#merrow

ha ha I got this one done!

I am currently trying to trick my brain into getting used to being a full time artist and have been struggling. But getting this piece done and trying to slow down and take my time with the coloring and details has been very satisfying.

Merrow fanart

My Yucky Me. He wears clothes mostly I promise. Sphagnum is an intelligent man-faced beast known as a Merrow, characterized by a fishlike body with semi-mammalian presenting features and an enormous jaw. Despite historical worries about merrows and their flesh eating sea kin being unable to integrate into polite society, merrows nowadays are allowed to work most jobs that man-creatures (humans and trolls) are permitted to work. Sphagnum, like most merrows, sticks close to the water for his job of choice. He works as an aquatic horticulturist specializing in edible water plants and magical hydroponics, alloweing many land crops to be grown in shallow water. While Sphagnum's primary job is tending to the plants, he serves a secondary duty of warding off and eating any aquatic pests that may try and take a bite. He's been affectionately given the nickname 'moss' both because he's the color of it and because the actual moss he's named after can be a little confusing to pronounce first time.

He's a lot taller than you'd think at first glance!! Merrows average within the 2-2.5m range generally on their hind legs. Their necks tend to bend and stoop awkwardly when on their hind legs and on land due to the length of their skull. That jaw opens really far back!!

-☁️

ok. so like. i have ideas.

beware bc i dont know ANYTHING about fish (u can especially tell with the merrow diagram and how i just kept saying 'weird thing') and im just saying what i think sounds cool and reasonable

the main differences are kinda visual and difficult for me to explain so i just drew out that lil diagram thing THOUGH. there is MORE. bc i didnt wanna write it out on the thing

tails + swimming ---v

merrows: their tails are typically very long, sometimes they can even be a size of a mermaid, though, because of how long and big these tails can be, they can actually be very heavy, even for the merrows, some can have actual struggles moving around, and therefore cannot swim for very long or for very high up in the ocean - however, they can also use these tails to their advantage, imagine how a snake can curl itself around u and squeeze u until u pop - yeah they can do that, they still have very movable tails, which can also show their emotions (eg, wagging = happiness / excitement) + their tails are usually a flat color with a fade on them in certain spots

sirens: their tails are shorter compared to merrows, though that just makes them be more lightweight and allows them to move faster - since they are quite hyperactive creatures + hunters, its very useful . they can swim for long distances and long periods of time, their tails arent very able of wrapping around someone's entire body, but they are still quite expressive + their tails are usually just a flat color with some pattern on them

health + emotions ---v

merrows: they are strangely sad creatures, usually they isolate themselves, and in more extreme cases, attempt to injure themselves on things like rocks and sharp sunken objects which is a bit surprising for such a strong apex predator but the fact remains that they are quite miserable. this also shows in their health bc merrows tend to be quite skinny and even completely immobile (which is either voluntary or caused by their heavy tails). this doesnt mean they CANT be happy, they just have to put a tiny bit more effort into it (note: they are also usually very intelligent.)

sirens: very hyperactive, very strong and usually very happy, they show their emotions quite obviously. they are also somewhat social creatures that usually hang out in packs or small groups. their health is actually quite good, and they make sure to keep their mate or friends' health equally as good. they hunt for both themselves and their close ones

hunting + defense ---v

merrows: as mentioned before, they are able to wrap another creature or even another merfolk in their tails and squeeze them until they pop, but with their claws they can just stab another, and with their teeth they can bite into their prey and tear off flesh - they can be very brutal creatures if they have to. they can eat things completely raw and have no need to cook their prey in any way - which merfolk actually somewhat commonly do. they can also use 'weapons', they are quite smart and can figure things out quickly (so like, if they find a gun, u maybe should like run away from them)

as for defense, they can do this very threatening move which is basically split their head open in half and extremely loudly screech at another creature, and usually proceed to bite the creature and kill them

sirens: can also be very brutal creatures, but usually they have fun with their hunting, and that hunting is for them and/or their close ones. usually they attack with claws or teeth. they can also use actual rocks to try hit their prey. they can also eat things raw but most sirens prefer to kinda prepare a meal (ESPECIALLY if they are trying to mate or if they're gonna give it to their close ones).

as for defense, they typically bear their teeth at another creature and marks which are similar to the patterns on their tails can appear on their face.

affection + mating/courting ---v

merrows: very rarely show affection for other creatures, ESPECIALLY other merrows, as they tend to be quite isolated, sad creatures, but when they have affection shown to them, they can very much return it. they tend to purr and wag their tails when they get happy from getting shown affection - and if they cuddle with another creature, they will wrap their tails around the other and stay very, very close to them (they are very touch starved so if you show them affection touch, they WILL cling onto you

for courting, they don't really do that, eventually when they need to reproduce (since they know they cant let the merrow species just die off) they will engage in relations with another merrow and after a bit release the eggs and stay with them until they turn into merrow babies, which can usually start swimming after a day, though, if another creature tries to court them, they will just see what they do and most likely appreciate it- and if they decide they like the company of the creature trying to court them - they will officially become bonded and mated with the other (basically married)

sirens: their affection is VERY frequently shown, they will do anything for their close ones especially. they are usually the ones first showing affection, and not the ones getting the affection. though if they are shown affection, they will return it out of pure joy. they also purr and wag their tails, though they do that when they're very comfortable and happy- which is usually all the time. when they cuddle with another creature, they will attempt to wrap their tail around the other (even though their tails are somewhat short, especially compared to merrows), and just have their arms wrapped around eachother

for courting, they are usually the ones doing it. they will find another merfolk who they like very much and then show many forms of affection, such as gift giving, hugging, purring or even singing to them, until eventually the other decides they wish to be mates with them, though if they refuse, the siren will have a brief period of sadness until they go off to find another they liked equally as much

theres a lot more lil thoughts swirling in my lil stupid brain but im SO TIRED so IM GONNA GO TO BED. I LOVE U ANON. GOODNIGHT....... also im giggling i love u so very much