AzarketiLegacy Content
Uncommon Amphibious Azarketi Humanoid Source Absalom, City of Lost Omens pg. 393Azarketis, inheritors of a shattered empire's legacy, hold their proud traditions close but still surface to interact with the rest of the world.The aquatic
humanoids of the Inner Sea share a somber and burdened history. Most refer to these aquatic peoples as gillmen or sometimes Low Azlanti, though they typically refer to themselves as azarketi, an Azlanti word that translates roughly to “people of the seas.” After Earthfall, these proud
humans were mutated into aquatic servants by their
alghollthu foes. Feeling like they don't fully belong with their human brethren nor with the sea that binds them, many azarketis struggle for a sense of identity and purpose. Though they remain distrusted by the surface dwellers, azarketis celebrate their unique lineage and their descent from the venerated Azlanti culture.
You Might...
- Ambitiously seek to defy negative perceptions and prejudice laid against you.
- Be reclusive and skeptical of strangers.
- Regard the water as your home, but be intrigued by societies along the shore.
Others Probably...
- Assume you are an ambassador to the sea and ask for your advice on nautical matters.
- Misunderstand your gentle gestures and mild expressions.
- Treat you with distrust or suspicion and anticipate betrayal from you.
Physical Description
Azarketis appear as regal, athletic humans. Their soft, hydrophilic skin ranges in tones from pearlescent white to pinkish, greenish, or brown tones reminiscent of coral. Azarketis with hair are somewhat rare; many sport fins or scaled ridges on their heads instead. Like the Azlanti people from which they descend, they often have violet eyes. Their aquatic lineage is obvious thanks to the sets of three gills on either side of their necks, as well as their webbed hands and feet. Azarketis have been known to live longer than humans, although they mature at about the same rate.
Society
Azarketis lack the center for combined culture that helps other groups maintain a cohesive identity. The vastness of the oceans and waterways spread these swift-swimming people across the Inner Sea and beyond. Many azarketis rely only on the small familial groups in their immediate community and prefer smaller populations with comrades they trust and know intimately.
Some azarketis prefer to foster connections with their surface-dwelling brethren. Living in ports, river towns and along the shore allows azarketis a greater scope of opportunities not afforded to exclusively land or sea peoples. Although integrating with land society can be difficult, azarketis manage by forming bonded communities. Members will often have fond familial names for one another, regardless of actual relation.
If they have the means, some azarketis dress in attire reflecting their Azlanti heritage. More commonly, azarketis do their best to remain inconspicuous when they emerge from the water. Many will wear shemaghs or other head wrappings, which both hide their gills and provide a few extra comfortable hours out of water if soaked before donning.
Beliefs
As they are typically outsiders to the domains of surface life, azarketis tend toward deities with an affinity for the ocean or other forms of water, the most popular being
Gozreh. They are also likely to give reverence to other deities of nature or navigation, such as
Desna.
Some azarketis are tempted toward the call of the deep and serve their old
alghollthu masters as gods. These individuals are enticed by eldritch entities such as the mysterious
veiled masters—powerful beings of the deep ocean responsible for both uplifting and destroying the Azlanti people.
Azarketis vary wildly in beliefs and values, as evidenced by their broad divergence in allegiance; thus, azarketis can be of any alignment.
Adventurers
With their affinity to water, nautical navigation skills, and athletic capabilities, azarketis make ideal
rangers. Azarketis' versatility both on land and in water make them particularly formidable
fighters, while their direct connection to the sea leads many others to become
druids. As many azarketis have a connection to alghollthus' occult magic, it's not uncommon for azarketis to be
sorcerers, though studious individuals sometimes become
bards or
wizards instead.
Names
Azarketis often take the names of nautical, weather, or geographical features important to the azarketi's family. Other azarketi groups will choose human names in order to encourage conformity with surface cultures. Some azarketi names have been passed down through so many generations that they still use ancient Azlanti roots or refer to bodies of water that no longer exist.
Sample Names
Aft, Aliz, Cascade, Delta, Harbor, Ilani, Inkua, Jib, Lagoon, Lobay, Marine, Tidal, Windward, Zarket
Other Information
A Place Undersea
Due to their association with the
alghollthu, azarketi often face discrimination on the surface. Below, however, they are just another ocean denizen. Many revel in the isolation from their human ancestors, finding true peace in the depths.
Alghollthus
Azarketis have a complex relationship with
alghollthus, who saved but then enslaved their people. Alvadnas have the greatest chance of meeting an alghollthu face to face. Azarketi sentiments toward these creatures vary: some fight fiercely against their ancient enemies; others bargain for power or safety, or even serve through compulsion.
Azarketi Enclaves
Azarketis are mostly concentrated around the Inner Sea region. The Isle of Kortos hosts several pockets of azarketi settlements, helped by the presence of the azarketi city Kienek-Li to the north of Starstone Isle. Gilltown is the largest azarketi community in Absalom, but azarketis are also prevalent in the city's seaside districts.
Azarketi Types
Some azarketis live near the ruins of Old Azlant or in the deepest trenches of the ocean and lead isolated and mysterious lives. River azarketis settle at the bases of waterfalls, or hidden away in the caves behind them. Small nomadic azarketi groups have taken to land in rainy or marshy locations, though such groups are rare.
Fighting Spirit
Surface azarketis often keep to the margins of human society, working menial jobs or filling roles that allow them isolation when necessary. Many consequently have a chip on their shoulder and are only too eager to prove themselves in the face of skeptics. Such azarketis often take up the life of a mercenary or adventurer.
Legacy of Azlant
Directly descended from the people of Azlant, azarketis have preserved their ancestors' culture through art, oral traditions, songs, and stories. Azarketi scholars study the history of Azlant and Earthfall, elders recite tales of Azlanti legends, and musicians sing songs to long-lost gods. Most azarketis know the location of the nearest Azlanti ruin, and many possess a piece of Azlanti jewelry.
Other Sea Creatures
Azarketis are one of many ancestries to live beneath the water's surface. They have the most contact with locathahs, humanoid fish-folk with an easygoing, friendly demeanor. Azarketis find
merfolk territorial neighbors, though their shared private tendencies lead to mostly amicable relations. Together they combat their shared enemies, the monstrous but intelligent sahuagins.
Azarketi Mechanics
Hit Points
8
Size
Medium
Speed
20 feet
Swim 30 feet
Attribute Boosts
Constitution
Charisma
Free
Attribute Flaw
Wisdom
Languages
CommonAlghollthuAdditional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it's positive). Choose from
Aklo,
Aquan,
Azlanti,
Draconic,
Elven, and
Undercommon and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).
You can see in dim light as though it were bright light and you ignore the
concealed condition due to dim light.
Hydration
While you are an amphibious being equally as capable on land as in the water, your body requires you to return to aquatic environments at least once in a 24-hour period. You must submerge in water in order to rehydrate your water-acclimated skin. If you fail to do this, your skin begins to crack and your gills become painful. After the first 24 hours outside of water, you take a –1 status penalty to Fortitude saves. After 48 hours, you struggle to breathe air and begin to
suffocate until returned to water.