The ABC's of DND: L is for...

At first glance, Locathah are easy to dismiss as just another aquatic humanoid. They possess fish-like heads, webbed hands, streamlined bodies, and scales perfectly suited for life beneath the waves. But reducing them to "fish people" misses what makes them genuinely interesting.

Locathah are survivors. The party's boat glides across an eerily calm stretch of sea when a dozen spear tips suddenly breach the surface. Moments later, sleek, fish-like figures rise from the water in perfect formation. Their leader studies the adventurers in silence before speaking in careful Common: "The sea remembers what you have done. Will it remember you as friends... or as another problem to sink?" Just like that, what seemed like a routine voyage becomes a tense diplomatic encounter with one of Dungeons & Dragons' most overlooked aquatic peoples: the Locathah. Every decision the Locathah come across, is made with survival in mind. Their societies have endured centuries of raids from sahuagin, pressure from expanding underwater empires, dangerous sea monsters, and the unforgiving realities of ocean life itself. Rather than becoming conquerors, they've become adaptable, practical communities that value cooperation above glory. That outlook creates a refreshing contrast to many fantasy cultures. While dwarves may prize tradition and elves seek beauty, Locathah often ask a much simpler question: "Will this help our people live another generation?" Life beneath the waves isn't peaceful. Locathah villages are frequently forced to relocate as predators migrate, currents change, or hostile neighbours grow too powerful. They build homes among reefs, kelp forests, underwater cliffs, or hidden trenches where visibility and natural cover offer protection. This constant pressure has shaped their culture. Locathah tend to value community over individual heroics. Every hunter, scout, healer, and guardian serves an important purpose. Wastefulness is frowned upon because resources can be scarce, while bravery is respected—but only when it serves the greater good. They're not cowards. They're simply realistic. Surface dwellers are fascinating curiosities to most Locathah. Humans sail across the ocean without understanding what lurks beneath. Dwarves mine mountains while ignoring the vast kingdoms under the waves. Even elves, with their aquatic cousins, rarely understand the daily struggles of ordinary Locathah communities. As a result, Locathah often greet strangers with cautious politeness rather than immediate trust. An adventuring party that rescues trapped fishermen, defeats a sea monster, or drives away sahuagin raiders may earn lifelong allies. A party that pollutes sacred waters or steals from underwater ruins might discover that the ocean suddenly becomes a much less welcoming place. One of the greatest strengths of the Locathah is that they immediately make your world feel bigger. The moment players realise there are entire civilizations living beneath every stretch of coastline, the setting suddenly gains another dimension—literally. Perhaps that abandoned lighthouse isn't abandoned at all. Maybe mysterious lights beneath the harbour are Locathah scouts. The shipwreck everyone assumes was claimed by the sea? It's actually been converted into an underwater outpost. Adding Locathah reminds players that the ocean isn't empty between destinations—it's a living frontier. One of the defining traits of Locathah in 5e is their dependence on water. A Locathah adventurer can survive on land, but only if they regularly immerse themselves in water. This limitation isn't merely a mechanical hurdle—it can become a fantastic storytelling tool. Imagine the party racing across a desert while their Locathah companion desperately searches for an oasis. Or a diplomatic meeting where the visiting Locathah ambassador sits in an elaborate enchanted water-filled throne rather than a conventional chair. Small details like these remind players that different species truly experience the world differently. Perhaps the greatest strength of the Locathah is what they represent. In many campaigns, oceans are treated as obstacles to cross. Locathah remind everyone that the sea is a world unto itself. It has politics. History. Trade. Ancient grudges. Hidden civilizations. Forgotten ruins. Creatures older than kingdoms. When players meet Locathah, they're not simply encountering another fantasy ancestry—they're meeting ambassadors from an entire realm most adventurers never truly explore. And once your players realise there's an entire civilization watching from beneath the waves, they'll never look at a calm ocean the same way again.