Also known as the fin folke, Merr are the most numerous of the undersea ancestries of Urth. It is said that the merr possess the blood of the great Leviathans of the Endless Waters.
Merr inhabit all the great seas of Urth as well as many of the larger rivers and lakes. Like many of the humanoids bearing the blood of beasts, they are found in a variety of forms:
- Ichthan- These merr are the most monstrous. Their shape is basically humanoid, but they possess significant traits of their beast such as elongated limbs, long or broad fins, tails, and even additional limbs. The Ichthan can never be mistaken for another ancestry at a distance.
- Tuinne - These merr have a predominantly humanoid body type with noticeable bestial traits such as claws, snouts, whiskers, eye, nose, or mouth shape. The face shape remains predominantly humanoid with some sign of the sea beast. The Tuinne’ skin takes on the appearance of the beast, scaled or colored as the beast. Tuinne can sometimes be mistaken for another ancestry in silhouette. Most merr fall in this category.
- Piscean- The least populous of the merr forms appear as Kin with subtle marine characteristics that are hard to mistake face to face. Piscean rarely have obvious scales or gills.
All fin folke all possess a hardened skin, usually in the form of scales, which protect them from harm. These scales are what keeps the merr safe from harm in the great seas of Urth. Being without this protection is like being naked to a merr, defenseless against the predators and harsh environments of the many waters.
For a merr, movement is a constant. While they do have permanent settlements and can remain still, merr prefer to be in constant motion. When groups congregate this movement is performed in what the merr call Turnings, which harken to the great gyres of the oceans of Urth. The merr with the highest status generally starts the Turning and claims the widest Turning. The merr with the lowest status are relegated to positions toward the center of the circle. Challenges are common as the Turning widens. To issue a challenge a merr strikes out at their target without harming the target. If the target moves, then the challenge is over. If the target turns on the striking merr, then both merr enter a bloodring as nearby merr circle the two until one is blooded and is sent to the center of the Turning. Traditionally, once a merr has won a bloodring they have earned their spot for a tidal cycle. Merr with child cannot challenge or be challenged.
Loss of scales, fins or limbs are serious punishments to the merr as it makes them vulnerable in a number of arenas.
Merr communities collectively rear their young in what are known as broods. Each brood is claimed by a female merr who leads the others in feeding, teaching, and protecting the brood. It is a great honor to be named a broodmother. This honor extends to the highest levels of merr society as the mighty Benthorals of the merr, equivalent to kingdoms or even empires on the surface, are ruled by Mothers.
The typical merr will live twice the length of a kin, however, merr reach the age of majority a bit more quickly.
Natural Style
You are equipped with natural weapons and armored scales.
Scales of the Sea
You possess hardened scales that protect them from damage.
- You are Skilled in the DISCIPLINE OF ARMOR as an Ancestral skill that cannot be removed.
Travel- Swim
You are born of the seas and waters of Urth. You are a swift swimmer. You also gain the ability to breath water normally.
Vulnerable to Fire
You are inherently VULNERABLE TO FIRE effects.
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