Echinoderm (seauchins, seastars, etc...)

An umbrella term for starfish, bristle stars, sea lillies, sea urchins, sand dollars, and seacucumbers. Some you'll find are ancient sea dwellers

This group of exclusively sea-dwelling creatures (with those few exceptions found in brackish water) are primarily distinguished by their usually five-sided symmetrical exoskeletons and their water vascular system which powers their tube- feet. Found in all the tidal zones of the ocean. from beaches all the way to the hadalzone in the marine trenches.

Though usually not known for their intelligence, these creatures are fiercely resilient and independent, capable of regenerating limbs and organs and pop out a few decendents while they're at it. Yep asexual reproduction.

Don't let that last part put you off though. Some merfolk belonging to the echinoderm category are surprisingly notorious and popular among other merfolk species!

Significance in the Merfolk society

The Creatures

You'll find that many species in this category play a significant role in merfolksocieties. From the most annoying pests of out kelp orchards to unobtrusive waterpurifiers, to all sorts of accessories and currencies: they are indeed popular.

But don't be to eager to make a lucrative business out of any old living specimen from this group. There are rules that are punished harshly if broken! What rules are these? Come back when you have a more specific question!

The Merfolk

Ah the Merfolk, they are a varied bunch. You'll find that some species are warlike and have their own flavor of aggression, while others are the most peaceful, tranquil sweeties you'll ever meet. What most have in common however, is their slowness. In the sea, you'll find plenty of merfolk that take their sweet time and seem to have infinite patience. You'll find most Echinoderms are prominent ambassadors of this trait. There are some surprising exceptions, which may surprise you with their occasional brusqueness. Don't expect any fast swimmers though.

You'll also find both to your pleasure and frustration that for some, once they've set their mind on something they'll pursue it quite relentlessly, with that same aforementioned patience. That said, none of these merfolk are particularly vengeful or keen on keeping grudges and all have quite steady temperaments not prone to mood swings. There's plenty of redeeming features here.

In terms of magic these merfolk aren't particularly skilled or keen, unless it comes to their own regeneration. However, you might find among the older merfolk within this group some who are surprisingly skilled in unique and esoteric fields of magic. You think this is cool? Surprisingly not. Even if there's a puff of smoke, what happened? who knows. Even skilled magic users will have a hard time identifying if there was any magical effects that resulted from these spells. That is why they are esoteric.

Distinctive traits

Although the envertabrates are distinctively different from each other some elements tie them togeather.

That is the Ossicles Ed what are ossicles you ask, calserous epidermis, in other terms, hardened bone like skin with a unique structure which has allowed these invertebrates to form exoskeletons and manny other manners of interesting tools.

And their penchant for mani sided radial simetri. While many creatures of the sea will settle bilateral simetry with the left side looking much like the right, a large bunch of echinodermsbwill settle for no less then five.

Madriporite is an essential organ that all echinoderm, possessing a this reddish yellow wart like structure is essential to regulate the water pressure in their bodies. Should it ever be blocked these poor things will deflate an loose their mobility given that their mobility relies on circulating pressurised water through their bodies. Some will have several medipoites while nots only have a single one.