Helping the Merfolk become a part of the land culture at Ahnodin

Ahnodin saddles the Faivergent river, which had receded forming shelves leading down into the canyon left by the river. The Faivergent has now been rising for decades and the lowest levels of ports and buildings have sunk beneath the waters. The rising waters allowed ships and barges to come further up the river from the shores very far away. These barges often employ merfolk and other sea creatures to tow the boats up against currents. A group of merfolk towing ships upstream chose to secure the right to the sunken buildings to stay long term. They also acquired above ground buildings along the waterfronts. They didn't enjoy the warmest acceptance, and some were very suspicious of why they would want to be so far from the ocean.
A town alderman, by the name of Etan Tylvester, was an old tinkerer and builder of oddities and curiosities in town. He was also very welcoming to the wide variety of peoples who came to Ahnodin. He approached the merfolk to welcome them. Amongst the merfolk, their eldest was a female who had undergone the Amalga. This was an incredibly rare condition that is an indication of tremendous wisdom. The Amalga completes with a molting of the legs to return them permanently to that of a fish's body and tail. Etan met her and found her wonderful counsel, wise, and a sharp poker player. He almost didn't mind losing so much money to her.
He sought for her to become an advisor, and perhaps one day an elder to the town council. But people needed to meet her to learn what she could offer and build trust in her. But she never left the water due to her lack of legs. The amalga also left her more sensitive to being out of the water for long periods. Etan built her a waterproof chariot, like a bathtub which she could recline in and be moved comfortably through town. With her tail and fins in water, she could comfortably travel anywhere large enough for the wagon to maneuver into. Her attendants pushed the wagon which even had a parasol that extends over her to shade her from the strong sun.
Etan also advised them on the construction of their building at the waterfront. The merfolk enjoyed ales and beers, but could not make them easily. But they drank many from trade around the region. They had opened a tavern offering ales that they brought up the river from far away. But the reception was not terribly warm. They were still proverbial fish out of water. With Etan's help, they opened the Cold + Wet. Stone bars were carved that allowed the mermaids to swim behind serving drinks to customers. The barrels of beers and ales are kept submerged in the river waters, keeping them cold before serving. During the warm seasons, the Cold + Wet tavern became a major draw, serving cold drinks in the sometimes sweltering hot weather. Mid-Bounty, during what are typically the hottest weeks of the year, a riverside carnival was organized, and the Wet became a central attraction to the festival which runs into the night. Despite the deep differences of ocean-based cultures, the merfolk have managed to create a home and connect with the other citizens of Ahnodin. Neonna the elder has become respected in a number of circles within the town. And she has proven a strong competitor in drinking games.