The Merfolk are an aquatic humanoid race that can be encountered in the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1][2][3]
Overview[]
Merfolk are marine-dwelling, amphibious humanoids that survive by herding fish, but during times of need they will attack other sea-peoples or ocean-going vessels. They live underwater but occasionally surface to sun themselves on large rocks.[3] While merfolk are unlikely to travel into wildspace, they have been encountered throughout the Known Spheres, especially on water worlds such as Thalassa[1] and Conatha in Greyspace.[2]
Description[]
Merfolk are aquatic humanoids with the head, arms and upper torso of a human and a great fish-like tail. Adult merfolk are 5 to 6 feet long and weigh between 150 and 225 pounds. Their skin tone is fair to tan, while their scales range in color from green to silver. They usually have dark brown hair, though certain individuals may have fair hair. Females, also known as mermaids, are typically 6 inches shorter than mermen and weigh between 100 to 150 pounds. Merfolk adorn themselves with coral and shell decorations. They speak their own language (with each community speaking its own distinct dialect) and about half of all communities also speak locathah.[3]
Behavior[]
Merfolk society is heavily patriarchal. They prefer to be left to themselves and usually reject proposals of friendship or trade. They have strong territorial instincts and, while not actively hostile, have no love of outsiders. Mermen hunt and herd fish and protect their territory, whereas mermaids raise children and tend to domestic affairs. Mermaids are also known for their creativity, and often produce works of art for the community, including shell carvings, seaweed tapestries, and songs.[3]
Combat[]
Merfolk warriors are usually well-armed with a mix of tridents, crossbows, javelins and daggers. Merfolk crossbows are designed to function underwater and have a range of 30 feet. A number of warriors will also be equipped with grappling hooks and coils of rope which they use to attack surface vessels. The vessels are dragged to a halt and a hole is cut into the hull, allowing it to sink, after which the cargo is looted by the merfolk.[3]
Merfolk are particularly vulnerable to fire-based attacks.[3]
Society[]
Merfolk typically establish their undersea communities along a reef or cliff honeycombed with passages, whereas about 1 in 10 villages are constructed from sea shells and coral. An average community will have between 200 and 1,200 adult inhabitants, and is typically guarded by a school of up 18 trained barracuda.
Merfolk are omnivorous, but they prefer a diet of fish, lobster, crab, and shellfish. They do not cook these creatures, but must fillet them before consuming them. They can survive out of water for up to an hour before they begin to dehydrate. After an hour they will slowly begin to die; however, once immersed in fresh or salt water they will immediately recover.
Merfolk have many natural enemies, but particularly hate the sahuagin and ixitxachitl, and often clash with tritons over territory. Merfolk have an average life expectancy of about 150 years.[3]
Notable Merfolk[]
- Rendal was the prime minister of the merfolk kingdom of Varanais on the water world Conatha in Greyspace.[4]
Signature Spelljammers[]
Some merfolk communities have discovered the existence of spelljamming, often from speaking with spacefaring explorers or traders. Some have even developed an understanding of how spelljamming vessels operate. However, most merfolk have absolutely no interest in leaving their home worlds.[1]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Merfolk article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Merfolk article at the Dragonlance Wiki, a wiki for the Dragonlance campaign setting.
- Merfolk article at the Eberron Wiki, a wiki for the Eberron campaign setting.
- Merfolk article at the Dungeons and Dragons Lore Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from every edition.
- Merfolk article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nigel D. Findley, SJR4 Practical Planetology, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Thalassa section, chapter 4 Water Bodies, page 26
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nigel D. Findley, SJR6 Greyspace, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Conatha chapter, page 44
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Merman entry, page 249
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJR6 Greyspace, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Important NPCs section, Conatha chapter, page 47