Locathah, the amphibious humanoid fish-like creatures, offer a unique and immersive role-playing experience in Dungeons & Dragons.
To truly embody the essence of a Locathah character, selecting the right background is crucial.
What Are Backgrounds in D&D 5e?
Backgrounds are more than simple stat boosts in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. They reveal where your character came from, why you became an adventurer, and your place in the world.
Before choosing your Background, ask yourself a few questions:
- What was I before I became an adventurer?
- Why did I stop doing what my Background explains and become an adventurer?
- Where did I get the money to buy my starting equipment?
- Where did I learn the skills used in my class?
- What’s different about me compared to others with the same Background?
Best Backgrounds for Locathahs
5. Haunted One
Skill Proficiencies – Choose two of Survival, Religion, Investigation, or Arcana
Tool Proficiencies – None
Languages – Choose two languages, one of which being an exotic language (Undercommon, Sylvan, Primordial, Infernal, Draconic, Deep Speech, Celestial, or Abyssal)
Equipment – A set of common clothes, a monster hunter’s pack, one trinket of special significance (you may choose one or roll for one on the Gothic Trinkets table), and 1SP.
Why the Haunted One?
Shaped by a Harrowing Event, Haunted One Locathah have experienced some of the most horrific atrocities known to any living creature.
Their Heart of Darkness fills your eyes with unimaginable horror, noticed by those who speak to you, understanding that you are no stranger to darkness.
Locathah have endured mistreatment, slavery, and war, though they continue, scarred, but with a will as unyielding as the waves that form above them.
4. Fisher
Skill Proficiencies – Survival, History
Languages – Choose one
Equipment – A set of traveler’s clothes, a favorite fishing lure or oiled leather wading boots, a fishing tackle, a net, and a belt pouch with 10GP.
Why the Fisher?
Harvest the Water can be vital in a water-based campaign, especially if you make it more like Outlander in the sense that you can fish for food from bodies of water.
Locathah live from the water, so they are excellent fishermen capable of pulling in large amounts of fish to feed even the largest of adventuring groups.
3. Uthgardt Tribe Member
Skill Proficiencies – Survival, Athletics
Tool Proficiencies – One type of artisan’s tools or musical instrument
Languages – Choose one
Equipment – A set of traveler’s clothes, a totemic token or set of tattoos marking your loyalty to Uthgar and your tribal totem, a hunting trap, and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Uthgardt Tribe Member?
Uthgardt Tribe Members have the Uthgardt Heritage, giving you knowledge of your tribe’s territory and the terrain and natural resources of the north.
You can easily find twice as much food and water as would normally be found there, and you can call upon the folk allied to your tribe, like druid circles, Harpers, nomadic elves, and priests devoted to the gods of the First Circle.
Locathah have existed for countless centuries, making them part of some of the oldest tribes in the Material Plane.
2. Soldier
Skill Proficiencies – Intimidation, Athletics
Tool Proficiencies – Vehicles (land), One type of gaming set
Languages – None
Equipment – A trophy you took from a fallen enemy (a piece of a banner, dagger, or broken blade), a set of common clothes, a deck of cards or a set of bone dice, an insignia of rank, and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Soldier?
Soldiers receive the Military Rank feature, allowing you to exert your rank and impose authority over soldiers lower than you.
This authority can grant you and your party access to fortresses, encampments, simple equipment, and horses.
Locathah are not strangers to war, having gone through many and surviving them. This has not only prepared their people for war but made them ready for it, imbuing the undying flame of a soldier in each Locathah.
1. Outlander
Skill Proficiencies – Survival, Athletics
Tool Proficiencies – One type of musical instrument
Languages – One you choose
Equipment – A trophy from an animal you killed, a set of traveler’s clothes, a hunting trap, a staff, and a pouch with 10GP.
Why the Outlander?
Outlanders have the Wanderer feature, giving them an excellent memory for geography and maps. Allowing them to always recall the general layout of settlements, terrain, and features around them.
They can also find fresh water and food for themselves and up to five others every day if the land offers water, small game, berries, and other things.
Locathah survive through their strength and unwavering spirits, living off the land when there is nothing and knowing it like the back of their scaly hands.
Final Thoughts
To wrap things up, when selecting backgrounds for your Locathah in D&D 5e, look for options that enhance their aquatic nature and their unique perspective on the world.
Backgrounds such as Haunted One, Fisher, or Uthgardt Tribe Member can provide rich roleplaying opportunities, while the Outlander or Soldier backgrounds offer unique skills and experiences.