Leales

## Overview

The soft skinned lizard-like people of the Central Americas, originating from modern day Mexico. They're tall and hearty people, with a strong sense of personal honor and society. Historically, their cities were large with strong and powerful legions of honor-bound warriors and magical golems.

In modern times, they are very common in military corps across the world but mostly in the Americas. They have a psychological need for honor and something to tie their motives towards, which also calls a lot of Leales towards religion- leading to a good amount of them being devout monks.

They are a people of devotion.

## Physical Attributes

Tall in stature, 6ft - 7.5ft in height with a fairly muscular body mass, they possess a vastly higher metabolism than most other races allowing for them to keep a fit body but requiring more food. Overall, their skin tone ranges from deep reds to faded pinks, but their skin is usually burned by the sun and fade into a bright red. Their skin doesn't sunburn, it simply changes tone with more exposure to the sun.

They have large bestial feet with a harder and more calloused padding underneath due to generations of traversing arid deserts, most wear sandals though. Their faces have a canine-like snout but with two separated nostrils, similar to most species of lizards. Their ears droop downward similar to some canine species as well, some have described them to being a "humanoid reptilian-canine hybrid". They have human-like eyes with pupils consisting of yellows and browns.

## Mystical Attributes

They are incredibly proficient in many forms of magic, but most mainly focus on heliomancy, geomancy, pyromancy, and enchanting. Historically some segments of legions would be trained with a base understanding of pyromancy and geomancy, which was used for combat but most soldiers were trained in melee combat or archery.

Their warfare relied heavily on the creation of golems, which gave them an almost modern equivalent to armored vehicles. They would chisel granite boulders into large sculpturesque beasts, which would be enchanted and have a spirit summoned into it. In which it would rise and be ritualistically appeased, a process where it would be offered gifts and shaman would negotiate for its loyalty.

The golems would then be ridden upon and used to hurdle massive boulders or carry groups of warriors.

## Prominent Cultures and Races

Historically, the majority of their species was unified into a single empire which held territory across most of Central America with minor tribes living amongst themselves. In modern times Leales are very common in the southern US and Mexico with some populations living in South America, overall they're seen as a single race.

## History

In their early history they were many tribes all living off of the land and foraging, but eventually a tribal leader named "Itzal the Shield Bearer" and garnered the support of all the local tribes and combined into one large community. They eventually built upon their society and Itzal was raised to a god-like status, upon his death his followers claimed he would return in the future to unity the world. This has yet to happen, but is assumed to be only a legend.

After the death of their leader, his son took the throne and the dynasty continued for 500 years. Within those 500 years they spread across Central America and became one of the largest powers. But the dynasty was dethroned during an intense war with the Aztecs to the south, With the death of the dynasty the main command was severed and the remaining cities were disoriented and had no proper strategical command.

They retaliated against the Aztecs with uncoordinated attacks, leaving openings for them to conquer more cities. This was stopped by a coalition with the Sand Scribe Carapacians to the north, who were partners in trade. They aided their allies and fought alongside each other against the Incan invaders, and recaptured their former cities. Their intense backlash caused the invaders to retreat...

For about 50 years, there were minor skirmishes but over time both sides lost the will to fight and eventually formed a peace treaty.

The Leales empire and the Aztecs both fell due to unknown reason in the 1300's, both had seemingly abandoned their cities quickly, leaving only small tribes and remnants in the area. The Leales apparently migrated north forming small settlements with various leaders, and the Aztecs had migrated south and coalesced with others.

Their cities fell to ruin, and even left their golems roaming the derelict towns eventually losing their magical spark due to lack of maintenance. They're now simple statues, still standing as they were just before they lost their power.

Despite the empire falling, the Leales still kept their traditions and practices. Despite this, there is no information on the fall of the empire at all, there are differing legends from all around but all are conflicting and boil down to simple legend.