Merfolk

Cousins to the proud Triton, merfolk dwell in hidden coves, shallow reefs, and coral palaces far from mortal shores. Unlike tritons, whose forms are fully humanoid, merfolk bear sleek, scaled tails that glimmer like living jewels in the sunlit waters. They are shy and elusive, preferring to avoid mortals altogether, yet those who win their trust speak of them as gentle allies and skilled traders.   Merfolk barter in pearls, rare corals, and enchanted shells that carry whispers of the sea. They prize stories and songs as highly as gold, often exchanging treasures for tales of distant lands. Sailors claim these sea-folk are under Thassa’s quiet protection, a gift of compassion born from her grief over the loss of Korinna. The merfolk themselves tell a different story—that they are the remnants of Korinna’s court, reshaped by Nyx into their current form so they might live in peace beneath the waves.   Though timid, merfolk can be fierce defenders of their homes. They vanish into kelp forests and strike from ambush with spears tipped in enchanted coral, but they prefer harmony to bloodshed. To meet them is rare, and to be welcomed among them is considered a blessing of the sea itself.