Merfolk are one of the most numerous and varied peoples in the ocean. Their upper half is humanoid in nature, and the lower half can mimic a variety of other creatures. Those with tentacles instead of fins are more rare, but do exist in some areas. But they exist in all places, and generally integrate well with others. They are often found in mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships with other creatures, are invested in husbanding the natural life around them, and are known for liking shiny things. Forks hold special significance that no one outside of their culture understands. They rarely travel far from the place of their birth, being heavily influenced by it as they grow and being most comfortable there. They are also one of the only races who will occasionally produce a Primal. Primal Merfolk grow to be 3x to 10x larger than their cousins. They tend to live longer, slower lives than their cousins, rarely can have children of their own, and survive best at the furthest depths of the ocean. Occasionally one will come to the Twilight, but it is rare and they do not stay for long. Being in the higher waters is too taxing on their bodies.
Merfolk are an underwater race, born and at home in the water. Humanoid in form from the waist up, they have skin of ivory, silver, russet, blue, or deep purple. Long fins extend from the backs of their forearms, and their fingers are webbed. From the waist down, they have a scaled fluke (fishtail). The hairlike growths on their heads are either thick and bristly like the needles of a sea urchin, or long and wavy, resembling fine seaweed. In either case, these growths typically range in color from red to warm brown to black. Male merfolk have similar growths extending down from their cheekbones.
Merfolk tend to be heavily influenced by the area of their birth, and adopt a sort of natural camouflage with their surroundings. They can be found in all layers of the ocean and in especially deep freshwater rivers and lakes, but are very distinct within their layers and it is rare for them to travel outside their area of birth. In some cases, doing so can be deadly to the merfolk in question.
Types: octopus, koi fish, kraken, barracuda, manatee, beluga, etc.
Merfolk born in the Brightwaters are largely agricultural in nature, living in farm-like settlements. They are medium in size, generally peaceful, and known for their incredible work with coral gardens/forests.
Merfolk born in the Gloomwaters tend to be more hunters/gatherers and live transitory/migratory lives. They are medium in size, more neutral in their temperament, and known for their clever ways to bring the comforts of home with them despite often not having a settled place to live.
Merfolk born in the Inkwaters are generally medium, and frequently bioluminescent, but are occasionally prone to a mutation that sees them 3-4x the size of their peers. These individuals are generally able to live on the outskirts of merfolk society should they wish, but often leave to wander the dark depths of the ocean alone. They can, with difficulty, rise to the Twilight areas of the ocean, and on occasion conditions will be such that one will come all the way to the surface. They are likely the basis for some sailors’ stories of sea monsters. They are infertile, and generally stay to the deeper parts of the ocean as rising up causes an imbalance in their internal pressures than can be fatal.
Merfolk born in the Deadwaters (freshwater) are closest in biology to their ocean cousins than any other ocean race, but have a somewhat different physical presentation. The River Heralds are merfolk—a race of amphibious humanoids at home throughout the rivers. swamps and lakes and able to move into the oceans of the world with minimal discomfort. They stand between seven and eight feet tall, with skin that ranges from deep burgundy through many shades of violet and blue, to green, bright orange, and yellow. They are humanlike in shape, but have long fins extending from their shoulders, forearms, middle backs, and calves. Frills of fins also protrude from the backs of their heads. All merfolk in this variation can breathe air or filter oxygen from the water, and they can walk on land or swim with equal ease.