Athamaru

Athamaru Locathah1E
(Creature)
Common Medium Amphibious Athamaru Humanoid Level Varies Alignment LG NG CG LN N CN LE NE CE Images of athamarus Source: Monster Core, pg(s). 30 Type Humanoid (aquatic) CR ½ Environment Temperate or warm aquatic Alignment LG NG CG LN N CN LE NE CE Adjective Athamaru Images of athamarus Source: Bestiary 2, pg(s). 179

Athamarus, also called locathahs, are an ancestry of fish-like bipedal humanoids.

Appearance

Athamarus have large eyes, ochre scales, and fins. They give off a fishy smell that many land dwellers find unpleasant, though they find their smell to be a key part of their race.

An average specimen stands as tall as a human and weighs 160 pounds. They move very slowly on land, but are swift and accomplished swimmers.

Habitat and society

Urakadussi, High Matriarch of Xidao.

Athamarus view community as very important, and go to great lengths not to abandon their fellows. They live a simple lifestyle, making crude tools out of stone, coral, and bone. They try to trade their knowledge of the local sea conditions with surface dwellers in return for ceramic and metal items.

They eat mainly undersea plants and shellfish, supplementing this with occasional fish. They also enjoy eating tubers, when they can obtain them.

Each tribe is led by a matriarch who also serves as the main egg-layer, and who is advised by primal spellcasters and healers who often have octopus animal companions. Every adult then raises one of the young as their own. They often tame moray eels, and warriors may use trained giant eels as mounts. They speak Thalassic. The populations of athamaru settlements typically number fewer than 200 and often have strong bonds of loyalty. Athamarus enjoy talking with the surface races, even hailing passing ships to trade and pass along information. This leads to sailors trusting them far more than the average surface dweller.

On Golarion

Athamarus are the primary residents and rulers of the nation of Xidao. Communities of athamarus also exist in the Shackles and the Tian Xia nation of Kwanlai.

References

Paizo featured athamarus as an ancestry in Howl of the Wild.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.