Merpeople

Freshwater merfolk have shorter lifespans, about 115 years or so. Saltwater mermaids live to about 500 years old, though those closer to the surface often live only to 300. (Based on sharks and freshwater fish). All merpeople can sing, sounding like whales. They have large eyes and can see well in the dark. All merpeople are cold-blooded and thus have no need of blubber. Most merfolk have long dark hair, left to flow behind them as camouflage from above, and pale skin to blend in from below. Their tails likewise are dark on the back and light on the front. They have no breasts or nipples, as they reproduce as fish do. They have markings on their skin that have bioluminescence. They have dorsal fins on their tails, which are shaped like the tails of dolphins. Their hands are long and wide and webbed, and they have webbing connecting their arms to their torsos. They have large yellow eyes that are very round, and protruding, their skin is covered in scales, they have gills, their jaws can unhook, they have small sharp teeth, merfolk that live in the deep are usually very dark. They can see ultraviolet light. Colorblind, seeing only in shades of grey and green. Small holes instead of ears.
Like shiny baubles, sea shells, and sea shanties, their hearts warm up when they feel loneliness and they will become curious about the world ashore, heightened hearing, smell, and sight, speed and swiftness, high degree of agility in the water, infinite lifespan, arrested aging process, can only die when they give up their immortality willingly by placing an augur shell on their heart to drain it away, falling in love with a mortal makes them lose their powers, immortality, and tail and become human when the mortal professes their love. Experience and intense phenomenon known as the Call of the Sea; turning their hearts cold and keeps them wanting nothing more than to live in the sea, if their hearts warm up they can no longer hear it, know no modesty, scales covering each breast, need to protect the innocent, individual powers, come from a sunken city, see in the dark, connection to other sea creatures, read emotions, strength and agility.
They live in different towns, some live in a lagoon. Their homes are grown rather than built, with bioluminescent microbes to light them up. They have their own language. Their homes are surrounded by magical barriers that repel the drowned undead that walk the ocean floor. The merfolk have an uneasy relationship with surface dwellers, they are much more approachable than naiads, but may let a human drown, though they do this without much malice, and do not actively attempt to kill surface dwellers. They have the physique of an Olympic swimmer, wide shoulders, impressive builds, extremely long hair in exotic colors, with accessories in them, long tails with wide fins. They love and depend on the sea, relying on it for sustenance, and believe that it gives them everything they need, they gather with gratitude.
Mostly friendly. Wear battle armor. They make underwater graves for their fallen kin. They inhabit a nation in the ocean, with courtyards filled with warriors, fish tails from the waist down. Blue skin, some tend to the wounded, some sharpen spears and swords, bright green eyes. There are dozens of them at a camp. They swim through the streets, are in courtyards, and practicing with tridents. Ichthyocentaurs (upper body of a human, lower body of a horse, tail of a fish). Leathery green, blue, coral red, or inky black skin, bright green or yellow eyes that glow, shark-like teeth. Claws, gills, shark-like skin, fangs, green seaweed-like hair. Can survive the freezing cold temperatures at the bottom of the ocean. Trained in combat to survive the dangers of the ocean. Skilled swimmers. Because of their anatomy and exercise, they can survive the deepest parts of the ocean.
Long pale blonde hair with streaks of blue, blue eyes, fair complexion. Long silvery-blue fish-like tail. In human form, dresses femininely in shades of white, blue, and green. When a mortal helps a mermaid, they are entitled to any wish they want. Bare-chested, no concept of decency, preferring bodily mobility over covering their bodies. Can control ocean currents, water, and rain. They usually strip before going into the water, but the transformation can rip clothing. Their tail is bioluminescent, as is their skin. Nails change color according to mood, pink for happiness, green for anxiety, red for anger, blue for sadness, and purple for love. Change into a human when dry, revert to mermaid form when wet or when the sun sets. Can grant wishes and make things come true for those that help them. but cannot grant their own wishes.
Long green tail, pale skin, fins running down their backs, blonde hair, adorned with seaweed wreaths, pearl necklaces, and wielding tridents. Brown-black hair, tan skin, silvery fish tails and pink fins, swim, leap, dive, and laugh in merriment.
All share a love of music. Those in warmer waters are more beautiful than cold water. Found all over the world, can breathe above water for a time, mysterious customs and habits. Greyish skin, long wild dark green hair, yellow eyes and teeth, thick ropes of pebbles around necks. Silver tails, seven feet tall, choker of shark fangs, spears, Mermish language, as a whole are fond of music. Thriving culture, highly organized communities, elaborate dwellings made of stone, domesticated hippocampus, jewelry, weapons, paintings, statues, colonies in lakes, hair as wand core, greenish-tinted scales, slight webbing between fingers - a white and delicate film like the skin between egg and shell, freshwater are less warlike than salt-water.
Category:Species