Merfolk

Known primarily from legends, the intelligent but secretive aquatic merfolk inhabit benthic zones in small underwater communities. They rarely interact with surfacers, but occasionally intervene or interfere with ships and coastal communities.
Sometimes Natasi or her followers in The Cult of the Sea Maiden call upon the Merfolk, but do not seem to answer summons from anyone else, surfacer or god alike. The Cult of the Sea Maiden will leave a musical instrument on the beach before a big storm as an offering.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Merfolk have the upper body of a man with a long face and monstrous features, sometimes including a turtle's beak or shark-like teeth. They have the tail of a fish and are scaled up to the lower abdomen. Their hands have five fingers, including a thumb.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Primarily carnivorous, merfolk are pack hunters who direct schools of fish toward waiting nets.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Vision and hearing are secondary to tremor-sense in the water. They are confused and disoriented out of water.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Tiny schools of shimmery fish cohabitate with the merfolk, cleaning between their scales in exchange for safety from large predators. Sahuagin find these fish particularly tasty, one of many points of contention between the aquatic races.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Feminine names: S'aana, Koi'chi, Sa'ouna
Masculine names: Rron, Gou'no, Krau'no, Rrou'lo 
Unisex names: Oda'he, Ko'ke, Kio'he

Courtship Ideals

Merfolk exchange handmade gifts and found items.

Relationship Ideals

Community is more important to Merfolk than individual relationships. Courtships are short-lived but can reoccur multiple times.

Average Technological Level

Tool and net users with shamanistic healers.

Common Dress Code

Shell and coral beads are worn in strings and woven into their hair. Straps are used to secure tools or weapons when on the move. They have no other clothing.

Common Myths and Legends

Merfolk believe that their forebearers were created when Air first met Water.  This is true in a figurative sense, as they were children of Aristor and Sela when they were newlyweds.
There are more myths about merfolk held by surfacers than there are merfolk legends about surfacers.  As a xenophobic race, merfolk do not have a high regard for surfacers.  The few myths they have about people who walk on land are cautionary tales of heartbreak, murder, and slavery.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Merfolk have little interest in surfacers and their opinions.

Origin/Ancestry

Descended from Aristor and Sela

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Frigranden merfolk have upper bodies with deep, warm brown and golden tan skin tones. Their tails of iridescent multi-colored scales in cool colors like greens, blues, and purples.