Merrow

From PathfinderWiki
Merrow
(Creature)

Type
Humanoid
(aquatic, giant)
CR
3 or 6
Environment
Temperate lakes, rivers, or oceans
Alignment
Source: Bestiary 2, pg(s). 189

The merrow is an aquatic cousin of the ogre (indeed, sometimes called an aquatic ogre1). They are divided into two distinct species: the smaller freshwater merrow and the larger, ocean-dwelling saltwater merrow.2[citation needed]

Appearance

Although related to the land-dwelling ogre, merrows appear substantially different with green, scaly skin; webbed skin between their large claws; and dark green hair. Their size depends on whether they are fresh or saltwater merrows. The smaller freshwater merrows grow up to 12 feet tall, while the saltwater merrows grow much larger, up to twenty feet tall.2[citation needed]

Ecology and society

Despite their difference in appearance, culturally ogres and merrows are very similar with merrows being every bit as cruel, sadistic, and bloodthirsty as their land-bound cousins. Merrows are known for attacking fishing villages and towns, raiding in the dead of night to abduct a few villagers and then returning back into the water's depths before a real armed resistance can be organised. Much like ogres, merrows have a strong sense of family and tend to form familial gangs. Unlike ogres, they have a much stronger sense of unity and the infighting and murder that characterises the leadership of an ogre tribe is notably absent from merrow life.2[citation needed]

On Golarion

Merrows are known to dwell within the caverns that dot the length of the Aya-Maru Trench in the depths of the aquatic nation of Xidao where they war amongst themselves and with the neighbouring sedacthy.34

In the Great Beyond

Merrows also live in the Elemental Plane of Water.5

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. Tim Pratt. Liar's Bargain. Tor Books, 2016
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Paizo Inc., et al. “Monsters A to Z” in Bestiary 2, 189. Paizo Inc., 2010
  3. James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 44. Paizo Inc., 2011
  4. Paizo referred to sedachtys as sahuagins and sea devils until the publication of Monster Core.
  5. John Compton, et al. Plane of Water” in Planes of Power, 43. Paizo Inc., 2016