Octopan

**Octopans** (*pronounced: "oc-to-puns"*), or **cecaelias**, are half-human octopodes that were originally introduced in Disney's The Little Mermaid.

The canon characters Ursula and Morgana are considered to belong in this category, though they were never stated to be "octopans", and the name was only once mentioned in the animated series.

This page expands on this mostly unexplored breed.

## Past

> Merpeople and octopans have been enemies for many generations. They disagree on who should be ruler of the sea, and it's become forgotten knowledge on who erected the ancient Atlantican palace.
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> Since merpeople are on good terms with all sea creatures, they were quickly dubbed the rightful owners, angering the octopans. A gifted sea witch, Ursula, managed to infiltrate the royal family and make the palace hers at one point, but she was an incompetent and careless ruler. The merpeople bonded with many allies to help remove her, which they managed to do only a handful of years later.
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> Because Ursula failed to stay on top and the title of queen made her lazy and allow for unnecessary octopan casualties, she lost the initial respect they had for her and was forced to live secluded from not only merpeople, but her own kind as well. Even so, there's never been a more motivated octopan in history and she's still talked about to some degree.
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## Behaviour and biology

### Relationships

Octopans are unpleasant and annoy even each other. Dissatisfaction defines their character and most aren't able to feel empathy for each other, though like to fake it as to victimize themselves/their species. Their unwelcome presence in the sea is often used as an excuse for their aggression; and they claim to be fighting for their rights.

It's not common for an octopan couple with offspring to stay together, but a parent tends to show a great amount of love and pride for their children when they're successful. Runts are neglected and receive minimal care.

Because mutual love is challenging for octopans to achieve, they will respond to the loss of an appreciated friend or family member with almost unreasonable anger, and even pets are grieved in this manner. If their death can be pinned on someone, retaliation is to be expected.

### Gender differences

Physical strength and the use of magic is one of the most defining differences between male and female octopans. Magic is reserved for a few and it's mostly women who are able to cast it, while men focus on combat. Women also enjoy playing tricks on others, as to erase boredom of fulfill some petty desire; a trait the more brutish males don't possess. The need to stay busy is something they all have in common.

As expected, the above differences tend to make male octopans grow up large and/or muscular, while the lifestyle of female octopans allows for more diverse body structures. They can be anywhere between thin and fat.

### Diet

Their sharp fangs and nails categorize them as predators, though it's usually bite-size sea creatures they collect and devour alive. Nevertheless, a large male is able to tackle a shark, and there are stories from ancient times that claim they ate merpeople and humans.

The majority of octopans treat merpeople as "just fish", but they've never been witnessed eating one, nor is this a fear merpeople have.

Their stomachs can't handle foods other than meat, and the stress of not having the right diet -or the inability to be full- can urge some to eat their own tentacles.

### Delayed aging

Octopans age slowly, but the duration depends on their food consumption. Their adolescent period lasts for at least 50 years regardless, but a child's growth will take longer than usual if they're not fed properly. An octopan infant is quick to grow fangs, and with it, a desire for large quantities of meat.

If their needs are met, they'll reach maturity at the same speed as a merperson or human. Staying a child for too long will make them vulnerable for threats or even their own parent(s), who can lose the patience to care for them. It isn't normal for octopans to adopt, and an orphaned child is likely to die.

During adulthood, food will give a reversed effect; and help them age more slowly. Still, the average octopan already has a longer lifespan than any other sea and land creature.

## Appearance

Octopans always have a black or dark-blue lower half with tentacles, but the amount, length, and their starting base differ for each person. When a tentacle is lost as result of an accident, it grows back a few days later. They're able to shoot ink and their blood looks similar to it.

Concerning skin colour, they can be shades of green, blue, and purple, with or without spots. Hair colour can be black or shades of blue, green, or white/grey, regardless of age. Those with white hair are more likely to have a knack for magic and are usually female.

Men often grow out their hair and have large sideburns, making it one of the few fashion trends octopans follow.

They don't wear removable clothing -like mermaids and their seashell tops- but are able to stretch out a thin, elastic, skin-like layer from the base of their octopan half to cover their upper body with however they prefer. When this layer touches another, it heals together within seconds. Only an octopan's nails are sharp enough to undo it.

The majority of men don't choose to sport a bare chest, likely because they know not to have delicate features like the common merman. Their culture was built around that awareness and many look like classic witches and barbarians

## Trivia

* For many years, the breed was mistakenly called "octopid" by Disney fans.
* It's possible that "octopan" is not the name of the species, but of the army that was featured in the episode "Heroes" from The Little Mermaid TV-show.
* Octopans don't have pores in their skin.
* Because their blood will rapidly dissolve any foreign substance, octopans are immune to disease and don't feel the effects of alcohol or drugs.

## See also

* Octopan (The page at the Disney Wiki)
* Orson
* Oktavus
* Oceana