Merfolk

Merfolk are an ancient race who have spread to most parts of the sea, usually preferring to live in communities with many other cohabiting races. They have long fostered good relations with aquatic and terran races, negotiating for resources and services.

## History

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## Biology

Although Merfolk are a very diverse race, they are united through family, community, and by some key physical aspects: they are aquatic and have gills, but also able to breathe air, and have fish-like tails, which makes mobility and long term living outside of water inaccessible.

Very rarely, a Mer will be born with the ability to transform between a tail and legs. This is somewhat beyond their control — outside of water, when dry, they transform to have legs, but becoming wet by entering a body of water or even a particularly prolonged rain shower will revert them to having a tail.

Sirens are widely revered in Merfolk culture, their appearance being considered as good omens and sirens themselves as potent magical beings with important destinies.

## Settlements and Infrastructure

Their dislike for war and their preference for negotiating treaties that benefit both sides in conflicts have lead some to attempt to challenge Merfolk, believing them an easy target. This has largely proved misguided, as Merfolk leadership tends to consist of keen strategists and capable fighters.

## Art and Culture

They hold traditions of oral storytelling as an important aspect of Mer culture. While it's certainly good practice to record a story, passing the knowledge in story or song is seen potentially more important, because it takes with it specific meanings.

### Language

Merfolk usually speak Waiata and Common, but the study of the ancient language of Aquan is a popular pursuit.

Family names are carried through birthright - a child will take the family name of the parent that gave birth to them, regardless of how many individuals are considered parents to them. Mer don't consider names to be gendered.

Traditional names are are often linked to concepts or objects in their native language, or draw from the primordial language of Aquan, proceeded by the prepositional particle "ora" which roughly translates to "life from", followed by a family name which is often linked to the natural world or profession.

**Examples:** Hi'Ika ora Wai, Malie ora Hohonu, Galu ora Moana, Kai ora Ngaru

## Society and Relationships

Merfolk generally consider their relationships to be fluid, and the boundaries between friends and lovers can often seem blurred to races who practice more formal monogamy or relationship hierarchy.

Gender is considered of little societal importance to Merfolk, and gendered pronouns and titles don't exist in their native \*Waiata\* language as they do in \*Common\*.

## Death, Deities and Belief

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### Deities

Mermish deities are known as Guardians, sometimes physical embodiments of various parts of the ocean. Guardians are traditionally spoken about in conceptual terms, as an energy or force that exists all around. When they are personified in art, mythos or popular culture, they are considered as indistinct genders, and the allegorical nature of them is often fully acknowledged.

* Savai, guardian of the open ocean.
* Azoa, guardian of reefs, vents, and other places of dense habitat.
* Loloto, guardian of the deep sea and ocean trenches.
* Mata, guardian of the shore.
* Masina, lesser-known guardian of the moon, fate and magic.

Merfolk commonly acknowledge other gods, but believe that the ocean is a truly primordial force, and almost all gods are in some way born from it.

### Death Rites

what steps are traditionally taken when someone dies

### Death Adjacent Roles

how are roles related to death (eg morticians) considered within their culture

### Afterlife and Beyond

Merfolk believe that when they die, their souls become one with the sea, becoming part of the great primordial energy from which all is born, ready to be born again. It is not a one-for-one reincarnation belief, but some merfolk believe that through these connected energy, past lives and memories can be accessed. Séance, attempting to talk with the dead or invoke their memory is not generally seen as taboo, as long as it is done so respectfully.

## Notable Merfolk

* Malie ora Hohonu
* Kai ora Cinna
* Pyke

## Campaign Events

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## 5e Mechanics

### Traits

* Amphibious
* Advanced Watersight
* Storyteller
* Waterborn
* Transformation (Siren)
* The Call of the Sea (Siren)