Pahari

Pahari were shapeshifting nymphs who inhabited the seas and oceans of Zakhara.

Description
Pahari resembled mermaids in their natural form, but they also appeared as small fish or beautiful women.

A pahari’s scales ranged in color from blue and green to ruby red.

Personality
Pahari prided themselves on protecting the marine environment. They also opposed evil creatures at every opportunity.

Abilities
A kiss from a pahari granted the recipient the ability to breath underwater for a full day.

All pahari were strong spellcasters and had powers similar to elemental wizards who specialized in water magic. Their favorite spells included: airy water, command water spirits, conjure elemental (water), converse with sea creatures, float, sea sight, ship of fools, strengthen water creatures, waterbane, and water blast.

Combat
Pahari were shy creatures who loathed combat. They were capable of using weapons, but rarely carried any. They were fond of using magical items to defend themselves.

Society
These marine creatures lived in small communities on the sea floor, usually close to shore, in houses that were made of coral and shells.

Diet
Most of their diet consisted of kelp and seaweed that was supplemented with shellfish and mollusks. Pahari never ate fish, considering it to be cannibalistic behavior.

Homelands
Beyond the oceans of Zakhara, pahari could be found in the Elemental Plane of Water.

Relationships
Pahari communities were often accompanied by a small group of dolphins. They considered sea hags to be their nemeses.

Some acted as servants of the marid Padishah Kalbari al-Durrat al-Amwaj ibn Jari in her Citadel of Ten Thousand Pearls.

These curious creatures were fascinated by surface-dwellers, bordering on being obsessed with them. They enjoyed collecting anything from the surface world. Sailors were welcomed into their communities to share their stories. Especially adventurous pahari would wander into surface villages completely naked to explore, dance, eat, and sometimes marry. Almost always they would outlive their husbands and eventually return to the sea.

Appearances

 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards
 * Video Games
 * Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse