That's what you're giggling about? I'm snickering at the simplicity of "checking out Marani Veloske's description". To save us all some mind-numbing trouble:

Wreathed in finery, Marani Veloske regally surveys her domain, luminous eyes blazing with untold power.
A tall and slender merian woman in the prime of her life, Marani Veloske is the picture of royalty in both dress and bearing. Long golden fins crest her head, falling like hair down her back, trailing slightly after her. Clad in a fine robe of red satin with wide sleeves and a full pleated skirt that hugs her lissome figure, she carries herself with a regal authority, standing utterly poised. Platinum scales cover her body, the brilliant white sheen contrasting with her dark violet eyes that are filled with thinly veiled contempt and a blazing, unearthly glow.

So she has golden fins and platinum scales? Jeez, this girl loves her jewelry.

P.S. Apparently, NPC's don't follow the description rules guidelines. Blazing with untold power? Give me a break.

Don't suppose you know who Marani Veloske is.

Well, not really, but I was joking anyway.

Heh, well, to be honest I sort of use my mind's eye when it comes to npc descriptions. If the person is suppose to be able to kick your butt, "blazing with untold power" would be a good way of putting it I guess.

btw, there are numerous types of fish that actually do grow seaweed out of thier bodies, or things similar to it...


or


or

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/108/3060847...pg?v=1208297513

That... crab spider thing... is scary.

Those are considered fish? They look more like crustaceans.

"The leafy sea dragon, Phycodurus eques, is a marine fish related to the seahorse. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus. These creatures are found around southern and western Australia and generally remain in shallow, temperate waters. Their name comes from their appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body."

That thing is so cute .

I think Nariah's (awesome) picture nailed what Merians are really supposed to look like. Slightly Cthulu-y, but nicer and with just a few tentacles.

Groovy. I didn't see that picture on Daganev's post. You know what would be interesting is if you had a different description for when you were in water. If you kept the seaweed-like hair, it would be all dry and crusty with salted bits when you were out of water and flowing while in water.

Should I make the tentacle mudsex jokes now or is someone else going to?

Save those for Kethuru.

Oh God, the images.

Well, of course you can have leaf-like hair. Big difference between 'leaf-like hair' and 'actuall fullblown seaweed growing from the skull." Or yea, just do the ancient human ancestor bit, heh.

Well, I never said actual seaweed. I said seaweed-like. Like, it resembled plant matter.

But if you read my earlier posts, just before the second page, I changed it up a bit.

Vernal Goddess.

I doubt actual merians have tentacles.

Here's what I did with Orti when he was a Celestian and when he was a Paladin

has a tall, slim and weak build. His scales have a light, shimmering blue tone, very smooth and without imperfections. His eyes are light blue like the midday sky. His face is calm . On his head, a pair of fins grows from his forehead all the way back to his neck. Right above his eyes, he has a pair of fins that would look just like human eyebrows. His fingers and toes are webbed and clawed.


is impressive for a Merian. He has a tall, strong and robust build who would match an athletic Orclach in terms of size and stature. His scales have a light, shimmering blue tone. The full plate and the navy blue cloak he is wearing cover most of his body and the Great helm cover most of his factions and just let to see his eyes nose and mouth. His eyes are light blue like the midday sky and his nose and mouth are similar to any Merian from the Inner Sea. On his head, a pair of fins grows from his forehead all the way back to his neck. His helmet has gaps to allow them go freely. Right above his eyes, he has a pair of fins that would look just like human eyebrows.

It was around this time I wanted to form the Inalai family myself. Oh well...

Wait. Evolution, what? That happens now?
I mean, it obviously occurs in humans and the tainted, but doesn't seem to do so much for the rest of the mortal races. Am I missing something? Does evolution occur in all species, because that would imply some really odd things about shards. Of course, the dracnari do breed chocobos wakabi, so I dunno... but maybe that's for animals? But not all creatures of a race are the same, and traits are clearly passed down. So, genetics?

Oh wait. Just realized, shards are separate from race and whatnot, shown by the Portal of Fate. So... Yeah. Looks like genetics exist. Suppose humans just evolve faster in a lifetime, like some kind of mutating supervirus, and, from a DNA standpoint... More shuffling and randomnosity occurs during breeding of tainted? Bah. I have reached nowhere. Suppose I'll leave my thoughts for you people to mock as you will.

And I read the beginning of Corinthian's post incorrectly.

I would most likely consider the reality of having microbial algae lodged within the scales, which then grow plant matter. Much like the fish/crustacaen posted above. They don't actually have plant growing from their cells, but perhaps it is a symbiotic relationship that develops with whatever algae that grows in, on, under the skin/fins, scales of the Merian. Look at blue whales...those guys have plant life growing all over them like phytoplanktons, diatoms, and sometimes barnacles.