis. 

  • 1 Atlantian Coin = £50​ / $66

    • Which means that a lot of merfolk end up being quite wealthy once they arrive on land. ​

• Merfolk out-populate humans, surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly given the size and depth of the ocean.) Some have even evolved to live in fresh-water lakes and rivers. 

  • Transitioning between fresh and salt water can be a tricky process. This is best done in careful amounts to avoid getting fatigued or sick immediately. ​

• Merfolk sleep in water. They are unable to rest fully if dry. 

• Able to communicate with animals.

• Can give whomever they kiss the ability to breathe under water temporarily.

• They release a rather alarming amount of water from their eyes when crying.