Lore:Mermaid

Mermaid statue, "The Mermaid of Anvil" (ESO)

Mermaids (also called the Selkie) are mythical creatures with a presence in the Abecean Sea. They resemble young women with a long fish tail instead of legs, but the nature of these creatures is unknown.

The most well-known mermaid is the Mermaid of Anvil, an old stone statue that is beloved by the people of Anvil. The grandeur of the statue rivals other effigies dedicated to the Divines or even Daedric Princes leading many to believe that the mermaid statue is based on a long-forgotten deity. Some rumors claim that it is a depiction of Azura as she appeared to some ancient sea-dwelling civilization. It was apparently built before any structure was made in Anvil, implying that the statue was the foundation of the county city's creation. It has been called many names, such as the Brine Maiden and the Salty Serenader. There is another legend, regarding the statue, in which it is called the Selkie of West Skerry and is described as a seal-maid. It is said that she would guide sailors through the dense fog around the Gold Coast.

The sailors of Saintsport are known to carve whale bones into whistles that resemble reclining mermaids. Within the Shivering Isles, in the Bliss portion of New Sheoth, the Mad God is depicted on a fountain being held up by mermaids. The Thief God Rajhin claims to have kissed a mermaid on the shores of Khenarthia, but he admits it may have just been a shapely fish considering it was during a moonlit night. Small stone mermaid figurines, often made of ebony were commonly used as a fertility idols among the commoners of High Isle.

The word "mermaid" is occasionally used as an insult towards the Maormer. Mermaid Whiskey is a type of alcoholic beverage.

Gallery

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  "The Mermaid of Anvil" (Oblivion)

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  Mermaid fountain in Bliss (Shivering Isles)

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  Mermaid totem (Shivering Isles concept art)

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  Mermaid statue (left, Shivering Isles concept art)