Melusine

**Melusine** are rare aquatic sentient beings of Eleneid descent. It is unknown when ancient melusine may have first separated from ancient elves and aeda, but archaeological evidence supports that the species we know today as melusine first originated off the coast of Sathir.

## Genetics

Melusine biodiversity exceeds that of all other sentient beings. There are many subspecies that are categorized as melusine, even though they are physiologically distinct. However, there are several distinct traits that appear across all subspecies of melusine.

Like other Eleneids, all melusine have pointed ears. Their hands (and sometimes feet) are webbed, though the amount of webbing depends on the subspecies. Their nails are long, thick and hard, sometimes described as “claw-like”. Some subspecies have fish tails (some in the singular variety, others with two), while others have scaled legs. Scales may extend onto their torsos and arms. Some melusine may have natural-occurring patterns or marks in their skin, particularly on their faces. This pattern takes on a darker, more concentrated pigmentation compared to the rest of their skin.

Many melusine may have colored sclera (including black) and their eyes are bright. Coloring of skin, scale, hair and eyes can vary from bright patterns to subdued shades of all hues.

Regardless of distinct physiology, all melusine can breathe underwater, though not all can breathe air. It is a common misconception that they have gills, like a fish, but this is incorrect. In addition, they can see underwater and have decent night vision.

## Melusine Subspecies

### Ikat

Ikat melusine live in the polar regions of the world. They can sometimes be found off the coast of Farandor and Artanis, in the waters of the Shattered Sea. They have pronounced fangs and webbed hands, and powerful, single tails. Their tails, torsos and parts of their arms are scaled.

Skin, scale, hair and eye colors are typically coordinated and often black, dark grey or deep blue. Ikat melusine are much larger than their tropical and fresh-water counterparts, and often have round, wide faces and bodies.

They do not typically communicate with the surface.

### Ayadan

Ayadan melusine live in tropical waters. Their cities and settlements are built on continental shelves, typically off the coast of islands. They are among the most common melusine in contact with the surface world and are particularly concentrated around Naro, the Dravaden Isles, and Corsida.

Ayadans are diverse in skin, scale, hair and eye colors. Colors can range the full spectrum of the rainbow, with some of the most common color combinations including crimson, coral, green, purple and turquoise. Yellow eyes are very common.

Aside from their ability to breathe underwater, Ayadan physiology is comparable to elves. Their legs are typically scaled and the scales may extend up their torso and to their chest. They are compatible with other sentient beings.

### Atheiran

Atheiran melusine live in tropical waters, typically alongside their Ayadan brethren. They are very similar in terms of coloring and physiology, with one notable exception: Atheiran Melusine have fish tails in the place of legs.

### Ati

Ati melusine live in the deep ocean, at the bottom of the ocean basin. Like the Ikat, they have pronounced fangs and webbed hands, and powerful, single tails. Their tails, torsos and parts of their arms are scaled. Skin, scale, hair and eye colors are typically pale (often white or silver) and translucent. Many emanate a soft silver light.

They do not typically communicate with the surface as they cannot breathe air.

### Theita

Theitan melusine live in freshwater lakes and rivers. They are unique among melusine as they spend their time equally on land and in water. Their skin, scale, hair and eye colors are typically softer and cooler than their oceanic counterparts, with soft blues, greens and browns among the most common colors. Their fangs and webbing are far less pronounced.

Like the Ayadans, Theitan physiology is comparable to elves and they have scaled legs. They are compatible with other sentient beings.

## Long Lifespans

Regardless of subspecies, all melusine have incredibly long lifespans. Some Ayadan, Atheiran and Theitan melusine on record are over seven hundred years old and all died due to external forces. Due to difficulty in reaching Ikat and Ati melusine, their average lifespans are unknown. It is possible melusine could live to be well over a thousand years.

## Migration

There are many melusine who have migrated from their underwater settlements to live on the surface. This is particularly common with Ayadan and Theitan melusine, who can integrate easily with surface society. Most major cities in the world, such as Velantis, Corsida and Ailan, have pockets of well-established melusine communities. Some residents have lived on the surface for many centuries.

## Mixed Ancestry

Only Ayadan and Theitan melusine are compatible with other sentient beings. Half-melusine tend to overwhelmingly assume the physical traits of their melusine parent, particularly unusual skin, hair and eye colors, alongside pointed ears and fangs. While half-melusine cannot breathe underwater, they can hold their breath for a highly extended period of time. Though they do not tend to inherit their melusine parent’s night vision, they are able to see clearly underwater.

Half-melusine have greatly extended lifespans compared to their non-melusine parent, but lifespan may differ greatly from individual to individual.