Fishfolk
The so-called fishfolk of the antediluvian world are thought to dwell in obscurity in the woefully out-of-the-way places of the World of Asdar. They are most well-known in Pytharnia where legend says they were brought as slaves with the ancient Coming of the Neptultchi. They are also known as the principle undersea occupants of the city of Bohktuh Yure in the southwestern Turtle Sea and are known to form small communities within the interior jungles of northern Bahuna. Their presence in the deepearth is attested by explorers and scholars but even more poorly understood. The name 'ithrabbi' is derived from ancient Ithradic through the Moigthe. Scholars believe the Fishfolk are biologically advanced amphibians. Their relationship to the frogfolk is uncertain but proposed.
Pytharnian Fishfolk have been infrequently documented in history and rarely in modern times, dwelling in the watery cenotes of the Amosgire Hills where they have swift access to subterranean channels completely drowned in water and thus avoid further detection. An adult male Pytharnian Fishfolk is a little over seven feet in height (ca. 2.2m), the female is a little less than seven feet tall (ca. 2.1m). Legend reports that some Fishfolk are androgynous and their heights are thought to be somewhere in between. Fishfolk have an immature stage called a ‘fry’ or less commonly a tadpole where they much more closely resemble a fish. During this stage, they gradually assume the features of a humanoid, but retain their webbed feet, hands, fish-like head and eyes, and body tendrils. The length of maturation from hatching is estimated at around eighteen to twenty four Asdaran months. During the maturation period, the fry slowly develops the ability to breath air directly rather than through water. Fishfolk reek of a fishy smell. They are known to have the ability to see heat, a form of vision common to many occupants of the deepearth. Although resembling fish, mature Fishfolk are curiously amphibious, equally able to live in water and terrestrially. It is not known whether Pytharnian Fishfolk are able to live in saltwater as the lakes and subterranean waterways of the Amosgire are of freshwater.
Bahunan Fishfolk, known specifically by the denizens of the Southwest Turtle Sea, are observed to be somewhat shorter than Pytharnian. In ancient times, the Zephasian city-states of the northern Coast of Bahuna waged wars against the Fishfolk chieftains and their amphibious fish-warriors. Bahunan Fishfolk are known to be equally comfortable in fresh and saltwater.
Social Structure
Fishfolk culture consists of a chieftain who usually has shamanic powers, his wives, and his children who constitute the ruling class. The priestly capacity of the ruler is held in high esteem and as important a consideration for his or her fitness to rule as martial prowess.
Religion
The Fishfolk hold the divinity Hersp in great esteem, calling him 'Prince Hersp.' They believe he is the forebear of their most ancient priest-kings, through the demi-god, Xhaltsek, and thus the progenitor of their race.
Warfare
Fishfolk do not often rely on armor and their rubbery hides are more resilient than the flesh of humans and related humanlikes. They employ spears, tridents, and occasionally harpoons in battle as these devices can function equally well under water.
Ithrabbi as Neptultchi Slaves
The eldritch dragonfolk, the Neptultchi, brought the Ithrabbi as slaves to Pytharnia around 4300 AS in the legendary event known as the Coming of the Neptultchi. They are thought to worship the god Hersp. The Fishfolk (ixukchi in the Neptultchi Language) were used to Fishfolk the ixchekallkeochyá and the image within due to its massive weight. Eight Fishfolk were required for the greatest god arks. Their Neptultchi masters permitted their Fishfolk slaves to worship their god, Prince Hersp. With the ultimate fall of the Neptultchi Empire, the Fishfolk murdered and plundered their masters and then fled into the wilds of Pytharnia.
See Also
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