Abyssal Merfolk

Abyssal merfolk are one of fourteen sophontic species native to planet Auvarha. The species differ from tropic merfolk thanks to their environment; abyssal merfolk, as indicated by their names, inhabit the benthic plains of the six oceans found on the planet.

With all this ocean to themselves, these people have transformed the ocean beds into habitable lands for their sprawling megacities.

Anatomy

Eggy Placeholder by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Abyssal merfolk can easily be recognised in the depths by their chromatic scales, producing striking glowing patterns visible in the lightless environement. They have a humanoid upper torso, head, and arms, while their lower torso transforms into a tail that resembles a viperfish.

These merfolk have small heads, with large primitive "eyes" not used for seeing, but for detecting vibrations using hundreds of tiny electroreceptors. Abyssal merfolk regularly reach around three metres in length, the majority of it their lengthy tails.

Benthic Sprawl

What the abyssal merfolk call the "Benthic Sprawl" is the expansion of their megacities to cover the entire planet's ocean bed. Abyssal merfolk are beyond intelligent, far exceeding the likes of any other people on Auvarha. They keep to themselves at the very bottom of the oceans, some going so far as to constructing protective barriers covering their cities.

While these cities may be expansive, these merfolk have not forgotten to give back to nature. Much of these cities work with natural environments, offering caves, crevices, and hiding holes for vulnerable species; farmlands for marine plants and algae to grow en masse, and grazing fields for benthic megafauna.