Merfolk Physiology

"I ran into them once when I was a whaler. They may be more beautiful than any woman you have seen, but they are as vicious as a blood-hungry shark! I know. I was the only member of my crew to survive."

― Eight-fingers Oba, Heroes of Might and Magic IV, "The Strait of the Lost"

The power to use the abilities of Merfolk. Variation of Mythic Physiology, Hybrid Physiology, and Fish Physiology. Not to be confused with Fish People Physiology.

Also Called

Merfolk Mimicry
Merkind Mimicry/Physiology
Mermaid/man Mimicry/Physiology
Merpeople Mimicry/Physiology

Capabilities

User with this ability either is or can transform into a merfolk (male or female), a being with the upper body of a humanoid and the lower body (in taur-style) of a sea animal/creature (mainly either that of a fish or cetacean). Some are able to transform completely into humanoid form to move on land and some can split their tail into legs. Others have to find other ways to move while on land.

Merfolk are sometimes depicted as perilous creatures associated with floods, storms, shipwrecks, and drowning. In other folk traditions (or sometimes within the same tradition), they can be benevolent, bestowing boons, teaching or even falling in love with humans.

Applications

Variations

Cecaelia Physiology

According to Japanese legends, eating the flesh of a mermaid may act as Immortality Bestowal, and their other organs/body parts, such as the blood or liver, may have similar and related effects. Understandably, this can have unpleasant side-effects.

Associations

Limitations

May have complications when transitioning from water to air.
Ability to remain out of water varies: some are completely unable to breathe air and begin immediately suffocate out of water, others are able to breathe air but need to stay wet to avoid drying, and others being able to stay on land for prolonged periods of time with little to no ill effects.
Scales and skin may dry when overexposed to the Sun or artificial heat, such as fires or heaters.
May be vulnerable to certain diseases.
Lack of legs may pose locomotion difficulties on land: some are able to change between legs and fins, others cannot and are stuck with a tail even out of water.
- The "non-changers" vary in their ability to move on land, some can move upright relatively normally walking/hopping on tailfins, others slither upright across land and some have to drag themselves/crawl on ground.

Known Users

See Also: Our Mermaids Are Different.

Cartoons

Merna the Merhog (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog)
Mermando (Gravity Falls)
Mermaids (Adventure Time)
Amphitrite (Hercules: The Animated Series)
Poseidon (Hercules: The Animated Series)
Triton (Hercules: The Animated Series)
- Melody; being half human, half mermaid
Mer-Pups (PAW Patrol)
Mermista (She-Ra: Princess of Power)
Sofia the First (Sofia the First); via Amulet of Avalor
Merpeople (Sofia the First)
Sirena Von Boo (Monster High)
Meeshell Mermaid (Ever After High)
Merpeople (Jake Long: American Dragon)
Merpeople (Voltron: Legendary Defender)
Merpeople (Winx Club)
Merpeople (Tara Duncan)
Alim Coelacanth (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1987 TV series)
The Mer-Boy (Rupert the Bear)