Merfolk

Merfolk are the water-dwelling breed of Soranha. Like whatever, they come in many forms and are highly adaptable. Despite their name, Merfolk do not live solely in the sea, but may be found in ponds, rivers and roaming icy waters as well.

Being a very elusive breed coming in numerous variants, Merfolk are called by a plethora of names, such as hippocampus, nymph, undine, mermaid...

## Biology

Merfolk are extremely varied and may look completely different depending on the environment they grew up in. While some are fishlike, others are translucent and appear to be completely made out of water. Their lifespan is average, and all of them can of course breathe underwater. Depending on their species, Merfolk are born from eggs or live birth.

## Physical Traits

Merfolk sport at least one of these trait, but can also sport a combination of them:

* Fish scales
* Fish tail (based on real life or fantasy)
* Be based on an aquatic mammal (either cetacean or seals and similar species)
* Have fins, gills and tentacles
* Have natural bioluminescence
* Be vegetarian, omnivorous or carnivorous
* Have parts of their bodies be liquid, icy or gas-like (manes for example, or even their fins) (up to 80%, they still need to be partly solid)
* Like any other breed, they can sport horns. Merfolk horns are often made of a shell, pearl or coral-like material (anything that comes from water, or just bone).
* Larger Merfolk will be restricted and need to be justified by the lore.

## Innate Abilities

* Nymphism (obviously)
* Water manipulation, which they may learn through the course of their life to manipulate currents, for example
* Shapeshifting into a landform, especially if they live near land.

## Subsets

Merfolk are incredibly diverse and have many subsets, here are a few examples:

* **Common hippocampus:** Typical fish-based water dweller, with the front half of a hooved animal and the back half being the tail of a fish.
* **Undines**: Translucent inhabitants of freshwater, often colonizing ponds and rivers. They are often seen hosing fish inside their bodies, and water lilies growing on their backs.
* **Selkies**: Seal based shape-shifting merfolk inhabiting colder lands.
* **Arctic**: Generally cetacean based hippocampi roaming the cold, desert waters of the northern seas.
* **Deepwater**: predatory, bioluminescent Merfolk that you really don't want to meet.
* [LOCKED] **Morvarks**: Also called Starfolk, Morvarks are a secretive subset that is almost a breed of its own. Extremely rare, they are rumored to be the descendants of the original celestial city of Ur. Morvarks appear celestial-like, often sporting glowing eyes and flowing manes looking like nebulas. Morvarks have the ability to be able to walk through any matter and are able to bend cosmic matter to create portals. Most of them now live underwater and have taken an aquatic form, which is why they are considered Merfolk.
* [LOCKED] **Whispering Giants**: Merfolk based on whales are the largest sentient beings that can be found roaming the seas of Soranha. Whispering Giants live as tribes and are so rare they are thought to be almost extinct by most. Not much is known about these secretive people who are the origin of plenty of legends. They are believed to be benevolent guardians of the sea, rising in times of need.