Lizardfolk

wip

## Biology

Lizardfolk are a race that are bulkier and larger than humans, covered in hard, flexible scales with faces that have shapes reminiscent of various lizards and reptiles. They hold themselves apart from other reptilian races such as snakefolk, dragonborn and tortles, as a point of pride.

## Settlements and Infrastructure

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## Art and Culture

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### Language

Lizardfolk speak Ireaghi and Common.

Typically names are earned, rather than given. Lizardfolk often have names denoting their achievments and strengths in their native Ireaghi language, and for unfortunate people their detriments and flaws.

Those who regularly encounter other races usually have a common tongue name as well, that draws on similar themes. They do not like to divulge the meaning of their native name to outsiders.

**Examples:** Obira Smalltongue, Akwụkwọ Marshhunter, Hanọ Red, Abali Sharpeye, Mmiri Slowstep.

## Society and Relationships

They are typically a hardy, isolated people from harsh regions of the terran world, where resources are scarce and tribal rivalries are strong. Though coastal communties of Lizardfolk thrive on the abundance of resources, they retain their martial and aggressive tendencies, viewing survival as competitive. They are hunters, with little interest in agriculture or industry.

Lizardfolk gender plays no active role in Lizardfolk society, instead ability and strength are key. Lizards mate and then lay eggs (averaging 4-7 hatchlings a brood), which are protected within a central location within a tribe. The protection and raising of young is seen as an important contribution towards the strength of a tribe, so the roles of caregivers are usually filled by seasoned warriors. Parental lineage and family ties arent as important as tribal cohesion and success, and strong young are often selected as apprentices to Lizardfolk with no relation to them.

Many races consider Lizardfolk savage and cold, and rumours of their carnivorous preying on other sapient races abound. These are mostly unsubstantiated, but the ritual practice of cannibalising dead members of the tribe has lent some credence to such stereotypes. While this practice is viewed with distaste by many races, Lizardfolk see it as a way to keep an individual's strength within the tribe, and it is a taboo to kill other tribe members for the sole purpose of eating them.

## Death, Deities and Belief

### Death Rites

Lizardfolk cannibalise their dead, in order for the strength and character of the deceased to be consumed. This is traditionally done in ceremonial feasting within a clan, the specifics of which vary.

Flesh of the deceased may be consumed raw or cooked, the act may only take a small symbolic amount, or clans may wish to consume the whole body of a person. Sometimes bones are turned into broth to drink if flesh is unavailable. Inedible parts are traditionally cremated or make into token keepsakes (eg scales, claws).

The decision not to eat a death clan member is rarely undertaken, as its more likely that problem members would have been exiled rather than killed by the clan. Refusal to partake in the ritual feasting can be grounds for exile itself. Infants and children who die are cannibalised.

The murder of clan members for the explicit purpose of cannibalising them is extremely taboo.

In situations where Lizardfolk die away from their clan, their flesh being consumed by a singular other is considered appropriate, as the dead's strength will be returned to the clan eventually.

### Mourning

Mourning is a celebration amongst Lizardfolk, who have usually heartened to know that their strength will return to their clan upon their death.

Extended, more melancholy mourning may take place if a person is unable to be consumed, as the inability to absorb their energy back into the clan is lost.

### Death Adjacent Roles

*Na-Ewusi* are ceremonial butchers who prepare bodies for ritual feasting. Their roles garner great respect, and apprentices are chosen carefully, and much later than most other profession, so the character of a person can be matched well to such a culturally important job.

### Afterlife and Beyond

Lizardfolk believe souls are part of an endless cycle of energy that is created and destroyed with life and death, and part of that energy is spread amongst the clan through their ritual cannibalisation.

Ghost stories amongst Lizardfolk are usually tales of lost or exiled people who where unable to be or refused honour through their rites.

As Lizardfolk bodies are traditionally destroyed, necromancy is of little moral concern to them.

## Notable Figures

* person
* person
* person

## Campaign Events

* event
* event
* event

## 5e Mechanics

### Traits

* Hold Breath
* Natural Armor
* Bite