Merfolk

Merfolk (mermaid f., merman m., or merfolk a.) are beings who live a ways off from the shoreline in the lighter waters of the seas. In their own tongue of sapithos they are called larshge. A merfolk's upper half resembles that of humanoid with their lower half being that of a finned tail; they are one of the few amphibious humanoids to exist on the realms.

## General Information

### Favored Climate

* Coastal
* Deep Water

### Favored Terrain

* Oceans
* Deep Lakes

## Sociocultural Information

### Distinction(s)

* Aquatic Humanoids
* Finned Head
* Jagged teeth

## Description

A merfolk has the upper body, arms, and head of a humanoid similar to an elf from the waist up and, rather than legs, from the hips down they had a fish-like tail. Their tails often resemble that of a predatory fish like sharks or killer whales though there are varients in tail type that might resemble some of the more docile aqautic life. Seperating them further from land-dwelling humanoids, merfolk had thin webbing between their fingers, fin-like adornment to the head rather than hair, and gills located on the neck. On average merfolk would be around 10 feet in length, had broad shoulders, and had an equal amount of fat to muscle to keep their bodies warm. Mermaids were very slightly shorter than mermen. On average a merfolk could weigh between 450 - 700 lbs depending on their enviornment, role in society, and time of year. Typically during the season of arayin merfolk will eat as much food as they can to prepare for the next couple of months where food is more scarce.

The coloration of a larshge's eyes and skin was made up of a variation of blue and green hues with the more coastal-dwelling merfolk having shades of brown and tan. Deep dwelling merfolk typically had darker coloration with bioluminescent fins and gills which could be lit and dimmed to communicate with others of their group. In addition silver and gold is a common eye color.

Merfolk had no need for clothing and so often did not have any as both mermen and mermaids had smooth indistinguishable bodies, though adornment was common especially for those of high standing within their clan or tribe. Favored adornments are any metallic jewelry which can be scavenged off the coast, seashells made into bracelets, necklaces, or fin rings. Tattooing and body piercing was seen as an excellent means of expressing oneself while also displaying weath and/or strength due to the fact there was no means of dulling the pain outside the rare spellcaster.

## Abilities

On average a merfolk might have a small amount of control over water that they nurture as they grow but this typically doesn't go beyond changing a section of tide or boosting ones own speed or the trajectory of their weapons. A more powerful merfolk could control large sections of water and even cause small tidal waves. Other than their innate connection with magic a merfolk is taught how to wield a spear and use their control over water to enhance their style of fighting.

## Society

It is largely believed that merfolk are decended from elves however, this is not the case though they do share a relation to elves as they are decended from the Fae as elves are.