Merfae

Merfae belong to a group of races called half shifters because of their natural ability to shape shift between being bipedal and having a fish tail. Merfae make up one of the majorities of Tengahari's entire population. Merfae are commonly referred to only as mers. (One mer, several mers).

Basic Information

Anatomy

All merfae have gills at the crock of the neck, and curved along the collar bones.

Biological Traits

Hair:

You can find any possible colour, and a very wide variety of hair types.

Eyes:

Colours are as varied as hair colours. Pupils are round or oval shaped and the eyes are prominently round and proportionally big, compared to the face. Some have dark whites.

Ears:

The external ear looks like a fin and runs along the back of the jaw. The general shape is the same for all, but can have some slight variation in form or length. The membrane of the ear is very thin and sometimes a bit transparent. They are usually coloured more like the tail, than the skin.

Other physical attributes:

Webbing between fingers and toes, fins, spines and sharp teeth are common in different combinations. Some merfae have poisonous spines or skin. These poisons are never deadly, but may cause severe allergic reactions. They can be neutralized with medication if they become a hindrance.

Most common magical abilities:

Elemental: water

Physical: echolocation, speed

Ecology and Habitats

Merfae have evolved to be able to live both on land and under water. They are able to breathe in both salt and fresh water.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin: sixth planet, Elu. Commonly found on: Palir, Emandur, Elu, Helmi, Cembre and Morsuu. Uncommonly found on: Arpa, Noverem, Emser and Kober.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Merfae have exceptionally good darkvision.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Beauty ideals vary wildly between regions, and even between individuals.

Gender Ideals

Merfae have rather loose concepts of gender. Male or female is used mostly to determine whether or not an individual can bear children or not. No difference is made in status between genders, and being gender fluid or nonbinary is as common as being male or female.

Relationship Ideals

Polyamory: Open polyamorus relationships are very common and marriage is not really a thing. A couple that decides to have children might live together and raise the children together, but nothing is stopping them from continuing to have other relationships. Interracial: A merfae is as likely to have a relationship with someone of another race, as with another merfae.

Average Technological Level

Merfae have more or less perfected waterproofing technology, and have invented non-electrical sources of light and heat for underwater use.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Merfae have many language groups, and even more dialects of each. Yet they are fairly easy languages, and many dialects have derived from two or more different language groups. All languages have evolved to be speakable both on land and under water.

Common Dress Code

A traditional merfae folk dress is more or less a toga, worn on top of simple underwear. Colour, pattern and decorations vary from region to region, but the dress is made from light fabrics that dry quickly and don't hinder movement in water. Pants were not really a thing until other races brought them to Elu. Many merfae still only wear dresses or skirts, to make it easier to shape shift.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Groups: Merfae have a strong culture of cohabiting, and working together in schools/pods. Nudity: Nudity is not really seen as anything inappropriate or obscene. With tails, no genitalia is really visible, and if a merfae covers their chest it is usually out of comfort rather than modesty.

History

When other races started coming to Elu, it was first believed that nagas were the main inhabitants, until it was revealed that most of Elu's civilization is built under water.

Common Myths and Legends

There are many myths and legends about different sea monsters, living in the depths of the oceans. Some are based in truths, some not. They also have an abundance of cryptids.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Merfae have always had good relations to Naga, and although there has been some fighting, it has never been anything that has lasted very long. Merfae's relation to Shark fae on the other hand, has been unsteady. Shark fae have been more accepted in some regions than others. And while there has never been wars or other outright fighting between the two, shark fae have remained a minority that is sometimes exposed to oppression from the merfae.

Average Height

Women: 150-175cm Men: 160-185cm

Average Length

In half form they are about 1/3 of their bipedal height longer than their bipedal height.

Average Physique

Body shapes are very diverse, although women tend to be rather flat chested.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The skin colour is usually light brown to medium brown, but sometimes has a completely different colour. Patterns and markings in different colours are very common. These colours are usually strong and bright. Some have bioluminescent markings, usually spots. These markings are either white, yellow or yellowish green and they glow brighter with strong emotions, such as joy or fear.