Saureete

*"A saureete never lets a target go. If you are being hunted by one they will track you to the depths of the Lorian Ocean and back before giving up."*

**- *Marcario Moorehome*, *"The Sess Hunters"***

The **Saureete** are scaled monotremes from Waesyn and reside in various environments throughout the continent. Members of the Saureete race are tough and resilient. They are excellent hunters, trackers and mercenaries.

## Statistics

* ***Ability Scores*** +2 Constitution, -2 Intelligence; Saureete are hardy and have tough hide however their society does not focus on academics as much as other species.
* ***Age*** Saureete mature into adults at 15 just like Humans and Zutonesse, however, their secondary nervous system causes them to age slowly after maturity. Some Saureete elders claim to be 150 or even 200 in rare circumstances though their lifestyle seldom allows them to make it this far.
* ***Speed*** Your base speed is 30 feet.
* ***Size*** Medium
* ***Dark Vision*** A Saureete can see 60 feet away in the darkness.
* ***Languages*** You can speak, read, and write Saurian and Sotteran. Saurian has varied dialects as Saureete clans are scattered across Waesyn. Though many believe the Saureete to be unsophisticated their language is incredibly nuanced and it is a sign of lesser worth if one lacks articulation when using the Saurian tongue.
* **Claws:** Saureete are always considered armed as they can strike foes with their sharp claws. Each claw does 1d4 damage.
	+ Additionally, Saureete are proficient with *Saureete Clawblades* which can enhance their claws.
* **Durable Survivor:** Saureete's are tough and have a strong hide-- or at least the will power to continue after exhaustion. One per day as a free action a saureete may brace themelves for the next attack giving them Damage Reduction/10 to all types of damage against the next attack.
	+ Regardless of the damage done during the attack, it cannot bring you below 1 one hitpoint.
* **Hunter at heart:** Saureete have been hunters since the dawn of time and have adapted accordingly. They gain a +2 to spot and survival checks.
	+ Additionally, Saureete gain the scent ability as they have intensely powerful nostrils. Saureete may recognize other humanoids by scent alone.

* **Indomitable nerves:** Saureete are immune to paralysis due to having a secondary nervous system. Poisons that paralyze or spells (such as *Hold Person*) are not effective against Saureete.

* **Saureete Regeneration:** Saureete heal faster than other species and regain hit points at double the normal rate during eight-hour rest periods.

## Saureete States

Saureete do not have a province of their own and instead have what they call "states" scattered across Waesyn. They are in no way united among each other and work more closely with whoever rules their designated province. Each state is ruled and governed by a clan. The clans are:

### Akakem

Semi-Nomadic Saureete who wander the deserts of Karthyn. These Starbound navigators are fascinated by the cosmonious and are unique as the only saureete who wish to understand the balance of the gods. They practice both the arcane arts and the divine arts, while also being able traders and navigators.

### Brekor

*Main article: Mount Kerakor*

The Brekor are solemn warriors who live atop of Mount Kerakor in Llewyn. The Brekor are dreaded warriors and master smiths that wear black-steel armor and are rumored to have lightning imbued weaponry. The Brekor tend to lack the ability to sense sarcasm and looks at most things seriously but are powerful warriors who are aligned with the Kingdom of Llewyn.

### Husk

*Main article: Skora's Folly*

The Husk found themselves in Lokradahl long before the Dahlians were heavily involved in greater Waesyn politics. This led to the Husk abandoning many of the warrior culture Saureete held so dear and instead becoming traders, gamblers and rogues. Many members of the Husk clan are recruited as muscle for Dahlian caravans. They reside in a cavern city known as Skora's Folly.

### Kurax

*Main article: Rax*

Kurax are, in many ways, the truest of Saureete. They are still hunters of both men and fauna and still practice Sess rituals before the hunt. They are keen trackers who are more comfortable surviving on the road than in the safe walls of a city. They call the wooden walls of Rax their home which is located in the northern Fortara wild.

### Rothra

*Main article: Ru-Voga*

A group of swamp-dwelling Saureete who made an arrangement with the Shurans during the second cycle to run Ru-Voga together. The Rothra wish only to have a peaceful and quiet life while coexisting with the Shuran descendants that helped make Ru-Voga succeed. While they are docile and polite, other saureete call them "Shurans-in-Scales" making fun of their acceptance of the human lifestyle.

### Vitack

*Main article: The Veidhof*

The Vitack are warriors similar to the Brekor, however they lack the serious nature they carry and prefer to "face life as it comes." While they train warriors, work in mines to trade for goods and are skilled craftspeople-- they are notoriously laid back and love nothing more than the weekend. The Vitack have made their home in the lowest point of Rhoda known as the Veidhof.

## Physiology

Saureete have tough scales that protect them from the various environments they live in. They are built as predators with features such as an intense nostril capable of smelling prey from 60 feet away as well and sharp claws that can shred through victims. It is thought that they once had tails long ago but they hindered them in their hunting. They are the second tallest Waesynian race with the H'yuun beating them by just a few inches. Though they can be six and a half feet tall they can also be as short as an avirian. They have extra weight due to their scales which come in a variety of colors based on their lineage and environment. Since Saureete are constantly joining other states-- any color saureete can be anywhere in Waesyn.

## History

The Saureete were briefly mentioned in Monumental records though not extensively. They were noticeably absent from the Sotter Rebellion though it is likely that the clans were active and reclusive. The Sotteran Empire's ambitious expansion led to many interactions with Saureete and at first they were met with hostility. Saureete were thought to be bandits, plunderers and looters during the early days of the empire and to an extent, that was true.

However an ancient rivalry between the saureete and the wul'kanar led the Sotterans to offer partnerships with the scaled hunters more often than not as wul'kanar were much more aggressive in attacking Sotteran settlements. Thus the reputation of the saureete mercenary was born as they began destroying any wul'kanar they could find while getting gold from the empire. The sotterans and saureete tolerated one another throughout the first cycle because fo this. During the War of the Giants, saureete mercenaries were hired and deployed all over Waesyn. While they were commonly sent to fight wul'kanar, they also became skilled hunters of gnarka as well.

After the war saurette began losing steady work as the empire had crumbled. A migration happened as the saureete began settling in different parts of the continent and declaring themselves a "clan" or "state." Some clans would fight one another for land until one had no choice but to join the one they were just fighting. This happened until they were spread across the continent each having their own history and culture afterwords.

A movement started by members of the Rothra clan to become a unified people began in Ru-Voga, though the demonstration was aggressive and not peaceful.

## Culture

Every clan has their own customs and traditions however some similarities exist between all clans. To be in a clan isn't dictated by blood but by completing a "trial" or "passage." Many young saureete choose to wander Waesyn in search of the clan that fits them best before attempting a trial, while some simply wait until they are old enough to attempt the trial of the clan they were born into. Hatchlings are considered members of the clan but the status is tentative and somewhat "Second-class." While the youth aren't treated poorly, they typically cannot attend political meetings or train with militaries. That being said they are given a brief and practical education and taught the basics of hunting or other aspects of the clan they were born into. Some youth, such as children of battle masters or clan-leaders, are expected to attempt the trial as soon as they are of age and it is generally taboo for hatchlings like these to leave unless it is an exchange or part of a treaty.

Some Saureete mercenaries groups reject the idea of a clan at all and prefer to just band together and survive. Saureete have been bounty hunters and mercs for over two thousand years and the lifestyle has not let up. Saureete mercenary groups often treat each other like a "clan" having some sort of rite of passage before joining or something along those lines. Saureete also may just find that no clan or mercenary group fits them-- but an adventuring group or town community is where they belong. Regardless, the pilgrimage to find where one belongs seems persistent in their lifestyle.

## Religion

*Main article: Sess*

Saureete believe that two forces of nature clash eternally to create balance in the natural world. This belief is called Sess. There are two sides to Sess. The first is Sanya, the Royal Hunter. Sanya prefers to forage over hunting but understands the natural order. Sanya always gives offerings to the land before hunting and tracking and uses as much of the prey as possible. Sanya is a healer at heart and prefers to disclose conflict without bloodshed. The other is S'innek who finds sport in hunting. S'innek finds glory in battle and praises the strong. S'innek believes that conflict, even if not lethal, should decide disputes. Though many gravitate towards one aspect more than the other, Sess claims that the two aspects are needed for balance.

While Sess doesn't dictate Saureete daily life and customs as much as the Cosmonious does to it's believers, it has created many traditions such as clans having burial grounds and those seeking advice to sniff smelling salts. Most notably, Saureete practice rituals before hunting, foraging and harvesting due to Sess.

## Military

Each clan has differing fighting styles and tactics though the Saureete instinct to hunt is something all military units share. Though traditionally Saureete used spears and bows they have adapted and use whatever works best for the task at hand. While many races may have a sentiment to a specific weapon or aversions to weapons used by their enemies-- if it's the best weapon for the battle then it is what a Saureete will use.

Saureete clans always have a Battle Master that serves beneath the Clan Leader. Battle Master is usually just used as a title dictating that they can mobilize the clans armed forces and influence their tactics and training-- however to be a Battlemaster once meant to be a member of an order of Saureete. The Saureete Battlemasters originated during the War of the Giants as a task force hired to eradicate Wul'Kanar. The Order has slowly devolved into nothing but myth as the demand for Battlemasters lessened however there are rumors of a few devotees still in Waesyn.