Merfolk City

This has bothered me for too long. There is a mention of Merfolk City in the Topazial Sea page and the Mermaid page mentions that those at sea live in underwater cities. So here is my blind description I wrote in a side-story.


Merfolk City

Danger: High
Inhabitants: All kinds of mermaids, Ichtys


Merfolk City is a common name given by humans about the underwater cities where mermaids live. The cities are a marvel to look like, spanning at least three times the size of Negav. The architecture is a sight to behold, crafted from a multitude of sea shells, corals, stones and aquatic metals, and turned into towering houses thanks by powerful magic. While these houses are huge for a human, they are seen as normally sized for the many giant mermaids. It's not uncommon for these buildings to have jewels from the depth adorned on the sides during crafting, which gives a an awe-inspiring luster when day breaks. A multitude of gardens can be seen over the side of their "streets", ranging from seaweeds, coral, kelp, sea sponges and even sea anemones.

Merfolk City is one of the few places in Felarya where giant and small mermaids can be seen living together. For whatever reason, the cities are neutral, and many odd friendships between aquatic predators and preys have been forged there. This is also where one can see a high concentration of Ichtys in their natural habitat, nurturing young mermaids when their parents are off hunting. Indeed, the cities are mostly seen as a place to go when not hunting. The cities are highly dangerous to humans. First of all, reaching a city alone is a feat, considering one must dive incredibly deep while avoiding all of the oceanic predators. Plus, while mermaids and ichtys live hand in hand there, humans are still considered little snacks within their borders. However, given the rarity of small humanoids in these cities, many mermaids will fight among themselves trying to determine who gets to eat it.


That's all I have in mind for now.

Mhh actually I had the same idea of thinking a bit about a merfolk city ^^
I'm not really sure how it would like but your post is a good basis to start

The first question for this is "where?"

This can't be just anywhere in the sea, because it assumably has to be on the seafloor, and the seafloor is really, really deep. Deep enough that most of the creatures that human seamen see wouldn't be able to survive due to the pressures.

I'd say a reef because a reef has coral and rock, it's, in which case, it's gonna have the kind of fish and mermaids based of fish that live in coral and obviously, around reefs.

The second is "How & Why?"
You've said that the coral and stone has been shaped by magic. Who's magic? Who did it? Why did they do it.
There needs to be a reason for the place to exist.
Look at Negav, it's a human (formerly neko) settlement location on the former border between two empires. Its tactical and strategic location, in addition to its economic location (ascarlin & diamond mines) means that is has prospered and been built up into what it is in modern Felaryan times.

Quote :

and aquatic metals

Metal? In an ocean? An ocean of salt water?
Nope.

Okay, metals are a bad idea. Also, have you read citIES. Plural, multiple, more than one. This is not a single place but a common term. Also, did you read what I said? It's a place where mermaids go when not hunting. The sea is dangerous, so it's a rally point. Or to be even more precise...

The mermaid wiki entry wrote:

They [Mermaids] are said to have a few large underwater cities in Topazial sea and they regularly go there to mate or simply spend time with their kind.

This. This is the reason why they would make those cities.

its an excellent idea

but how would they build it? with...tree water's trunks?

tree water trunks pft .. xD
I see it being made primarily of stones

Or giant coral reefs and other aquatic materials.

It doesn't need to be all the way on the sea floor, it could also be on the side or slope of an underwater mountain. Have you seen a topographical map of the Earth's Oceans? They aren't all flat. There's mountains, ridges, and lots of variation all throughout. You will also be surprised the amount of life can with stand "crushing" depths (crushing as viewed by humans, that is). I see these cities completely unlivable for humans, which is just fine. Everything doesn't need to be "prey-safe".

Also, as a counter argument it's worthless to relate mermaid's similarity to humans, as they are clearly not human at all, and therefore have a completely different biological build. Just eliminating that as a counter argument.

Archmage_Bael wrote:

It doesn't need to be all the way on the sea floor, it could also be on the side or slope of an underwater mountain. Have you seen a topographical map of the Earth's Oceans? They aren't all flat. There's mountains, ridges, and lots of variation all throughout. You will also be surprised the amount of life can with stand "crushing" depths (crushing as viewed by humans, that is). I see these cities completely unlivable for humans, which is just fine. Everything doesn't need to be "prey-safe".

Also, as a counter argument it's worthless to relate mermaid's similarity to humans, as they are clearly not human at all, and therefore have a completely different biological build. Just eliminating that as a counter argument.

I really doubt it would be a true "city" in the way that we tend to think of one. Building, well, buildings is largely useless for undersea creatures, and I could imagine quite a few mermaids being extremely uncomfortable to be cooped up in an enclosed space. It would probably be more of a gathering point than a true city. Just a place where mermaids congregate.

That's too easy though, I mean of course normally you'd think that, but there has to be some thing that defines a mermaid's culture apart from just being a normal fish. Architecture and building things in general is a good start. Felarya is big, and mermaids are intelligent. I'm sure there's something. Maybe the buildings they make are within the hills and mountains under water, gigantic series of caverns, but instead of looking like normal caves with stalagmites and such, it'd be more refined, from being carved out from inside the mountain.

Also, remember that just because mermaids are big doesn't mean they're on the top of the food chain. I'm sure having hideaways would still be useful.

This thread does give me an idea to improve (or at least I think it improves) my own idea for a submerged city.

sidenote: its not all mermaids that are anko-size and its not every mermaid that are neera-size.