Aventi

The being before you seems human at first glance, but his hair has a slight greenish tinge, and his forearms and calves have tough spines lying flat along his skin. He wears leather armor and carries a spear.

The aventi are a race of aquatic humanoids very closely related to humans – in fact, they were human before their transformation at the hands of Aventernus, their god, who sought to preserve his people in the face of the relentless assault by Dragons in ancient times. Those whom survived the purge retreated under the sea. They live in kingdoms ruled by paladin-kings of their god and protected by elite fighters and paladins, including the Order of the Pearl, knights clad in shimmering pearlsteel. Aventi are of human height and proportions, with human features (excepting their hair color, which tends toward green or bluish tints). They have folding spurs or spines on the forearms and calves that anchor swimming fins; when the spines lie flat, they are not very noticeable. An aventi can easily pass for human by covering his legs and arms in long clothing. Aventi speak Common, and many also learn Elven and Aquan, the languages of their neighbors. Most aventi encountered outside their homes are warriors; the information presented here is for one of 1st level.

1st-Level Aventi Warrior
Medium Humanoid (Human, Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 1d8+1 (5 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), swim 30 ft.
Armor Class: 13 (+3 studded leather), touch 10, flatfooted 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2
Attack: Spear +3 melee (1d8+1)
Full Attack: Spear +3 melee (1d8+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Aventi traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +0, Will –1
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 11, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8
Skills: Handle Animal +2, Intimidate +2, Swim +9
Feats: Weapon Focus (spear)
Environment: Temperate aquatic
Organization: Squad (2–4), company (11–20 plus 2, 3rd-level sergeants and 1 leader of 4th–6th level), or band (30–100 plus 20% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 10 adults, 5 5th-level lieutenants, and 3 7th-level captains)
Challenge Rating: 1/2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Often lawful good
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +0

Aventi Sergeant
3rd-Level Aventi Fighter
Medium Humanoid (Human, Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 3d10+6 (27 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), swim 30 ft.
Armor Class: 15 (+1 Dex, +4 +1 studded leather), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+5
Attack: Masterwork halberd +7 melee (1d10+3/×3)
Full Attack: Masterwork halberd +7 melee (1d10+3/×3)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —

Special Qualities: Aventi traits
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +2
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12
Skills: Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +5, Swim +12
Feats: Cleave, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (halberd)
Environment: Temperate aquatic
Organization: Squad (2–8), company (11–20 plus 2 3rd-level sergeants and 1 leader of 4th–6th level), or band (30–100 plus 20% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 10 adults, 5 5th-level lieutenants, and 3 7th-level captains)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Often lawful good
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +0

COMBAT
Aventi are clever warriors who think in three dimensions, preferring to flank opponents by approaching them from both above and below, which tends to confuse surface-dwellers. They usually wear leather armor studded with copper rivets or tough shells, and wield piercing weapons such as spears and short swords, which are not affected by water resistance. The aventi warrior presented here had the following ability scores before racial adjustments: Str 13, Dex 11, Con 12, Int 10, Wis, 9, Cha 8. The aventi sergeant presented here had the following ability scores before racial adjustment: Str 15, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12.

AVENTI AS CHARACTERS
Aventi possess the following racial traits.

Medium size.
An aventi’s base land speed is 30 feet. In water, an aventi has a swim speed of 30 feet.
Aquatic: Aventi are aquatic humanoids, and have the aquatic and human subtypes.
Amphibious (Ex): Aventi can breathe water or air equally well, without limitation.
Water Spell Power (Ex): An aventi’s effective caster level is +1 for spells with the water descriptor.
Human Blood: For all effects related to race, an aventi is considered a human. Aventi are just as vulnerable to special effects that affect humans as humans are, and they can use magic items that are only usable by humans.
Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Aquan, Elven, Sahuagin.
Favored Class: Any.