The origins of homo mermanus are unknown, though their own legends claim that the Olympian Poseidon modified them to their present form. In any event, the largest group of this race has settled the ruins of ancient Atlantis on the Atlantic seabed, though there are small settlements throughout the ocean.
Atlanteans are water-breathers, such that exposure to air is similar to a human's immersion in water - they can suffocate out of water (Namor, given his half-breed blood, is an exception).The Atlanteans are more exactly the race of Homo Mermanus, a water breathing branch of humanity. They all possess gills in the neck.
Homo Mermanus is an early off-shoot of the Human Race. They have pointed ears, angled eyebrows, and blue skin.
They have stayed fairly true to thier genes and may breed with surface dwellers if desired. The result is a pink skinned hybrid not detailed here. Atlantean's political and technical outlooks mirror that of Caesar's Rome.They are hunter/ gatherers with limited science skills. What high technology they have they have learned from the Deviants of Lemuria.
Atlantean technology has produced water tanks that operate as scuba gear in reverse, allowing Atlanteans to survive out of water for up to 4 hours before more water is needed. Atlanteans also have a chemical compound that allows normal breathing in air, while turnng the flesh from normal blue to human flesh-tones. This chemical allows air-breathing for 24 hours. An Atlantean hero that gains "water-breathing" ability as a Power can breathe air normally.
Atlanteans scavenge lost technology and magic from the sea floor, and as such have access to lost treasures of Atlantis and Deviant technology, but most are not inventors in their own right. Any Atlantean hero must take Edged Weapon or Blunt Weapon skill as his first Talent.
- Water Freedom: All Atlanteans are adapted for life in any section of the oceans.
- Water-Breathing: All Atlanteans breathe water; salt water is preferred. Most can only breathe water and suffocate if they are exposed to air.
- Hyper-Swimming: Atlanteans can attain Poor speeds (30 mph).
- Atlantean weapons, such as swords axes, tridents. maces and hammers, are of Remarkable material strength.
- Power Tridents: have Remarkable stun blasts at a range of 3 areas.
- Ray Pistols: Excellent energy at 3 areas.
- Ray Rifles: Remarkable energy at 5 areas.
- Atlantean soldiers wear body armor, that provides Good protection against Physical attacks.
- Water-Breathing System: When a non-amphibious Atlantean ventures into the surface world, he needs this system: A sealed bubble helmet that covers the head and neck-gills. The helmet is designed to enable the wearer to see normally. A small cylinrical backpack recycles and renews the water. The system enables the wearer to stay away from the water for days before they suffer ill effects.
- One-Man Propulsion System: This is a mall cyndrical platform that clamps to the user's feet. It is steered by flexing the feet and legs. It can maintain Excellent speed 75/mph for two-thousand miles in the water. It's usefulness in the air is limited to a short hop of 10 to 20 feet.(enough to get onto a dock or the shore.)