#shyfish

GIANT Diablo mermaid in a pool of lava.

Or...

Angry Imperius mermaid

MerMay Redesign - Imperius from Diablo

Another subspecies in the Veiled Mermaid category, Champions were the one that revealed to the scientist the first glimpses of the complex community these subspecies has built up together.

Champions excel at one thing and one thing only - they win fights. They are by far the heaviest armored Mermaid species of all, and thanks to their strong crab-like appendages, they are capable of pursuing their foes onto land if necessary. A motivated Champion can and will win against Void Swimmers (distant deep sea relatives of the Mermaids of the surface), which otherwise are a true menace to weaker species. Champions are incredibly territorial, they watch over the other Veiled Mermaids, their homes and their young, led by the strongest member called the General. By all accounts, Champions are the least fit of the nickname "Shyfish", for certain,as they are known to swim head first into boats and ships if they get too close to the group or location they are protecting. Sailors have long since learnt to just adjust their course when they see the display of the wide angry red tails sticking out of the water as a fair warning.

However, all this heavy armor does come at a cost. Champions have evolved such a defense that even their head is covered. This means that the unique opaque "face veil" feelers actually have little room to grow and collect food from the water. In order to maintain the Champions' health and massive size, it is up to the other Veiled Mermaids to herd schools of krill, algae and other nutrient-rich clouds towards their warriors. Another price is that while Champions are capable of galloping out of the water effectively, their weight can force them onto their bellies rather fast on land, without the buoyancy to help out. Thankfully all Veiled Mermaids are capable of temporarily beaching themselves and then safely returning to the sea (just like orcas), so unless the Champion has collapsed far too deep in-land, they can be dragged back to safety.

Strangely enough, it is usually the General that needs the most of aforementioned dragging. Scientists theorize the General is a tad-bit too trigger-happy about chasing down an opponent. Either that, or it is a bizarre show of strength, somehow.

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Yes, "Void Swimmers" are the demons in this setting.

I dedicate this design as a gift to you, my man. Thank you and march on! :D You are almost there!