Nereid

Nereids are a species of demon native to Daemus, amongst the demons they are perhaps the one with the best reputation, as cases of Nereid attacks are practically unheard of. Instead of attacking, Nereids more often than not assist those lost at sea to return to safety. It is not entirely known if Nereids feed on an energy like many other demons do; however, researchers have theorised that they may potentially gain some sustenance from feelings of gratitude, which may explain their helpful nature.

Overview

Nereids are native to the oceans of Daemus primarily, but are capable of swimming comfortably in any body of water too. They often feed on aquatic creatures that live within the oceans they make home in, but will eat underwater plant life to improve their diet. In extraordinarily rare cases, Nereids have fed on other people, though this is practically unheard of.

They are sometimes confused with mermaids due to their similar body structure, with mermaids having one fin replacing their legs, while nereids have a split fin. Nereids can morph these fins into legs on land, but require water somewhat frequently, especially in hot climates. Nereid bodies are often blue or purple in colour, covered in many scales resembling those of a fish, although these scales are often softer in their humanoid half.

Biology

Like many demons, Nereids are compatible with many of the other humanoid races, and have been known on occasion to intermingle with individuals from Mekkan. Doing so will often pass along major Nereid traits to the child, regardless of the race that a Nereid creates offspring with. Half Nereid children do not commonly have strongly scaled upper halves, typically limited to only scaled patches if they have any at all, their lower half would still be scaly within the water.

Nereids appear to be expert navigators at sea, this is theorised to be due to a number of biological factors allowing them to see and smell better underwater. Their senses underwater prove so strong that they are capable of mapping out entire underwater environments and navigating them with ease. This factor resulted in a brief period in which Vampires experimented with naval forces, making use of partially Nereid crew in order to better traverse Mekkan.

Nereid genitalia is often quite similar to the typical genitalia of Mekkanian races, although undergoes some changes when a Nereid is in the water due to existing within the scaled portion of their bodies, in their underwater form, both main sexes of Nereid have a slit, this is most similar in the females to the reproductive organs used in their land form; however, in males, the penis emerges from the slit during arousal.

Mythology

Most myths and legends about the Nereids stem from their primarily helpful nature. Stories have told of seafaring adventurers being lured in by evil Sirens, only to be saved and returned to land by mysterious two finned fish people, who are more clearly Nereids from a modern perspective.

One particular legend of note that is believed to be about a Nereid is the legend of a mighty soldier who has appeared throughout many of the Holy Wars, this soldier was described as a blue skinned nautical expert who could outswim even the fastest of sea creatures. These legends match up with the historical fact that Nereids served under the Vampires in several holy wars; however, what has not been explained is the near identical description of the Nereid between each war.