Merfolk - Seelie

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Cleophara, Ursabett

Unisex names

Avris, Jeremiah, Zantil

Family names

D'Est Errall

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Primordial (Aquan)
Sylvan

Common Dress code

Merfolk don't have a need for 'clothing' as Humans know it. This is both practical and also survival due to the way that the female Merfolk hunt Humans through seduction. Adornment is common however; jewels, rare shells, beads, precious gems and gold are typically used as jewelery in order to display status and wealth.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Due to biology, Merfolk must give bith on land. It is seen as a very private event, some women even opting to go through the process completely alone.

Common Taboos

Any interest in the land above the waves in considered taboo and is greatly discouraged. Merfolk who get to involved are seen as traitors to their own kind

Common Myths and Legends

The myth of Bal'Tuk is as ancient as the Merfolk themselves, though it is still surrounded in mystery.

Historical figures

Lilith - The mother of Merfolk
Cleophara - Beloved Queen of the Est Clan who disappeared and was trapped inside the rocks in Saltmarsh
Ursabett - Queen of the Merfolk who replaced Cleophara inside the rocks of Saltmarsh

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Because of their hunting strategies, feminity is idealised amongst all members of Merfolk society. In the Seelie Court it is rare to find Merfolk with short hair; most who cut their hair have it grow back with incredible speed.
Bright and colourful colouring is standard among these people, due to the tropical climate and large amount of colourful fish and coral, the Seelie Merfolk match their environment in the same way.

Gender Ideals

Woman are the dominant sex in this society due to their ability to seduce sailors to their death, which is how the people hunt and feed. Though they also eat fish and sea plants, Humans are considered the true delicacy, making women vital for feeding the people, making this society matriarchal.

Courtship Ideals

Because of the propaganda surrounding the dangers that all humanity poses to the Merfolk, they only court fellow Merfolk, and typically from the same court, with few exceptions to both of these generalisations. When Merfolk want to mate, they must go to the surface, typically sheltering in sea caves.

Relationship Ideals

Due to the fact that, similar to some fish, some male Merfolk have the possibility of being able to give birth, there is less of a pressure on heterosexual relationships, however large families in order to add to the population numbers is still heavily prioritised. Because of the slightly longer lifespan of Merfolk versus Humans, they do have a longer time frame for this, thus initial courtships can last five years or more.