Description

Merelew are willowy and graceful, akin to Elves. However, Merelew are covered head to toe in fishlike scales, which vary in color. Merelew possess gills behind their ears which allow them to breath diffused gases in the water. A modified circulatory system enables this additional form of respiration to operate in parallel with a standard land-based cardio-pulmonary system

Merelew males are always bald. Merelew females have swathes of hair that grow down the center of the scalp. Wearing it to the right denotes royal status, and all others wear it to the left. While some Merelew do have eyebrows, they are considered a recessive, unwanted trait that most Merelew lack, though all have eye ridges. No Merelew grow facial or body hair.

Merelew do not blink, in the normal sense. Typically unblinking while underwater, the Merelew possesses nictitating membranes.

Merelew scales are generally more "metallic" looking (shimmery, sheen) than a S'Kra Mur, and "fishlike" rather than lizardlike -- meaning that they are more smooth, whereas a lizard scale has a keratinized epidermis. Merelew fingers and toes are webbed.

Scale color hue ranges: White, Black, Gold, Silver, Green, Brown, Blue Scales may be patterned: limned, spotted, striated, spangled, glittered/glittery

Natural Eye color range: clear, silver, green, blue, dark Natural Hair color range: white, silver, blue, green, black.

Merelew nasal features are often considered snubbed, short or small. Merelew do not have the nasal capacity to allow for "large, beak-like, aquiline" etc type noses.

Clothing Preferences

Merelew prefer robes, togas, sarongs, loincloths, and bandeaus (cross shoulder style). Merelew do not wear footwear in general while on Andreshlew but do understand that "drylanders" find the practice of not wearing shoes "strange" and so will wear comfortable footwear such as slippers, clogs, mules. Most Merelew will remove this footwear as soon as they deem appropriate (which isn't always when the drylander would think appropriate). On dry land, Merelew also have been known to wear dresses (some male Merelew who are not "in the know" that this is generally a female clothing type have shown up in dresses as they are the most comfortable "drylander wear"),

Merelew tend to love jewelry. Both sexes have been known to kit themselves out in bracelets and bangles. Chokers are more popular than long necklaces, and within the last few years after Arilana's marriage, piercings other than ears (lip, eyeridge never nostril-area/noses) have become more popular with a younger set (or those more willing to be adventurous). Hand web tattoos are preferred over rings.

History

While The Merelew by Pralel Eirgowia is useful, it does not cover the full scale and threshold of Merelew society or people. Through the ages, rumors have been swirling about the Merelew being Elves, lost at sea. It is unknown if this is the truth - that history has been lost to the ages, as the Merelew themselves are older than the Seven Star Empire.

What is known, however, is that the Merelew share quite a few similarities to Elves, both in physiology and in culture. Some say that the Elves found the Merelew, across the Ocean - and found them uncultured, almost savage and began to teach the Merelew their Elven ways before abandoning the Merelew to their own devices. Merelew history, however, relates that they were created by Lemicus directly.

Merelew, like Elves, are able to lifesculpt - their domain is coral, pearl (nacre), sandstone, shells, and cuttlebone. Andreshlew was created via this form of lifesculpting (depth shaping), and while thought to be attached to land at some point, was (for unknown reasons) detached either on purpose or forcibly.

From Pralel’s book...

"The island then floated off with the currents. The Merelew refer to this time as the Exile, as it was a period of great change and upheaval. Andreshlew suffered numerous damages during the Ocean crossing, and many Merelew were killed. It was during the Exile that the Merelew first found the need for an organized government.

A few leaders stepped forward and directed their people, in the damage control and rebuilding, in the hunt for food. It was the organization of the new Merelew King that allowed their people to flourish so far away from the land they had once depended upon. When the first king of the Merelew died of old age, his firstborn was given the leadership of the people. It is interesting to note that the Merelew opted for this form of government, just as the River Elves have done. The current Merelew royals also oversee trade agreements and gain first pick of salvage as a privilege of their rank.

In time, Andreshlew arrived in the Reshal Sea of the Five Realms, though the lands were not known as such then. The Merelew proceeded to begin massive lifesculpting to enhance their city, as well as repair parts of it damaged during their long voyage. Never before had so much Lifesculpting been performed on one thing so much as this, and the results amazed the Merelew. Andreshlew gained a form of sentience. The city, they discovered, had become ill. Andreshlew floated to the sea's surface while the Merelew desperately searched for a cure."

Before the Seven Star Empire was formed, Merelew traded infrequently, but freely with drylanders -- particularly River Elves. Metal, which the Merelew did not have the ability to create at that time was an especially prized commodity. A small village near what is now Riverhaven was often used, some Merelew even lived there for a time.

However, once the Empire formed the belief was that the Empire ruled everything. Merelew were ordered to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Empire. They did not, and so left. Merelew trade all but ceased, with sporadic contact with River Elf clans they felt close to.

Some Merelew consider this the Second Exile. After this point, Merelew lived mainly under the sea on Andreshlew, until the island itself became ill and the first Feast of Eluned was established; a reward offered by King Lithralia II for the cure to heal the island.

Afterwards, Merelew contact again became sparse.

Rather than disease, it was love from King Galpelus' youngest daughter Arilana that brought about the third Feast of Eluned. Her marriage to Prince Vorclaf of Zoluren (382 AV), the story of which has been recounted elsewhere, was the occasion for Andreshlew's most recent return. As a ruling Princess of a province after the marriage, and with ties to Andreshlew's own royal line, Arilana acted as a bridge to ensure trade with the Merelew became slightly less sparse.

After Arilana and her two children were moved to Andreshlew for safety during Lyras' invasion on Kermoria, more and more Merelew are both venturing to the mainland and taking an interest in becoming part of that world.

While in the past there was a belief that Andreshlew rises naturally every one hundred years, this is appears to be a mistranslation of the time during the Seven Star Empire when trade was nearly non-existent between Merelew and Kermoria, but did still exist at a rate of approximately once every one hundred years.

Language

Since most Merelew reside on Andreshlew, they speak (and write) their native tongue - Asaran. Asaran shares many commonalities with Ilithic and its ancient counterpart, Chui'lana. Most Merelew understand Ilithic at a very basic level. Since the marriage of Princess Arilana to Prince Vorclaf of Zoluren, many Merelew have also undertaken to learn Common as a secondary language.

Religion

Owing to the origins of Merelew, and their subsequent self-sequestering for many thousands of years, the primary religion of the Merelew was that of the aspects of Eluned. After the Exile, the religion of the Merelew amalgamated and thus the Merelew version of Eluned, (like the western religions of the Rakash and Prydaen) became Aluna. Thus, for many years primary worship fell to Aluna, although the two names Eluned/Aluna are interchangeable.

Aluna is goddess of the sea - Aluna is the moonlight streaming through the kelp on the ocean floor, and the silvery moon-kissed crests of waves in the dark. She is depicted in Merelew culture as a stately female Merelew with pure silver scales and bright green hair. In representations, symbolic or otherwise, Aluna is often depicted as riding a gigantic sea turtle in her Merelew form or as a crescent moon being carried in the jaws of such a sea turtle.

Drogor and Lemicus in terms of representation remain largely the same.

Increasingly during recent years, due to exposure during the First and Second Feasts of Eluned and Arilana's marriage, some Merelew have begun to re-branch out with worship of the full Kermorian pantheon. However, Aluna/Eluned worship firmly remains the most dominant among Merelew society.

Homeland

Andreshlew. Merelew have no current outposts.

Government

Andreshlew line of succession is "absolute cognatic primogeniture" or "lineal primogeniture" in which the oldest living child regardless of gender is in line for the throne. The current house, House Deladriel has been unbroken since the First Exile.

Other Resources

Events at the Feast of Eluned

"A Plague Brought on from a Feast" by Selthanos Kanan-Ambrodel, taken from The Wren's Nest Tavern

A dark cloaked figure gracefully walks into the bar and settles himself down on an empty bar stool located in a curious corner section, where the light is dimly lit. He lowers the dark hood with a flourish and reveals his regal elven features. His hazel eyes glisten as he further reveals a smile surrounded by a elegantly cut goatee and mustache, uncharacteristic of his mountain elf heritage.

Baresh returns a smile so familiar to the elf. "Hiyas Selthanos.", Baresh says with a grin.

Selthanos returns the smile and says quietly "I hope I reach ye in good health and spirit my old friend. For I bring dire news." Baresh immediately grabs a pitcher of WindHaze and fills his glass half way with the potent fluid, instinctively setting the pitcher down in front of Selthanos. Selthanos smiles broadly and says quietly," Tis OK mate, I have me own." He then reaches into his travelers pack and pulls out a flagon of Elven FrostWynne.

"I have just recently returned from the Feast of Eluned", says Selthanos with an unexpected urgency.

Baresh raises his eyebrows toward the elf with a look of growing curiousity. Baresh quietly inquires, "Ahh..How was the alleged Feast? Was it as grand as its reputation suggests?"

The elf returns a sidelong glance to a bold looking halfling who was staring at the two of them since Selth had walked in.

Selth then continues with renewed conviction, " The Merelew are a most curious people. The beauty of their land is matched by few. I was in complete awe as I first toured the island city and as I left the city for the last time. Though its sundries and goods are a marvel, I fear that this feast has done more harm than good." Selthanos stops abruptly and raises the flagon to his lips for a cursory of a sip.

Baresh returns this gesture with a sip of his own.

Selth then quietly continues, " Near the end of the festivities there was a dinner feast in the Palace where all were gathered to dine in merriment. After a round of dining and such, I and a good friend of mine Befana(Empathic type) wondered into the kitchen to appreciate more of this fine structure known as the Royal Palace. Suddenly, a young halfling runs in screaming repeatedly for help. And after a short moment, two Merelew folk came soon after him. One of them renewed his chase of the halfling. Suddenly, in front of our eyes, the other began transforming into what is known as an Ocular, subsequently aimed a drawn composite bow at me chest. By this time, me instincts had already reacted and me broadsword was drawn even before the bow was pointed. Befana could nae believe what she was seeing but held her composure as a Battle Empath should, in a defensive stance and countenance."

Baresh suddenly shifts his position slightly while still leaning on the bar sideways, facing the elf.

Baresh then whispers with a look of confusion, "This is news indeed. How could any of the Merelew perform such treachery?"

Selthanos takes a long sip of his FrostWynne and whispers, "I will explain, for this is contradictory to impression in which we had gotten from the overall feast, and of the temperance of the Mer folk." Selthanos hesitates with a short sigh and then continues, "More in surprise than anything else I hesitated and began trying to speak to this apparently malevolent shapechanging Merelew before the battle escalated. But before I could speak a word, the bolt had left the bow and drove deep into me abdomen. More in shock than in anything else I began chanting the resolve and to my surprise Befana had simultaneous begun to heal the damage that had been done by the cursed bolt."

Baresh musters a quick compromised grin and whispers, "Ahh..The resolve...The Merelew knew not that ye is a Bard of.."

Selth quickly interrupts and then says with a sudden revelatin of anger, " To my dismay the resolve did nae work on him. He mastered it and gave me a splitting headache. Befana renewed her efforts to heal my wounds in that instant. And as a result, I began to advance on the Merelew turned Ocular, but before I could even get to slicing range, another bolt had driven itself deep in me chest to the point of near death. The Ocular loaded his bow with a desire to finish the battle. Fortunately, Befana begun dragging me to the courtyard quickly to find help and to heal my shattered body. I would nae be here relaying this story if nae for her. She hath saved me life. May the Gods keep her in their embrace and favor."

Selthanos smiles quickly and then grows serious once again. He then continues his dark whisper, "By this time, chaos had broken loose in the palace and reports of Merelew or Ocular attacks had sublimed. Most were confused and enraged from such dark tidings. The Princess of the Merelew, Amythiel, was located and questioned, and a search began for more Ocular whom attacked. A few Ocular were found and killed. But a few escaped. Then there were a few who were found wounded. They claimed that this was an illness amongst the Merelew for lack of water submersion for a long period of time. They were taken to a grotto and changed back from Ocular to Merelew. They later disappeared."

Selthanos stops abruptly and then shakes his head. He subsequently takes a third sip of his Frostwynne and continues his conversation growing a bit louder than a whisper, "A wise Merelew Woman Lyuthiel, recounted the old tales of the Ocular and that they were nae Merelew. The Ocular who were found wounded had lied to save their skin. The Ocular was in fact a seperate shapechanging race of malevolent creatures whom lived amongst the Merelew craving the mainland. They can assume any shape or form of mainland creatures and obviously Merelew."

Selthanos stops again with a look of disappointment. Baresh sighs and inhales a long deep breathe, taking in all that he had just heard as well as the air around him. The elf then continues," There were then confirmed reports that a number of Ocular creatures had fled to the mainland of Arthe Dale. Near the time of the islands submergence, we all gathered in the dining hall in the presence of the King. On my turn , I spoke to the King Galpeus of the Merelew.

Apparently, he said he had knowledge of this danger but did nae want to believe it. As a result, his people had brung a plague to Elanthia in the form of malevolent shapechanging creatures whom have a particular taste for the young sweet halfling flesh."

Selthanos places the FrostWynne Flagon on the bar counter and raises his dark hood over his head with a gracefulness characteristic of his kind.

Baresh, still in awe of the conversation, kept his eyes fixed on the sleek elf's form. He then takes a nervous sip of his WindHaze and looks around self-consciously. Selthanos returns is gaze and suddenly peers through the corner of his eye, noticing that the halfling who was staring before was gone.

Baresh says quietly, " The King knew and he did nae warn us? How could he be so foolish? Surely he knows what danger he has brought to Elanthia?"

Selthanos nods his head and says, " Aye, he was very remorseful and apologized for his error in judgement. King Galpeus promises that he will make amends for what has transpired."

Selthanos adjusts his long dark cloak in preparation to leave. The cloak parts a bit near Selthanos' torso area to reveal shimmering pads of leather which seem to shift and dance in the light. Selthanos says quietly, " We now live in dire times my friend. Take heed of my tidings and be weary."

Baresh replies quietly, " Aye.."

Baresh, with a look of curiousity mixed with confusion, places his glass of WindHaze down on the bar counter, stands up straight, and bows to the elf. Selthanos then stands up and returns this gesture.

"Be well and good!", Selthanos says in a whisper.

Selthanos begins to walk gracefully out of the bar as his cloak flows and ripples with a flourish as if it had a life of its own.

Baresh stares at the darkly cladded elf's departure and shakes his head in disbelief and says, "May the Gods keep us in their grace."