Mersprites and Octopodes

a particularly colorful mersprite specimen

The sprites of the Great Land Sea, because of their proximity to human and ogrish fisherman, have been well-studied. The anatomy and behaviors of these fascinating creatures have been researched quite heavily, and have been a boon to those investigating pseudo-sentient creatures.

Recent studies have revealed that the sprites of this region are actually composed of two classes which are really quite different from one another. The most visible of these two classes are the octopodes, a species of amphibious cephalopods that have been trained and kept as helpers by the region's fishermen. Fisherman are generally very protective of their pet octopodes, and in fishing towns like Lollimar, often walk about with one perched on their shoulder. Tests have shown that these endearing creatures have the intelligence of small children and a rudimentary understanding of language, but that they do not possess the capacity for magic - they are therefore classified as a pseudo-sentient magically-influenced animal.

Mersprites, on the other hand, bear closer resemblance to the sprites of the Erkenheld. Like their forest-dwelling counterparts, the mersprites show a vast diversity in their forms: varying from nearly humanoid to more fish-like or reptilian in appearance. Mersprites do possess magickal abilities, but until recently were note considered unruly or particularly mischievous. Scholars believe that the recent increase in their tricky activities may be related to the apparent disappearance of Skillilinilia, the deity of the Great Land Sea.