Locathah (SofS)

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Locathah Fish-men, Gill-men, Kaparl (slave in kuo-toan)
Often looked upon as the victims of prejudice and injustice, the locathah have been the slaves of nearly every race of Serôs (though mostly by the kuo-toans and the ixitxachitl) at various times in the past. Now, while pockets of them are still enslaved in the depths, most locathah live a nomadic existence in the lower shallows Some point to their hunter-gatherer culture as a sign of barbarism, but the locathah simply move on and pay them little mind. Foremost in their minds are their sense of community and an overwhelming drive for freedom.
==Physical Characteristics==
Serôsian locathah appear as humanoids covered by fine scales, their fishlike heads having large eyes, a gaping toothless mouth, and small fins where ears should be.
Like the standard MONSTROUS MANUAL locathah, the males of the Inner Sea are distinguished from females by the coloration of a stripe near the egg sac.
Skin: Olive green to ochre scales; stomach scales a sea green to pale yellow hue. The female' s egg sac stripe is merely a continuation of the stomach scales' color.
Hair: None; flukes and dorsal fins either match the scales' tone or the stomach coloration.
Eyes: Larger than normal eyes (Vision underwater equivalent to unaided human sight on land), coloration either all black or all white (the latter a good omen).
Size: Medium sized, comparable to humans.
==Psychology==
Despite centuries of cruelty, locathah are not by nature angry or vengeful toward their oppressors. Their sense of tribal unity is merely heightened, and they form tightknit units for their own protection. In their minds, they were enslaved in times past only when they were at odds with their own kind or a former allied race. Thus, locathah do everything possible to keep their alliances together to prevent the fragmentation that allowed large segments of their people to fall into slavery. While they do not ally with just any race, these hunter-gatherers are stolid allies once others have proven themselves trust—worthy to a specific locathah and later, her whole tribe.
The other prime factor in locathah minds is their almost primal need for freedom. If enslaved or imprisoned locathah do everything possibleeverything save threaten the welfare of their schoolto regain their freedom. This often manifests as both a nearly indomitable will when shackled (+2 reaction bonus to Charisma). Locathah do not see any shame in being imprisoned or bullied by greater foes. It is shameful only to do nothing about the situation.
==Social Characteristics==
Locathah culture is organized in a communal tribe system, and while smaller hunting parties and colonies of under 100 people are male-dominated hunting schools, locathah favor a matriarchal chieftain. The chieftain is equally responsible for the viability of her tribe by laying a multitude of eggs and the children are raised equally by the entire community.
Locathah are primarily nomads traveling among their usual territories in the northeastern sea south of Impiltur' s and west of Thesk' s coasts, known to them as the Bymmalyn Hills. Some locathah, however, have begun to live among more permanent settlements among the slopes atop and within the Hmur Plateau.
==Notes==
As stated before, the locathah have been enslaved by numerous other races, and while their lives are far from tranquil, their limited settlements in the eastern seas use the great Hmur Plateau (the Pirate Isles) as a broad barrier against their most common enemies: the kuo-toans and the morkoth. They are capable of thriving in much deeper waters, but they have acclimated to the shallow waters to be farther from their enemies. They also once swam among the currents of the Alamber deeps, but the sahuagin hunted them to extinction in those waters, and to this day, there is a great hatred between locathah and sahuagin.
Locathah place great value on their traditions and habits, and it is easy to offend them unintentionally by violating one of their unwritten social rules. Never approach a locathah with a weapon in hand; it is seen as an aggressive move and will be met with either flight or combat. Physical contact is rarely made with locathah, as they prefer not to be touched save by their own people. If they need to lead someone, they circle the person or creature and lead by their wake-currents. They are territorial and protect their hunting territories and kelp grounds with the zeal of those who once were enslaved and who refuse to be ever again. Despite these strictures, they are quite open to surface-worlders and often guide newcomers around Serôs.
==AD&D Game Characteristics==
While the standards are fine for generic settlements, flesh out those locathah near where your campaign is set.
Classes Allowed (Level Limits): Fighter (10), Ranger (12), Cleric (14), Priest (14), Druid (U).
Multiclass Options Allowed: Cleric/Fighter, Cleric/Ranger.
Ability Adjustments: + 1 Constitution, -1 Intelligence.
Maximum Constitution 19; maximum Strength 18(00).
Preferred Armor and Weapons: Locathah wield spears and short swords.
Category:Sea of Fallen Stars