Merfolk

Merfolk is a creature type for a race of aquatic humanoids. The first card to appear with the creature type was Merfolk of the Pearl Trident in Alpha. Merfolk is the characteristic race for the color blue, though they have also shown up in white on Lorwyn, black on Shadowmoor, and green on Ixalan. Additionally, merfolk appear in green on Ravnica, Theros and Dominaria, albeit in addendum to blue.

Storyline
Humans speculate that merfolk are Atlantean humans that adapted to the ocean; merfolk speculate that humans are merfolk that have adapted to live on land.

Gaea's Skyfolk
Gaea's Skyfolk were an indirect product of the Phyrexian Invasion. As the whole world mobilized its reserves, even ancient adversaries cooperated together, lending their diverse skills in the service of the common good. The Skyfolk were partial of merfolk and partially of elven origin, combining the unique features and skills of both races into one. A detailed description of their abilities is not available, but the major one was the ability to fly. The details of the creation of these prodigal creatures are, however, not known.

Merfolk of Lat-Nam
The Merfolk of the Copper Conch of Lat-Nam are actually mutated humans, created by the Sages of Lat-Nam to guard the island. As such, they have legs.

The Merfolk of Lat Nam are later portrayed as a speechless species that is highly aggressive toward humans and attacks merchant ships on their way through the area in order to pillage them.

Otarian Merfolk
In Otaria, the merfolk lost much of their Mer Empire to the cephalids due to Laquatus' treachery. Now they are a lesser race that serves the cephalids.

Razorfin Merfolk
Razorfin Hunters are a bizarre crossbreed of goblins and merfolk found beneath the seas of Dominaria. Little is known about them; although it is likely that they were the result of mutations caused by the Rathi Overlay.

Vodalian Merfolk
Vodalian Merfolk lived in the Voda Sea, being particularly prominent in the waters around Sarpadia. They once had an extensive empire, but following the climate changes that took place following the Sylex Blast, much of their territory was overrun by the Homarids. However, some vestiges of the Vodalian Empire, such as the colony of Etlan Shiis, survived the Homarid attacks and still existed at the time of the Phyrexian invasion.

The name of the empire is derived from the Russian (and generally Slavic) word "voda", meaning "water." In accordance with this, the known Vodalian characters mostly have Russian-themed names.

Eldraine
The merfolk of Eldraine are called undines. Undines have amber-colored seaweed-like hair and faces resembling humans, though with flat nostril slits and large, shining eyes. They are defined by their compulsive curiosity. They are obsessed with learning all they can, occasionally to the brink of madness. Four undines assisted Rowan Kenrith's group across a river to meet with Indrelon in exchange for knowledge and secrets. Although all undines are carnivorous creatures, pale-skinned variants known as dark undines are far more aggressive and ravenous.

Ixalan
Merfolk are one of the major races on Ixalan. They used to rule much of the continent of Ixalan, but their empire was eclipsed by the Sun Empire of the humans. Nowadays, merfolk live a nomadic existence in the jungle, their shamans guiding the rivers and vegetation around them; the connection to the rivers in particular is so strong that tribal leaders shed their own names in favour of those of the rivers that chose them. The Merfolk believe that it is their duty to keep Orazca and the Immortal Sun hidden from trespassers.

The merfolk of Ixalan are visually striking. Their fins are colorful and bright like tropical freshwater fish, and they bear jade jewelry, weapons, and armor. They are a freshwater species, distasting the sea's salt. Their meditation techniques are based on heartbeat rather than breath, as they need to stay in focus both above and underwater.

The Merfolk race of Ixalan is separated into two sub-species. One favors the land, living in trees, and focusing on the magic that controls vines and branches. Uniquely, several of these are mono-green. The other is more at home in the water, living in the waters of the Great River and the Inner Sea. While they prefer to dwell in shallow waters, they spend a fair amount of time on land as well.

Merrows
In the dual-plane of Lorwyn/Shadowmoor, merfolk are known as merrows. In Lorwyn, they control commerce and trade routes, which takes place through the plane's extensive rivers. However, in Shadowmoor, they are murderous cutthroats and thieves who steal from the other races of Shadowmoor who live along the rivers, particularly the kithkin. It should also be noted that the merrow of Shadowmoor have abandoned shaping the tides, leaving some rivers to dry up and others to flood.

The Lorwyn merrow society is divided into "schools", with each school performing a different type of service to the transport and commerce system. The known schools are:


 * Inkfathom
 * Paperfin
 * Silvergill
 * Stonybrook
 * Weirwinder

These names are just the "land-walker" language closest imitations of the true names (e.g. Paperfin being Paupurfylln in Merrow). Each school is led by a "reejerey".

Selkies
Present only in Shadowmoor, selkies are unusual merfolk that are different from any others of their kind. Rather than fish, selkies' lower bodies resemble seals, giving them an appearance similar to centaurs. Selkies have six limbs: Two pairs of seal-like flippers on their lower bodies and two arms on their torso with flipper-like hands. Selkies' faces combine human and seal features; they have white eyes with no pupils and long, stringy black hair.

Selkies live in the network of rivers and ponds that stretch across Shadowmoor, but they feel as though they belong in more open waters like the oceans of other worlds, a feeling that gives them a wistful and tragic side. This makes some selkies cold and spiteful towards the land-dwellers who can travel as they please throughout the plane.

Saprazzan Merfolk
Saprazzan Merfolk were once native to Dominaria, but were taken to Mercadia by the dragon engine Ramos in order to ensure the species' survival during the Brothers' War. The refugees built a floating city called Saprazzo, from which they take their name. They were led by the Saprazzan Vizier and worshiped the Power Matrix as a holy relic, but relinquished it to the Weatherlight crew when they learned it was part of the Legacy. They then aided the crew and the Cho-Arrim in overthrowing the Kyren regime.

Rootwater Merfolk
Rootwater Commando lived in the rootwater that nourished the Skyshroud Forest. They had a hideous appearance that resembled an eel rather than a fish and were also extremely aggressive, attacking anyone they spotted traveling on the forest floor. They lived on Rath until the Rathi Overlay when the rootwater planeshifted to Keld along with the rest of the Skyshroud. They would have all frozen to death in Keld's hostile climate, were it not for the intervention of Freyalise, who created a magical ward on the forest to keep it warm. Whether the rootwater merfolk survived the weakening of this ward during the events of Time Spiral is unknown.

Ravnica
For millennia, merfolk were thought extinct on Ravnica, as the ocean was covered by the sprawling city and eventually faded from memory. The merfolk themselves only preserved dim memories of the surface, aware that there was a city ruled by guilds above them, but knowing and caring little about it. Their disinterest was only ended when tree roots reached the oceans.

However, massive sinkholes enabled them to resurface, and many have joined the Simic Combine and risen to leadership positions. The new Combine has incorporated many parts of their philosophy, such as the Holdfast and the Upwelling Principles. The former highest-ranking speaker for the Combine, Zegana, was a merfolk.

Shandalar
The merfolk kingdom in the depths of Shandalar was conquered by Talrand, Sky Summoner. Not content with only one kingdom to rule, his ambitions drove him skyward where he had power over the drakes. Nowadays, Merfolk are nearly hunted to extinction and the few survivors have retreated into the depths, determined to endure (Maritime Guard).

Theros
The two-legged tritons of Theros are partially amphibious. They can breathe air for several days at a time but must spend time in the water to keep their gills soft. Tritons worship the sea god Thassa above all others and work to do her bidding.

Zendikar
Curious, thoughtful, and analytical, the merfolk of Zendikar are natural explorers. Although they are born in the water, their appearance is more human than fish. They have muted skin colors and brighter colored residual fins on the backs of their arms and calves. The merfolk's hair often has streaks of bright color as well. Zendikari merfolk have noses, but cannot sneeze. Although merfolk are a common sight in the settlements and trading posts of Zendikar, they are a race in decline. Spread wide and far across Zendikar, they are centered around the Enclave, the largest settlement of Merfolk built on a large island in the bay of the Umara River on Tazeem. Most Merfolk come here to give birth. The merfolk believe that the world is divided into three realms: Emeria, or the Wind Realm, which was once ruled by the angel Em and includes the sky, the wind, and the clouds; Ula's Realm, the underwater realm; and Cosi's Realm, which comprises everything else.

Zendikari merfolk also tame and ride flying manta rays for quicker transportation.

Arcavios

 * Adrix and Nev

Dominaria

 * Akoroun, a Vodalia Wizard at the service of Empress Galina
 * Ambassador Laquatus
 * Director Rillu Veza
 * Empress Galina
 * Marshal Karel Volnikov
 * Svyelun
 * Talbot
 * Tatyova

Eldraine

 * Emry, Lurker of the Loch

Ixalan

 * Kopala
 * Kumena
 * Tishana
 * Tuvasa

Lorwyn

 * Sygg
 * Dugah, Sygg's apprentice.

Ravnica

 * Vorel
 * Zegana

Shandalar

 * Talrand

Theros

 * Dalakos
 * Thrasios

Unknown

 * Araumi
 * Keeper of the Secret Lair</c>

Zendikar

 * Khalled, a trader at Graypelt, who provided Nissa with supplies for her travel to Akoum.
 * Kiora, a Merfolk Planeswalker.
 * Turi, Kiora's sister
 * Jori En, a key player in the Battle for Zendikar.
 * Noyan Dar, roilmage and player in the Liberation of Sea Gate.
 * Thada Adel
 * Zareth San

Creative issues
The creative team of Magic has always had issues with sea-based creatures, as the game, flavorfully speaking, occurs on a battlefield. Summoning sea creatures never made much sense. Odyssey block removed several of the core races for a block to try and shake things up, and Merfolk went away and didn't return until years later. Many players had always liked Merfolk and were unhappy with their absence. In the end, R&D decided that in this case, the overall happiness of having Merfolk in the game overrode the inconsistency of the flavor. The creative team also looked for ways for them to make sense; the merfolk of Zendikar block, for example, have finned legs rather than fishtails.

Creature type update

 * The creature types Lord-of-Atlantis and Lord were changed into Merfolk (Lord of Atlantis</c>).

Tribal type
The Lorwyn block featured three tribal Merfolk cards These could be fetched by Merrow Harbinger</c> and could have their cost reduced by Stonybrook Banneret</c>
 * Aquitect's Will</c>
 * Merrow Commerce</c>
 * Summon the School</c>

Later, Rivals of Ixalan introduced Forerunner of the Heralds</c> which is also able to fetch these cards like Merrow Harbinger.