Merfolk
Curious, thoughtful, and analytical, the merfolk of Zendikar are natural scholars and explorers. In the past, merfolk society was organized around their belief in three deities. But in the wake of the reappearance of the Eldrazi, the merfolk have realized that their faith was a web of lies, built on a corrupted memory of the Eldrazi titans handed down from generation to generation. In peaceful times, the merfolk might have fought over the ultimate meaning of this revelation. But faced with the danger presented by the Eldrazi broods, the merfolk have largely set aside their differences and joined together in a united force. Old grudges still linger, but the well-being of the merfolk race – and the world – far outweigh any ancient conflicts between creeds.
Merfolk are an amphibious race, born and at home in the water but comfortable on dry land. Humanoid in form, they have skin of ivory, silver, russet, blue, or deep purple. Long fins extend from the backs of their forearms and calves, and their fingers and toes are webbed. The hairlike growths on their heads are either thick and bristly like the needles of a sea urchin, or long and wavy, resembling fine seaweed. In either case, these growths typically range in color from red to warm brown to black. Male merfolk have similar growths extending down from their cheekbones.
Merfolk wear little clothing unless they are armored for battle. Even then, they drape themselves with nets and a minimum of cloth, wearing armor crafted of large, bleached seashells and augmented with leather.
The merfolk race is divided into three creeds, founded on the principles of Emeria (wind), Ula (water), and Cosi (the trickster). A merfolk isn’t born into a creed but chooses it upon reaching adulthood, and it is rare for a merfolk not to choose a creed. Merfolk of the wind and water creeds aren’t hostile to each other, but members of each creed regard the other creed with a vague disdain. Members of both those creeds regard the Cosi creed with suspicion and some degree of fear, and Cosi-creed adherents tend to keep their affiliation secret.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Merfolk are a mysterious race that has maintained underwater cities for much of human history. Their own history remains largely unknown, primarily because they do not share it with others. Still, most historians believe that they are the descendants of ancient Eladrin who shirked their land form for aquatic prowess. These ancient Eladrin once lived in a mighty empire at the center of one of the fey oceans. Many stories depict them as malicious tricksters, using their singing ability to lure sailors to their doom, though this was used to protect the empire from outside influence. When the empire fell, most of the Merfolk scattered throughout the seas and worlds. Merfolk today are more moderate and friendly towards other races.
Merfolk are powerful protectors of the sea. They do the bidding of the sea gods, although they do not always agree on which god to worship. Some historians believe that religious strife led to the fall of the first Merfolk empire. As such, Merfolk worship many different sea gods, ranging from Melora to Poseidon to Neptune to even Circe and Mannanan Mac Lir. More twisted Merfolk tend to worship such non-deities as Dagon and the Charybdis. Regardless of their beliefs, all Merfolk are friends with their fellow sea creatures and seek to protect them from the harmful influence of fisherman and other land-based predators. For this reason,they are all vegetarians and prefer to eat seaweed. However, they have no such inhibition when it comes to land creatures.
Merfolk Characteristics: Capricious, charming, daring, impulsive, independent, protective, seductive, zealous
Male Names: Drake, Salas, Aquis, Sedor, Agrata, Typhon, Nido, Latus
Female Names: Anosa, Kella, Atlise, Morea, Soreen, Corselle, Ulanda, Ari
Major Language Groups and Dialects
You can speak, read, and write Common, Merfolk, and one extra language of your choice.
Lifespan
300 Year
Average Height
6 Feet
Average Weight
130 Pounds
Related Ethnicities
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