Amo, that backstory is awesome. No Mc Ashlander burger here, this is a fully-fleshed out mer-meal with baggage, non-traditional and non-comformist. Twisty stuff, I like it :) 

...the well intentioned extremist

You really could have just written those four words, and I'd have been on board xD

Also really enjoy the backstory elements and the idea of trying to rebuild the tribe. Looks like fun... can't wait to see how it all fits together! :D