MerFolk
"The waters belong to the Merfolk, every river, lake, and surrounding ocean are part of their watery kingdom. Each Mer is different in design, no two alike. Some have the tails of fish, while others have a human upper body with a lower half that resembles an octopus. Should one of these beautiful creatures be spotted, one might be wary of venturing too close to the water's edge.
"
Racial Bonus
xxxxx◦ Merfolk can assume a humanoid and walk on land. Failure to return to their natural habitat can result in fatigue and eventually death or the lost of their fins
Merfolk Stats
xxxxx◦ Merfolk reach physical and mental maturity at the age of 18. Their life expectancy maxes at 1000.
xxxxx◦ Blood causes lethargy for blood-drinkers; tastes highly salty
xxxxx◦ Suggested Alignment: Any
Gifts of the Sea
Each merfolk can choose up to three of the following Gifts.
If a Gift is chosen, a Limitation is also required; however, they need only ONE Limitation, regardless of the number of Gifts.
xxxxx◦Poseidon's Call:
xxxxxxxxBy using a conch shell, a loud song, or some other very obvious method, they are able to call on the waves to do as they command. They can founder, still, or sink even the largest of oceangoing vessels. This power is very draining to use.
xxxxx◦Terror of the Depths:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer can call on the most instinctive fears of the deepest darkest depths of the ocean and instill that fear in those who can hear him
xxxxx◦Kraken's Strength:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer has the strength of the greatest of sea creatures, but only while in the water. While at least half submerged, the Mer can lift and move 5 times what a normal person might be able to.
xxxxx◦Siren's Song:
xxxxxxxxhe Mer has an unnaturally beautiful singing voice. They can easily make a living as a singer and entertain any listener. However, by using their innate powers, they can turn that song to a hunter's lure. When they choose to, they can sing a song of such beauty that listeners are drawn to it, regardless of how dangerous getting to the Mer might be. If the listener puts their head underwater while the Mer is singing, it breaks the song. And if the mer is singing underwater, and the listener puts their head out of the water, it also breaks the song.
xxxxx◦Amphitrite's Gift:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer is unusually in touch with the life of the sea, and is able to speak to and understand all seagoing life. All such creatures are automatically well-disposed towards the Mer, and if able, will perform simple tasks to aid the Mer, if asked. Some might do so without asking (such as defending the Mer if they see it in danger). Sealife is not always the smartest, and things like smaller fish generally don't know more than what has gone on around them recently, and gossip related to their own lives. Other creatures, such as whales and squid are more knowledgeable. More belligerent creatures, such as sharks, may be stubborn or hostile towards a Mer and may attack it.
xxxxx◦ Ripples on the Waves:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer is capable of blending in to the waves while on the surface and not fully out of the water, effectively becoming invisible. By remaining still, they seem to become one with the water, simply fading from sight, almost as though they were made of water and returning to what they are made of.
xxxxx◦ Ancient Bloodline:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer's bloodline is a pure one, reaching back into the depths of time, unsullied by mixing with other creatures. As such, they are still close to the original Mer created by the gods so long ago, having the following gifts:
xxxxxxxxxxTimeless: the Mer does not age, and will not die of natural age. Note: Players may not start over the life expectancy max at Character creation.
xxxxxxxxxxMagic Resistance: The Mer is very resistant to hostile spells
xxxxxxxxxxSelf-Sustaining: They have no need to eat, though often do for pleasure. As well, they can not be poisoned by any means, even supernatural ones.
xxxxx◦ Enhanced Sonar:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer is able to use pulses of sound exactly like a dolphin can. Underwater, this allows them to know the location of every creature and object around them within shout range. Even being invisible can not hide from this ability, and the Mer can tell what the creature is, by the sonar “ping” so long as they have encountered one before. This can also be used as an attack.
xxxxx◦ Enhanced Senses:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer's senses are boosted far beyond human levels, to that of a sea creature's. As such, they have the following abilities: Their sense of smell is as good as that of a shark, able to detect even minute amounts of scent and blood. They can track using this sense of smell. Their sense of touch is as keen as that of the catfish or manatee, able to differentiate a single grain of sand among a pile. Their sense of hearing is as good as that of a dolphin. And their vision is as keen as that of a shark or mantis shrimp, able to see in the darkest depths. As well, they have an innate danger sense, that means they are never truly surprised or unable to react. In a combat situation, they are never, ever caught off guard.
xxxxx◦ Wish Granting:
xxxxxxxxThe rarest and most unique of the Mer gifts, this allows them to grant a wish to another. As well, it is dangerous to them, if someone found out they can do it. Wishes may ONLY be granted to others, never themselves (the merperson). Limit one wish per person.
Limitations
xxxxx◦Unlegged:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer is unable to take on a land form, ever. This may not be taken by someone with Shapeshifting that chooses to be a sea creature who assumes Mer form
xxxxx◦Blood Drinker: :
xxxxxxxxThe Mer has a need to drink blood at least once a day. They will become angered and crazed if prevented from doing so, becoming fatigued and if not satisfied, incapacitated.
xxxxx◦Thirst for Knowledge:
xxxxxxxxElves are wise and knowledgeable; some however, have a thirst for knowledge that can even interrupt their daily lives. Elves with this limitation will do anything to learn something new or discover something no one has ever seen before. They are distracted by books and information, and hold the utmost respect for scholars like themselves. It can be a heavy distraction at times for them to try and hold a conversation while something besides it peaks their interest.
xxxxx◦Short Fuse:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer is very arrogant and vain, and has a temper to match. If insulted, overlooked, or otherwise made to feel unimportant, they are very likely to explode in anger.
xxxxx◦Distractable:
xxxxxxxxThe Mer is very, very easily distracted by shiny and valuable things. What is valuable is up to each Mer, but even shiny seashells can be a distraction to them! Very common among “classic” mermaids.
