Leviathan Mermaids (and other Merfolk)

Leviathan Mermaid

Habitat: Felaryan oceans
Length: ~500 ft
Weight: 120 tons

The leviathan mermaid is rarely seen, owning to the perils of ocean travel in Felarya. This is a shame, as this particular subspecies of mermaids are some of the most potentially benevolent creatures in Felarya. Massive, and usually surrounded by a school of much smaller mermaids swimming in her wake, these mermaids are viewed as a guardian and guide to those who travel with them.

As guardians, they are often very happy to carry smaller creatures with them, or inside them. While this can be frightening to some, it is generally safe-- the flesh of the great sea mermaid is very tough and thick, and the interior of their body much warmer than the cold depths of the ocean. Generally, the will carry others like this who have been injured, or otherwise lack the ability to travel on their own.

As guides, they possess a keen sense of navigation, stemming from an intimate knowledge of underwater terrain and ocean currents. Thanks to powerful muscles in their tail, and despite their massive bulk, they are able to move at a good speed. A typical leviathan mermaid can cover around 200 miles in one day's travel, better than most sailing ships, and not terribly slower than more modern vessels.

Though they are usually kind, leviathan mermaids should not be mistaken as mindlessly benevolent giants. They are fiercely protective of their schools, and will rarely leave them unattended. Anyone foolish enough to attack one, or attack her trailing school of mermaids, will most likely find themselves, their ship and their crew within this giant mermaid's stomach, to join her fat reserves and feed her for months to come.

This particular subspecies of mermaids is also known by the few who have witnessed them for their song. The leviathan mermaid communicates by song, allowing their voice to carry over long distances underwater to others of their kind. It is rare that two members of the species meet one another, although it is rumored that they gather together deep in the ocean, usually to mate.

I like the idea you have here, good description.

It's a very interesting idea but a question how do scale her weight

This is a creature I'd like to meet. She seems very nice.

Of course, I'm not one to travel lightly. I'd meet her in a form that does NOT look like food.

What ship would prove unthreatening, though? It's a thinker.

That's a nice idea for the sea ^_^
Just maybe a bit too big ? Great job on the description !

Karbo wrote:

That's a nice idea for the sea ^_^
Just maybe a bit too big ? Great job on the description !

Okay, cut them down in size a bit. ^^ That should be a little more reasonable. I wanted them to be significantly bigger than their inland counterparts, but I think I overdid it. ^^;

Thank you, they are on my list

gwadahunter2222 wrote:

It's a very interesting idea but a question how do scale her weight

I based their weight off of whales... proportionately, they're the most similar in scale. It made sense to me, at least.

Pendragon wrote:

This is a creature I'd like to meet. She seems very nice.

Of course, I'm not one to travel lightly. I'd meet her in a form that does NOT look like food.

What ship would prove unthreatening, though? It's a thinker.

One carrying cargo or passengers, or one simply fishing for fish - behavior like that wouldn't anger them, and in many cases might earn that ship the mermaid's protection. Only ships that seem overtly hostile are attacked.

Karbo wrote:

Thank you, they are on my list

Cool! Thanks a bunch.

MukatKiKaarn wrote:

gwadahunter2222 wrote:

It's a very interesting idea but a question how do scale her weight

I based their weight off of whales... proportionately, they're the most similar in scale. It made sense to me, at least.

I understand better thanks for the ansewer, but I tink it will be nice to tell about their weight. Women don't like speaking about their weight

gwadahunter2222 wrote:

MukatKiKaarn wrote:

gwadahunter2222 wrote:

It's a very interesting idea but a question how do scale her weight

I based their weight off of whales... proportionately, they're the most similar in scale. It made sense to me, at least.

I understand better thanks for the ansewer, but I tink it will be nice to tell about their weight. Women don't like speaking about their weight

Yeah, that's generally a Rule, with a capital R. ^^;

They could be called "Leviathan mermaids". Just a suggestion.

nksrocks wrote:

They could be called "Leviathan mermaids". Just a suggestion.

Or just leviathan it's better

nksrocks wrote:

They could be called "Leviathan mermaids". Just a suggestion.

Oh, that does work better.

MukatKiKaarn wrote:

nksrocks wrote:

They could be called "Leviathan mermaids". Just a suggestion.

Oh, that does work better.

I'm glad to help

nksrocks wrote:

MukatKiKaarn wrote:

nksrocks wrote:

They could be called "Leviathan mermaids". Just a suggestion.

Oh, that does work better.

I'm glad to help

No problem. ^^ I'll try to do a few illustrations, to give a better sense of how they look, later on. For now, Calico in my dA gallery should give you a pretty good sense of both scale and appearance.

I think they sound fasinating! They'd be quite the sight!
I'm glad to hear that they are friendly for the most part!
Do they sing like whales I wonder? That would be great!

The oceans of Felarya certainly have a lot of protential!

Zoekin wrote:

I think they sound fasinating! They'd be quite the sight!
I'm glad to hear that they are friendly for the most part!
Do they sing like whales I wonder? That would be great!

The oceans of Felarya certainly have a lot of protential!

I hadn't actually thought of that... I like the idea of them singing, though. Especially as they'd probably be few and far between. ^^

Thanks!

I like the image of the Leviathan Mermaids communicating with each other by singing across the ocean basin.
They could keep in touch with individuals that they had never actually set eyes on.

Maybe they could migrate from place to place too and use their songs as a form of navigation?

I can't wait to find out more about them!

Zoekin wrote:

Thanks!

I like the image of the Leviathan Mermaids communicating with each other by singing across the ocean basin.
They could keep in touch with individuals that they had never actually set eyes on.

Maybe they could migrate from place to place too and use their songs as a form of navigation?

I can't wait to find out more about them!

That makes sense. ^^ I think this is a lovely detail. I'm not sure what to do with them in a story, just yet, though... I'll have to see.

Glad you like it!

I like the idea of "Orca Mermaids" myself.

They could hunt in packs for larger prey!
They might not attack a Leviathan but any fishing boats could be fair game!

Zoekin wrote:

Glad you like it!

I like the idea of "Orca Mermaids" myself.

They could hunt in packs for larger prey!
They might not attack a Leviathan but any fishing boats could be fair game!

Oh, that'd be neat... I can imagine the Orca Mermaids being about 1/4th the size, and a group of them ganging up on larger ships. Maybe they would attack a leviathan out of competition: Leviathan mermaids guard over smaller creatures that would serve as prey to these Orca mermaids, limiting their potential food supply.

I'm working on a character profile sheet for Calico, a specimen of Leviathan mermaid. After that, I might toy with the idea of an orca mermaid some. ^^

MukatKiKaarn wrote:

Zoekin wrote:

Glad you like it!

I like the idea of "Orca Mermaids" myself.

They could hunt in packs for larger prey!
They might not attack a Leviathan but any fishing boats could be fair game!

Oh, that'd be neat... I can imagine the Orca Mermaids being about 1/4th the size, and a group of them ganging up on larger ships. Maybe they would attack a leviathan out of competition: Leviathan mermaids guard over smaller creatures that would serve as prey to these Orca mermaids, limiting their potential food supply.

I'm working on a character profile sheet for Calico, a specimen of Leviathan mermaid. After that, I might toy with the idea of an orca mermaid some. ^^

Thanks very much!
I'm glad you like that idea!
Anko always reminds me of an Orca for some reason! Big and friendly-looking with a mouthfull of teeth!
Maybe the Orca Mermaids could even have the black & white colouration of an orca? That would be cool too!
Heh! I can just see Orca Mermaids sliding up the beach to snatch sun-bathers the way Orcas do to grab sea-lions! Maybe even playing with them by flipping them into the air with their flukes!

The oceans of Felarya just got a lot more dangerous!

I added leviathan mermaids for later ^_^

Karbo wrote:

I added leviathan mermaids for later ^_^

Awesome ^^ I'll keep working on those, and the orca-mermaids. ^^ As well as a few smaller races of merfolk that could go on the fauna page.

Leviamaids eh?