Neen

The Neen
The Neen are a race of merfolk present in Baädaka, with humanoid upper bodies and long, eel like tails in place 
of legs. They are able to dwell in fresh or saltwater, as well as to 
travel upon land. In order to do so they must allow themselves to dry 
out, at which point a shift occurs and they shed their tails and many of
 their marine features. Most Neen are ungainly and uncomfortable on 
land, and though most choose not to remain there for long, others serve 
as liaisons/explorers/spies/scientists, and live most of their lives out
 of water.
By adulthood, the 
Neen exist in varying colours and patterns, including inky black/blue, 
pale grey, greens and some pinks/reds. Brighter, more vibrant colours 
are considered more beautiful. In their marine forms these colours and 
any patterns are brightest on their tails, while the Neen's more 
humanoid upper halves are more subdued. Underwater, they breathe via 
gills arranged in rows along their sides (under arms/along sides of 
ribcage). They have long, webbed fingers, wide black eyes, flat noses 
and only small external ear openings. They grow hair similar to humans, 
the colour of which usually matches the tail. They rarely wear clothes, 
but enjoy jewelry/accessories.
Upon land, the Neen 
retain most of their colouration, but their pupils dilate, their gills 
seal up and their webbed hands/tails dry up and slough off. Upon return 
to the water (including heavy rains, baths, etc), legged Neen revert to 
their elver states - a stage between their larval and adult stages 
during which their flesh is largely transparent and their tails are 
shorter/weaker. More time must be spent in the water in order to regain 
their adult strength. Elvers may choose to dry out and regain their legs
 again, but their flesh still takes some time to regain pigmentation.
Most land-dwellers' 
accounts of the Neen stipulate that they are the monstrous offspring of 
men and fish; that they are the rejected creations of senile wizards or 
scientists, or the spawn of demons. The Neen, however, know that they an
 ancient race, predecessors from before men crawled out of the ocean. 
They were there when men abandoned their tails and their gills for good,
 with only their sweat to remind them of the ocean's briny caress. 
== Related Pages: ==
* Neen Works of Art
 [Original Source: Claim post by /u/madicienne on October 27, 2016]