Pahari


 

Species Name: Pahari, Paha, Pahar, Merfolk

Pahari are shapeshifting, marine nymphs that dwell in the Indian ocean. In their natural forms, they are similar in appearance to Paharipeople. They are also able to assume the form of a small fish and that of a beautiful human.

Type: Humanoid Aquatic

Physical Traits: The upper body of a Pahari is that of a perfectly formed human, more beautiful than the fullest moon. The lower body of a Pahari is that of a tropical fish, its scales either blue, green, or ruby red. They prefer this form above all others, able to easily evade large predators by hiding in the small niches and crevices of a reef or ocean floor. Their human form matches the upper half of their natural shape, complete with a pair of slender and willowy legs. They only assume this shape when venturing onto land or ship, since in the water their other two forms are more manoeuvrable.

Height: 5-7 ft

Weight: 80-190 lbs

Abilities: Nightvision equal to normal. Pahari can breathe underwater and are able to dive down to a maximum depth of 15 metres per CON. They can communicate with all sea life.

Mobility: Tail while underwater, legs on land

Sensory Organs: Visual

Communication: Vocal

Reproduction: Egg

Attributes on land -
INT: 3D6, WIS: 3D6, STR: 3D6, DEX: 3D6, CON: 2D6, CHA: 3D6, MR: 3D6, HPs: CON +D12

Attributes underwater -
INT: 3D6, WIS: 3D6, STR: 4D6, DEX: 4D6, CON: 5D6, CHA: 3D6, MR: 15D6 (swim), HPs: CON +D20

Orbit/Climate: See Earth

Feeding Habits: Omnivore. They gather kelp and seaweed, which forms the staple part of their diet, eating small amounts of shellfish and mollusks as well. They never eat fish, considering the act akin to cannibalism.

Lifespan: 400 years

Technology: 2

Culture: Standard. Diversified mix of kind and evil people. They live in underwater communities, but occasionally surface to gaze in fascination at land. The bravest of Pahari work up the courage to sunbathe on rocks near shore or to approach ships and engage in conversation with sailors. Normally shy and peace-loving creatures, Pahari are loathe to enter into combat. They can fight with any weapon provided, but rarely ever carry any themselves. They are fond of magical items, however, and will use them in combat if needed. Pahari are potent spell-casters. Most are elemental wizards, casting spells at a level equal to twice their Hit Dice. Almost all choose water as their element of specialization.

Pahari dwell in small communities on the sea bed, often close to shore. A community of Pahari consists of 2-20 individuals, evenly divided in size. They make small homes out of shells and coral and tend a garden of kelp or seaweed nearby. A community of more than five Pahari will have a 50% chance of being attended by 2-12 dolphins. The Pahari are adventuresome and regard surface dwellers with a fascination that borders on obsession. They will collect anything that pertains to life above the waves (especially magical items), often welcoming sailors into their communities to hear them spin tales of their homelands. With this preoccupation about life above water, it is not uncommon for a younger Pahari to venture onto land in her human form, if only to spend a day shocking the villagers (who promptly find her some clothes), eating surface food, dancing, and singing long into the night before returning home. A few have been known to stay longer (although this is discouraged by the older, wiser Pahari), even marrying a good-aligned surface dweller in some instances.
Like most faerie creatures, Pahari have a very long life span and soon outlive a human husband, afterward returning home to the sea for good. The older Pahari, many who have already experienced this heartbreaking loss, do their best to console their newly-returned sister. As a general rule, the older and wiser Pahari prefer short, frequent encounters with surface dwellers. Pahari are staunch protectors of their marine environment and oppose evil sea creatures, like sea hags, at every opportunity. A Pahari’s kiss can bestow water breathing on the lucky recipient for a day.

Government: Tribal

Population: 1,244,140

 

Creating a Pahari character

Step 1: Attributes
Roll attributes as normal but be aware that the physical attributes increase when underwater while CON is -D6 when on land. Hit points = CON +12, +12 per level.
Step 2: Skills

Choose skills in the normal manner according to the character's class.
Step 3: Abilities

All Pahari gain all the following free;

Night Vision - The character can see in absolute darkness at a distance equal to his normal sight.

Shapechange - Pahari can change their tail into 2 humanoid legs and back again at will and take on the form of a small tropical fish.

Additionally Pahari start with 35 Points to spend on any of the following abilities. As they earns more experience they may buy or rebuy more abilities.
Ability Cost Notes
Animal Empathy 5 Pahari can establish telepathic communication with any normal or giant sea animal within line of sight if he does nothing else in the round. The animal must have a minimum INT of 1. This has the following benefits:
He can communicate to the creature that he desires its friendship. If the offer is sincere (and the animal will be able to sense if it isn't), the creature can be calmed and will not attack or flee unless it is attacked. It will answer any of his questions.

Further he can then recruit this animal as an ally. Once he does so he permanently psionically links with the animal turning it into a familiar. At any point he may see through the familiar's eyes, smell through its nose, hear with its ears, taste with its mouth or link with any of its other senses (including supernatural ones). The two are always in constant telepathic contact.

Increased AC 10 +1 AC when underwater.
Increased Thac0 10 +1 Thac0 with one weapon group specialty at levels 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19.
Intimidating 5 This character has greater presence, +1 CHA
Natural Chameleon 5 Using this ability the Pahari can blend into and render himself nearly invisible in any undersea terrain. When hiding he can conceal himself from attackers and eavesdrop on his enemies. He may also move with a minimum of sound, almost as if he's gliding through the water.
Natural Mana 10 +10 Mana at levels 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20.
Nature Heal 5 Whenever in salt water the Pahari can heal at phenomenal rates. He must concentrate for 1 minute uninterrupted to perform the following healing; restore 1 HP per INT, +1 per level per 10 minutes; reduce the damage and duration of drugs, toxins and poisons by 4% per INT, +1% per level and gives +1 to save per 4 INT; negate all pain for 1 minute per INT, +1 minute per level; or stabilize his condition (stops bleeding, binds wounds, etc.) for 15 minutes per level.
Nature Survival 5 Due to extensive experience and training underwater Paharis gain +1 to any physical, combat and survival rolls made while within that environment. Each time this ability is rebought he may either take an additional +1.
Spellcast 5 The character starts with one spell per INT point over 9, he can learn an equal amount per level. Thus INT 13 = 3 spells +3 per level. The spells can only come from Faerie. Other spheres may only be learnt if he takes a Mage class which gives him that training.
Witch Sight 5 The character can see the true image of any person or object regardless of any form of concealment, disguise, illusion or invisibility. This also includes the ability to detect whether it is magical, and whether it is harmful or helpful.
Step 5: Classes

Any.

 

 

 

Races