Mermaid Yokai

**Mermaid or Merman Yokai** are a variation of the Sea Yokai that has the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish.

## Physical Appearance

From the waist up, they look like normal humans. Some can have human skin tones while others can have different shades of greens, blues and grays. From the waist down, they have a fish tail with various different scale colors that shimmer under the sunlight or moonlight. Mermaid Yokai often wear bikini tops while Merman Yokai are shirtless.

## Description

Collectively known as the Merfolk, these Yokai spend most of their time swimming underwater. Because of this, they're protected from the interference of the other land-based races and as such have been free to establish their own civilization beneath the oceans of the world.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Mermaid Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Aquatic Adaptation
* Cetacean Physiology or Fish Physiology
* Enhanced Senses
* Scale Manifestation
* Speed Swimming

### Variations

* Aquatic Empathy
* Aquatic Life Communication
* Aquatic Life Manipulation
	+ Ichthyoid Manipulation
* Beacon Emission
* Decelerated Aging/Semi-Immortality
* Enhanced/Supernatural Beauty
* Human Disguise
* Multiple Heads
* Musical Empathy
* Siren Song
* Water Maneuverability
* Water Manipulation
* Weather Manipulation

### Associations

* Atlantean Physiology
* Chimerism
* Fish People Physiology
* Hybrid Physiology
* Merfolk Lord Physiology
* Merfolk Sorcerer Physiology
* Mythic Physiology
* Selkie Physiology
* Theriothyrsus
* Transcendent Merfolk Physiology
* Taur Physiology

## Pop Culture

Mermaids are one of the most common races in fantasy storybooks. When people think of mermaids, Ariel from The Little Mermaid comes into mind. Silver and Dolores Derceto from American Dragon: Jake Long are mermaids. In Monster High, Sirena Von Boo is a hybrid between a mermaid and a ghost. The TMNT 80s Incarnation has its own merman by the name of Alim Coelacanth.

## Variations

### Sea Yokai

Since Merfolk Yokai spends most of their time in the ocean, they're part of the Sea Yokai Family. They have the ability to communicate with all sea animals like octopuses, sharks and dolphins to name a few.

### Eel Yokai

Some Merfolk have the lower bodies of an eel. They can absorb more moisture then regular Merfolk and even produce electricity.

### Shark Yokai

Some Merfolk have the lower bodies of a shark. They're stronger then regular Merfolk and they have incredible bite force. Shark Yokai would often become pirates.

### Tropical Mermaid Yokai

Tropical Mermaids are a rare subspecies of Mermaid found within tropical waters, usually near or within coral reefs. Capable of living in both fresh and salt waters, Tropical Mermaids are a minority race among the Mer-races but are widely famed for their beauty. The majority seem to lead pampered lifestyles because of this.

### Siren Yokai

Sirens are a subspecies of mermaids. They originate from Greek mythology and are widely known for being capable of singing songs so enchanting, that it could lure sailors to their deaths. They are also notable for having two fish tails as opposed to one. The original Sirens were women with the lower half of a chicken who lived by the sea, luring sailors ships into the rocks surrounding their home.

### Lamprey Yokai

Lamprey Mermaids are a mermaid subspecies closely related to Eel Mermaids. While they are known for their preferred diet of suckling blood from other beings, Lamprey Mermaids can subsist on the same diet as conventional mermaids. In Japanese folklore, lampreys are called "Yatsume-unagi" (八つ目鰻, "eight-eyed eels"). The name is derived from the seven external gill slits which line each side of a lamprey's head section which, along with their actual eye, makes it look like they have eight eyes on each side of their face. Folklore in some other countries include the lamprey's nostrils in the count, calling them "Nine-eyed Eels" instead.

### Freshwater Mermaid Yokai

Freshwater Mermaids are a subspecies of mermaids. Unlike standard mermaids, which reside in warm ocean waters, these mermaids regularly travel from rivers to oceans and back again. These stoic mermaids never give up their journey regardless of any fierce rapids or waterfalls that may stand in their way. Because of this, they have slim and fit bodies. Their colors are more muted than those of standard mermaids.

## Life in the Hidden World

Merfolk Yokai lives in the subterranean sea of the Hidden World. Living in lagoons and lakes where there's a lot of space to create communities. When they're at the Surface World, they can shapeshift into a human by turning their mermaid tails into a pair of human legs. They can survive both land and sea. But some Merfolk aren't able to transform. So they would disguise themselves as a paraplegic by wearing a very long skirt to cover their fish tails. Some live in air boats where it also serves as their transportation to get from one place to another.

## Symbolism

Since mermaids are tied to a water element, they embody the revitalization that water brings. ... In some cultures, mermaids are seen as temptresses, who may attempt to lure sailors off course. However, by and large, mermaids are considered symbols of good luck and happy times ahead.