Mer

The aquatic cousins of the Naga. Unlike Naga, who were driven underground, the Mer were driven to the sea. They existed on small islands for a time, but the resources could only sustain them for so long. Eventually, natural selection set in. Those with natural fins learned how to swim, and were successful. Eventually, this spawned entire generations of finned individuals. In the current day, they have adapted fully to life in the water. They have both gills and lungs, meaning that they can breathe both in the water and out of it. They are fast swimmers, and have two forms, Human form, and Mer form. In Human form, they look pretty much the same as any Human. In Mer form, they have a long finned tail, that can propel them at high speeds.

The Mer are a predatory species, the same as their Naga ancestors. Also like the Naga, their dietary habits changes based on form. In Human form, they are omnivorous, but in Mer form, they are predators that swallow prey whole. Their stomachs are extremely durable, being immune to most magical, demonic, and angelic energy, and being resistant to any sort of blunt resistance, such as kicks and punches. However, it has been found that they are still vulnerable to blades from the inside.

On average an adult Mer can swallow prey up to the size of their own Human form. In addition to this, it can take them only about 6 hours to digest an entire corpse the size of a Human (you do not want to know how this is known). However, while they do have a highly elastic stomach, they do have more limitations while in Human form. The prey must be digested down to the point that it is no more than 50% the weight of the Mer's Human form. Otherwise, the Mer's stomach will burst when they change back. This means that they are forced to stay in Mer form for about 3 hours after feeding. They can swallow prey in as little as a minute, or draw it out for an hour. It all depends on how much the Mer wishes to savor it. Also, if for some reason the Mer changes its mind about a prey, it can force it back out. This means that if a Mer swallows a prey alive, and the Mer decides that it no longer wishes to deal with the prey in its belly, the prey can be allowed to escape.

The Mer's stomach, however, is not just for the consumption of prey. There have been many questions as to how the prey within a Mer's stomach does not suffocate before it dies of digestion. The simple reason is that the walls of the Mer's stomach release oxygen into the stomach when the Mer's belly senses that their is something alive within it. This would be strange, if one did not consider the other way that an adult Mer may utilize its stomach. In Mer form, these creatures are actually pretty much immune to acid, and other corrosive chemicals. This is another thing they have put to use. Mer parents are known to swallow their own babies. At first, one might think this foolish. However, it is actually a rather interesting tactic, as the offspring is kept alive within the stomach, and the parent can care for and protect it from being snatched up by predators. Once the offspring becomes too large for the Mer to carry it around while in Human form, the Mer will often stop caring for the child in this way. The child must stay in Mer form the entire time, or it will be digested by the parent.

(Mer are not allowed to swallow other OCs, without it being planned, and consented for by both sides. The excuse that 'Well my character would do that' or 'Well they shouldn't have used that character then' to try to excuse doing it without the consent of the other person will not be accepted.)

The power of Mer is measured mostly in their physical strength, as well as a mild toxin that the mature individuals can produce (similar to, but not as potent as that of Naga). Mer are extremely fast in the water, able to catch and consume Nymphs (a favorite prey). Even if a Nymph disappears into the water, the Mer can track it. On land, however, they are no more dangerous than a Human, besides their toxic bites. Mer venom has been found to be a natural inhibitor of magic. Prey that are bitten have their ability to use angelic, demonic, and magical energy limited or negated. Also, this venom can force non-human creatures to return to their Human form, allowing Mer to swallow them. If a Mer is foolish enough to swallow something such as a Dragonkin, or even another Mer, without first biting them, and the prey changes form in the Mer's stomach, it can cause the Mer's belly to split open, and kill the predator.

Mer can come in a variety of colors, and it is theorized that this has to do with what area they are from. This is, however, unconfirmed. An interesting thing to note, is that if a Mer is exposed to water of any kind, they are forced to change into their Mer form. This is perhaps an instinctual response to needing to change quick once they dive into the water to escape with a bellyfull of prey.

Mer are known at times to be quite mischievous. More than one deep sea expedition has ended tragically because a Mer thought it would be amusing to cut the diver's air line.

Lifespan - 120 to 160 years

Mer actually live longer than Naga. This is theorized to be due to better living conditions, as Naga were forced to live in caves, whereas Mer lived in oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Size - 4.5 to 6.5 feet

In Human form, Mer are generally within the same size range as Humans. In Mer form, however, they tend to be from 8 feet at the shortest, to 15 feet at the absolute longest.

Diet - Omnivorous/Carnivorous

In Human form, Mer can eat the same as Humans, and have been known to enjoy such things as pie and watermelons. However, in Mer form, they are strictly carnivorous, and consume their prey whole, alive or dead.

Strengths

In Mer form, Mer are fast and strong. They can consume a weaker opponent whole, with the opponent usually have little way of defending themselves, besides perhaps blades and bullets, if they are lucky.

Weaknesses

Mer are rather inept on land. Even in their Mer form, they are not very well off. They can consume prey, but their overall mobility is poor, due to their bodies being designed for water, not land. Also, their is the problem that if they are exposed to liquid water, they are exposed as being a Mer.

Reproduction - 20%

Mer have the same reproduction rate as Naga, but are more limited on the species they can successfully mate with. They are limited to Humans, Naga, and their own kind. Mating with their own kind or a Human will result in a Mer child. Mating with a Naga will produce either a Naga or a Mer, the chance of either being 50/50.

Death

There is little in the way of knowledge on what happens to a Mer after death. There are references to a Shangri-la in some myths, but it is not certain if that means such a paradise is where they are destined for.

Ranks

Rank E - Pool Hunter - Young Mer who are not yet experienced in the ways of the world. They can be, however, dangerous, as they are strong enough to strangle an adult Human (who does not have combat skills), and have sharp teeth.

Rank C - Siren - Younger Mer, they tend to stick to coastlines if they are in the ocean. Not as strong as mature Mer, but definitely capable of pulling a man overboard.

Rank B - Shark - Mature Mer, these individuals tend to be a bit more aggressive when hunting. They have a slightly venomous bite, which can cause disorientation, and even dizziness in prey.

Rank A - Thresher - Mer possess exceptional strength. Their bite can cause sever nausea and dizziness, even causing their victim to quite often lose the contents of its stomach after about a minute or so.

Rank S - Shipwrecker - Very dangerous Mer. These individuals possess extreme strength, able to smash through the bottoms of fishing boats, singlehandedly. Their venom is also strong enough to cause victims to pass out, after a few minutes of extreme nausea and dizziness.