Lizardfolk
Lizardfolk are a race of reptilian people native to Cleffen. Alien in mind and action, the Lizardfolk are a race of gaunt reptiles, resembling a mixture of crocodilian and lizards such as the Komodo Dragon. They are feared in the more temperate or swampy areas of Apa Axas where they make their homes, with rumours of mortal sacrifice, cannibalism and profane magics plaguing Lizardfolk settlements. Contrary to popular belief, most Lizardfolk encampments are peaceful sanctuaries dedicated to providing food and shelter to their oft-abused kin. However, it is true that some turn to dark cults, swayed by a Travesty into a fanatical and destructive frenzy of violence.
Unlike the other reptilian species of Apa Axas, the Kobolds and the Dragonborn, the Lizardfolk have no connection to The Rising Pyre. In fact, referring to a Lizardfolk as a Dragonborn is likely to earn you a dressing down and even potential violence. The Lizardfolk view these other scaled races as false demons, and the most militant of Lizardfolk may even kill a Dragonborn or Kobold on sight, lest they infect the tribe with their sickening draconic influence. It should be noted that Lizardfolk also despise Dragons, but are easily controlled by the huge creatures. The Lizardfolk’s distain for other races enacting their authority over them may be the cause of their hatred of these more dragon-associated races.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
The Lizardfolk have an interesting take on religion, as, despite many gods actively appearing on Apa Axas, many Lizardfolk tribes are atheist, and believe in no afterlife. Instead, Lizardfolk believe in reincarnation, and prefer to leave their dead in the swamps of their home, allowing the deceased to reconnect with nature. It is a major taboo amongst many clans to leave a body where it cannot fertilise plants or provide food to passing animals. Despite this adverse reaction to most religions, individual Lizardfolk may encounter deities and gain faith in them. As Lizardfolk are unaccustomed to religion, they are far more likely to be radicalised than their counterparts of other races. Some tribes, such as the Skinscales of Kranikk, are made up of believers of Travesties, such as Shubb'Ki. The Skinscales in turn have become actively genocidal, particularly towards humans, by following the tenets of the ScarKing. These religious tribes are said to have been the first to develop the Zealot Barbarians.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Lizardfolk are a savage, and purely literal folk, who seem to exist in isolation from the other races, choosing to not get involved in the conflicts that beguile the lesser races of Apa Axas, and seek to maintain neutrality whenever possible. The Lizardfolk appear to be natives of Cleffen, known as the Under Kingdom, and they rule the surface of the continent, while the noble Mountain Dwarves live in the high and low places of the landscape, away from the festering swamps. However, the Dwarves and Lizardfolk are bitter rivals, vying for territory, resources and ideological difference. In addition, it does not help that the Lizardfolk who engage in cannibalism of other mortal races consider Dwarven flesh to be the most delicious. This hostility is also directed at other races who stumble across their territory. This, compounded by the Lizardfolk’s lack of outward emotion, has led to a bad reputation with the other mortal races, despite many of the tribes being peaceful, nature lovers, although most may consume flesh for religious purposes; but only if freely given and the being is ensured to have died without duress.
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
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