Seranae

**Seranae**, sometimes called **"coral-tails"**, are one of the three original groups of the Merfolk race, each originally led by the Triumvirate with the Seranae serving Ariel Serana the Wave-singer. Due to her becoming the High Queen of the Merfolk, they became the dominant merfolk culture; until the Fomorians came, at least.

## Description:

Seranae are known for their bright hair and tails hence their nicknames. Their skin is pale and almost translucent with a wet and smooth texture to it. Their eyes are bright blue, green, or even lavender or pink, in color with hair a variety of bright colors. They wear clothes made from sea flora and decorated with shells and beads. In battle they wear light sparse coral armor protecting vital areas, too much armor would bog them down under the sea, and wield tridents and throwing spears.

## History:

Merfolk first appeared during the Rising Times where they awoke beneath the waves of Keyvaile.

 In their early days, the Merfolk people were ruled by the Triumvirate, three merfolk of great power: Ariel Serana, Kean Tefreos and Valarma, who brought them up from a primitive race of hunter-gatherers to a civilized race. During the age of the Triumvirate, Merfolk began to reflect their leaders, leading to the creation of three distinct merfolk cultures. Seranae were those who followed the flowing and aristocratic Ariel Serana, becoming more cosmopolitan, arrogant, and urban than the rural Kanarae and the wild Vararmae kinsfolk. After the Unification War, when Valarma was defeated and Kean secluded himself in grief, Ariel crowned herself High Queen of the Merfolk and named her heirs high queens; this led to the Seranae to dominating the new Merfolk Empire for millennia. This era of Merfolk dominance would lead to their alliance with the elves and dwarves and a boom of the population who built great cities under the waves.

This golden age ended when the Fomorians invaded the Merfolk Empire and destroyed it. As most of Seranae lived in cities with high population density, they were hit hardest by the abhorrent tide with countless numbers of them being consumed. This ended their domination of the merfolk though they did survive, if barely, and still struggle against the creatures of the Deep.

## Practices:

Seranae were originally an urban and cosmopolitan culture that preferred life in their great undersea cities rather then the countryside. Like most merfolk after the crisis however, they have become more isolationist, though before the disaster they were rather open with their surface-dwelling kin. They hold the ideas of High Queen Ariel in high regard, focusing on duty, law, and music above all things. They love music as most merfolk do, focusing more on vocal sounds then instruments.

After the doom of their great empire, they have become a scattered people, and now their songs are slow and somber.

## Religion and Holidays:

The Seranae follow as of yet unnamed merfolk religion of the Great Truth variety and follow many practices based on it.

**Tefroi:** May 15th. Also known as Ariel's Feast; it celebrates the ascension of Ariel Serana to leader of the Merfolk people after defeating her rivals.

## Notable Characters of Saranae Origin:

Ariel Serana: First High Queen of the Merfolk from whom the culture get it’s name from.

Sernia Serana: Her daughter who allied with the elves and dwarves.

Ailani Sernana: Last merfolk High Queen. She died during the Fomorian Crisis. Her body was lifted away by the One to prevent it being defiled by the horde.

Dido Nelnie: Hero of the Fomorian Crisis.

Mishra Neinie: Hero of the Fomorian Crisis.

## Trivia:

* They are the closest thing you will get to the stereotypical mermaid culture, well until the Crisis when all merfolk became much more somber.