Cecaelia

Phylum Merfolk, family Cephalopodae, subfamily Incirrinae
Habitat: Oceans, Oceanside towns, cities and villages, Seashores
Disposition: Caring, loving, short tempered, curious, playful, show-offish, problem solver.
Diet: Spiritus, human foodstuffs, seafood
In the distant past when the merfolk were first created there existed two distinct variants of this phylum.  One being that of the mermen, beings exhibiting a humanoid body from the waist up and that of a fish from the waist down. However there too was a variant which exhibited a humanoid body from the waist up and that of a cephaloc, an eight-legged aquatic creature. These were known by the name cecaelia. While the merfolk were somewhat spared from derision during the latter end of the Age of Marvels, due to the curious form of these beings, they were treated with suspicion and as such withdrew from human contact preferring the quiet depths away from human eyes.  During the Dragon Demon lord of the Ocean’s reign, they were conscripted into his army and were warped into more powerful beings.  These beings were short tempered and yet peerless hunters of the deep.
These days thanks to the Grand Changing they have regained their humanoid form and are far friendlier than in the past under the Dragon Demon lord’s rule.
Cecaelia appear as sultry woman with skirts of membrane and eight tentacles extending from below their wide waists as if a floor length godet.  Their skin may take on a variety of hues from pale pinks to bright blues and all hues in between.  With regards to these being’s biology their nether regions are located at the nexus of their eight strong tentacles where the mouth of a typical cephaloc would be located.
These mamonme have a playful demeanour and will oft appear far more curious than your typical merfolk.  They are wont to collect trinkets of coral, pearls, sea feathers and other shells which are worn about the waist and in their thick crimson hair. As with bovitaurides they have a long memory regarding those who have treated them well and those who have run afoul of them. Those who have slighted them in this way will oft find themselves on the receiving end of cold glares and suspicion in future encounters.
As aforementioned, cecaelia while being playful mamonme, too have the tendency to be short tempered and do not appreciate being pestered or mocked.  Those who are on the receiving end of a cecaelia’s short temper are wont never to repeat the same actions again, preferring to stay on these mamonme’s good side.  One would do well to remember the tale of the harpy who repeatedly asked the same question of a cecaelia digging up shells on the seashore.  The mamonme lost her temper and grabbed the harpy with her tentacles holding her as the tide grew increasingly near.  The harpy begging for forgiveness was only released when she broke down in tears as the waves reached her knees.
Cecaelia are rather intelligent and are skilled problem solvers, a talent which oft lands their kind in jobs where a high degree of skill is required.  There are too those who captain galleons as pirates, skillfully weaving their ships through the rough ocean waves.  Those who have given up the pirate life typically operate ocean cruising galleons, mighty sailing ships which ferry mamonme and humans between the various lands. Those who have taken up this line of work are wont to display their swashbuckling past through all manner of portraiture, murals and sculptures found throughout the interior.  Those however who wish for the quiet life will typically tend to a garden ‘neath the waves in a sheltered cove keeping somewhat out of the public eye while protecting their home from would be trespassers.
As previously mentioned, cecaelia have a good memory, and as such will oft remember those from the past who have treated them well. In the case of finding a partner, a human who has caught their eye for a good reason will be remembered and pursued. The cecaelia may begin her attempts to woo her potential love interest through providing precious trinkets she has found in the ocean, but as she grows increasingly bolder will tug on his clothes with her tentacles as well as showing off her capabilities. In fact, we should mention cecaelia are remarkably supple beings which is something these mamonme will not hesitate to display to a love interest.
Cecaelia do tend to have an interesting trait which all of their kind share and that is the belief that their father, some being lost in the mists of time is said to slumber somewhere in a dreamless sleep below the waves.  Where precisely is unclear and most are not even sure this being truly exists, yet all share this belief regardless.
All in all life with a cecaelia is said to be an enjoyable experience whether tending to her garden below the waves, or being first mate on her ship as she sails the seas it is said to be a life of rewarding experiences.
Category:Mamonme