Merfolk

Description

In the aquatic realms of Zelrinda, the Merfolk dance beneath the waves, a race of captivating beings that seamlessly blend the grace of humans with the beauty of marine life. With their humanoid upper bodies and resplendent fish tails, Merfolk bring an array of colors to the depths they call home. Their tails, reminiscent of various fish species, display a vibrant array of hues, from iridescent blues and greens to the fiery reds and oranges found in coral reefs.

Merfolk, with their captivating features, often possess webbed fingers for greater dexterity in underwater environments. Some bear sharp teeth, attesting to their predatory capabilities in the depths where they reside. Finned ears, an elegant adaptation, not only aid in their aquatic existence but also add a touch of ethereal beauty to their visage.

Culture

In the hidden depths of Zelrinda’s oceans, Merfolk culture emerges as a testament to their intimate connection with the wonders of the deep. Thriving in coral cities and concealed grottoes, Merfolk communities have crafted a society that reveres the mysteries of the ocean, forming a harmonious bond with the aquatic realm.

Graceful and captivating, Merfolk elegantly navigate open waters or gather in bustling merfolk markets, where goods and tales are enchantingly exchanged. While commonly seen in Zelrinda’s underwater realms, they’ve also established themselves in coastal cities worldwide, sharing their unique culture.

Merfolk hold a deep reverence for the oceans, forming alliances with respectful underwater races. They exhibit gentleness to those who honor the seas but show fierceness towards those who harm the ocean and its delicate balance. Protecting marine life and preserving the ocean’s mysteries are central tenets in Merfolk culture.

Merfolk Traits

Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution increases by 2 and your Wisdom by 1.

Age: Merfolks are quick to mature due to their hostile living environment filled with dangerous predators. They mature by the age of 10 and live for 250 years.

Alignment: Merfolk typically lean toward good or neutral alignments with their carefree view on life and their love for the ocean.

Size: Merfolk vary widely in their appearances. In their natural form, they can be 6 to 8 feet long from head to tip of tail and weigh between 300 and 400 pounds. However,losing the bulk of their tail In their landwalker form, they are usually around 5 and a half feet tall and weigh 140 to 220 pounds on average. You are considered Medium size.

Speed: In their natural form, Merfolk are fast and agile in the water but slow and sluggish when on land. In your natural form, you have a walking speed of 10 feet and a swim speed of 40 feet. In your landwalker form, your walking speed is 30 feet and your swim speed is 15 feet.

Darkvision: You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Amphibious: You can breathe air and water both in your natural and landwalker forms.

Merfolk Weapon Training: You are considered proficient with javalins and tridents.

Inhabitants of the Deep: Adapted to even the most extreme ocean depths, you have resistance to cold damage, and you ignore any of the drawbacks caused by a deep, underwater environment. Additionally, you can cast speak with animals at will as long as the target has a swim speed.

Water Camouflage: Merfolk naturally excel at blending in with the water to hide themselves from predators. While you are submerged in water you can use the Hide action with advantage on your stealth check without the need to be obscured by the environment. Both your skin and your scales react to the water allowing you to use this ability in both of your forms.

Landwalker Transformation: Merfolk have an innate ability to shed their scaly tails. When you have been out of water for 10 minutes your tail naturally morphs into two humanoid legs, these legs look humanoid but can still have splotches of scales on the calves and thighs. If submerged in water for a minute your legs will revert back towards your natural form. You can stay in your landwalker form for a number of days equal to your constitution score without any negative effects, for each long rest starting after this period you gain a level of exhaustion as your body begins to dry out.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan.

 

 

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