Original Species: The Marepuer
(Pronounced: MAH-reh-pweer)
Children of the Sea
Field Guide Entry: Marepuer littoralis
Common Name: Marepuer
Taxonomic Proposal:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia (proposed)
- Order: Musteliformes (proposed placement)
- Family: Pelagomustelidae (nov.)
- Genus: Marepuer
- Species: M. littoralis
Morphology & Physical Description
General Build:
M. littoralis is a small, semi-aquatic mammal averaging 0.9 m (3 ft) in total length, including the tail. Height at the shoulder is approximately 30 cm (1 ft). The body is elongated and serpentine, with a flexible spine allowing rapid directional changes both in water and among tree branches.
Limbs:
- Four short limbs, each ending in five digits.
- Forelimbs possess opposable thumbs, enabling grasping, climbing, and manipulation of objects.
- Claws are 3-4 cm long, sharply curved, and keratin-dense, functioning as both climbing hooks and predatory tools.
Tail & Fins:
- Tail length equals or slightly exceeds body length.
- Lateral fins run along the distal half of the tail; these expand in water and collapse when climbing.
- A larger terminal fin provides primary aquatic propulsion.
Dentition:
- Teeth are narrow, recurved, and sharply pointed.
- Adapted for gripping slippery prey such as fish and seabirds.
- Dental formula suggests a carnivorous lineage with minimal molar flattening.
Fur & Coloration:
- Fur is short, silky, and highly water-resistant.
- Common color morphs: silvery-blue, pale green, seafoam, sandy blonde.
- Coloration corresponds to habitat (open water, kelp forests, dunes).
Eyes:
- Possess dual eyelids: a standard lid and a transparent nictitating membrane for underwater vision.
Habitat & Distribution
M. littoralis inhabits coastal forests, mangroves, and rocky shorelines adjacent to large saltwater bodies. They construct nests in elevated tree hollows or woven structures of driftwood and seaweed.
Habitats typically include:
- Tidepool networks
- Estuarine inlets
- Cliffside forests
- Mangrove canopies
They avoid inland regions and rarely travel more than 300–500 meters from the shoreline.
Diet & Foraging Behavior
Primary Diet:
- Small fish
- Shorebirds and their eggs
- Crustaceans
- Intertidal invertebrates
Hunting Strategy:
- Ambush predators using rapid aquatic bursts.
- Skilled climbers capable of raiding cliffside nests.
- Known to steal from fishing nets and docked ships.
Their curiosity often leads them to investigate human settlements, making them common “nuisance fauna” in port towns.
Behavior & Social Structure
Temperament:
- Highly curious, playful, and intelligent.
- Generally solitary outside of bonded pairs or small family units.
- Territorial disputes between adults are common and can be violent.
Social Units:
- Lifelong monogamous pairs.
- Family groups consist of two adults and 2–3 offspring.
- Juveniles remain with parents until ~3 years of age.
Communication:
Observed communication methods include:
- Chirps, trills, and clicking vocalizations
- Tail-fin displays during aquatic interactions
- Claw-tapping on tree trunks to signal territory or alert mates
Reproduction & Life Cycle:
- Gestation: Estimated 8–10 weeks.
- Birth: 2–3 altricial young per litter.
- Development:
- Eyes/ears open at ~4–5 days
- Begin hunting practice at ~2 months
- Independence at ~3 years
- Sexual maturity at ~6 years
- Lifespan: 20–25 years in the wild.
Bonded pairs exhibit strong cooperative parenting, including shared hunting and nest maintenance.
Predators & Threats
Natural predators include:
- Large raptors
- Coastal serpents
- Sharks
- Terrestrial carnivores capable of climbing
- Al'quient packs
Anthropogenic threats:
- Habitat loss
- Fishing net entanglement
- Poaching (their pelts are valued for water-resistant properties)
Notes:
- Marepuer are known to collect shiny objects, possibly for courtship or nest decoration.
- They exhibit problem-solving behaviors comparable to corvids and otters.
- Their territoriality toward conspecifics remains poorly understood; ongoing studies aim to determine whether this is resource-driven or instinctual.
Mythology and Folklore
Friend of the Lost: For many sailors, Marepuer are not considered pests or thieves - but, rather, are good omens. It is common practice for seafolk who embark on long journeys to tie shiny trinkets, jewlery, and coins onto ropes that are dangled over the sides of ships. These are offerings to the "Tide's Children".
If a marepuer accepts these offerings, they're considered a friend of the ship. It's believed that, in exchange, marepuer will alert ships of upcoming dangers - such as Al'quient territory and incoming storms.
Common offerings include:
- small coins
- polished buttons
- broken jewlery
- bits of brass
- shards of colored glass
Furthermore, there's another superstition locals and sailors know as the The Widow's Wail.
Because marepuer mate for life, should one's mate meet an untimely end, it's likely that passing ships may hear a marepuer's haunting Mourning Call. The sound pierces through even the strongest winds. Hearing it is considered a terrible omen of loss.
It's not uncommon for crews to refuse to sail the morning after hearing one.
There's a quiet mantra amongst most ships:
"Never harm a marepuer.
Never chase one away.
Never deny them a trinket."
Follow these rules and The Sea may smile upon you.
Please Note: These worlds, concepts, and pieces of lore are all works of my own imagination. AI is only used for imagery and audio purposes (Ie: Letters to Alka songs, some character face claims, location imagery, relic imagery, species imagery, etc.) All creations made using AI will be marked as such. If it isn't marked, it's man-made.