Post by Ishy on May 31, 2015 22:28:54 GMT
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Most inland Merfolk are half-breeds on account of countless human/merfolk pairings over the centuries. Full blooded Merfolk however do exist, though not to their full extent.
Mermen can only have children with mermaids, though even this is a rare occurrence. Mermaids however can mate with a human or a merman, and with a human mate will bring a 100% chance of a Merfolk off-spring. Most Mermaids are expected to mate with a human male at least once in their lifetime in order to keep the species alive as most Mermen are sterile.
Because Mermaids don't age very often, they do not have a "monthly cycle". Instead, they go into "heat" every 100 or so years and must mate, whether successful in conceiving or not, in order to satisfy themselves. If they do not they can become extremely volatile and known to use any means necessary to fulfill the 'hunger'.
Pregnant Mermaids spend the majority of their pregnancy out of the water. This makes them extremely vulnerable and they must rely on the protection of the human father, or if lucky enough a friendly Merman, until they can return to the water. The specifics of why it is this way is unknown but for Mermaids who spend their whole lives in the water will have to relocate to dry land by the end of their first trimester. After the delivery the Mermaid, if so chooses, can return to the water but tradition states she doesn't return until the babies first signs of ability to breath underwater -- which is around the age of 5. Children born to two Merfolk parents will show signs even sooner.
Mermaids do not mate for life on account humans do not live very long, but on very rare occasions a Mermaid will find her "soul mate", and imprint. This means they become unconditionally bonded to their human mate forever. Some Mermaids choose to remain with their mates until their death, but some have converted their mates into Mermen - a difficult process that not many can afford. In the community falling for a human means death. Loving humans usually mean giving up the water and essentially their fins, which causes them to age and thus die.
Mermaids who have "claimed" a human, whether for mating purposing or as a tool, are known to give their human mates a piece of jewelry or a brand that, not only signify to other Mermaids they are taken, but are granted the ability to breathe underwater as long as the Mermaid allows it. Every artifact given to a human is linked to the Mermaid who gave it to them, so if they wish for the magic to be removed, they can will it away. Traditionally a bracelet or necklace made out of twine wrapped with a strand of the Mermaids hair and opals woven into the twine was used but there are much more elaborate ones made out of gold and limestone, commonly reserved for the royals. For a more permanent marking, brands are placed on the skin; the markings signifying their family crest or their initials.
Merfolk are not immortal, but ageless. However, Merfolk who prefer land and those who prefer sea life age differently. The life expectancy of a Merfolk out of water is significantly shorter than one in water but they still age at a rate much slower to humans shortly after puberty. Merfolk who remain out of the water age at a normal rate until their first transition of their legs to fins in salt water which can happen as early as puberty. After that they age at a slightly slower than Merfolk who have remained in the water; 60 years being the equivalent of 40. Merfolk in the water age at a rate 20x slower than that.
Merfolk generally have the same physical features as humans while on land. In the sea their legs become that of a scale-like tail with fins similar to that of a dolphins. Their tail begins just below the belly button and the general length of the tail depends on the person's height.
When threatened their facial features distort in a way that is similar to a vampire's when threatened with the exception a Merfolk's entire set of teeth become sharp, their face sinks in a bit making them seem more skeleton like and their eyes turn into a opalescent color giving them an almost demonic appearance. While in the water they retain most of their human features with the exception of gills forming on both sides of their neck along with the formation of fins between their fingers. In other cases all Merfolk are naturally beautiful, the majority adorned with light hair and eyes and some even have sun-kissed skin from sunbathing on the ports.
Their tail colors and designs vary between many factors; hair color, region, age, and status. Merfolk who spend the majority of their lives in the water have a slightly more elaborate tail with bright colors where as others tend to have a more simpler style. The Royals have the most elaborate of all and show their status with fine jewelry, markings and piercings. The type of designs vary on region and status; the North Atlantic area adorned with a simple faded swirl design with the more exotic regions showing equally exotic designs and color patterns. The Royal families tails are the most outstanding while the common majority usually exhibit only different shades of a color; the higher up you are the more designs you have.
While in the water Mermaids do not have clothes like humans on land but still have their own styles and fashion. Seashells or other inanimate sea life like seaweed and coral are most favored by women. The most successful women can often be found in pearls or exotic shells as a form of jewelry while the men are usually fitted with painted markings and treasures found from shipwrecks. Witches, both dark and light, can usually be found with other precious stones and elaborate markings as well (example). Due to living in the water Merfolk also use the sea life around them as decoration and foundation for their streets and homes.
Merfolk have many abilities but the most common conception of Merfolk is their unmistakeable beauty. All Merfolk, even males are known to be exceptionally attractive to both sexes. They can also use this attraction to their advantage. Along with their appearance Merfolk are able to influence a person with their voice as well. Melodic is often used to describe the aquatic based creature during a state of entrancement and although the person still has their free will during hypnosis they feel a strong urge to do as they're told.
The most known remedies for Merfolk is water and the Moon. Because of their aquatic nature they are bound to the water but the moon is what gives them their magical properties. If sick or slightly injured the moon can become a healing agent for the Merfolk but in serious, but non-fatal cases salt water, either ingested, applied to the wound or completely submerged can heal most wounds over time.
All Merfolk are in tuned with the ocean and therefore can physically feel the energy from it. They also hold the abilities to predict storms and severe weather, often using this ability to help ships travel safely in and out of port, as well as the ability to communicate and command aquatic creatures. They cannot create or control storms or natural disasters, only predict them, but they are known to make small waves with their tails.
Merfolk move smoothly and efficiently in the water, although full-bloods may be somewhat clumsy on land, and can swim quickly, dive deep, and stay below the surface indefinitely. All Merfolk, including pure and full breeds require both water and oxygen to survive but have the ability to pull the oxygen from the water itself while submerged.
Though not technically considered a weakness, if a Merfolk were to come in contact with processed seafood, whether they're still on land or not, they become incredibly sick as they cannot digest most preservatives put in seafood by humans. Only fresh seafood can be ingested.
If a Mermaid/Merman remain out of the water for extended periods of time they can become sick, their skin becomes dry and scaly, their temper becomes unstable and eventually will pass out shortly before death. Even if they last until morning they must heal within a body of water. Older ones can withstand it for longer but the younger generation usually do not survive through out the night.
Like their Fae cousins, Merfolk are naturally curious and social creatures, and in most cases benevolent but countless stories favor otherwise. If angered or threatened even the kindest Merfolk are known to be easily set off; becoming highly aggressive and extremely unforgiving. Merfolk are highly skilled warriors and most will not back down from a fight. The Mermen are naturally protective and territorial over their women and at one time were the cause of many shipwrecks along the harbor out of jealousy of the ships crew fawning over their women despite the need to mate with them.
Every region has a Royal family. The North Atlantic, or, Kingdom of Atlantis, is ruled by the Adriatico family. They originated from the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and migrated over shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire, settling in the waters now known to wash up on the coastline of Maine. The North Atlantic family are that of lean people with hair that varies from blonde, to red, and to dark brown with eyes of teal or blue and tanned skin (example). Other families include their own unique features; the Merfolk of the Norwegian Sea, ruled by the Strand family, being that of pale, fair haired people with pearl smooth skin (example), the Indian and South Atlantic Ocean ruled by the Misra family, represent darker tones (example), and the Pacific and North Pacific inhabitants, ruled by the Tsukino family, the most unique of its kind, range from shades of white or gold opalescent skin tones while under water (example, example).
A Royal family is usually comprised of a King and a Queen along with their heirs, Princesses and Princes, and other immediate family members, though a King or Queen is able to rule on their own. Family members outside of the immediate family are still considered royal but hold no real power or title. The title directly below that of the Royal family are the Elite Guard and below that the Elders. Though they hold no political power, Merfolk who have the ability to channel magic have a high standing in the Merfolk society and even in some cases are viewed to be above the Royal family in a social standing as their numbers are few and rare but their reputation powerful.
Mermaids who have taken to the deeper waters of the ocean have the appearance to match. Their skin becomes grey or a dark opalescent purple, their eyes completely black, and their tails taking on the appearance of the oceans more predatory species. In most cases these Mermaids are of shunned witches and thus venturing to the bottom can twist their very nature and personality into something much darker (example).
Mating
Most inland Merfolk are half-breeds on account of countless human/merfolk pairings over the centuries. Full blooded Merfolk however do exist, though not to their full extent.
Mermen can only have children with mermaids, though even this is a rare occurrence. Mermaids however can mate with a human or a merman, and with a human mate will bring a 100% chance of a Merfolk off-spring. Most Mermaids are expected to mate with a human male at least once in their lifetime in order to keep the species alive as most Mermen are sterile.
Because Mermaids don't age very often, they do not have a "monthly cycle". Instead, they go into "heat" every 100 or so years and must mate, whether successful in conceiving or not, in order to satisfy themselves. If they do not they can become extremely volatile and known to use any means necessary to fulfill the 'hunger'.
Pregnant Mermaids spend the majority of their pregnancy out of the water. This makes them extremely vulnerable and they must rely on the protection of the human father, or if lucky enough a friendly Merman, until they can return to the water. The specifics of why it is this way is unknown but for Mermaids who spend their whole lives in the water will have to relocate to dry land by the end of their first trimester. After the delivery the Mermaid, if so chooses, can return to the water but tradition states she doesn't return until the babies first signs of ability to breath underwater -- which is around the age of 5. Children born to two Merfolk parents will show signs even sooner.
Mermaids do not mate for life on account humans do not live very long, but on very rare occasions a Mermaid will find her "soul mate", and imprint. This means they become unconditionally bonded to their human mate forever. Some Mermaids choose to remain with their mates until their death, but some have converted their mates into Mermen - a difficult process that not many can afford. In the community falling for a human means death. Loving humans usually mean giving up the water and essentially their fins, which causes them to age and thus die.
Mermaids who have "claimed" a human, whether for mating purposing or as a tool, are known to give their human mates a piece of jewelry or a brand that, not only signify to other Mermaids they are taken, but are granted the ability to breathe underwater as long as the Mermaid allows it. Every artifact given to a human is linked to the Mermaid who gave it to them, so if they wish for the magic to be removed, they can will it away. Traditionally a bracelet or necklace made out of twine wrapped with a strand of the Mermaids hair and opals woven into the twine was used but there are much more elaborate ones made out of gold and limestone, commonly reserved for the royals. For a more permanent marking, brands are placed on the skin; the markings signifying their family crest or their initials.
Mortality
Merfolk are not immortal, but ageless. However, Merfolk who prefer land and those who prefer sea life age differently. The life expectancy of a Merfolk out of water is significantly shorter than one in water but they still age at a rate much slower to humans shortly after puberty. Merfolk who remain out of the water age at a normal rate until their first transition of their legs to fins in salt water which can happen as early as puberty. After that they age at a slightly slower than Merfolk who have remained in the water; 60 years being the equivalent of 40. Merfolk in the water age at a rate 20x slower than that.
Appearance
Merfolk generally have the same physical features as humans while on land. In the sea their legs become that of a scale-like tail with fins similar to that of a dolphins. Their tail begins just below the belly button and the general length of the tail depends on the person's height.
When threatened their facial features distort in a way that is similar to a vampire's when threatened with the exception a Merfolk's entire set of teeth become sharp, their face sinks in a bit making them seem more skeleton like and their eyes turn into a opalescent color giving them an almost demonic appearance. While in the water they retain most of their human features with the exception of gills forming on both sides of their neck along with the formation of fins between their fingers. In other cases all Merfolk are naturally beautiful, the majority adorned with light hair and eyes and some even have sun-kissed skin from sunbathing on the ports.
Their tail colors and designs vary between many factors; hair color, region, age, and status. Merfolk who spend the majority of their lives in the water have a slightly more elaborate tail with bright colors where as others tend to have a more simpler style. The Royals have the most elaborate of all and show their status with fine jewelry, markings and piercings. The type of designs vary on region and status; the North Atlantic area adorned with a simple faded swirl design with the more exotic regions showing equally exotic designs and color patterns. The Royal families tails are the most outstanding while the common majority usually exhibit only different shades of a color; the higher up you are the more designs you have.
While in the water Mermaids do not have clothes like humans on land but still have their own styles and fashion. Seashells or other inanimate sea life like seaweed and coral are most favored by women. The most successful women can often be found in pearls or exotic shells as a form of jewelry while the men are usually fitted with painted markings and treasures found from shipwrecks. Witches, both dark and light, can usually be found with other precious stones and elaborate markings as well (example). Due to living in the water Merfolk also use the sea life around them as decoration and foundation for their streets and homes.
Strengths
Merfolk have many abilities but the most common conception of Merfolk is their unmistakeable beauty. All Merfolk, even males are known to be exceptionally attractive to both sexes. They can also use this attraction to their advantage. Along with their appearance Merfolk are able to influence a person with their voice as well. Melodic is often used to describe the aquatic based creature during a state of entrancement and although the person still has their free will during hypnosis they feel a strong urge to do as they're told.
The most known remedies for Merfolk is water and the Moon. Because of their aquatic nature they are bound to the water but the moon is what gives them their magical properties. If sick or slightly injured the moon can become a healing agent for the Merfolk but in serious, but non-fatal cases salt water, either ingested, applied to the wound or completely submerged can heal most wounds over time.
All Merfolk are in tuned with the ocean and therefore can physically feel the energy from it. They also hold the abilities to predict storms and severe weather, often using this ability to help ships travel safely in and out of port, as well as the ability to communicate and command aquatic creatures. They cannot create or control storms or natural disasters, only predict them, but they are known to make small waves with their tails.
Merfolk move smoothly and efficiently in the water, although full-bloods may be somewhat clumsy on land, and can swim quickly, dive deep, and stay below the surface indefinitely. All Merfolk, including pure and full breeds require both water and oxygen to survive but have the ability to pull the oxygen from the water itself while submerged.
Weaknesses
Though not technically considered a weakness, if a Merfolk were to come in contact with processed seafood, whether they're still on land or not, they become incredibly sick as they cannot digest most preservatives put in seafood by humans. Only fresh seafood can be ingested.
If a Mermaid/Merman remain out of the water for extended periods of time they can become sick, their skin becomes dry and scaly, their temper becomes unstable and eventually will pass out shortly before death. Even if they last until morning they must heal within a body of water. Older ones can withstand it for longer but the younger generation usually do not survive through out the night.
Temperament
Like their Fae cousins, Merfolk are naturally curious and social creatures, and in most cases benevolent but countless stories favor otherwise. If angered or threatened even the kindest Merfolk are known to be easily set off; becoming highly aggressive and extremely unforgiving. Merfolk are highly skilled warriors and most will not back down from a fight. The Mermen are naturally protective and territorial over their women and at one time were the cause of many shipwrecks along the harbor out of jealousy of the ships crew fawning over their women despite the need to mate with them.
Hierarchy
Every region has a Royal family. The North Atlantic, or, Kingdom of Atlantis, is ruled by the Adriatico family. They originated from the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and migrated over shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire, settling in the waters now known to wash up on the coastline of Maine. The North Atlantic family are that of lean people with hair that varies from blonde, to red, and to dark brown with eyes of teal or blue and tanned skin (example). Other families include their own unique features; the Merfolk of the Norwegian Sea, ruled by the Strand family, being that of pale, fair haired people with pearl smooth skin (example), the Indian and South Atlantic Ocean ruled by the Misra family, represent darker tones (example), and the Pacific and North Pacific inhabitants, ruled by the Tsukino family, the most unique of its kind, range from shades of white or gold opalescent skin tones while under water (example, example).
A Royal family is usually comprised of a King and a Queen along with their heirs, Princesses and Princes, and other immediate family members, though a King or Queen is able to rule on their own. Family members outside of the immediate family are still considered royal but hold no real power or title. The title directly below that of the Royal family are the Elite Guard and below that the Elders. Though they hold no political power, Merfolk who have the ability to channel magic have a high standing in the Merfolk society and even in some cases are viewed to be above the Royal family in a social standing as their numbers are few and rare but their reputation powerful.
Mermaids who have taken to the deeper waters of the ocean have the appearance to match. Their skin becomes grey or a dark opalescent purple, their eyes completely black, and their tails taking on the appearance of the oceans more predatory species. In most cases these Mermaids are of shunned witches and thus venturing to the bottom can twist their very nature and personality into something much darker (example).
