Overview

Merpeople (also known as merfolk, including mermen and mermaids) are sentient aquatic beings with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish. They live in underwater communities and have their own complex societies and cultures.

Classification

Ministry Status: Classified as "Beings" though they requested "Beast" status to avoid association with other creatures

Physical Appearance

• Upper body: Human-like torso, arms, and head
• Lower body: Fish tail with scales
• Grayish skin (in British waters)
• Long, wild greenish hair
• Yellow, broken teeth
• Appearance varies by location
• Some regions have more attractive merpeople

Physical Abilities

Adaptations for aquatic life:

• Excellent swimmers
• Can breathe underwater
• Cannot survive long out of water
• Strong tails for propulsion
• Adapted eyes for underwater vision

Intelligence and Society

Language

Mermish communication:

• Sounds like screeching above water
• Understandable underwater
• Complex language with grammar
• Can be learned by wizards
• Selkies speak different aquatic language

Underwater Communities

Merpeople settlements include:

• Villages in lakes and oceans
• Stone dwellings
• Gardens of water plants
• Central meeting areas
• Territorial boundaries

Relationship with Wizards

Merpeople interactions with magical humans:

• Generally prefer isolation
• Wary of wizard interference
• Will defend territory if threatened
• Occasional diplomatic contact
• Helped during crises in past
• Mostly peaceful coexistence

Weapons and Tools

• Spears with fish-bone tips
• Stone tools and implements
• Craft items from underwater materials
• Use weapons effectively underwater

Magic

Merpeople magical abilities:

• Have their own form of magic
• Don't use wands
• Magic works well underwater
• Different from wizard magic

Regional Variations

Merpeople differ by location:

• British merpeople: Gray, somewhat fierce-looking
• Warmer water merpeople: More attractive appearance
• Selkies: Scottish variety that can shed tails
• Cultural differences between populations

Temperament

Merpeople behavior:

• Proud and independent
• Protective of territory
• Can be friendly if respected
• Fierce when threatened
• Value their autonomy

Music and Arts

Merpeople cultural expressions:

• Singing (beautiful underwater, harsh above)
• Stone carvings and sculptures
• Decorative dwellings
• Celebrations and festivals

Legal Status

Merpeople chose unique classification:

• Offered "Being" status by Ministry
• Refused along with centaurs
• Prefer independence from wizard law
• Govern themselves