On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race

“On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race” is a bestselling book authored by the imperial scholar, Horatio A. Marquardt. Across its many chapters, it illustrates in great detail the many aspects of perceived Lizardfolk inferiority when compared to any other race.
The book spread like wildfire across imperial society and while some scholars offer light criticism about the lack of thorough citation and its breaking with more traditional literary standards, the book has become a cornerstone in the modern imperial collective psyche. It is often referenced in plays, theatres, and even other books. From fantasy to scholarly work, from comedy to drama. Its wide appeal to imperial sensibilities allowed it to penetrate all levels of society. 
=== Chapter 1: The Brute ===
The first and longest chapter concerns itself with the biomechanical structures of the Lizardfolk. Horatio, in great detail, sketched various limbs, organs, muscles, and a whole Lizardfolk skeleton to conclusively prove how inefficient and unwieldy their bodies are."Lizardfolk, with their cumbersome tails, are clearly not designed for intellectual pursuits. One can hardly ponder the mysteries of the universe when one’s rear appendage is knocking over furniture." - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk RaceHoratio then moves on, from the overall structure to its skin. At first, he seems to praise the built-in defence that the Lizardfolk scales provide. But on the very next page he lists its many disadvantages compared to regular armour: It's cumbersome when you don't need it, it can't be replaced once damaged like armour, it can't be decorated, it's soft and gets dirty."The presence of scales rather than skin is a testament to the lizardfolk’s primitive nature. How can a species be expected to advance when it must spend half its day shedding and the other half sunbathing on rocks?" - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk RaceFinally, he turns back to the whole body and discusses the lizardfolk's cold-blooded nature. Unlike the scales, he argues, there are no redeeming qualities about being cold-blooded. They are beholden to the environment, slow both in winter and the night. He argues that their cold blood forces them to be slow, passive creatures with no capacity for passion, creativity, or drive."As cold-blooded creatures, lizardfolk lack the inner warmth necessary for true genius. It is a well-known fact that the greatest minds in history have all been warm-blooded, correlating high body temperatures with higher intellect." - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race
=== Chapter 2: The Screeching ===
In chapter 2 Horatio discusses the vocals of the lizardfolk, what sounds and words they are able to form. He concluded that they were unable to produce anything more than hissing and growling. He voices his doubt that the lizardfolk actually possess a proper language. Instead, he believes they communicate with body language and displays of dominance."The lizardfolk’s hissing "language" is more suited to serpents than scholars. One must wonder if their lack of proper vocal cords is a cosmic joke, ensuring they remain forever incapable of profound discourse." - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race
=== Chapter 3: The Fouling ===
In chapter 3, Horatio recalls his experience when he joined a group of soldiers in razing a lizardfolk settlement. He recounts the many disgusting smells and sights. Insects scurried through the ruins and the dead were lying in the streets! He assumed that the pits around the settlements were used in their cuisine to prepare and preserve food."Lizardfolk cuisine, if one can even call it that, consists primarily of insects and raw meat. This lack of culinary sophistication is a clear indicator of their limited intellectual capacity. One cannot expect profound philosophical insights from a species that dines on beetles." - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race
=== Chapter 4: The Tatters ===
In chapter 4, Horatio draws many sketches of loincloths, pieces of cloth and plants and claims this to be the full range of fashion found in lizardfolk society. Further he claims that one of the main reasons why lizardfolk attack imperial settlements, besides their inherent barbarism and cruelty, is to steal their clothing."Their abhorrent fashion sense, if one can call a loincloth 'fashion,' signifies a deep-seated inability to appreciate aesthetics. Clearly, a species that cannot dress itself appropriately is ill-suited to govern or create." - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race
=== Chapter 5: The Conclusion ===
In the final chapter, Horatio once again summarizes and highlights the overall deficiencies of the lizardfolk race. He argues that the lizardfolk are so deficient, so useless in all, aspects, that not even slavery can save them from themselves. He summarizes his opinion in the famous “Lilly Pond Allegory”."In a hypothetical race between a lizardfolk and an imperial scholar across a lily pond, the lizardfolk would undoubtedly lag behind, distracted by flies and algae. This simple allegory demonstrates the broader truth of their inferiority." - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race
=== Conclusion ===
The last chapter, the conclusion, was not originally part of the book but was added later by editors to add their own ideas to Horatio's text. It is tradition to end this chapter with a quote from Horatio himself:"See, there are the imperials which are naturally the peak of evolution and then there are our ancestors which are all good and civilized races. Then there are the beastfolk which make for useful tools. The elementals greatly reduce the costs of powering infrastructure. Finally there are the lizardfolk who are morally, biologically, and ethnically inferior to the worst of every other category of races. The combination of the worst traits of all other worldly beings mixed into one sad, pathetic, and truly hopeless conglomerate whose only purpose is to remind others their situation could always be worse" - Horatio A. Marquardt, On the Inherent Inferiority of the Lizardfolk Race
Category:Book