Mer

Our Elven Bretheren

The Mer. People of the Forest. Mutagenic Humanoids from the Feywild. These people have many names, but they all refer to the same set of people.
This group of races comprises nearly half of all inhabitants of the Material Plane, and includes Elves, Orks and other Mer-Like species. The most noticeable feature of theirs, other than their pointy ears and milky eyes, is their acute mutagenic abilites. Mer, due to a more innate connection with Magic, can mutate their bodies very quickly over short generational cycles to adapt heavily to the environment they are in.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Mer follow a standard humanoid frame. Their skeletal structures are noticeably stronger than humans, with their muscle and the cardio-vascular system being slightly stronger as well. This leads to larger builds in Mer, ranging from 6' to 10' depending on the ethnicity. All Mer species noticeably sport purple blood, which is noticeably colder than regular red blood. Mer have milky clear eyes, having a film over their iris and pupils which gives better night vision but gives their eyes a "blank" appearance. They possess sharp, pointed ears.

Biological Traits

Life Expectancy can vary wildly depending on the enviroment of the Mer, but on average they tend to live to 350, with 450 being a relative rarity among most Mer.

Genetics and Reproduction

Mer have a slower reproductive cycle than other humanoids, owing to their longer life span. A mer takes around 9 to 12 months to gestate depending on the Sub-Species, with Orcs on average gestating the longest and Desert Elves taking the shortest time. Mer give live birth.
Mer have an uncanny natural ability in which they are born possessing a minor adaptation that allows them to better live in their environment. This starts small, but changes can accumulate over generations to result in complete changes in morphology, such as the process from Moon Elves to Sea Elves.
An example of this mutation process goes as follows:

1. Mer migrate to snowy region
2. Mer children born have thicker skin and fat to deal with cold
3. Next Generation adapts longer, thicker hair to shield body
4. Mer adapt white, snow-like complexions as camoflauge
5. Mer gain adapted darkvision, gaining thinner darkvision films in exchange for a better ability to see in bright snow

And this process continues until we get a Snow Elf who is fully adapted and extremely suited for its enviroment!

Growth Rate & Stages

Mer have, on average, long life cycles, with the longest recorded lifespan of a mer being 1125 years. Mer mature at a slower rate than Humans, maturing to adulthood around 28 to 30. They stay in their "adulthood" for around 300 years, then begin aging, with around every 100 years being one stage towards being elderly. Around 600-700, a Mer is considered elderly, with its ears drooping and its eyes becoming milkier in appearance. In this stage, a Mer's blood also changes hues to be a lighter pink.

Ecology and Habitats

Mer are surprisingly adaptable, being able to mutate to survive in nearly any environment in which they can breed in. However, Mer noticeably adapt better to warm, forested climates. It is theorized this is due to its innate similarity to a large portion of the Feywild, the Mer's ancestral home.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Mer are a generally omnivorous race, but some sub-races lean towards either carnivorous or herbivorous.

Biological Cycle

Mer do not have the same seasonal adaptation abilities as their parent species, the Eladrin. However, certain extinct variety of Moon Elves were known to change complexion over the course of the year.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Mer follow a variety of structures depending on their location and cultural heritage from the Feywild. However, most Mer societies tend to use a matriarchal structure, owing back to the typical Summer and Winter queens of the Feywild.

Facial characteristics

Mer facial structure varies drastically between Subspecies. However, all Mer share the following traits: Pointed Ears, Milky Eyes and Purple Blood.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Mer are located in every corner of the material plane except the Bronze Coast. Most of the Mer in the world are located in Freymoor, with Orkin being a close second due to its composition being almost entirely of the Mer Subrace, the Orks.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Mer have enhanced night-vision compared to the Species of Men. Mer have a film over their eyes which amplifies light waves that pass through the film through magical means. This somewhat mutes the color, however, leading to most Mer having a lessened sense of color. Mer also have slightly enhanced hearing.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Mer have a more feminine standard of beauty than most humanoids, with most Mer being considered "feminine" or "queer" by the standards of other species.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Between Mer cultures, there is a common theme of Blood being sacred. Due to the myth of the birth of the Eladrin, being them coming from Segrid's blood, their blood is considered a direct connection to their "Holy Creator", and spilling it is a cultural dishonor.

Common Taboos

Among Mer it is absolute taboo to practice Hemomancy. Hemomancy in particular is considered "messing with your divine heritage", and Hemomancers are exiled in most mer communities, with a sole exception being Orkin Society.

History

Mer are historical descendants of the Eladrin, a sapient and powerful Planar species ruling the Feywild and parts of the Shadowfell. They inherited their culture and mutagenic abilities but became a new species after an event known in Ancient Mer texts known as The Flight Of Mer. After this, the Moon and Sun Mer were left in disarray, suddenly struggling to adapt to their new environments.
Although the history of the Mer is too complex to cover in one article (specific histories and cultures will be covered in their own subspecies articles), one major event that deserves recognition is the Elven Rebellion. This large scale war was a massive conflict between the Mer living in the human nations and the human upper class. This war lasted 100 years, and was one of the major focuses of the Era of Rebellion. Most Mer who are alive today remember the Elven Rebellion, and some have developed anti-human sentiment in response.

Historical Figures

Major Historical Figures include:

• Milk: A Moon Elf Fighter who was part of the Champions of Light. She was one of the generals in the Moon Elf Genocide
• Calpurnia: A Drow Necromancer who was part of the Champions of Light. She became "The Blind Queen", the drow matriarch who led the Drow to the Orkin Peninsula to establish the Drow Confederacy

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Mer commonly breed with other species, with Half-Mer being nearly as common as Mer themselves. It is explicitly encouraged, as Half-Elves are considered a natural extension of the adapting of the Mer.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Eladrin

Scientific Name

Homo Mutatio

Origin/Ancestry

Sun Fey Descendants: Sun Elves, Desert Elves, Wood Elves, High Elves; Moon Fey Descendants: Moon Elves, Drow, Orcs, Avariel, Sea Elves. Most elves are differentiated by specific adaptations for their specific environment

Lifespan

300-500 Years

Average Height

6' to 10'

Average Weight

145lbs to 245lbs

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Mer body color and tint is based entirely on the Subspecies of the Mer.