Ashhama Lizardfolk

**Ashhama Lizardfolk** (lit. Poisoned ones), also known as crocodilians, are a mutation of lizardfolk with resemblance to crocodiles. They can appear anywhere there are lizardfolk due to lizardfolk mutations but concentrated populations are found in Eastern Katala Raz. Due to their appearance and curse, Ashhamas are discriminated against by other lizardfolk, even ones who do not bear the curse. As lizardfolk are unable to pronounce the letter m, they are known as Ashhana amongst themselves.

## Physiology

As their appearance would suggest, crocodilians inherit many of the physical attributes of crocodiles such as their massive bite strength. Additionally, they are much more muscular than a royal lizardfolk, comparable to that of an orc or even ogre for larger individuals.

### Reproduction

Crocodilians lay eggs, around 6 per clutch. One curious attribute about their reproduction is the fact that sex is determined by temperature, where at 30 °C (86 °F) or less most hatchlings are females and at 31 °C (88 °F), offspring can be both sexes while a temperature of 32 to 33 °C (90 to 91 °F) have a high chance of males.

### Vocalization

In addition to the sounds a typical lizardfolk can produce, Ashhama lizardfolk can bellow, an act in which they inflate and then puff out the throat and with a closed mouth, begin to vibrate air. Additionally, just before bellowing, they also produce a low pitch sound that can travel great distances, advertising the individual’s presence.

## History

### The Shadow Menace

Before the Shadow Swamp was completely conquered by trolls, there existed disparate tribes of lizardfolk in its southern position. Around 175 AA, these tribes were attacked by shadow swamp hags. The emperor of Anzara at the time, Qakot III Futile, received pleas of help from these tribes and organized a large army in a crusade up north against the night hags. In the following years, this expedition and the inhabitants of the shadow swamp, turned into the first true, bloodcursed Ashhama lizardfolk.

### Shadowfang Invasion

In 260, thousands of Ashhamas poured from the shadow swamp, completely feral and bloodthirsty led by one lizardfolk known as Shadowfang. Due to the widespread civil war at the time and most of their experienced army men lost in the northern expedition, the lizardfolk nation states failed to make an effective response against the sudden invasion. Eventually by 271, the eastern portions of the empire fell to the invaders, practically depopulated by senseless overlords.

In 271, the Naga held a meeting with other rebels and Alazis in an effort to stop any ongoing wars, amassing a great coalition to protect Taneyas against the threat of becoming totally occupied by Ashhama Lizardfolk. The rebels accepted immediately, while Alazis remained cooperative, without officially joining the coalition. This coalition would also later gain the support of the Tanizu.

As the coalition successfully pushed back the Ashhamas with great costs. All agreed to stop as pushing deeper into the jungles would be too steep of a price to pay. Instead, the representatives of the coalition sat down in Khugra and negotiated the future. Agreements were that there would be a 50 year truce and a defensive pact against another tide.

### A New Hope

For the next 700 years, Ashhamas would live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, forming wandering tribes and occasionally organizing large concentrations to raid settled nations. Though what happens specifically during these years are unknown, as only documentation of them are from outside sources. Occasionally, royal lizardfolk nations would wage bloody holy wars to reclaim lost empire lands. However, in 1000 AA, signs of a restoration of civilization started appearing. According to Zarradyrra mythology, a masterful bard was entrapped by bloodthirsty crocodilians and had to resort to his only tool, music, to put them to sleep. Instead, this gave them a clear conscience, allegedly the first instance of art being used as a remedy for the bloodcurse.

## Sociology

### The Bloodcurse

A unique condition afflicted to all Ashhama lizardfolk, the bloodcurse causes an array of symptoms to the bearer which intensifies overtime. Early signs of the bloodcurse include irritability and a reduction in higher cognitive functions. If not treated immediately, the subject begins to become more enraged until they reach a mindless berserk state. Physically, the curse causes modifications to their bodies such as a growth in size, swollen veins, superhuman strength and senses, far beyond those of both crocodiles and humans, or most sapient bipeds and completely red irises. However, the curse seems to manifest differently for other mutations, such as turning some nagas to resemble boas.

The bloodcurse is transmitted, besides hag magic, through an offspring of two infected individuals. However, if only one of the partners is infected, the child can possibly be permanently cured via a specific magical rite.

As of current medical and magical knowledge, there are no easily repeatable practices that can permanently remove the bloodcurse. However, symptoms can be lessened through a variety of methods, the most popular and effective is "art". To be more specific, the consumption and creation of art. The former is effective enough to subdue the curse on a day to day basis. However, derivative art, by replicating the original works of others, can make the mind clearer and truly original art, only made by those who have dedicated their life to it, can bring an indescribable state of inner peace.

What truly constitutes art is a debate of its own and is still a mystery for the scientific and philosophical community alike. As what calms Ashhamas down varies wildly. While there are more conventional practices such as painting, music and performing. Some also find kinship, smithing and even war itself to be just as, if not more effective forms of expression. However, more cynical chroniclers are outspoken about its hag origin, stating that what is art is merely arbitrarily decided by them when they made the curse.

## Society and Culture

### Role of Art

Art plays an integral role in Ashhama society, not only as a means of enjoyment but also to wade off the bloodcurse. Those in the lower strata of society, due to economic and time constraint, would rely on art produced by others such as a painting or a local bard. Those with more free time would attempt to make derivative art and even attempt to make original works. This means that, more often than not, the upper class of Ashhama society tend to be the most well off physically and mentally, having access to high quality art to consume and some would even say statecraft and wealth accumulation are artforms of themselves.

Also due to their importance, bards have risen to become the most important non-hereditary class in society akin to a priest within a deeply religious society.

### Festival Of The New-Minded

At the start of each year, each community of Ashhamas would gather at its centre. Willing Ashhama would present something of theirs, usually to display their prowess in art. While it was originally celebrated in small villages as a form of wishing for the whole year to be filled with art like the first day, this practice would later evolve into a means for aspiring bards to gain patronage from Song Oligarchs and Royalty.

### Bellow Singing

A form of music exclusive to the Ashhama that requires their unique ability to bellow. Bellow singing, as its name implies, uses bellows and its vibrations to create a unique combination of sounds. Even though most races would describe these sounds as “ominous”, “spooky” and “like they’re being stalked by a monster”, they are widely popular in Ashhama society. Interestingly, bellow singing seems to be the most effective form of sound that calms the bloodcurse. A theory suggests that this is because of its exclusivity, it is thus more “original” than other forms of music that can be replicated by any race.