#finfolk

[bluestreamdreamer]

Prob going to start semi-daily posting about mythology/fantasy stuff and world-building. Got a lot I want to share.

Today I'm gonna talk about mermaids, sirens, and finfolk.

First off, I think that mermaid variations should be way more similar to how different actual humans should be, like, not everyone has waffle abs or watermelons, and not everyone has perfect, luscious locks of hair. Some should be "ugly" (tbh, that word literally only depends on what an individual thinks), some should be "average" (again, depends on how you think of it), and yes, some should still be pretty or handsome. Make variety, and don't give everyone same-face syndrome!

Aside from appearance, something I like to add to mermaids is distinct and specific kinds of fish tails, depending on where they're from and their family genes. I also generally tend to either give them really short hair for convenience or really long hair for style; that part is just something I personally like to do.

As for sirens, I think they should have more predatory looks, sharp teeth, and bodies built for either speed or strength, for pursuing or drowning prey. They would mainly stay around foggy, low visibility areas, so their silhouette and voice could trick men/women into getting closer. I don't have much to say about sirens aside from that, mainly because I barely ever see depictions of sirens in media that are much different from what I described.

When it comes to finfolk, though, they're a bit more niche than the other two. I myself had to do a bit of digging to find out about them. They're sea creatures that can be humanoid, but can also shapeshift, and are predatory. I like depicting them more like "sea monsters" than general fish-tailed humanoids, giving them expressive frills where ears normally would be, shark fins, sharp teeth, and generally very dark, almost black eyes. If you haven't heard of finfolk, I recommend looking them up, because they are very interesting once you get to know about them.

Hope this wasn't a time waster!

[shellsiege]

Lionfolk have striking coloration that advertises their toxicity. Their fins aren't just for show, as they possess venomous spines and claws that they are able to unsheathe at a moment's notice. These voracious predators commonly target smaller animals, using their webbed, fan-like hands to corral prey within strike distance.

[shellsiege]

Codfolk are the best adapted to aquatic life out of any seafolk. They're somewhat sluggish on land, but move swiftly through the water to hunt. If the sea doesn't feel very welcoming on a given day, these finfolk will use their robust claws to dig for prey on land, too. Most seafolk have lost their lateral line system, but that isn't the case for codfolk, and this allows them to have exceptional awareness of their surroundings in the water.

[shellsiege]

Parrotfolk are closely related to the wrassefolk, as evidenced by their versatile coloration. The teeth of these finfolk are fused together and adapted into a variety of beak-like structures, used for crushing limestone and raking algae off of the surface of corals and rocks. This adaptation allows parrotfolk to graze on coralline algae, polyps, and other food sources unavailable to most other seafolk.

[shellsiege]

Snapperfolk are large, carnivorous pack hunters. Unlike the predatory grouperfolk which snap up their prey and eat it whole, the snapperfolk's smaller (but powerful!) jaw is armed with sharp, conical canine teeth that are used to puncture the flesh of anything it captures before tearing it into pieces. They are also capable of effortlessly switching to a quadrupedal gait to break into a fast sprint, closing the distance between themselves and any tasty, unsuspecting squid. When talking snapper, most people think red, but these fancy finfolk have quite the arsenal of colors at their disposal (and like most other finfolk, they can also change it at will).

[shellsiege]

It's biology time! (Yay) This was very fun to make (and honestly about... at least 2 years on the "i should make this" -board to the point where I actually can't remember if I've made something like this before already).

See the whole comic here! It is MUCH longer than this snippet.

[siren-soliyra]

Yesterday I scheduled my next photoshoot with Brett Stanley at MerMagic Con 2026. So this MerMonday I'm sharing some more photos from last year's shoot. The set he designed was gorgeous and inspired the look wearing. I chose a white tail to stand out against the dark background and I'm thrilled with the result! Photo by Brett Stanley Underwater Wig by Pose Wigs Top by Bayou Mermaid Art Crown by Mermaid Moonfire Tail: "Heart of Atlantis" by Finfolk Productions #mermaid, #mermaid art, #fantasy art, #fantasy photography, #finfolk productions, #MerMagic Con, #underwater photography, #underwater photo, #underwater model, #merson, #professional mermaid

[reallyweirdrealworld]

Fin-Folk, Selkies and Merrow: 6 Merfolk of the British Isles

Read about mermaids (and mermen) of Britain and Ireland, such as the sorrowful selkie, the malevolent merrow and the prank-playing shellycoa