Merlike

Merlike is an umbrella term used in the Aeon of the Champion story series to refer to aquatic races that are not legally or popularly considered merfolk, but resemble them, as they have distinct piscine features and characteristics. They did not originate from Atlantis or necessarily the area around the Great Eastern Ocean, but did have communications with the merfolk as far as 29000 BGY, the years before the Second Sin War. They were present at the coronation of Tyrina as matriarch of Atlantis, and also fought alongside her merfolk before then during their struggles against Leviathan's nickars and their King, Shaz'tig.

Recognition and reactions
Their status among the rest of aquatic society is currently in dispute. Seraphina, during her tenure as Queen of the Ocean, saw the merlike races as part of her racial family, having "bled the same blood" and "shed the same tears" as the indigenous merfolk themselves, and thus made a series of unprecedented reforms which signed into law various rights, including the right to migrate to and dwell in the kingdom at any time. This move was popular with the merlike, who for a long time had been neglected by Shimmerscale. When Primarina ascended to the throne she reversed her mother's reforms, claiming that the merlike "were not one of us" and "had no right to be here [Atlantis]".

Trivia

 * The issue of Merlike rights is a major, divisive topic in the Aeon of the Champion story series.
 * Some merlike feel that they are merfolk, and Primarina's attitude towards them is racist.
 * Others feel that they are not merfolk, but should integrate with them as the two share history.
 * A small sect are merlike separatists, who see the merfolk as their rivals and desire their race to carve out their own history.