Merfolk

Basic Information

Anatomy

Merfolk have an upper torso similar to that of other species, and lower body consisting of one large powerful tail. Small scales run the length of the tail, trailing up the spine and along the neck. The skin on the upper body is generally slightly translucent or prismatic in light. Thin fins that protude from the tail at regular intervals, as well as from the hips, elbows, and shoulderblades.
They have long thin arms ending in webbed hands with six fingers, each tipped with claws ranging from 1-3 inches in length.
Their faces are sharp and angular lacking a protruding nose in many cases, with two sets of eyelids (one transparent, one opaque) to protect their eyes from debris underwater. They have a single row of sharp teeth that can be retracted into a smaller set of molars that run the length of their mouth designed to crush bone, and long prehensile tongue.
Merfolk only have hair on top of their heads, and it is generally very thin and light, with colouration matching their environment to act as minor camoflauge.

Aquatic Adaptaion

Merfolk scales are capable of safely absorbing excess Anima from the environment to later be blowly released into the body when no Anima is available from the surrondings.
This allows Merfolk to travel the furthest from the shores of Tovran of any local population, or into desolate ranges for brief times, thought they are still limited by the impassable nature of the seas.

Genetics and Reproduction

Merfolk are born from eggs which are laid in communal nurseries by all fertile females and later fertilized by any number of availalbe males. Once the eggs have been fertilized any Merfolk who wishes to raise a child may take an egg at random. In this way the bloodline of any one Merfolk cannot be traced. Any unviable or missed eggs are eaten.
When hatched Merfolk spend the first two years of their life in a tadpole like state, until they begin developing arms in early childhood. From there they develop slowly reaching maturity by age 15.

Ecology and Habitats

Merfolk settlements are most found deep beneath the water in regions with connection to the open sea.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Merfolk are strictly carnivorous, able to disgest and absorb nutrients from every part of their prey, including bones.
They usually have distate for food that's more than a few hours old or lacking blood, opting to always eat fresh raw meat when at all possible.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The Call

A language consisting of 'songs' vocalized from the throat designed to carry long distances in water. The pitch and tone of a given note modulates to form sentance structure that lacks distinct words. In this way Merfolk mainly communicate through concepts, as getting more specific takes considerable time and effort.
Whenever a Merfolk speaks a language that is not The Call their accents have a whispy air to them as if they treating each word as its own melody. Inversly those who's mother tongue is not The Call are mocked as 'tone deaf' due to how they often struggle to hit individual notes.

Common Dress Code

Merfolk have no concept of modesty, valuing mobility and freedom highly. The most they will willingly cover their body with is jewlery, sachels, and armor in times of conflict.

Common Taboos

• Keeping social ties with known blood relatives.

Mother Tongue: The Call

Lifespan

70 Years

Average Length

10 Feet long (tail fully extended)

Geographic Distribution

• Ilianian Archipelago
• Myrathi Riverlands