I — When Waves Crashed
What we are: No matter what form we take, we are beings from the sea, we are creatures, monsters, “the devils in the depths”, whatever they call us, we are MERFOLK. We were born to live and rule the waters and everything in it. We are the ocean itself, just in a much smaller physical, slightly fragile form. We are its memories, its voice, and its judgement. We are an embodiment of natural power. We can survive the harshest climates. We adapt and change; we are fluid like the water running through us.
Long before land dwellers began to build cities onto the earth, we ruled beneath the waves. Our cities were beautiful coral kingdoms stretching endlessly, bioluminescence glowed thru the cities pulsing with life, and the trenches whispered things that the surface would never be able to hear.
The merfolk was not always divided, but once the sky opened up and the oceans got angry, everything shifted.
At the heart of our origin lies the ancient truth, we as a people were not always divided. In the first tide, there were two beings born of the same ocean spirit called “Thal’Mora” meaning “breath of the deep”. These two siblings were equal in power and ruled in balance for as long as the first tide, that is until the surface grew too loud…
25 years later:
We now live amongst the land dwellers. Some of us hand in hand, the other half only tolerating them. We as a people will always have a disdain for humans, it's built into our very soul, and what they did for our oceans. Although we live amongst them, we also hide our true nature, for humans are curious by nature too. They are not blind, not entirely that is, and some have noticed patterns from us- strange beings going into the water and not resurfacing, the random attraction they have to us for no reason at all, strange figures in the water along the coastlines. They are beginning to remember stories of us, and if they do, they will seek to understand us, and if they seek to understand they will seek more than understanding.
We as a people have a duty to protect the ocean, although it allows us to leave, we must by all means return to the ocean every night. We must replenish what was lost while on land, for if we don't we meet a terrible end, we dry out and turn into a pile of salt.
II — Growth and Ranking: The ways of the water
The ocean will always empower us and grant us with the power we need. There are certain steps one needs to take to feel stronger and be blessed by the ocean and its spirits.
Meditation- All beings in the ocean have to know how to call upon the ocean for power. They must strengthen the bond they feel with the ocean itself. For if one does not strengthen their bond, they will never feel the full power the ocean has to offer.
Classes- Those that dwell in the ocean will learn skills that are much needed by those that are stronger than them. The skills will help one completely harness the merfolk spirt inside oneself.
Trial and tribulation- The ocean is not forgiving, however, it does take notice with what happens within one's spirit.
Merfolk rankings:
🌊 Saltborn
newly wakened
unstable
🌊 Tidewalker
basic control over abilities
learned discipline
🌊 Current weavers
strong bond with ocean
🌊 Storm caller
powerful and respected
🌊 Abyssal Ascendent
Legends and leaders
embodiments of the oceans will
III — Identity: The creature beneath the glamor
We are captivatingly and hauntingly beautiful, Merfolk are not the gentle fairytale creatures humans once imagined. They are ancient beings of the sea, predators wrapped in grace. They ruled the coasts in silence, pulling ships off course, guarding drowned relics, and keeping their kingdoms hidden beneath dark water where no sunlight reaches.
There lies a truth behind the lie we show everyday to the land dwellers. When the glamor wears off, what's left is our natural form in all its glory. Even though we all share our natural beautiful tails, we are all different in looks, some of us are more monstrous looking then others. Some have sharp teeth, black eyes, gills they can't hide, claws meant for ripping flesh, and scales along their skin that they can't hide at all, although some of us are just as gorgeous behind the glamor.
When we do walk amongst the land, we shift into what land dwellers look like to hide the thing that makes us merfolk. The magic is taxing on our bodies the longer we hold it and don't go to the water. For if we hold it too long, the waters that hold the glamor together will fall apart no matter where we are.
Be warned, our spirit does not like the land and to be separated from the ocean itself, for if we stay out too long and dehydrate fully, you will turn into a pile of salt… That in itself is the worst death one of us could imagine, it is a painful feeling of everything that makes you a merfolk evaporate into nothingness.
IV — Special ToTM abilities
Lure of the ocean- being able to control someone with a single song (only last until you are done, is not permanent)
Blood weaving- manipulating the blood in ones body
Water manipulation- making the water do whatever you want
Sirens mark- creating a bond with them. They become enthralled to you so be careful who you do this to.
TOTM abilities vary with rank and skill. Power without discipline leads to consequences.
V — The nature of Merfolk
We consider ourselves some of the oldest creatures out there, we've been here as long as the ocean has been here. We are the embodiment of the ocean itself, just a physical form, much smaller and our bodies are slightly fragile, but we are natural healers. We naturally weave the water to our command, always asking and commanding it to do as we please, within reason. We are master manipulators of liquid, we have a natural defense against mind magics. We draw our powers from the ocean and the spirits that dwell within. They are not as forgiving as one may think. The ocean itself is a very dangerous place. When among the land be wary of dehydration, fire, and true iron, for they are our weakness.
Merfolk magic is not just power, it is also belief that it's already in ones self.
One reaches this power thru:
Meditation with the tides
Listening to ocean currents
Emotional and spiritual balance with one's self
Lessons and teachings
There are certain paths the merfolk can go down, but be wary, once chosen the other path may close.
Water weaver
Ice bringer
Storm bringer (hidden class)
VI — Advancement
To grow stronger, merfolk must earn it.
Advancement is achieved through:
Consistent roleplay
Attending classes or events
Demonstrating mastery of abilities
Providing detailed proof of progression
This ensures power feels meaningful and not just handed out. The ocean does watch and listen.
VII — Merfolk beliefs
Merfolk are not just chaotic powerhouses, some of them are intentional beings
Key beliefs:
The ocean is sacred
Power is respected, not abused
Emotions influence magic
Elders and higher ranks are honored
Tolerate humans
We are only born this way
Roleplay should reflect:
Fluidity (like water)
Depth (emotional and cultural)
Restraint when needed
VIII — Do's and Don'ts
Do:
Respect your rank limitations
Build your character’s connection to the ocean
Progress naturally through roleplay
Collaborate with others
Don’t:
Use high-level abilities at low rank (there will be consequences)
Ignore weaknesses (like dehydration or distance from water)
Powerplay or attempt to skip progression
IX — Shared ocean
Merfolk are not solo creatures. However, some do seek a solitary life.
Merfolk are united through:
The Mer Council – Leaders and decision-makers as a whole
Oceanic Territories – Different regions (pods thru the ocean)
Shared Purpose – Protecting the balance of the seas (this is key)
X — Race Importance
The merfolk are more than a race, they are a force tied to the world itself.
They remember what others forget. They feel what others ignore.
And now, as the oceans begin to rage once more, they rise from the watery depths.
Not as conquerors,
But as witnesses, protectors… and perhaps, if needed something far more dangerous.