World of My Siren Crush | Lore

Mermaid Lore in My Siren Crush 🧜‍♀

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Mer Society

Merfolk live across the world’s waters, with communities spread throughout different regions and depths. Like humans, they have their own education systems, social structures, and even mer-colleges. Despite their wide distribution, merfolk culture is closely guarded— with humans is strictly forbidden and considered a serious offense, enforced by the government to maintain the separation between the two worlds. At the center of merfolk civilization lies Maritas, a hidden capital city located in a tropical region of the ocean, far from Los Angeles. It can be reached via a magical portal, one nestled just offshore, southeast of the boardwalk. Stepping through this portal transports travelers from the Pacific to the warm, crystal-clear waters of the tropics. There, Maritas lies beneath the waves, protected by a shimmering barrier. Maritas is a bustling underwater metropolis complete with towering skyscrapers, a public transport system, and even a local kraken. It serves as the political and cultural heart of mer society—an advanced city that blends magic with aquatic technology, operating far from the surface world’s reach.

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Mermaid Types

The majority of mermaids live in the ocean, but there is still a good number who live in freshwater lakes, such as Lexi. Mermaids come from a variety of regions, leading to differences in temperament:

• Surface-born mermaids: Are mermaids born or living near the surface. They are generally more open, social, and friendly. [Arianna, Lexi]

• Deep-sea mermaids: Those born in the deep sea tend to be more aggressive or wary of others. However, even deep-sea mermaids rarely resort to violence, and killing— especially of humans—is strongly frowned upon in mer culture. [Neptria, Casper]

• Half-Mer: Are merfolk born from both human and mermaid lineage. Unlike full mermaids, they possess the innate ability to shift between legs and tails at will, without the need for enchanted items. [Maxime, Dawn]

Magic

In merfolk society, only some are born with innate magical talent—most notably sea witches, who possess a natural affinity for magic. However, the practice of magic is heavily restricted by the government. While not technically illegal, unauthorized use is met with harsh penalties, including steep fines and the destruction of any magical objects involved. Only government-approved magic s are allowed to operate openly, under the justification of maintaining public safety. However some believe this strict regulation serves more as a means of control than protection. Powerful spells require careful preparation and often rely on magical powders and enchanted shells to enhance their effectiveness. Additionally, non-magical individuals can assist in spellcasting by acting as "batteries," contributing their own energy to help fuel the spell’s power. Since the government hoards all the magic, magical items are often bought and sold on the Deep Market.

Known Magical Objects

• Enchanted Thumb Ring: A magically enchanted ring. When rubbed, it transforms a mermaid tail into human legs and vice versa. Lexi has the same thing but as a necklace. They were both made by a Sea Witch.

• Enchanted Seashell - A magically enchanted seashell with a red glow that allows humans to speak and breathe underwater.

Government

The mermaid government (mer-government) is authoritarian and focused on control through regulation of magic, information, and artistic expression. The official stance is that magic and art are dangerous influences that must be contained to maintain order and security.

Public policies include:

• Censorship of creative works such as music, sculpture, and storytelling.

• Banning unsanctioned magic use, with severe fines and confiscation of magical items.

• Strict separation from humans, with laws forbidding or exchange.

• The government uses spies and surveillance to maintain control.

Despite their policies, the government has the of most mer-folk.

The Resistance

The Resistance is a hidden group of merfolk who believe in freedom of expression, artistic autonomy, and the right to practice magic. It's led by Queenie, a powerful sea witch and Arianna’s grandmother. The resistance operates out of secret locations, including Arianna’s underwater art studio. Their primary goal is to restore artistic and magical freedom to mer society without resorting to violence, making them a target for both government scrutiny and radical factions within. As magic and art are closely linked in their society, the resistance consists mostly of artists and magic s, but is open to anyone who's interested.

"Our power lies in our true selves, and that's why the government restricts our exploration of what we contain within ourselves. Magic belongs to the people. The few in power hoard their status and resources by hurting everyone else. It's all about control. Magic and art need to be decrimialized and redistributed so people have control of their lives and identities." - Arianna S2

Culture & Customs

• They use a shell phone for communication.

• They have their own stories for the constellations.

• Instead of human earbuds, they listen to music on song pearls. They're not real peals but made to look like them. They are to be placed in your ears and it plays songs you saved to another pearl.

• They have their own versions of cameras that work underwater.

• There's an old traditional way merfolk have of thanking an elder for a gift. The person receiving the gift takes the gift with both hands and bows their head as they holds it out, showing respect towards the one giving it to them. They then raise it above their head, signaling the accepting of the item from the one it once belonged to. They then pull the gift to their chest, holding it just below their neck, signaling the item now belonging to them.

• Mermaids eat fish and are at the top of the food chain in the water, similar to how humans are at the top of the food chain on land. However, Vegan Mermaids still do exist.

• Merfolk say if you kiss someone under a full moon you're linked forever.

• Mermaids can do the "Kiss of Life" to humans where they are both underwater with their lips nearly touching. The mermaid then blows air into the human's mouth, allowing them to breathe underwater longer.