Species: Shark
Habitat: Swamps, lakes, rivers
Disposition: Lonely, clingy, devoted
Diet: Fish, meat
One of the oldest Shark-girl species ever recorded: Orthacanth’s evolved in isolation: trapped in freshwater swamps. Leading all Orthacanth’s to visually bear little resemblance to what most people would imagine a typical Shark-girl to appear as. For starters: their bodies oddly resemble that of a Frilled than anything else: being streamlined and serpentine. They don’t even have dorsal fins at the usual spot: instead, there is a long spine jutting out from the backs of their necks, serving as a mechanism for defence. So instead of being at the normal spot: their dorsal fins actually run down further in their back, almost resembling a section of fin on an eel. While these features don’t exactly make them the best chaser types, it Does help them ambush hapless prey, with them usually killing prey by impaling them with their spike.
Orthacanth’s are the only Shark-girl species that lives exclusively in freshwater, and being in areas with any amount of salt in them are actually damaging to the the Orthacanth’s health, so they avoid contact with even mixed waters such as estuaries, fearful of their lives. As another added issue: considering that most aquatic manamo reside in the Oceans, Orthacanth’s rarely find any company under the water, barring other members of their species, Sahuagins, and the occasional Taursrk, so they’re usually quite lonely, with usually no other fish species to converse with. To make up for this though: they try to have as much contact as they can with land-dwellers, and almost seem to idolize them, often sparking odd friendships.
Due to this odd admiration of land-living people that they have, many Orthacanth’s bear a secret desire to go on land with them, and be with them all the time. This desire though is usually quite impossible for them: as their has a mediocre skill with magic and it’s often far too difficult for them to get a Mage or even a blacksmith who’d construct them something that they can ride on, especially with their odd body shape, so usually they’re stuck in the water That’s not to say that they don’t try though: every other thought that goes through their mind is of their desire to be on land and a slight envy towards those that can. These feelings are extremely evident with close friends, where they often stare longingly after them, wishing they could go with them.
Occasionally, when they come across human men, they feel a strange urge: almost like a sort of calling. Then, they’ll try to call him over, and act like a woman in distress; claiming that they want to move to a different patch of water but can’t because of the currents(Or because they’re trapped if they happen to live in something like a pond or lake.) If the man complies, she’ll always ask to be carried princess-style: so she can touch and observe more things as they go along(While making sure that her spine does no damage to him). As they walk the Orthacanth will immediately start to grow fond of him, often glancing down at his legs and occasionally: the thing between them.Eventually, once they get to the destination the Orthacanth specified, she will have grown fond of him, and will try to coerce him into taking a dip in the water. Should he accept and enter(After placing her there.), the Orthacanth will simply wait, and: once there is a good enough opportunity: take her ambushing tactics to heart and rush him, both out of desperation for a permanent companion, and so that she can give him the most pleasurable experience of his life.
When mating the Orthacanth is always on top of her mate, not because of any real disposition though: but because they literally have to because of their spine; can’t get it broken now can they? So they simply ride on him and nuzzle him when they’re stopping, and will not stop until they see that their mate is completely satisfied, and they will do so with an almost zealous devotion.
After this the Orthacanth’s first order of business with her husband will be to get a permanent solution to her land-wanting problem, and for such a long wanted obsession, she will surprisingly be very agreeable about it so long as her husband manages to get something adequate: even a wheelchair would be perfect for her needs. Unfortunately though: the Orthacanth, even out of water, will only be able to live in areas that are moist enough to support them, making places like bayous and lakeside beaches perfect for one to live.
A married Orthacanth will constantly want to be around others, especially any friends they happen to have, but most of all: they almost convulsively need to be near their husband at nearly all times, as to them(In the moment) he’s the only thing in the world that matters to them. Once they’re alone though, and every one of her friends have left, she will completely open with her desire to make love with him. Do be cautious though: apparently Orthacanth’s were cannibals before they weren't monsterized, obviously this has stopped since they have become manamo, but the habit still translated over in that if two unmarried Orthacanth’s cross paths, they will sulk off to pleasure each other, wallowing in their shared want to be terrestrials, and both then will resolve to look for a husband together. This can also happen when a married one spots a drifter and takes pity on her, so she will invite the newcomer in, and a small harem will be born.
Over the years there have been several attempts to adapt Orthacanth’s to sea-water, but these attempts usually backfire. And certainly: while there is a possibility that magic can be used to alter their physiology, Most other Shark-girls would see them as an invader(From instinct, considering they’re so different) and immediately try to drive her out. In retaliation; should any salt-dwelling Sharks come near them via magic, the Orthacanth will try to keep them away from her husband, viewing the intruders as a potential threat and thief.
(ALRIGHT, LAST SHARK DONE! Originally I was actually planning on making one based on a Helicoprion, but apparently that one isn’t actually a shark, so I decided to make one out of an Orthacanthus instead...Given this one’s odd appearance and it’s a not well-known species, I guess this was for the best. If you like this one then feel free to leave any thoughts or worthwhile criticism down below! Thanks for staying with me while I wrote all these Shark-girls guys!!!)