Merpeople
Merpeople are a race of beings living in the magical land of Mirydain, only they make their homes in the Great Sea that surrounds the country. They are among the free peoples of Mirydain, though they live beyond the lands of the other free peoples. The Merpeople are currently friends to David McKay and Ginny Langford and are on good terms with the Kingdom of Mirydain.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Merpeople are half-human beings who have bodies like Men, but they have fish tails instead of legs. Their scales range in color from pale blue to bronze yellow, but males (known as Mermen) have sharp-edged tail fins while females (Mermaids) have smooth-edged fins.
Genetics and Reproduction
Mermaids who become mothers typically give birth in the manner of humans, but the father fertilizes the unborn mer-child at three months after conception.
Growth Rate & Stages
Merpeople are born within half a year after their conception, after which they stay beside their mother for the first three years of their lives, after which they are able to swim generally well. Merpeople come of age when they reach fifteen years, which is the tradition time when they are allowed to visit the surface world.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Merpeople mostly eat seaweed and sponges, while the only meat they feed on are sea cucumbers and urchins.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Merpeople inhabit the Great Sea that surrounds the land of Mirydain, but they typically appear in secluded lagoons or around the islands that fill the sea.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Merpeople are able to breathe underwater as they are part-fish, but their human half enables them to breathe above the surface. Merpeople are able to see in dim light and withstand high degrees of water pressure. They can also understand the language of sea life and swim faster than larger fish.
Civilization and Culture
Beauty Ideals
Merpeople wear little clothes, but Mermaids are often described as wearing shells over their breasts. Mermen and Mermaids usually let their hair grow long, but Mermaids let their hair grow to where it reaches their tails. They often style their hair or adorn it with shells, pearls, starfish, or jewelry from sunken ships.
Gender Ideals
Mermen and Mermaids are taught to share responsibilities from the time they begin learning. As Merpeople do not typically fight wars, both males and females are taught to work in the house and care for the young, while those of higher rank are taught in accordance with the practices of their people. Mermen of noble rank are taught to protect their homes while Mermaids of nobility are taught to tend to their homes. For the royal family, both sea princes and princesses are taught the responsibilities of rulership.
Courtship Ideals
When two Merpeople are courting, they typically spent a year together. After this, the male proposes to the female and presents her with a gift signifying his devotion. If the Mermaid agrees, the wedding is made after nine days of preparation.
Average Technological Level
Merpeople are able to build, as they dwell within a great city under the ocean.
Common Taboos
In the society of Merpeople, eating fish is forbidden. However, the Merpeople do not begrudge Men for having fish as part of their diet for they have an understanding of Man's dominion over the earth.
History
The Merpeople were first encountered by Men when they sailed into the land of Mirydain. The Merpeople were initially afraid of Men for the way they lived and how they used natural resources for their benefit, but after a while, they grew to appreciate the creations of humans and became fond of them. Thus, the Merpeople began to enjoy the surface world without fear.
When the Dark King and his monster army threatened Mirydain, the Merpeople were too afraid to come to the surface for fear that the Dark King would harm them too. When David McKay and Ginny Langford fought the Dark King and defeated him, the Merpeople became friends to the Kingdom of Mirydain and could enjoy the surface world without fear of conquest.
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