See also Sirens.
"In Kislev we call them Rusalki; they are often seen near Erengrad. They are the spirits of drowned women, come back like the Banshee for revenge on menfolk. These stupid Marienburgers put one on their coat of arms because they think her beautiful. Well, I tell you for nothing, that beauty lures many fine sailors to their death."
- —Vasily Alexandrovich, Kislevite Sailor[1a]
"As with the Beastmen, they are a form of Mutant that has stabilised enough to breed true, although their numbers are kept low by the rarity of Mermen. They have a primitive, tribal society and utilise crude tools. They even appear to have a religion, worshipping a being called Triton who bears some resemblance to Stromfels, the god served by wreckers."
- —Doktor Brauer, Nuln Scholar[1a]
The Heraldry of Marienburg, depicting a Mermaid.
Mermaids have an upper body somewhere between Human and Elf, usually female, atop the tail of a fish. Their hands are claw-like. The upper-body's appearance ranges from a savage attractiveness to a hideous and hag-like twisted mirror of humanity.[1b]
Mermaids live along rocky stretches of coast, where they use their enchanting songs to lure swimmers out to drown and sailors to wreck their ships on the rocks. Their song is often mistaken for that of Harpies, to whom they may be related.[1b]
Wreckers have been known to frequent areas of coastline haunted by Mermaids, so that they may loot the ships that those creatures cause to shatter on the rocks. This is dangerous work, and can only be attempted with ears filled by wax to block their siren song. The Mermaids never take anything from the bodies of their victims and seem to gain nothing but enjoyment from the havoc they cause.[1a]
The seal of the city of Marienburg is a mermaid holding a bag of guilders and a sword. Common thought is they chose her for beauty and the association with the sea. Other suspect it's because they understand the 'Siren's Call' of gold all too well. Regardless, Sirens are said to favour pretty baubles, usually adorning themselves with wealth taken from wrecked ships. Perhaps some clever wreckers have learned to bribe them in some fashion.[2a]