Mermaid abilities
Category: Guidelines

Freedom of Breath

The one thing all mermaids have in common is freedom of breath. No matter where they appear in storytelling, mermaids do not need to worry about holding their breath whether they are deep below the sea or on dry land. They might be able to breathe water and air, have some kind of special gills, or simply not need to breathe at all. Sometimes this ability comes from a spell, but it is usually an inherent ability all mermaids are simply born with. Humans who have transformed into mermaids through various means will often immediately acquire this powerful ability alongside their transformation, sometimes even before their body changes to the typical mermaid form.

Speech with Animals

Mermaids are often portrayed in vast and beautiful undersea kingdoms, teeming with all kinds of aquatic life. Many of these regal mermaids are capable of speaking to all the sea life around them. Dolphins, fish, seahorses (often of giant size), crabs, and even sharks are all common companions to mermaids. Some depictions of this ability allow direct speech between a mermaid and her animal friends with full conversational ability just as if they were all speaking the same language. Other versions of the power act more like an empathetic link which binds mermaids to the thoughts and feelings around them such that they are capable of “speaking for the sea”.  In other tales, mermaids may lack the ability to understand their animal companions but are capable of issuing either spoken or telepathic commands to control as a regular person might control a dog or a horse.

Transformation

In many stories, mermaids are capable of finding their way onto dry land through various methods. One of the primary ways mermaids meet and interact with populations of humans (outside of sailors, of course) is by transforming into a human form. Some mermaids have this ability innately, while others interact with alchemical potions or magical spells. These transformations can be brief or long-lasting and they may be done at-will or require preparation, depending on the story.

Hypnosis & Enchantments

Mermaids are among the most beautiful creatures in folklore and mythology. There are countless stories of men at sea who have fallen madly in love with mermaids, even without any spells, charms, or supernatural abilities. Mermaids don’t simply rely on their natural charisma, grace, and beauty, however. Mermaids are capable of easily controlling the minds of men through various methods. Most commonly, this is done through singing. Mermaids (much like sirens) are often capable of casting their voice many leagues away to lure in hapless sailors, travelers, or merchants who might come seeking out their source. Often, this alluring song is harmless and mermaids simply perform the action for their own amusement. As with any person, though, some mermaids are more malevolent and the men caught in their song are ultimately doomed.

.Hydrokinesis

Hydrokinesis is the supernatural ability to control water. Many mermaids are capable of this in various different forms. For example, a mermaid might be able to create a current of water around herself to propel herself faster than she would otherwise be able to swim. Alternatively, water can be manipulated into waves or whirlpools, sometimes even to a massive size. Mermaids may even be able to move large amounts of water freely without any restraints or even conjure water from nothing.

Stormcalling

Along with controlling water, some powerful mermaids are even capable of controlling the forces of nature as a whole. Mermaids can be capable of calling up maelstroms at sea and sinking a vessel or even an entire fleet with their powers. On the other hand, mermaids are also capable of seeing a ship through the most intense of storms by calming the seas around the ship they are protecting. For some mermaids, this effect is permanent and they may be followed by a perpetual storm which rages around them wherever they go – or they may act as a permanent bastion away from dangerous weather.