Marelis
WSS
Marelis
The Marelis are a semi-aquatic species who are found almost exclusively on Ryold. Marelis are, in a clamshell, people of the water. Present-day marelis are amphibious, but their history tells of a time when their ancestors lived mainly underwater, so their tendency to live on land is probably a choice. They can be male, female, agender, or hermaphroditic.
Undine tend to be very charismatic, but they are a secretive and often capricious people. Trying to get to know a marelis is like trying to get to know the sea - beautiful and enchanting, but it can be dangerous or even deadly if don't give it enough respect. Even when they seem to be conforming to human societies, they are rarely as simple as they seem. In general, they are semi-nomadic and unlikely to form any lasting attachments to physical places or dwellings, but they form incredibly strong bonds with other sentient beings and hold strong personal ideals amongst their social units, called Pods.
Undine tend to be very charismatic, but they are a secretive and often capricious people. Trying to get to know a marelis is like trying to get to know the sea - beautiful and enchanting, but it can be dangerous or even deadly if don't give it enough respect. Even when they seem to be conforming to human societies, they are rarely as simple as they seem. In general, they are semi-nomadic and unlikely to form any lasting attachments to physical places or dwellings, but they form incredibly strong bonds with other sentient beings and hold strong personal ideals amongst their social units, called Pods.
ability score increase:
None - See Class
age:
Marelis have long lifespans, around 150-200 years, and are considered adults around their mid-fifties. They physically mature slightly slower than humans.
Size:
Medium
speed:
You have a base walking speed of 30 feet and a swim speed of 60 feet.
Languages:
Common, Marelis
race features:
Amphibious
Marelis are amphibious, able to breathe both air and water, but they do not have visible gills. Instead they have the ability to close off their trachea before it reaches their lungs, and they have internal gills lining their trachea and nasal passages.
Aquatic Heritage
Thanks to their acclimation to living underwater, the marelis don't suffer negative effects from entering deep sea environments and are excellent swimmers. Most marelis also tend to be a little on the bulkier side, and it's because they still have a good layer of blubber under their skin, which also aids in their swimming abilities and protects them from cold water temperatures.
Marelic Senses
Marelis have adaptations to their five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell that allow them to be amphibious, but some of which offer some slight disadvantage to land living. They have strong muscles around the eyes that allow them to change from a sperical shape (for air) to cylindrical (for water) and a large pupil for seeing in dark conditions. However, this leaves them disadvantaged in bright conditions, and often somewhat near-sighted. Their hearing is developed to be able to be used in air and water, but it is not especially good in either place; however, they have some measure of bone conductivity to assist their hearing and can, to an extent, echolocate. Their skin is extra sensitive and can give them some advantage in investigation by touch, even as far as navigating based on wind direction. Unfortunately, their soft skin is delicate and sensitive, leaving them extra sensitive to pain and while their skin heals fast, they often have many scratches and minor cuts and subsequent scars. Their sense of taste and smell tend to be somewhat muted, leaving them often searching for extra strong flavors and scents to compensate.
Amphibious
Marelis are amphibious, able to breathe both air and water, but they do not have visible gills. Instead they have the ability to close off their trachea before it reaches their lungs, and they have internal gills lining their trachea and nasal passages.
Aquatic Heritage
Thanks to their acclimation to living underwater, the marelis don't suffer negative effects from entering deep sea environments and are excellent swimmers. Most marelis also tend to be a little on the bulkier side, and it's because they still have a good layer of blubber under their skin, which also aids in their swimming abilities and protects them from cold water temperatures.
Marelic Senses
Marelis have adaptations to their five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell that allow them to be amphibious, but some of which offer some slight disadvantage to land living. They have strong muscles around the eyes that allow them to change from a sperical shape (for air) to cylindrical (for water) and a large pupil for seeing in dark conditions. However, this leaves them disadvantaged in bright conditions, and often somewhat near-sighted. Their hearing is developed to be able to be used in air and water, but it is not especially good in either place; however, they have some measure of bone conductivity to assist their hearing and can, to an extent, echolocate. Their skin is extra sensitive and can give them some advantage in investigation by touch, even as far as navigating based on wind direction. Unfortunately, their soft skin is delicate and sensitive, leaving them extra sensitive to pain and while their skin heals fast, they often have many scratches and minor cuts and subsequent scars. Their sense of taste and smell tend to be somewhat muted, leaving them often searching for extra strong flavors and scents to compensate.
Description:
Examples of Given Names: Nauman, Imele, Taluit, Namik, Hellis
Examples of Pod Names: Aberviegin, Seralloch, Cabercly, Bomberllere, Abersoch
Common
Common Marelis are those might likely to be encountered by others and to live amongst land-dwellers.
Deep Sea
Deep Sea Marelis are reclusive and shy; they are more likely to build homes and spend time underwater or in exclusive Marelic communities.
Physical Description
The marelis are bipedal, with facial and body features very similar to a human's. They tend to be similar in size to the humans, though they tend to be on the shorter side compared to their human cousins, an average height of 4'4" to 5'4". They may or may not have some fish-like features such as fins (usually on the head, ears, back, wrists, or ankles), scales, or webbed hands and feet. Marelis eyes come almost exclusively in shades of blue and green, with occasional occurances of purple and gray. Their skin comes in shades of blue and green that can range from a very pale whitish-blue or whiteish-green to dark colors to rival the deepest depths of the oceans. Generally, a marelis' hair and aquatic characteristics (scales, webs, fins, etc.) are either a lighter or darker shade of the same color as their skin.Names
A Marelis has a given name and family (pod) names. Whenever they leave a pod to join another pod at any stage of life, they generally simply add the new pod name; so while they have a minimum of two names, they may have several more than that. For inspiration, consider Celtic (any variation), Scottish, or Inuit names.Examples of Given Names: Nauman, Imele, Taluit, Namik, Hellis
Examples of Pod Names: Aberviegin, Seralloch, Cabercly, Bomberllere, Abersoch
Ethnicities
Amongst the Marelis there are two ethnicities.Common
Common Marelis are those might likely to be encountered by others and to live amongst land-dwellers.
Deep Sea
Deep Sea Marelis are reclusive and shy; they are more likely to build homes and spend time underwater or in exclusive Marelic communities.
For more information, see the Marelis race page.
Find your way!
Resources
WHO WE ARE
LEGAL
Get the news
Listen to our Podcast
Our Allies
by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.045 © 2017-2025 [en] | Anvil Time: 01:03, Dec 21 2025