SEREPIS ATOLL
[ sah·rehp·iss ah·tole ]
NATLEI
[ naht·lay ]
Overview:
Located at the true center between the four main continents, the Illas de Nareitas is a notorious point of interest. Most of its water is pulled from the Lunenguay Ocean to the east; however, the western Itutara Ocean filters in on a smaller scale. Four large, uninhabitable rock formations act as the islands, and they sit surrounding the Serepis Atoll, the body of water confined within the islands. The waters within the Atoll are beautiful shades of blue and green, with a pink and orange ring near the rocky islands where a coral reef has formed around the lagoon’s perimeter. With numerous smaller, dangerously sharp outcroppings doting the waters between the islands themselves, attempting to get within these waters is a formidable impossibility. The fabled city of Natlei flourishes miles below the surface, home to the merfolk not yet seen by mortal eyes.
Were one capable of traversing the rocky depths, they would find that Natlei was no fable, and it is far more robust than one might have expected. Architecture that seems to have no equal makes up the buildings of this underwater city, with homes and shops built directly into stories-tall underwater cliffs, atop which the palace rests. Beautiful walkways grace each level, and stairways that crumble slightly give some truth to the myth of the gods’ sunken city of Nuageux… though that name has long-since been forgotten by the current population.
Government:
Monarchical in design. The women of this society are reared to rule, and it is the first-born daughter that is in line to take the throne in the Queen’s departure. The current Queen has four children, two daughters and two sons, and although the sons were the first to be born, it is the third child, the first daughter, that is the rightful heir to Natlei’s throne. The Queen selects a Council of ten advisors whom she consults for matters of lawfulness, though she has the final say in the end. In history, it has been rare for the Queen to go against the majority of the Council's decision, but it is not unheard of nor is their decision law.
The Council, once chosen, rarely changes except in instances of treason or death. The only exception to this is if the people vote with the belief that a current Council Member is unfit for duty, at which point they are put to trial by the Queen and a panel of citizens. It is worth noting that anyone making a false claim against a Council Member will instead be put to trial themselves, and subject to banishment or death as a result. If the claim is a genuine concern but the Council Member in question is determined to be fit, no punishment shall befall the reporter.
Continent Lore:
The four rocky islands that surround the Illas de Nareitas are rumored to be the remnants of the Four Drowned Sisters as noted by historians. Legend has it that the Wildmother bore four daughters, and bound them to the four corners of Vaelthea.
Lelrefri, who crafted Vianden and the humans.
Imneluna, who breathed life into Mvaserine and the elves.
Yllvashara, who designed Callela and the fae.
Pomedosa, who created Yrineglen and the faunfolk.
As time progressed and Vaelthea’s inhabitants drifted farther from the goddesses who blessed them so, the Four Sisters became angry--bitter for their creations, so dubbed the Ungrateful Children to act as if they no longer needed their dutiful and devoted creators. Forbidden by the Wildmother to smite them all, the Sisters sacrificed themselves to the sea where the two oceans meet.
In their sacrifice, the remnants of their bodies make up each rocky island that, together, form the Illas de Nareitas.
This sacrifice gave birth to their last gift to their mother, the Merfolk. The islands left behind were meant to protect this race by preventing the Ungrateful Children from finding them and corrupting their purity.
In mourning the deaths of her daughters, it is said the Wildmother no longer hears the prayers of Vaelthea’s children. The merfolk are her chosen people, and as such they are the only race acknowledged at present.
Exports
None known, at present.
Cultural Norms
Mermaid names are unconventional and typically unheard of to the Common tongue.
Magick
Innate magickal abilities are most common, though some merfolk are incapable. There is no schooling or anything special that comes with it. They are merely borne and exist, using their powers freely amongst themselves. The only intervention comes when it is abused.
Merfolk Race
Races
Although they look very similar, there are a few notable differences between the types of merfolk that make up Natlei, and they can be male or female.
Sirens: Procured from the goddess’ and the Wildmother’s anger towards the Ungrateful Children, the Sirens are capable of producing otherworldly songs that lure ships and the men upon it to their deaths.
Selkies: From the love of nature, the Selkies were granted the ability of therianthropy, allowing them to shapeshift into any aquatic creature.
Nereids: Derived from the goddess’ gentler sides, the Nereids are the kinder of the three. Mermaids of this class are often more willing to help outsiders much to the chagrin of others within their race.
Physical Traits
Any natural skin tone found in humans or elves.
Eyes can be any color and there are no limitations. Sclera can be black or white only.
Hair color has no limits. Any length is acceptable.
Typically between 7’-8’ long when in their merform. When on land, they assume the normal height of a human or elf.
Ears can be finned, human, or elven.
When underwater, fingers are webbed. This may also be true for their humanoid form, though not necessary, as it is an aesthetic preference.
Tails are more commonly fish-like, but jellyfish and seahorse can be seen as well. Rarer, but not impossible, are crabs and lobsters, though these typically are seen on mermen. No limitations on colors.
Prefer to not wear clothing, especially underwater, but love to decorate themselves with trinkets and various accessories. Those with higher social standing are often more decorated.
[eel·ahs dee nah·ray·tahs]