Selkies
Basic Information
Anatomy
Selkies have the upper body of a humanoid, such as a Human or Elf, and the lower body of a seal.
Biological Traits
Male Selkies are generally larger than females and are able to grow facial hair. Female Selkies are able to produce milk from their breasts and are the ones that give birth. Selkies unlike other Merfolk don't have fin like ears instead their ears are similar to Humans, they also have webbed hands.
Genetics and Reproduction
Selkies reproduce sexually and are viviparous, they typically have a gestation period of 9 months.
Growth Rate & Stages
Selkies from infancy take 4 years to reach childhood and from there it takes 14 years to reach adulthood, at the age of 18 a Selkie is considered a young adult. A Selkie who reaches the age of 30 is considered an adult.
Ecology and Habitats
Selkies prefer to live in colder waters, they do not have a preference between saltwater or freshwater.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Selkies are omnivores they procure their food by domesticating aquatic animals and farming aquatic crops, they also on occasion hunt and forage for food.
Biological Cycle
As time progresses Selkies age, eventually their bodies will reach a point where they can no longer sustain themselves and will eventually die.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Selkies share the same caste system as Merfolk, where there is a ruling caste, noble caste, working caste and a poor caste.
Facial characteristics
Selkies have a pair of eyes, that come in various colours such as blue, green and brown, and ears with one nose and mouth, male Selkies are able to grow facial hair.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Selkies live in colder waters preferring to stay in the northern and southern oceans and lakes in Mythus.
Average Intelligence
Selkies are highly intelligent as they are able to create complex technology and magic spells.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Selkies use mainly sight and hearing as the primary way to perceive the world, though Selkie also have magical abilities and can use magic as a sixth sense.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Selkies names are very similar to Human names especially those found in Britannia, they have a first name and a last/family name for example Uron Lenn or Élmha Áda.
Major Organizations
Selkies have one major organisation that they all share, with other races, called The Global Council made up of the leaders and ambassadors of various nations, kingdoms and tribes of various races. Other Selkie organisations include The Silver Tide made up of Merfolk knights and magic users.
Beauty Ideals
Selkies beauty ideals are based on the physical appearance of an individual and personality.
Gender Ideals
Selkies treat both sexes equally and have the same rights.
Courtship Ideals
Both sexes of Selkies will try to court those they are attracted to by offering gifts or showing off their wealth or skills.
Relationship Ideals
Selkies are monogamous and will have only one partner, both partners can work and both are expected to help raise and educate children.
Average Technological Level
Selkies in general have an advanced level of technology and magic having invented airlock systems to allow people from other races to visit and live in their underwater settlements, bubble conches, a magical conch that when blown will produce a strong bubble that can capture targets, walkers, four mechanical legs that attach to the Merfolk's waist allowing it to move on land, and many others. Selkies are also able to create advanced magical weapons and armour, these include spears, tridents, swords, nets and daggers. Selkies have also created harpoon launchers, these are used to hunt down the larger prey they encounter, and many other things.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Selkies speak their language called Alguri, however, they speak it with a different dialect.
Common Etiquette Rules
Selkies treat those of a higher standing with respect and politeness, Selkies of the same class treat each other equally and those of a lower standing are poorly treated.
Common Dress Code
Selkies wear clothes made of waterproof fabric, thick hide and sea shells, Selkies also wear face masks and large cloaks to help with harsher temperatures during the winter months.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Selkie culture is based on hunting and fishing, Selkies from a young age are told to hunt as a group and where the best fishing spots are found. Due to the colder temperatures Selkies rarely grow aquatic plants and only have a small amount of domesticated aquatic animals and so they rely on fishing and hunting as the primary way to obtain food, Selkies are also known to trade with other races to obtain food as well.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
A common custom in Merfolk culture is to hold underwater chariot races, many Merfolk come to watch these events and because of this many stalls are set up around these races selling food and souvenirs. There are various chariot racing teams that have been made due to the popularity of these races.
Common Taboos
It is forbidden in Selkie culture to murder, steal, assault, sexually assault and cannibalise others.
History
A group of Merfolk, like other races, came to the world of Mythus through an event called the flash where the world suddenly came to existence filled with various races and creatures. Merfolk spread across the oceans of Mythus finding areas to settle, due to living in the oceans Merfolk did not have contact with the other races that inhabit the world for a long time developing their own cultures, magic and technologies in isolation. Eventually they made contact with the other races via boat trade routes and fishing vessels and by costal settlements. Subspecies of Merfolk were born due to them living in different environments, the new subspecies born were Cecaelia, Merrows, Sirens, Selkies and Freshwater Merfolk. Selkies made their homes in the northern and southern oceans and lakes of Mythus preferring the colder waters than other Merfolk, after sometime they came into contact with other races that lived on the land and because they lived in much harsher conditions Selkies were more willing to work together with the other races to obtain and share resources.
Common Myths and Legends
There are various Selkie myths and legends, however, one myth that all Selkie, and other races, share is The Flash.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Selkies are generally on friendly terms with the other races, they especially get along with the other races that also inhabit the colder regions as they do.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Homo aquaus selkie
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
63 cm for females
176.5 cm for males
Average Weight
49 to 59.9 kg for females
65.3 to 79.8 kg for males
Average Physique
The average Selkie physique is lean and slightly muscular, however, their physique can vary from being fatter, thinner and/or muscular.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Selkie skin tone varies depending where that Selkie came from, their skin tone range from dark to light. Selkie tail colour comes in various shades in brown, black, white and grey. Selkie hair colour comes in various shades of brown, black, grey and white.
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