Merefolk
The merfolk are a rare aquatic race found hidden in the depth of the oceans or in remote deep lakes and rivers. Not to be confused with merman and mermaid, which are the warriors of the merfolk living in the see. Merfolk are an amphibious race, born and at home in the water but comfortable on dry land. Merfolk typically live in self-sustaining cities, requiring little to no contact to the outside world. Therefore little is known about them to outside commoners.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Humanoid in form, they stand between seven and eight feet tall with long fins extend from the backs of their forearms and calves, and their fingers and toes are webbed. The hairlike growths on their heads are either thick and bristly like the needles of a sea urchin, or long and wavy, resembling fine seaweed. There is a distinction between merfolk living in lakes and rivers and those that live in the seas and oceans. Ocean merfolk's fins are more angular and have more points. They have a skin of ivory, silver, russet, blue, or deep purple. The ocean merfolk can have growths extending down from their cheekbones similar to those on their heads. The inland merfolk, on the other hand, have more vibrant colours and rounder softer fin shapes. With skin that ranges from a deep burgundy through many shades of violet and blue, to green, bright orange, and yellow. Besides some differences in the way they look, both types of merfolk are physically very similar. They can live on land and in water. They can live and breath in both salt and freshwater, though it might itch for a short time if they switch from one to the other.
Sea Merfolk
Inland Merfolk
Growth Rate & Stages
Merfolk mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live considerably longer than humans, though, often reaching well over 100 years.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
The equivalent of a knight for the sea merfolk are the merman and mermaids. These are their best warriors and have learned to transform their legs into a powerful fishtail, allowing them to be more manoeuvrable and swim faster.
Common Dress Code
Merfolk wear little clothing unless they are armoured for battle. They wear enough so that it does not slow them down too much when they are swimming. Inland Merfolk often have dry land clothes when they have to travel overland and/or meet dry-landers
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Merfolk do not have a lot of relations with non-merfolk people. They often have self-sustaining communities that don't or hardly rely on outside trade or help. Inland merfolk have the most external relations. It is essential to be on good terms with the people who rule the land they are in. Furthermore, the remote locations can limit a few of the resources they can gather. They then need outside help or trade to get those.
Lifespan
115 years
Average Height
1.52–1.93 meter
Average Weight
51–90 kg
