Merfolk (Ixalan; Green)

Source: Plane Shift: Ixalan p. 12

  • Ability Scores: Wisdom +2
  • Type: subrace
  • Size: Medium
  • Speed: walk: 30 ft.; swim: 30 ft.
  • Spellcasting: Wisdom

Traits

Age

Merfolk mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live considerably longer than humans, though, often reaching well over 100 years.

Alignment

Most merfolk are neutral, though merfolk of the Emeria and Cosi creeds have chaotic leanings.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Size

Merfolk are about the same size and build as humans. Your size is Medium.

Swimming

You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common Trade Pidgin (if it exists in your campaign), Merfolk, and one additional language of your choice.

Cantrip

You know one cantrip of your choice from the druid spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.

Mask of the Wild

You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

Description

Green merfolk generally have yellow chests and pale green faces, shading to dark blues and purples on their backs and limbs. The patterns on their skin suggest the colors of the tree frogs common in the rain forest, as do their eyes of orange, lime green, or sky blue. Their fins are relatively short and thick. They climb trees with ease, move through undergrowth unhindered, and often wield magic to shape vines and branches to their will.

The River Heralds are merfolk—a race of amphibious humanoids at home throughout the oceans, rivers, and rain forests of Ixalan. They stand between seven and eight feet tall, with skin that ranges from deep burgundy through many shades of violet and blue, to green, bright orange, and yellow. They are humanlike in shape, but have long fins extending from their shoulders, forearms, middle backs, and calves. Frills of fins also protrude from the backs of their heads. All merfolk can breathe air or filter oxygen from the water, and they can walk on land or swim with equal ease.