Merfolk

Merfolk consist of one of the biggest populations in Wisteria, especially considering their varied diet and available habitat. They're usually social and own communities called Atlas, kingdoms that reside underwater. They differ extremely in terms of appearance - from fish tails, to tentacles, to jellyfish tendrils and crab-like or crustacean bodies - but they all share the same species and own many of the same cultures and values. They own 3 subspecies of this branch - Surface Merfolk, Deepsea Merfolk and Underground Merfolk.

""Your thoughts, feelings and sensations are the waves of the ocean – coming and going. There are big strong waves and there are soft gentle waves; they are all water and all part of the ocean""

- - Rose-Marie Sorokin

Overview
One of Lyrassel's most favoured people - to the point wherin many believe that Lyrassel herself may have been one of the first Merfolk born in the world who had ascended into godly power. Many merfolk are extremely religious and intuitively adore the moon and the oceans - and as such, also worship Lyrassel in turn - granting their entire species special favour from Wisteria's God.

They're known as one of the most beautiful types of creatures, and are often noted to care a lot about self appearances. However, they are very generous about specific things (like giving away their children), which can make other species uncomfortable.

But they are all strong and very protective of their hoards and collections, and many will usually admire Merfolk from afar, but usually won't want to actually be friends with them. Some may also be accustomed to nudity since their species doesn't prioritize on clothing as well.

Merfolk are also commonly associated with other aquatic creatures like Kelpies, or Selkies and so on, but those species are very different from Merfolk and do not share the same family. Merfolk only apply to some sea creatures - like crustaceans (isopods, lobsters, crabs) and fish (sharks, whales, dolphins, jellyfish). They do not include seals, penguins or any of the sort.

Nevertheless, Merfolk arrive in 3 sub-categories, Surface, Deep Sea and Underground Merfolk.

Personality Traits
The Merfolk heavily differ depending on their category, but most have a pretty standard outlook. Most Merfolk are very religious and defend Lyrassel well. They're very much attached to the moon and the oceans, and are usually fierce and passionate, as well as strong willed and have very good mental strength. They have a strong sense of community, though usually only with other Merfolk, and are usually slightly dismissive and have a hard time bonding with other life forms if they're not aquatic by nature.

They're not cruel for that by any means, just dismissive.

Surface Merfolk especially tend to be physically active, and can be found training very often - though this quality only really applies to Ocean Merfolk and those that live in Atlas - especially in Cerith. Freshwater Surface merfolk are much less likely to be as physically fit or active and much more softer in nature - and do not really work as Frey. Freshwater Merfolk are more happy in their watery homes and most usually do not work.

Merfolk have a strong sense of community, and gravitate naturally towards aquatic creatures and one another. They naturally want to help each other and react strongly when one is threatened, usually earning the wrath of every other merfolk present in the vicinity. They're usually also very attached to their religion, so insulting it, or belittling them for it is a very quick way to earn an enemy for life.

They hold grudges for very long periods of time, especially Freshwater merfolk - though they might not carry out revenge schemes or anything. Usually earning their grudge usually just means they'll avoid you and will never help you - even in situations of death.

Due to their strong sense of communities - many Merfolk do not leave home as early as most other species do. While they reach adulthood at 23, they still do not leave their Atlas until they are around late twenties or thirties, choosing to stay with family instead. Many Merfolk also tend to marry and breed late - up to around fifty years of age, wanting to explore and make a name for themselves before actually settling down.

Unlike Harpies though, they're not that maternal at heart. Some want children, some do not, and others may never marry and stay as mercenaries or protectors the rest of their lives and are very content. Merfolk are very independent creatures. Many of them are very curious of the world around them, so they are easily found wandering across Wisteria, experimenting with people, food and cultures.

Surface Merfolk
One of the most common merfolks that can be found, living in the shallower parts of the oceans, as well as surface water sources such as ponds, lakes, rivers, swamps and so on. They can be freshwater and ocean merfolks and come in huge varieties.

The most stereotyped and only properly accepted species of Merfolk. They appear humanoid or very human-like and are very beautiful and social creatures. They live in big groups - often wandering in families and friends around, but will always have a set location for their personal hoards.

Big kingdoms of surface merfolk can be found in the oceans called Atlas, usually around fifty merfolk or so - though any merfolk living together in a permanent area with more than 6 non-biologically related merfolk is already called an Atla. There is only one Atla group that is large enough to be considered a proper kingdom - Cerith - located in the open seas, though the exact location is unknown to anyone but those who come from it.

Merfolk are not allowed to disclose information to protect the location from hunters - and even then the Atla is disguised and deep enough under that it is extremely hard to detect - and the addition of potential sea monsters safeguard them well.

Nevertheless, Surface Merfolk are considering the second strongest breed and are usually religious, worshiping Lyrassel as their Goddess and sometimes, may also refer to her as their "Mother" as many believe she is the origin of their species. Their personalities differ wildly, as do their tails, and they can sport from simple fish tails, to Koi, Eel, Whales, crabs, lobsters, isopods and so on. Surface Merfolk can grow roughly to the same size as humans, but depending on habitat and genes - some can grow bigger - often up to eight feet tall max in human form. Their merfolk forms might have different lengths.

Surface Merfolk, despite their beautiful and slightly dainty features - are very strong and not creatures to be easily disregarded or underestimated. They brave very strong currents, and have very sharp teeth and many of them are pure carnivores feasting on fish and hunting in groups. Due to their environment, many of them are strong and their tails are packed with muscles, capable of whipping or slamming into things with harsh force. Their upper bodies may be more toned as well, athletic at least - and are averaged out stronger than some humanoid species would be.

Many of them guard underwater temples as well, and work as warriors under Lyrassel's name.

As such, many of these adult merfolk will traverse into the above and work as Freys - and Merfolk are very valuable as Freys, since they can go into the water and help do things that many are too afraid to do, or incapable, due to the horrors of the ocean. However, most will usually stay near temples of worship instead, wanting to honor Lyrassel, and as such - they're very rare, and usually extremely costly to have on your ships.

They're even more valuable with Aylin abilities, or Aylin relics at hand - but on their own, they usually have around 2-3 abilities ranging around water, music or religion based magic. Many of their abilities are specially oriented in luring and enchanting, with manipulating voices, or ways to attract people. They're exceptionally skilled with the manipulation of words and language.

Underground Merfolk
These are the rarest and the most weakest type of Merfolk - and only rare because they die so quickly. Underground Merfolk are either born in darkened caves, or were surface folk that were trapped under these areas. They are sickly, extremely thin and almost mindless. They rarely eat and do not do well in big groups - often killing and eating each other when enough time has passed.

Underground Merfolk are more commonly found in underwater caverns, where entrances might have collapsed once. Theoretically, it is possible for them to reside in large water systems as an Atla - though they usually are segmented from one another since their hunger can drive them to eat each other. Food is extremely rare in their habitat, and as such, cannibalism is very commonly practiced as adults, and time to time, they might produce children just to eat them.

These merfolk have very specialized abilities if born as one - usually ones that go into life detection, or poison - any ability that can be used to trap someone and drag them under. They usually only have one ability.

As such, this variation is extremely rare due to their low production rate. Their minds are often underdeveloped and lack the required nutrients to do anything but lie in their ponds and wait for prey to wander by. They never feel full, and can sometimes eat themselves to death if suddenly given huge prey. Those that escape underground usually go off constantly eating until they die - and the fortunate ones might have the chance to slowly regain their ability to think, and return to the world as a Recovered Underground Merfolk.

Recovered Undergrounds are relatively weak and have little control of their abilities. They are sickly for most of their lives and usually cannot reside on their own, but are very resilient and often work in Temples as well, where merfolk will bring them in to heal - though they usually work as tailors and seamstresses, or idly wander around under the protection of others.

Deep Sea Leviathans
Or more accurately - Deep Sea Merfolk. These creatures are the second rarest but the most powerful and dangerous breed. They lurk the deepest sections of the ocean, and can grow up to a hundred feet in length or more. They're terrifying creatures and very rarely resemble the humanoid variations people are so familiar with. They're Merfolk, but many people refer to them simply as Leviathans, or as Monsters because they're so extremely different from the Surface and Underground Variation.

As such, many people think Deep Sea Merfolk are an entirely different species.

They do not resemble humans at all, and are usually dark skinned. They are purely carnivorous and are hoarders at heart, so its not farfetched for sea folks to stumble into Leviathan dens to find thousands of skeletons or decimated ships. Very little is known about these creatures, but they are much less intelligent than Surface Merfolk are.

Much of their minds are tuned purely to hunting and survival, and while they do have some social capacities, they lack empathy and do not stay around others of their species. They're rather territorial and tend to stick to one place their entire lives, fighting other Leviathans that dare enter their territory and will almost never leave the deep oceans.

Leviathans do not own abilities.

Dating
Merfolk are very sentimental and passionate creatures, and many will usually date once they reach adulthood, or even slightly before - but most will not marry until they reach late years of their lives, which tends to turn away many other species that would rather marry and have children earlier - like around their twenties where Merfolk would have children at late thirties or early forties.

As such, Merfolk usually have the strongest romantic relationships - spanning up to ten, or even twenty years before they legally become a married couple. This is because of how their marriage culture works. Unlike in most species, where dating many people is expected - for Merfolk, its very taboo for a Merfolk to have dated and had long relationships with many people. Most Merfolk will only ever date if they feel the person is suitable for a long term and lifelong relationship

Dating is a very long process of Merfolk, and many are very upfront with their expectations - how many children they want, when they'd ideally like to be married, life plans and so on. They're blunt and immediate with these terms, and often will talk through about these the first few dates. If their expectations and desires do not match up, then they will break it off quickly and move on to the next.

However, if a Merfolk is ready to propose, they will not give rings or fancy declarations. Instead, they will begin to give gifts quietly. Things from their hoards - from small things, and slowly begin to give them more personal and deeper presents from their hoards - items that they don't let anyone see or touch. In their culture, it symbolizes slowly integrating their lives together into shared hoard. Everything of theirs, will become everything of their partners and vice versa. The other merfolk will catch on to this, and will begin giving presents back if they want to be married.

If a gift is rejected, they will stop the process and wait several more months, or up to years before they re-attempt again. Nevertheless, its very heartbreaking for a rejection to take place - especially if they've reached the deeper, more personal gifts already.

But, if the gifts are all accepted, a final gift will be presented. One of their biggest and most beautiful scales will be given, usually presented in a silken box, or in a very special and valuable container. If accepted, the other merfolk will present a scale in return in the next week or so. Once both have exchanged scales, they will be said to be mated. They will wear the scale, and some others may attach the scale to their bodies - replacing the scale they'd removed.

If proposing to a non-merfolk, they won't expect a scale in return, but some may expect a proposal in return in that species culture - like a ring for example, though most will consider them fiance's the moment the merfolk has proposed and the scale is accepted.

However, if a Merfolk has proposed to someone once, it will be extremely difficult for them to date another Merfolk. Others will usually not accept the proposal if they've already proposed once and departed from each other as a couple. Their chances would lower even more if they'd accepted another Merfolks scale as well, and they consider the Merfolk 'Seconds', or 'Scraps' in terms of romantic relationships.

As such, Merfolks will guard their scales and bodies extremely. Removing or having more than one scale is considered sacrilegious and will usually earn the disgust and of other Merfolk. This is where the common stereotype of Merfolk being extremely vain comes from - because they protect and always check themselves after a fight to ensure they didn't lose any important or big scales.

Sometimes, an injury might be mistaken for a scale gift, so they may sometimes try to ensure the scar they gain looks like a battle injury instead of just a missing scale.

Children
Many Merfolk will produce children, especially if they have human forms. However, some Merfolk will lack human bodies, but will still be able to reproduce so long as their tail ends match. Some won't, or will end up marrying a creature from a species they cannot breed with. They will not have any biological children.

Those that are able to have them give birth and reproduce sexually. Many will usually produce more children than they actually want for the reason of giving them away. It is very common for Merfolk to gift other Merfolks their children as an act to showcase their strong bonds and friendship, allowing those that lack the ability to produce children to raise them.

It's a very common tradition, to the point that it's almost expected for people to give each other their children, and sometimes - some Merfolk might expect that from their other species friends as well - though most understand that their traditions differ. As such, its very common for Merfolk children to look extremely different from their legal parents due to being a gift.

Merfolk Children may vary, but stay in the same biological behaviour, regardless of being Underground, Surface or Leviathan.

They are born with their body mostly developed, but their minds aren't as developed. They are almost mindless, and focus on nothing but food. They have to be fed fish and other meats by their parents, and many families will have to closely manage their children - especially if they have more than one. Merfolk children are cannibalistic by nature, and can be dangerous to have. Some species of Merfolk will be eaten alive when they're pregnant, allowing the children to emerge.

Merfolk babies have to be kept content in feeding, but can mostly take care of themselves otherwise, being capable of swimming around and managing themselves. If left neglected, the siblings will often consume each other, and then eventually their parents, or any other creatures that come by. Thankfully, this stage only lasts for two years.

By the age of two years old, their brains will have developed more. Cannibalistic habits can be difficult to break if the child has eaten another merfolk, and must be heavily cared for and managed to ensure they don't fall back on eating others. They turn into regular children for the most part after that stage has passed. though they develop much slower. Children stay with their families up to twenty years old, but some may persist to live in the same communities and homes until they find a mate.

Hoarding
Stereotypically, Merfolk are known to be massive hoarders, and this carries much truth. Many Merfolk often own hoards and collections of their own. Some may vary from a few handheld objects, to entire caverns filled with treasures. The only exception to this is Underground Merfolk, who usually do not have much capacity for hoarding.

Many Merfolk hoard different things. Some may collect jewelry, or photographs - and others may collect corpses or sunken ships. It is up to the specific merfolks interests and desires, and many will have 3 categories of collections. The base collection involves basic items and things that they like, but not so much obsess over. The Middle Tier owns items that they might consider very valuable and cherished - like memories or sentimental. Finally, the Irreplaceable items - things that they allow others to see, or may talk about - but will never let anyone but their spouses touch and use.

Those items are extremely valuable to them, and can range from simple things, like maybe a violin string, or to expensive treasures like crowns and gems. Those items are defined by the Merfolks desires and interests.

For Surface Merfolk, they will often carry some items with them, but many will have a set location for their hoard. Most of them will have them in their homes or caverns, depending on where they live. Others may have very few items, so they will carry their entire hoards with them.

Leviathan Merfolk's Hoards span over their entire territory. Their less significant hoards are scattered around the edge of their territory, and the deeper into it, the more valuable the treasures are to the Merfolk specifically. They're extremely large, so much of their treasures might involve sunken ships, or corpses of other Leviathans.

Due to their size and possessiveness - it is extremely possible for them to claim Islands and Underwater Ruins as part of their hoard, and they will become very aggressive and violent if someone attempts to go near them (on the condition these islands are things they consider valuable), or if a creature tries to steal from their hoard.