Merfolk

Merfolk are mainly known for their large fish-like tails that take the place of normal human legs and their vibrant earfins. They exist in a space between human and fish where there is a great deal of wiggle room of what is and isn't 'true merfolk'.

Most merfolk have a specific colour palette that shares both their earfins and tail, usually this colouration is a genetic trait with a merfolk inheriting their colouration from one of their parents or of their ancestors. This can lead to certain neighbourhoods or historical cultures having a similar colouration.

Earfins

Merfolk earfins are usually brightly coloured and match in general colour with the tail colour. Merfolk earfins are usually comprised of a loose rubbery absorbent skin layer that can be controlled via a set of muscles, bones and nerve endings. Merfolk earfins typically have 3 main bones per earfin that give the earfin it's structure and help support it, much like a tent.

Earfin Flap Shape by FeelingKoi

Rounded - Rounded earfins usually are incredibly loose or just happen to grow in a way that leaves a curved convex shape to the earfins. They arch against the inner bones and create a rounded-flap design.

Earfin Flap Shape

Earfin flaps are categorised by one of three main shapes, Webbed, Semi-Webbed and Rounded.

Webbed - Webbed earfins usually have a tighter fin-skin layer and typically arch inward towards the inner bones of the earfin making a concaving bat-wing like arch pointing towards the main ear bones. Their movement can appear stiff and not as flimsy as other types.

Semi-Webbed - Semi-Webbed Earfins are not as tightly pulled as webbed Earfins and thus appear somewhat looser and give a wavy-shape to their silhouette. They can be seen as more expressive and often are very flowy.

Merfolk have the same base perceptional and sensory capabilities as humanoids, with a stronger leaning towards water and wind magics in specific. It is said that once they reach land their perception and sensibilities worsen, specifically hearing, touch and smell, and usually the sight is the same regardless. Some mention that Merfolk may have the ability to sense water and wind magic, especially underwater, but there has been no confirmed answers to this.