The Aquarii

The Aquarii are a proud and ancient people, their culture shaped by countless centuries beneath the waves. As guardians of the deep, they have long waged silent wars against the great evils lurking in the abyss, believing their sacrifices warrant the fealty and respect of those who dwell on land. These enigmatic merfolk inhabit the vast seas of Astrovos, their presence an unseen force that influences the tides and ocean currents.

At the heart of their civilization stands Carabella, one of their grandest cities—a breathtaking expanse of coral spires, bioluminescent gardens, and submerged palaces. Its existence is a testament to the Aquarii’s enduring legacy and mastery over the ocean’s depths. According to legend, they are the creations of Sunken, the primordial sea god who dwells in the abyss, his will entwined with the very tides that shape their world.

The Aquarii are a long-lived race, often venturing beyond their underwater domain. They frequently visit the mist-shrouded islands of the Veil and the rugged coastlines of Selenia, their presence both a mystery and a warning. Ever watchful, they track the encroaching spread of Umbral Waters—a cursed force that poisons the sea and drains life from its depths. To the Aquarii, its eradication is not merely a duty but a sacred cause, one they will fight for at any cost.

Yet, not all Aquarii are benevolent. While some seek harmony with the surface world, others harbor deep-seated disdain for land-dwellers, seeing them as ignorant trespassers unworthy of the sea’s gifts. Tricksters and tempters, these merfolk delight in luring sailors into peril, weaving illusions and siren songs that have fueled centuries of myths warning against the smiling merfolk. Their beauty is a deception, their laughter a lure—for in their mirth lies malice, and in their games, doom.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Aquarii Anatomy & Physiology

1. General Characteristics

• Metamorphic Physiology: The Aquarii can shift between their tailed merfolk form and a humanoid form. Their transformation is seamless, though it requires a brief period of adjustment.
• Bioluminescent Markings: Many possess faintly glowing patterns along their skin, used for communication, camouflage, or intimidation in the deep. These markings are more pronounced in noble or deep-sea Aquarii.
• Cartilaginous Reinforcement: Their skeletal structure is a blend of dense cartilage and bone, allowing them to be both flexible and durable in water while still maintaining the necessary rigidity for land movement.

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2. Tailed Form (Merfolk State)

• Tail Structure: Their lower half consists of a powerful, elongated tail covered in smooth, hydrodynamic scales that can shift in color for camouflage. The tail is muscular, designed for speed and agility.
• Fins & Flukes: Fins along their back, arms, and tail provide stability and maneuverability. Their tail fluke varies by region—some resemble that of a dolphin, others a manta ray, and abyssal Aquarii have elongated, eel-like tails.
• Gills: Located along the sides of their neck or beneath their ribcage, allowing them to extract oxygen from water.
• Webbed Hands & Clawed Fingers: Webbing between their fingers enhances swimming efficiency, while retractable claws can be used for defense or hunting.
• Secondary Eyelids: A translucent nictitating membrane protects their eyes from high-pressure depths and debris.

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3. Humanoid Form (Land State)

• Leg Structure: When shifting to land form, their tail separates into two powerful legs. Though humanoid in appearance, their muscles retain incredible strength, making them faster and more agile than ordinary humans.
• Residual Aquatic Features: Even in humanoid form, subtle aquatic traits remain—such as faint webbing between fingers, slightly elongated ears, or iridescent scale-like markings on the skin. Some may still exhibit partially retractable gill slits.
• Respiratory Adaptation: Though they develop functional lungs on land, they retain the ability to extract oxygen from water for a limited time before requiring full submersion.
• Temperature Regulation: Their bodies are adapted to extreme underwater temperatures, meaning they are resistant to cold but may overheat in prolonged dry conditions.

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Biological Traits

Lifespan & Aging

• Average Lifespan: 500–1,000 years, though some elders may surpass this.
• Aging Process: They age far slower than land-dwelling species, their cells adapted to deep-sea pressures, reducing cellular degradation.
• Regeneration: Their bodies may have enhanced regenerative abilities, capable of healing wounds rapidly and resisting disease.

Biological Adaptations for Longevity

1. Pressure-Resistant Physiology – Living in high-pressure depths reduces oxidative stress, slowing aging.
2. Efficient Metabolism – A specialized system that minimizes waste and conserves energy, allowing them to survive for centuries.
3. Magical or Divine Influence – As creations of Sunken, their lifespans could be tied to the sea god’s power, with elders gaining wisdom from the tides themselves.
4. Deep-Sea Hibernation – Some may enter prolonged states of dormancy, slowing their bodily functions for centuries at a time.

Tailed Form (Merfolk State)

• Common Aquarii: 7–9 feet (2.1–2.7 meters) from head to tail
• Noble or Deep-Sea Aquarii: 9–12 feet (2.7–3.7 meters)
• Elders or Abyssal Aquarii: 12–15 feet (3.7–4.6 meters)

Humanoid Form (Land State)

• Common Aquarii: 5’6”–6’6” (1.7–2 meters)
• Noble or Deep-Sea Aquarii: 6’6”–7’6” (2–2.3 meters)
• Elders or Abyssal Aquarii: 7’6”–8’6” (2.3–2.6 meters)

Transformation Details

• Their tails, when fully extended, are longer than their humanoid legs, allowing them greater speed in water.
• Upon shifting to human form, their bodies naturally compress and redistribute mass to maintain balance.
• Some features may remain in humanoid form, such as faint webbing between fingers, slightly elongated ears, or shimmering, scale-like markings on the skin.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Echolocation & Sonar Sensitivity: Deep-sea Aquarii, in particular, can use low-frequency vocalizations to navigate or communicate across great distances.
• Enhanced Night Vision: Their eyes are highly adapted to darkness, allowing them to see in the abyssal depths where no sunlight reaches.
• Pressure Resistance: Unlike land-dwellers, their bodies can withstand immense underwater pressure without suffering decompression sickness.
• Venomous Variants: Some rare Aquarii, particularly those from abyssal regions, possess venomous barbs along their arms or tails, used as a last resort defense.

Scientific Name

Aquarius sapiens

Origin/Ancestry

Sirenoformes abyssalis

Lifespan

500-600 years

Average Height

7-9 ft in tailed form