Locathah

Locathah

Species	humanoid (ichthyes)
No. Appearing	3–30
Behaviour	clan
Range	intertidal, ocean bank
Size	5 ft. 9 in. tall
Weight	190 lbs.
Intelligence	11–12
Armour Class	6
Hit Dice	2+3
Action Points	5
Max. Stride	{{{stride}}}
THAC0	20
Hp/Die	d8
Attack Forms	by weapon type
Damage	varies
Special Attacks	dagger & trident, speak with animals, tongue

The locathah are a humanoid race of aquatic nomads, roaming shallow seas hunting and gathering. They are best known for raids along the coast of the Red and Arabian seas, and have been spotted in the Persian Gulf. They have been known to trade pearls and corals for mithril or with fishing vessels for some of that day's catch. Locathah have fish-like heads with large ears like fins and big, glassy eyes. They're covered with scales and possess hairlike growths that sprout behind their ears and below their chins. Their mouths are toothless.

History

They've had almost no impact on terran history. Contact between the surface and these creatures began only a century ago, and may have been encouraged by Portuguese traders. There are no examples of locathah mercenaries attacking coasts, but small parties do plunder very occasionally; it is supposed that increased surface-people fishing in their habitats has reduced the locathah's food supply. Envoys to learn what locathah want or even to investigate their culture have produced little. It is guessed that there are as few as 20 to 40 thousand of these creatures in existence.

Fighting

Locathah prefer to fight with tridents and daggers, each being made of hard fish bone and often with multiple serrated points. They are +1 to hit and damage with these weapons. Rarely, one locathah in a party will possess a short, thin dagger made of bone and mithril, which does not rust in salt water; these weapons will be magical, with a +1 dweomer.

Locathah have a long, two-pronged tongue that can be used to snap out like a whip to a distance of two hexes. The tongue is stiff, but will cause no damage on a hit — but it is commonly used to hook the target's head or strike near the eye, stunning on a hit. If the locathah is partially emerged out of water, and can use the tongue to have the target fall into the water towards them (as shown), they will do so. A stunned victim must make a dexterity check (-4 penalty) or else topple forward.

They have been witnessed speaking with sea-going animals. It is not known if locathah are able to train these creatures or no.

See Bestiary