Merdragon (Mer-dra-gon)

Merdragons are an aquatic folk that inhabit the wide oceans below the cloud cities of Fowlavis. They are a reclusive people by nature, which is a contrast compared to their neighbors, the Avi. On Fowlavis, merdragons are not one of the Avatar peoples, or even a ‘Children of the Avatars’ like the Thri’zelians. Instead, some Archmages believe they may have a greater cosmic tie as a ‘Child of the Empyreans’.

The merdragons are amphibious humanoids with a streamlined body well-suited to the turbulent waves of the Emerlan Abyss. Their cities are in the deep underwater valleys far below the waves. But merdragons can be found in temperate waters and along the rare coastlines of Fowlavis. They are often exploring, hunting, conducting business with merchants, or simply sunning on a handy rock offshore.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A merdragon’s body is like that of a dragon with a humanoid torso, but with a powerful fishlike tail. Their scales, while shaped like what is on a fish, are more like a dragon’s. These merdragon scales are actually bony scales running along their body. It’s a natural light armor, providing a measure of protection against the elements or minor cuts and scrapes.

Female Merdragon by JJ Kirby

Those scales glimmer in even the feeblest light. For males, that is a deep sapphire blue, while for females, it is a periwinkle or deep violet color. In both genders, a protective second lid glitters like diamonds in any light.

Long arms and webbed fingers end in sharp claws, strong enough to snap open crustaceans from the Emerlan depths. Those same claws enable them to carve out strong kelp trees and other underwater delicacies for their diet.

While their hair is phosphorescent, tendrils are like those found on a jellyfish. These tendrils often glow shades of green, red, blue, or gold, depending on the mood of the merdragon. Last, and most telling of their origins, are their pointed draconian teeth.

Male merdragons are larger than their female counterparts, but are highly territorial despite their reclusive nature. All merdragons will fiercely defend home and family if they feel either are threatened. The males use their size to their advantage in combat. Gently curved machete knives, spears, water bows, and claws are their physical weapons of choice.

But the females are no less capable. If their home is in danger, it’s the female who is in charge of defense and strategy. Cunning and clever, they also are quick with their claws and deadly with the deadly merdragon halberd.

Ecology and Habitats

Merdragons spend much of their time in the water but they are amphibious, able to breathe air on land as well. But on land they are far slower than most because of their short legs. Still, it doesn’t deter some adventurous merdragons from exploring the rare few islands in Fowlavis waters, or even a cloud city provided they find a ship heading that way.

Civilization and Culture

History

Merdragon origins are shrouded in myth with most facts lost to history. Per their own songs and stories, the Empyrean cosmic dragon Avenos created them. That it was her dreams that gave them life. But while they know who created them, they don’t understand why, nor seem to care. Either they have forgotten, or Avenos never explained herself.

Archmages of the Nurloth Academy of Magic and Thri’zelian Ror-Wanau-Ja masters believe this creation myth has a kernel of truth. According to their studies, the Empyrean Avenos created the merdragons right after the murder of her brother Empyrean, Kaprais. The same murder that created the mysterious Shroomwild. Avenos’ goal was to create a living monument to her brother Empyrean, who was known as “The Great Sculptor”.

Scholars suspect Avenos still watches over her creations today, even to the point of visiting them in disguise. When she walks among them, she stays for days to check on her ‘Children’ and even help them from the shadows if they’re threatened.

Male Merdragon by JJ Kirby

Type

Amphibious Humanoid

Environment

Temperate oceans, seas, lakes

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Empyrean

Lifespan

Similar to Terrans, rarely living longer than 120 years

Average Height

When on land, they stand 5 to 5 foot 10 inches tall (1.52 - 1.778 m)

Average Weight

100 - 280 lbs (45.35 - 127 kg)

Average Length

5 - 7 feet (1.52 - 2.13 m)

Geographic Distribution

• Fowlavis

Society

Merdragon society is not predatory by nature, but they are reclusive. They is a long history of misunderstandings with the Avi and other ‘surface folk’. This has led to them distrusting anyone from the surface at the first meeting, and conceal their cities and settlements.

But while they keep their homes hidden, encounters with merdragons on Fowlavis aren’t that rare. They can be seen often swimming in pods in Emerlan Abyss waters or exploring shorelines of the few Fowlavis islands.

Select merchants from the Avi cloud cities do trade with the merdragons for deep ocean shells, minerals and other craft goods. But they don’t trade with just anyone. They keep their distance from surface folk they haven’t grown to know and accept. One of their trusted allies must formally introduce new merchants to a merdragon before any business is possible. Even then, it may be months of negotiation before a merdragon will trust that new merchant with highly valuable goods, such as forged metal.

Merdragon metal tools and weapons are the rarest of all items. Forged in the lava and heat of underwater volcanoes, merdragon smiths keep the technique a closely guarded secret, even among their own people.

But for anyone, merchant or adventurer, is brave and patient enough to gain a merdragon’s trust; they have an ally for life. Merdragons have long memories that are passed down through their bloodlines. They will come to the aid of a trusted ally if they can with claw, blade, and their powerful command of shamanic water magic. It’s quite common for a merdragon to help guide a trusted friend and ally through the dangers of the Emerlan Abyss and its deadly currents, or join them on adventures.