Mermen

Mermen are amphibious humanoids who use their large fish-like tail for locomotion instead of legs. So although they can survive on land (they have uniquely designed lungs that can breathe in either air or water), in practice they are not very comfortable out of the water because it is much more difficult for them to move about. Some Mermen have a shapechanging ability that allows them to transform their tail into legs for a limited period of time, allowing them to walk on dry land with more ease.
Nonetheless, Mermen are an advanced race. They build great houses and palaces in shallows, out of glooming ocean depths, so that they can bask in the sunlight whenever the mood strikes them. They ride large seahorses and nators as steeds, and often keep fish as pets (much like some humans). They are capable of sophisticated social organization and few races can match their military skill as underwater strategists and tacticians.
Mermen settlements can be found scattered across Thoroth's waters in shallows and other coastal areas that are favorable to their way of life. Some communities even live in lakes. Ironically, the most significant of these is also the deepest, constructed along an underwater cliff face in the middle of the Volahm Ocean.

Basic Information

Anatomy

It may be objectively demnostrated that Mermen are more slender than Men. But the fact that their bodies taper off into fish-like tails makes them look even more so.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

It is rare for Mermen to have hair. However, many do have hair-like appendages on their heads including head-fins and non-prehensile pseudopods.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Mermen can be found most anywhere there is a large body of water.

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

Mermen generally do not utilize clothing, as most articles would be damaged beyond use quickly while submerged in their homes. However, those who do go on land understand the cultural implication of not wearing clothes to land-walkers, so they will typically utilize minimal garments like vests and skirts whilst on land.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Much of Mermen culture is shrouded in mystery; literally buried by thousands of gallons of water. However, land-walkers do know that Mermen are a proud race with a traditioned past that they guard ceremoniously.

Common Myths and Legends

In the Champions of Old religious belief system, one member of this pantheon used to be a mortal Merman before ascending to godhood. Tullius, Owner of the Tides, is said to have single-handedly calmed the churning waters of the oceans during The Severance. Of the Champions, Tullius is said to be the strongest and most commanding, and is the patron of many mortals who desire more strength in their convictions or who seek to travel Thoroth and brave his domain.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Mermen regard all land-walkers with suspicion - which means that they don't much enjoy associating with other intelligent races, as a general rule. Additionally, they have been at war with the Shuikmar for centuries.

RPG Datasheet

AG 0; CO +2; ME +2; RE +2; SD 0; EM -2; IN 0; PR +2; QU 0; ST +2; Appearance +15
Channeling 0; Essence 0; Mentalism 0; Poison 0; Disease 0
Body Development 0.7.3.2.1; Arcane PP 0.6.5.4.3; Channeling PP 0.6.5.4.3; Essence PP 0.6.5.4.3; Mentalism PP 0.7.6.5.4
Soul Departure 12 Rounds; Recovery Mult. 1x
Languages 2; Background Options 6
Special Abilities: Temporary Legs - Mermen avoid dry land for the simple reason that basic locomotion becomes painfully difficult for them unless they are in the water. However, some Mermen have the ability to shapechange their tail into a pair of legs for a limited period of time each day. These temporary legs are scaly like a fish's skin, but they work well enough for a Merman to function on land without penalty. These Mermen may transform themselves into land-walkers for a total of 4 hours +1 hour/level per day. They must concentrate for 1 minute without interruption in order to transform themselves into land-walking beings, but they may end the transformation without any effort (it's a matter of working up one's concentration versus simply letting it go). While transformed, Mermen have a natural AT3 because of the resiliency of their skin and scales.
Dry Land Penalties - Even if they have the ability to transform and grant themselves the freedom to move on land, Mermen must still return to their watery element on a daily basis or face serious consequences. A Merman who does not totally immerse themselves in water for at least one hour suffers a -10 penalty to all activities for each missed day. She should use a substantial body of water - the ocean, a mighty river, or at least a large lake. If she tries to do it on the cheap by perching under a waterfall or submerging herself in a bath, she suffers a -5 penalty per missed day. When this penalty reaches -80, the Merman slips into a coma and becomes completely incapacitated. When it reaches -100, she dies.
Language: Staring Languages - Triton (S8/W6), Sea-speech (S6/W6), Common-speech (S6/W6). Allowed Adolescent Development - Triton (S10/W10), Grey-elvish (S6/W6), Shuikarii (S4/W4), High-speech (S4/W4).
Everyman skills: Swimming
Restricted skills: All skills that are used exclusively on land and have no application to aquatic life (i.e. Sprinting, Jumping, Distance Running, Painting, certain Crafts skills, Herb Lore, etc.).
Mermen may choose a seahorse or nator as a Loyal Unusual Creature without flaw for two background options instead of three. If they wish to choose Loyal Domesticated Animal as a special item, it must be a fish.

Lifespan

80 - 100 years.

Average Height

Mermen range anywhere from 6'6" - 7'6" long from head to tail. Although, those that can shapechange legs tend to lose about a foot of height on land when doing so.

Average Weight

Males average 150 lbs and females average 125 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Mermen can be found in varying hues of blues and purples, ranging from the fairest off-white to as deep as the oceans in which they dwell. Most, however, are mid-toned hues.