Anthropos Okeanos: Mermaids (Ann-throw-pose oh-kee-ann-ose)

The anthropos okeanos, or merfolk, were the first of the fey folk to emerge, due to a dependence on water and magical substances, including lanthanum (a real life element that is found in most bacteria and assists with magical evolution in this realm). They are allergic to steel, wrought iron, and bad singing.

Basic Information

Anatomy

They have sharp canine teeth, semi-sharp premolars, and flat-bottomed teeth, much like apes but also much like us humans. They are skilled with tools to adapt to situations. They are slight in build with typically small heads, though their brains have evolved to accommodate increased knowledge capacity. They have lungs and gills, meaning they can breathe both in and outside of water, and their skin is fairly thick, assisting in withstanding water pressure. There are ways of them gaining legs but they typically require spells, potions, or enchanted items. The majority of merfolk are female, with the ability to fertilize their own eggs inside their bodies to produce babies.

Genetics and Reproduction

all merpeople can self-fertilize internal eggs, as a general rule (though infertility is a thing that happens sometimes, and half-human, half-mermaids are a thing that can happen). Fertilization can only take place under double full moons, when the water is high and humans and land creatures tend to stay away from the sea. Birth is live, often requiring mermaids to transition to two legs on land and give birth then. Gestation is typically 10 months but they can wait up to a year to give birth after that if conditions are not safe for going on land. Birth typically takes place under a lunar eclipse.

Growth Rate & Stages

0-230 years - childhood; expected fertility - 300-600 years; Average life expectancy: 500 to 750 years

Ecology and Habitats

• Neiread - sea mermaids. they tend to protect reefs, manatees and other coast-dwelling swimmers, and dislike overfishing;
  • Naiad - river, stream, and lake mermaids. they are few and far between and typically are messengers, with a home in an actual sea or maybe a giant lake. They are most likely to produce...
  • Sirens - or anthropos okeanos sirena. Beautiful, always women, able to traverse land for short periods and born with persuasive voices
• Merrows - live primarily in Celtic waters, women are beautiful and look the most like Ariel, males are hideous monsters hell-bent on feeding.
• Finfolk - have had the most contact with humans and therefore can be described as "water witches" basically
• Mama wati - African sea nymphs dedicated to the gods, who serve them and help humans that they deem worthy. Can impart great wisdom if you don't piss them off.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Hunter, gatherer, farmer types - they will eat some fish and forage for food but may also have small crops. Salt, they have found, makes an excellent preservative of stored foods, and it is literally all around them in the cold but fairly insulated sea.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Siren song - a gift carried in a minority of mermaids but potent nonetheless;
  • Ability to navigate under the water and subsequently in almost total darkness;
  • Ability to hunt and use tools underwater;
  • Immunity to pressure (good for being deep in the water
  • hearing - similar to echolocation for most merfolk

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Anthropos Dentros, or Tree Nymphs

Scientific Name

Anthropos okeanos

Origin/Ancestry

Originally Javan and sub-saharan African, later a world-wide species

Lifespan

1500 years

Conservation Status

As conserved as you can get when you are constantly running (sorry, swimming) away from humans.