Malenti
Sahuagin High Priestess
Sahuagin King
Sahuagin Noble
Sahuagin Prince
Sahuagin Under Priestess
Sahuagin Worker
Sahuagin: The Sea Devils of D&D
Sahuagin are one of the most feared and hated races in the underwater world of D&D. They are vicious predators that hunt and kill anything that crosses their path, including other sahuagin. They are devoted followers of Sekolah, the shark god, who demands constant sacrifices and bloodshed from his children. They are also cunning and ambitious, seeking to expand their territory and influence by waging war against other aquatic races, such as merfolk, tritons, and locathah.
But who are the sahuagin, really? How did they come to be? What drives them to act the way they do? What secrets do they hide beneath the waves? These are some of the questions that this investigation will attempt to answer. By delving into the history, religion, culture, and biology of the sahuagin, we will try to gain a deeper understanding of these mysterious and menacing creatures. We will also explore some of the challenges and opportunities that they pose for adventurers and explorers who dare to venture into their domains.
This investigation is not for the faint of heart. The sahuagin are ruthless and relentless enemies that will not hesitate to attack or capture anyone who intrudes into their waters. They are also masters of deception and manipulation, using their malenti agents to infiltrate and sabotage their rivals. They have access to powerful magic and ancient secrets that can give them an edge in any conflict. They are, in short, the sea devils that haunt the nightmares of many seafarers and scholars.
Sahuagin Organization and Hierarchy
Sahuagin are highly organized and hierarchical creatures that live in large communities called cities. Each city is ruled by a king or queen, who is the strongest and most powerful sahuagin in the city. The king or queen has absolute authority over all matters of the city, and is advised by a council of elders, priests, and nobles. The king or queen also has a harem of mates, who are chosen for their strength, beauty, and fertility.
The king or queen’s domain is divided into nine provinces, each ruled by a prince. Each prince has 2d10+10 nobles underneath him, who control the small groups of sahuagin dwelling in their fiefs. The princes are loyal to the king or queen, but may also compete with each other for power and favor. The king or queen is supposed to dwell in a city somewhere at the greatest depth that a sahuagin can exist. This place is supposedly built in an undersea canyon, with palaces and dwellings built along either face. There, fully 5,000 of these monsters live, not counting the king or queen’s retinue of queens, concubines, nobles, guards, etc., said to number 1,000 or more. The king or queen is reported to be of enormous size (10 Hit Dice or more), and of greatest evil. The king or queen is always accompanied by nine noble guards and the evil high priestess of all sahuagin with its retinue of nine underpriestesses.
Below the king or queen, there are several ranks and roles that sahuagin occupy in their society. These include:
- Nobles: These are the relatives and allies of the king or queen, who enjoy privileges and respect from the rest of the sahuagin. They often serve as commanders, diplomats, or administrators in the city. They also have access to the best resources and accommodations in the city. Some nobles may have special features or abilities, such as four arms or wings.
- Priests: These are the religious leaders of the sahuagin, who worship Sekolah, the shark god. They perform rituals, offer sacrifices, and interpret Sekolah’s will for the sahuagin. They also have some magical abilities, such as healing, divination, and controlling water. They are respected and feared by the sahuagin, who believe that they can bring blessings or curses from Sekolah. The religious life of these creatures is dominated by the females. There are always one 8th-level sahuagin evil high priestess and four 4th-level underpriestesses in each province.
- Warriors: These are the fighters and hunters of the sahuagin, who form the bulk of their army and navy. They are trained from a young age to be fierce and loyal soldiers, who excel in underwater combat and tactics. They are armed with spears, tridents, nets, and daggers, as well as natural weapons such as claws, teeth, and spines. They often ride sharks into battle, forming a deadly bond with their mounts. They are rewarded for their bravery and skill with food, treasure, and mates. There are always 2d4 hunter sharks in a sahuagin lair. Sahuagin are able to make these monsters obey simple one or two word commands.
- Workers: These are the laborers and craftsmen of the sahuagin, who perform various tasks such as building, farming, mining, fishing, and trading. They are skilled in working with coral, shell, metal, wood, and other materials to create structures, tools, weapons, armor, jewelry, and art for the sahuagin. They are also responsible for maintaining and repairing the city’s infrastructure and defenses. They are valued for their productivity and efficiency by the sahuagin, who provide them with basic necessities and protection. Sahuagin lairs are actual villages or towns, constructed of stone. The buildings are domed, and the seaweed and similar marine plants growing around and on these buildings make them hard to detect.
- Malenti: These are the spies and infiltrators of the sahuagin, who have a rare genetic mutation that makes them look like sea elves. They are trained from birth to mimic the appearance, behavior, language, and culture of sea elves, in order to blend in with them and gather information or sabotage their enemies. They are loyal to their sahuagin kin, but often despised or distrusted by them as well. They are also hated by sea elves, who consider them abominations and traitors. Some malenti may have doubts or conflicts about their identity or loyalty, such as a love affair with a sea elf.
These are some of the main categories of sahuagin organization and hierarchy. However, there may be variations or exceptions depending on the specific city or individual sahuagin. For example, some cities may have more than one king or queen (such as a pair of twins), some priests may have different interpretations of Sekolah’s will (such as a cult of blood), some workers may have unique talents or hobbies (such as music or poetry), and some nobles may have special features or abilities (such as four arms or wings). These factors may create diversity or tension within the sahuagin society.
Sahuagin Ecology
Sahuagin are not only a threat to the underwater races, but also to the surface dwellers. They often venture ashore on dark, moonless nights to raid and plunder human coastal towns, leaving behind a trail of blood and destruction. They have a deep hatred for most other aquatic creatures, especially the evil ixitxachitl, who are their ancient rivals. The only creatures that they befriend are sharks, who share their predatory instincts and appetite for flesh.
However, the sahuagin also play a role in maintaining the balance of the sea. They hunt and eat giant squid and kraken, who are dangerous monsters that can threaten the safety of both sea and land. By keeping their numbers down, the sahuagin prevent them from overrunning coastal areas or attacking ships. Conversely, these beasts also prey on sahuagin, which prevents them from becoming too numerous or powerful.
The sahuagin have many enemies in the sea, who oppose their aggression and cruelty. The most implacable foes of the sahuagin are tritons, sea elves, dolphins, and giant sea horses, who often ally with each other to fight against the sea devils. These races also help and rescue any air-breathers that are captured by the sahuagin, such as sailors or explorers. Many of them owe their freedom and lives to these brave and benevolent beings.