Leviathan Mermaids (and other Merfolk)

I don't think Anko would eat her kin. Tease them maybe, but probably not eat them, unless she's a cannibal. Besides, we don't know if she goes to the Topazial Sea in the first place.

Sean Okotami wrote:

I don't think Anko would eat her kin. Tease them maybe, but probably not eat them, unless she's a cannibal. Besides, we don't know if she goes to the Topazial Sea in the first place.

I think Anko would eat anything if the mood took her. She's a completely different variety of mermaid and might not consider them to be kin. However I'd have to check with Karbo about that before I wrote that into a story. One of the Orca mermaids might try it anyway.

I was actually thinking of adding the "pufffer" ability to the "Bull shark" mermaids I was thinking about. To explain how they kept themselves safe as they travelled so they would be able to enter fresh-water and meet Anko.

I know Katrika would certainly try to eat one if she got the chance.

I've really got to find a name for these guys! Esturary mermaids? Transient?

I could follow a friends suggestion and even make them eel-mermaids. Eels move between fresh and salt water during their lifetimes and the slime on their skin might make them very distasteful.

I do like the idea of them spending a lot of time with the Leviathans. I imagine as the Leviathans sing across the ocean basin that they would pick up a lot of news!

Zoekin wrote:

Sean Okotami wrote:

I don't think Anko would eat her kin. Tease them maybe, but probably not eat them, unless she's a cannibal. Besides, we don't know if she goes to the Topazial Sea in the first place.

I think Anko would eat anything if the mood took her. She's a completely different variety of mermaid and might not consider them to be kin. However I'd have to check with Karbo about that before I wrote that into a story. One of the Orca mermaids might try it anyway.

I was actually thinking of adding the "pufffer" ability to the "Bull shark" mermaids I was thinking about. To explain how they kept themselves safe as they travelled so they would be able to enter fresh-water and meet Anko.

I know Katrika would certainly try to eat one if she got the chance.

I've really got to find a name for these guys! Esturary mermaids? Transient?

I could follow a friends suggestion and even make them eel-mermaids. Eels move between fresh and salt water during their lifetimes and the slime on their skin might make them very distasteful.

I do like the idea of them spending a lot of time with the Leviathans. I imagine as the Leviathans sing across the ocean basin that they would pick up a lot of news!

I guess it depends on how the aquatic food chain works, really-- would a bigger mermaid eat a smaller one? Leviathans generally don't eat the members of their attending schools, but they will definitely attack and maul orcamaids (which, conversely, will attack Leviathans in pods) So it most likely would be specific to Anko. I really don't see her eating another mermaid, though: I imagine most of her prey are land-based creatures that have wandered too close to her.

It'd be also interesting to start thinking of a few deep-water creatures-- fish of the ocean floor have some really bizarre forms, so it might be interesting to think of that. I have a multilimbed, tentacled mermaid in mind at the moment, a cross between the relatively humanoid looking mermaids closer to the surface and the strange looking plants on the ocean floor. I'm still working on the design of them, but I've been calling them the Yabla'un (from the Arabic for "they swallow", because it sounded neat and alien enough to work. And I had my bilingual dictionary open while studying for my test, and came across the root of the word.) I'll post some details about them later.

Well indeed, mermaids eat rarely other merfolks but Anko... well you can't swear anything with her ^^;

Ahh, okay... we just didn't want to put words in your mouth regarding one of your own characters. ^^

Another idea that's been running through my head is an "Archer Fish" mermaid. Lurking beneath the surface of the water and squirting powerful jets of water at small prey items on the riverbank or even flying above the surface.
Maybe the mermaid could have the ability to affect the water she holds in her mouth to give it a "Dampening" quality to prevent magic from working. Then she could prey on fairies by knocking them into the water and swallowing them while they were unable to change size.

Just an idea.

I believe a form of Archer Fish was already suggested (not in Mermaid form, though).

Oops!
Thanks for the update. Serves me right for not checking first!

Well-there's always the "Cookiecutter Mermaid." Lives in deepwater and survives by stealing bites of flesh from the Leviathans. Might be a bit too gory though.

Zoekin wrote:

Another idea that's been running through my head is an "Archer Fish" mermaid. Lurking beneath the surface of the water and squirting powerful jets of water at small prey items on the riverbank or even flying above the surface.
Maybe the mermaid could have the ability to affect the water she holds in her mouth to give it a "Dampening" quality to prevent magic from working. Then she could prey on fairies by knocking them into the water and swallowing them while they were unable to change size.

Just an idea.

I think a normal mermaid can do that

I think we'd better to not give too much special ability for a mermaid due to the fact they are partly humans they can mimic other creatures

I like the idea of "Mudskipper" mermaids though. Skipping across the mudflats in pursuit of prey.

That could be pretty interesting... ^^

Glad you like the idea.
Imagine what it would be like trying to out-run one in thick mud. Trying to pull your feet free from the mud's clinging grip while the mermaid slid rapidly across the mud behind you!

Scary stuff!

Yeah, I know... in fact, I'd imagine they intentionally chase you to the point of exhaustion, where you fall into the mud and are stuck by all limbs.

I really should start compiling a list of all of our mermaids, so we can see what we have and starting writing them up. We have lots of idea floating around, but not much concrete so far.

I promise to get right on it!

Okay, so here's what we've got so far:

Quote :

Orcamaids
Remoramaids
Cookiecutters
Bull Shark?/Blowfish
Midskipper
Yabla'un
Felaryan Kraken

I believe that's everything up to now.

Mhh a burrower mermaid.. that's a great idea !

One thing not to forget about your Mermaids: What does their songs sound like?

Good point... I would imagine each species has its own distinctive song, to allow identification from a distance. And within that, each individual has its own variation.

MukatKiKaarn wrote:

Good point... I would imagine each species has its own distinctive song, to allow identification from a distance. And within that, each individual has its own variation.

Idea! What if a pack of Orca mermaids perfected the art of mimicing the songs of the Leviathans? They could lure one into a trap and ambush him or her!

You forgot that the Leviathans are the biggest of them all, easily dwarfing the Orcas. Even though they are peaceful, they are very dangerous if pissed. By the way, does Katrika like music?

Sean Okotami wrote:

You forgot that the Leviathans are the biggest of them all, easily dwarfing the Orcas. Even though they are peaceful, they are very dangerous if pissed. By the way, does Katrika like music?

Not at all!

I was talking about a very large pack. With the right preparation (or even human assistance!) its possible.

Katrika-"Yes I do like music."

Sean Okotami wrote:

You forgot that the Leviathans are the biggest of them all, easily dwarfing the Orcas. Even though they are peaceful, they are very dangerous if pissed. By the way, does Katrika like music?

Aye, but size is not everything.

A Ferret could, if given the chance, kill a Human by a throat bite. Heck, large numbers of animals developed such a matter for dragging down larger prey with minimal risk. And pulling off the creature clamped on your throat isn't going to fix the scenario.

And feth, it is hard as hell to convey a conversation online with no hostility without using Emoticons, being painfully clear, etc.

Sean Okotami wrote:

You forgot that the Leviathans are the biggest of them all, easily dwarfing the Orcas. Even though they are peaceful, they are very dangerous if pissed. By the way, does Katrika like music?

To be simple size doesn't matter
It's how you use it

Well-I agree that the Orca Mermaids would need a well-thought out plan and would have to be prepared to take some losses.

But-where there's a will, there's a way!

(Not that I LIKE the idea of a Leviathan being torn apart you understand!)

Estuarine Mermaids now on the wikki! I made it!