The Shuikmar (known as Sharkmen by land-walkers) are an aquatic humanoid race. The fact that they are commonly known as Sharkmen tells you all that you need to know about their physical appearance. They do, in fact, look very much like a cross between sharks and Men.
Regardless of their appearance, the Shuikmar are an ancient and advanced race, even more venerable than Men. They build great, fortified cities for themselves on the bottom of the sea, and maintain within them universities and libraries filled with knowledge both useful and obscure.
Shuikmar are more or less amphibious, but they generally choose not to come to the surface unless absolutely necessary. Unlike Mermen, they have no need to feel sunlight and breathe air once in a while. However, they will surface to raid coastal settlements and plunder vessels. They will even attack Mermen cities for loot, food, and slaves. In fact, Shuikmar are merciless raiders and have the cold, relentless hunting instincts of sharks.
Shuikmar favor tridents, spears, and other thrusting weapons, which they use in conjunction with nets, their favorite tactic being to immobilize their opponent from a distance and finish him off quickly. They also ride sharks as battle mounts and keep them as pets as well.
Basic Information
Shuikmar have a thick upper body, a dorsal fin-like crest on the back of the head and a shark-like tail. They also have webbed hands and feet.
Civilization and Culture
Shuikmar first names always begin with a consonant and then end with a vowel followed by the letter 's'. Additionaly, Shuikmar surnames always end with the letters 'ath'. Many land-walkers believe this is due to the name of the Shuikmar deity.
Shuikmar are a paradoxical race - merciless brigands and a mighty war nation on one fin, and great scholars who value learning and intellectual devotion on the other.
All Shuikmar communities worship a deity that takes the form of a shark, Fynath. Whether they view Fynath as a tribal god whose role is to protect their tribe, or as a universal god whose message is applicable across race and geography varies from place to place.
Among themselves, Shuikmar are cultured and civilized to a degree that puts most other mortal races to shame. To all non-Shuikmar - even Mermen, with whom they often dwell cheek-by-jowl - they are relentless and remorseless killers.
RPG Datasheet
AG -2;
CO 0;
ME +2;
RE +4;
SD 0;
EM 0;
IN +4;
PR -2;
QU 0;
ST +4;
Appearance -20
Channeling 0;
Essence 0;
Mentalism 0;
Poison +5;
Disease +5
Body Development 0.7.5.3.1;
Arcane PP 0.7.6.5.4;
Channeling PP 0.6.5.4.3;
Essence PP 0.7.6.5.4;
Mentalism PP 0.7.6.5.4
Soul Departure 12 Rounds;
Recovery Mult. 1x
Languages 4;
Background Options 5
Dry Land Penalties - Shuikmar have feet and can move on land, but they must still return to their watery element on a daily basis or face serious consequences. A Shuikmar who does not totally immerse herself in salt water for at least one hour suffers a -10 penalty to all activities for each missed day. She should use a substantial body of water - the ocean, a mighty salt-water river, or at least a large salt-water lake. If she tries to do it on the cheap - say, by submerging herself in a salt-water bath - she suffers a -5 penalty per missed day. When this penalty reaches -80, she slips into a coma and becomes completely incapacitated. When it reaches -100, she dies.
Language: Starting Languages - Shuikarii (S8/W8), Sea-speech (S6/W6), and Common-speech (S6/W6). Allowed Adolescent Development - Shuikarii (S10/W10), Sea-speech (S8/W8), Common-speech (S8/W8), High-speech (S6/W6), and Triton (S6/W6).
Everyman skills: Swimming
Restricted skills: All skills that are used exclusively on land and have no application to aquatic life (i.e. Sprinting, Jumping, Distance Running, Painting, certain Crafts skills, Herb Lore, etc.).
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