Lizardfolk

Various lizardfolk from different tribes.

The **Lizardfolk** are a race of sentient humanoids that originate from the Bely Archipelago, and have spread their tribes and kingdoms across western Eukitia and countless small islands in the Southern Sea. Strong and carnivorous, the lizardfolk build societies and cultures through hunting and spirituality, sometimes building astounding monuments and cities.

## Description

Lizardfolk vary greatly in height, musculature, snout shape and frills depending on what tribe or kingdom they originate from, however their overall shape is the same. All lizardfolk are bipedal and possess a long tail, and are covered in tough scales and ridges. They have lizard-like jaws and snouts that can vary in appearance, filled to the brim with extremely sharp teeth. Their heads and backs are often adorned with frills that help them to dissipate heat, as they are cold-blooded. Sharp claws are featured on their hands and feet. Their scales are often different colors based on whatever their tribe or kingdom is, however are most commonly hues of green, blue, and grays; however, red and orange colors are not unheard of.

Depending on where a lizardfolk actually originates from, their body shape can vary slightly. Lizardfolk from the The Wizard's Coast in Eukitia, for example, are typically on the shorter and lighter end of the spectrum, owing to their isolationist natures and avoidance of cities of other races. Those from the Bluescale Horde, in comparison, are often larger and bulkier.

## Society

### Hunting

Much of lizardfolk society is built around hunting. As they are strictly carnivorous, lizardfolk often hunt for all of their food - precious few of their societies have developed agriculture. This, combined with their propensity for hunting larger game, has caused hunting to become a large part of their culture. The majority of healthy adults in a tribe act as hunters, and form groups of *hunt-brothers* and *hunt-sisters*. These groups are often extremely close to one another, and will even fight with one another in non-hunting-related combat, such as battles and wars. Groups of hunt-brothers and hunt-sisters often spend great deals of times with one another.

While lizardfolk are known for hunting big game, it is not uncommon for them to hunt down other sentient races. Although not all tribes will actively seek out consuming the flesh of other sentients, there are some who will take what they can get, or even actively hunt them down.

### Jungle's Chosen

Many lizardfolk cultures seem to see themselves as guardians and protectors of their humid jungle environments. They have a deep understanding of the life in their region, and some tribes can become extremely territorial. Lizardfolk hold the scarcity of nature close to their heart, and understand that overhunting and overuse of nature can lead to its collapse. This is perhaps due to their hunting culture, forcing them to evolve to not overhunt, or perhaps for other reasons. Regardless, lizardfolk are fiercely protective of their jungle homes and environments, and have been nicknamed as the "jungle's chosen" in some societies that border them.

### Religion

Lizardfolk all have a central religion that has numerous different sects, however centers primarily around the worship of gods they refer to as the *aotl* and *doatl*. The aotl are their form of "good" deities, who often represent hunting or family, and the doatl are their form of "evil" deities who are in conflict with the aotl. Many doatl seem to take similar forms to those of other cultures religions, and oftentimes vary based on the geographic location of a tribe or kingdom. The head aotl is Teoxihuitl, their god of kinship. Much of lizardfolk religion also centers on ancestor worship, and many tribes will keep the skulls and ribcages of their dead strewn about the vines and trees surrounding their villages. The shaman is the highest position one can have in much of lizardfolk society, as they are tasked with keeping the memories and stories of the tribe's ancestors. Many shamans are psions, and use their psionic powers as a form of "shaman magic."

Due to the structure of lizardfolk religion, it is not uncommon for them to fall prey to powerful demons who may wish to use lizardfolk as their servants. This, unfortunately, happens often, particularly in smaller tribes of lizardfolk that are easier to convince and do not have as many contrary opinions as larger societies.

## Combat

In combat, lizardfolk fight in extremely tribalistic ways. Oftentimes they are armed with spears, clubs or macuahuitls, and take strong and aggressive strikes at their opponents. Some lizardfolk will wear shields made out of turtle shells on their free arms, or wield large stone claws or push daggers. Lizardfolk, despite their appearances, are master strategists and tacticians and are extremely proficient at encircling their foes.