Thank you for reading this post. My head is spinning with options, so I may need new eyes on the question...

...which is also my 100th post:

What, if any, currently published (aquatic-based) animals may make for interesting beasts for a starting player group option of a homestead? Specifically, the party will be based on Krant prior to this neutral planet's Civil War after 0 ABY. I'd like to sink one of the two secret Jedi Temples into the waters near Le'Roche, so aquatic-based species get to shine beyond their crunched munchkin statistics while adventuring. I realize none of this history is canon, but the video-game history should suffice for inspiration.

If the aquatic PCs get to uncover a Jedi temple, we suppose more PCs may be Force-users, so this reward is suitably attractive. Since we can add creatures to the homestead, Seekers (Hermit, Pathfinder) and Aces (Beastrider) immediately spring to mind, and two-thirds of those options can use the Force. Are there any Bonded Animals that may be well-suited for a Hermit or Pathfinder? Does a Beastrider do well here, or or their likely mounts too unreasonable for a beginning (even Knight Level Play) character? Sure, a Beastrider may not perform as well as another technological pilot, but adding the aquatic element hopefully can level the playing field, because (not all) technology is built to glide or zoom underwater as well as a creature.

Regarding possible PC species, I discovered the following options:

Aqualish (Brawn, Brawl),

Chagrian (Willpower, Resistance),

Lungless Gand (Willpower, Discipline),

Gungan (Presence, Athletics),

Ishi Tib (although, 'saltwater,' Intellect, Discipline),

Mon Calamari (Intellect, Education),

Nautolan (Brawn, Athletics), and

Quarren (Willpower, Negotiation, Ink Spray).

Have I missed any aquatic species currently printed, not assuming droids/Gank built for underwater purposes?

Regarding aquatic creatures:

There are no zero-silhouette aquatic creatures, so a Hermit will need to raise their Force Rating before getting a non-juvenile bonded animal. Since these player species are aquatic, any land-based creature could also make sense. Otherwise, aquatic creatures include:

Aiwha, Kaadu, Dianoga, Sando Aqua Monster, and Keelkhana. Umm...is that all?!? At least one of those creatures should fill-in as an Adversary for the underwater party, ala the dragon in the (Jedi Temple) dungeon shtick.

Of these, only the Kaadu seemingly makes sense for beginning characters. Am I missing options? Would it be easier to use 'sure-footed' creatures to traverse the landscape and aquatic cliffs? I want the Rebellion to be mindful of this homestead, because using natural (or imported, domesticated) creatures may be easier than shipping speeder bikes or larger technological vehicles, and may provide more mobility or be just as good travelling (around or) under water.

Am hoping to find fruitful options for players, so they can:

1) Have a unique resource beyond a ship,

2) Use Aquatic characters and reduce min/max gaming, and

3) Take advantage of creatures as a profitable game reward or career talent option.

Thanks in advance!

Aquabats?

Aquabats.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7JJKfjiw1SE

Aquabats, yup. The band did us a favor when they distributed our comic books to the crowd, but this thread isn't about them or comic books.

It's about aquatic creatures for aquatic species.

Anything more to input?

I think the Pale Nikto can swim and can breath underwater. But I would double check that.

I think the Pale Nikto can swim and can breath underwater. But I would double check that.

No penalty for moving through water, can hold breath for (Brawn x 2) turns.

The Aqualish is the odd one. They can breath water but do take penalties for moving through water.

I think the Pale Nikto can swim and can breath underwater. But I would double check that.

No penalty for moving through water, can hold breath for (Brawn x 2) turns.

The Aqualish is the odd one. They can breath water but do take penalties for moving through water.

Ah. I had forgotten the Br x 2 limit. Thank you.

Thanks so far...I wanted to have a Krant-based campaign, whereby one home-made adventure can suit multiple parties with re-play options. For example and as suggestions to the PCs, I'd offer them one of three (or more?) starting opportunities.

Option One: Forego the ship as a group resource, and have an aquatic (or other environmentally-based species) homestead. In this way, I'd like to spotlight the Hermit and Pathfinder (and maybe Beasterider?) for their affinities for bonded animal companions and riding opportunities. Given how the main goal of this camp will be to explore the rumored Jedi temple on Krant, I thought sinking it in the water makes for a suitable opportunity for players wanting this style and level of difficulty.

Option Two: A droid repair shop as a business, again foregoing the ship. For players wanting droids as NPC aids and a chance to profit from their work. This group will follow rumors about a cybernetic-enhanced Jedi taken refuge on the neutral Krant.

Option Three: Bounty hunters using the group resource as a ship, who are Force-users themselves (at least a majority of the PCs), like the Executioner, who seem more oriented towards finding the hidden Sith Temple on Krant. More straightforward of the three options, PCs need not be actual 'Bounty Hunters" as per the career, but characters who accept commission for pay. To make this group more difficult for advanced players, imposing an additional backstory as Force-sensitive hunters who stun or otherwise non-lethally track their rumored targets (Jedi and Force-users), they secretly want more training inn the Force themselves, so completing any such bounty may come with baggage.

All three groups have a linear path towards their goals, which may cross. The other PC groups not selected become fully-stat'd and purposeful NPCs (hence the desire for pre-generated characters). Against these groups, a countdown begins until the Civil War erupts. Players get an opportunity to improve their Force-users' quests for lightsabers or more training, get to modify their armor, droids, and other gear, may focus on deadly or unique combat, play with animals, and literally dive into new depths of environmental conditions. This adventure offers replay-ability by taking a group not originally selected, and stresses PCs to consider aligning with like-minded NPCs with access to equal information or outcomes. One adventure: three paths, making it suitable for reprint and sharing across many gaming tables and hobby shops.

HOWEVER- if I use the island of Le'Roche, I can easily select player species who can swim. We have few aquatic animals, and even fewer options for an underwater bonded animal companion. Is this the right way to go? Since Krant has very little information on its topographies, I could re-envision the PC homestead anywhere else on the planet, but the main geological features are forests, seas, and islands. "Arid" environmental conditions may seem like a stretch, but there are more desert-specific creatures (but again, very limited on non-juvenile beasts for bonded animal companions).

BEST AQUATIC BONDED ANIMAL OPTIONS ARE??? Please advise...

Thanks in advance!

I think the Pale Nikto can swim and can breath underwater. But I would double check that.

No penalty for moving through water, can hold breath for (Brawn x 2) turns.

The Aqualish is the odd one. They can breath water but do take penalties for moving through water.

Hihi...

For longest of time I called them "********-mouths", because I didn't know aqualish race by the name.