Locathah
Tidewalkers; Fishfolk; Ocean Guardians
All locathah had fish-like heads with toothless mouths, small fins where ears would normally be, and large eyes that were either all-black or all-white. The latter coloration was viewed as a good omen. Instead of hair, they had a dorsal fin and flukes. also known as fish-men, gill-men or kaparl ("slave" in the kuo-toan language), were a race of fish-like humanoids that lived in Astrium.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Locathah are a humanoid, fish-like species with streamlined, scaled bodies built for underwater survival. They have pronounced gills along their necks and fish-like, finned appendages adapted for swimming, with webbed hands and feet. Their faces are distinctly aquatic, with large, unblinking eyes that aid them in low-light underwater environments, and prominent jaws suited for capturing prey.
Distinctive features include tough, resilient scales that serve as natural armor, providing excellent protection against predators and environmental dangers. Their skin is often patterned with stripes or speckles that blend into their surroundings, helping them remain inconspicuous in the water.
Genetics and Reproduction
Locathah have a unique genetic structure that allows them to survive in both fresh and saltwater. They are a species adapted to rapid maturity, reaching adulthood within ten years. Due to the demanding ocean environment and natural predators, they have evolved to reproduce in large numbers, with females laying clusters of eggs in secure, hidden nesting areas in the deeper portions of the Cliffrend Trenches. These eggs are fiercely guarded until they hatch, displaying the Locathah’s protective nature towards their young.
Ecology and Habitats
Locathah are perfectly suited to the rugged, turbulent waters of the Cliffrend Trenches. They thrive in the deep, shadowy underwater trenches and fissures that make up this region, as well as the partially submerged Jaggedtide Caverns. The Locathah are meticulous stewards of their oceanic home, harvesting resources sustainably and protecting marine life from invasive predators or threats.
In their role as protectors, they patrol the Abyssal Descent and Deepgale Pools, using their knowledge of ocean currents and marine behavior to maintain a delicate balance in their ecosystem.
Behaviour
Locathah are resilient and pragmatic, shaped by a history of survival in harsh aquatic environments. They value self-sufficiency, discipline, and cooperation, understanding the ocean's need for balance. While generally neutral, they show compassion towards the oppressed, a trait cultivated through generations of struggle.
Due to their affinity with water, they are active and curious, often venturing through their underwater surroundings to explore and safeguard their home. Their society is tightly knit, with individuals typically taking on roles that benefit the whole group, whether as hunters, gatherers, or protectors.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Highly adaptive, with practical knowledge in survival, herbal medicine, and underwater navigation.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Locathah possess highly attuned sensory capabilities, both for land and sea:
- Keen Vision: Their large eyes enable sharp vision underwater and in dim light, helping them detect motion and light changes swiftly.
- Aquatic Hearing: Sensitive to vibrations, Locathah can detect movements and sounds through the water with remarkable clarity.
- Leviathan Will: They possess natural resilience to various conditions, including resistance to mental and physical conditions like charm, paralysis, and poison, making them difficult to subdue.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Locathah names are typically melodic and inspired by ocean sounds or natural phenomena. They also adopt second names that translate loosely to descriptors of personal or ancestral achievements (e.g., Wavecaller, Seastalker).
Beauty Ideals
Locathah admire natural, functional beauty. Scales that reflect light or possess intricate patterns are considered a mark of strength and lineage. Jewelry is rarely worn, as they value simplicity and function, though some wear shells or coral adornments during formal occasions.
Gender Ideals
Locathah society is egalitarian, with all individuals valued for their contribution rather than by gender. Roles are assigned based on skill and inclination, fostering a balanced society where all skills are respected.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship among Locathah is an elaborate ritual involving shared tasks and journeys to sacred underwater sites. Couples bond through shared experiences, with long-lasting partnerships based on loyalty, trust, and resilience.
Common Etiquette Rules
Respect for the sea and its creatures is fundamental, as is acknowledgment of one’s elders and the contributions of the group. Locathah etiquette emphasizes practical respect, greeting each other with simple, utilitarian gestures such as a touch to the gills or a slight bow.
Common Dress Code
Locathah typically wear minimal clothing due to their aquatic nature, often donning simple, durable garments made from seaweed fibers or lightweight water-resistant materials. They may wear armor during hunts or patrols but prefer not to burden themselves with unnecessary decoration
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Tidecall
Tidecallis a cherished holiday celebrated by the Locathah people of the Cliffrend Trenches, who live in settlements intricately built into the cliffside. This holiday marks the harmony between the sea and the cliffs, a union that defines the Locathah way of life. Held annually at the peak of the tidal season, the Tidecall is a time of both reflection and celebration, honoring the cliffs as protectors and the ocean as a provider.
At dawn, the Locathah gather on the cliffside ledges for the Song of the Waves, a ritual where they chant ancient melodies that echo against the stone walls, believed to awaken the spirits of both the cliffs and the sea. As their voices blend with the sound of the waves crashing below, the Locathah believe that the ocean responds in kind, creating a deep connection between the natural elements and their people.
Following the chant, the Locathah artisans present their Carvings of the Cliff, intricate sculptures etched into the cliffsides during the year. These carvings tell the stories of the Locathah’s ancestors, great sea creatures, and the history of their settlement. Each year, a new carving is chosen to be illuminated by bioluminescent algae during the festival, symbolizing the passing of wisdom from one generation to the next.
As night falls, the Luminous Descent begins, where the Locathah swim from the cliffs to the ocean depths, lighting their way with glowing sea lanterns crafted from special algae. This underwater procession serves as a reminder of their dual existence between land and sea and their guardianship of both realms.
The Cliffsong Reverie is a time for the Locathah to honor the cliffs that shelter them and the ocean that sustains them, celebrating their deep connection to the natural world and the balance they maintain between land and sea.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Locathah observe the Festival of Currents, a time to honor the sea and express gratitude for its bounty. During this time, they gather at the Deepgale Pools to perform rituals of song and dance, celebrating both the life-giving and dangerous aspects of the ocean.
Common Taboos
Disturbing the Abyssal Descent or overharvesting resources from the sea is strictly forbidden, as it is seen as disrespecting the balance of nature. Locathah also avoid forging alliances with creatures known to exploit or harm marine life.
History
The Locathah people have had a quiet history since they arrived from the astral sea during the Pandora War, arriving from the tears in the riparian wetlands, where they stayed in huddled settlements until the stout halflings ventured into the wetlands. The halflings gained the trust and let them know of a palce much more suited to the aquatic nature; the Cliffrend Trenches.
The Locathah travelled south the the cliffrend trenches and found another group of halflings - the ghostwise halflings who took the locathah into their settlement built into the cliffside.
Today they work well with the halflings and vow to ensure the seas are safe for everyone.
Common Myths and Legends
Locathah folklore speaks of the First Waters, a legendary ocean realm from which all life emerged. They also tell tales of Nerashka, the Great Leviathan, a mythical being said to protect the Abyssal Descent. According to legend, Nerashka only emerges when the sea faces an existential threat, ready to defend the waters against any who would defile them.
Scientific Name
Ichthydrae Locathah
Lifespan
80 years
Average Height
5-6 feet
Average Weight
150 pounds
Average Physique
Sturdy and streamlined, with muscular builds that facilitate swimming and underwater agility.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Colors vary from pale blue to dark green or brown, often with lighter spots or stripes along the body. These markings provide natural camouflage.
Geographic Distribution
Comments