Ssurran

As a Player Character

• Reptilian: Bonus to natural armor, but some armor doesn't fit. Choose 1 ability bonus except for Charisma or Intelligence. Charisma penalty

• Natural weapons: Claws, teeth, and tail are weapons (typically not as good as standard weapons)

• Cold-blooded: Bonus to perception where smell applies, darkvision, cannot get sun sickness & resistant to heat, vulnerable to cold

Basic Information

Anatomy

Reptillian humanoid. Bipedal with a tail. Scaled. Stands approximately 6-7 feet tall.

Ecology and Habitats

Hot, sunny environments. Highly resistant to the heat of the Tablelands. Not acclimated to cool environments.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Carnivorous

Additional Information

Social Structure

Ssurrans tend to group in primitive tribes, although those that integrate into the Tablelands are somewhat more civilized.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The majority of them dwell in the Lava Gorge region on the Scorched Plateau. Some have spread throughout the Tablelands, though are rare to spot.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Male Names: Chavesh’ess, Ithoriss, Ssuss’ess, Thuuuss, Uss’ule’ess, Zath’ess Female Names: Ashess’uess, Iieth, Isth’uess, Ithissa, Ula’nis’uess, Uthiss’uess

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The Ssurran language, Ssurrian, is an elegant one. It is composed of sibilant tones, counterpoised with basso rumblings from the chest cavity. Tail posture and attitude add depth and texture, resulting in a language that is quite impossible for creatures without tails to learn properly.
Ssurrans have difficulty themselves pronouncing other languages and their voices often have a hissing, polytonal quality that is not unpleasant to the ear.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

While they are viewed as brutal savages or leery scavengers by many other races of the Tablelands – and even hunted as beasts by some – the Ssurrans boast a complex culture that is quite visible in the way they live their lives. For the Ssurran, the conceit that places “civilised” races above the beasts does not exist. To the Ssurran we are all beasts and we all must all do what we can to survive. Those who have land, have safety. Those who have safety can prosper. Those who prosper can create better tools. Those with the best tools can claim the best land…
Intertwined with this simple philosophy is a rich body of religious belief and legend. Thanks to this body of common tribal knowledge, the Ssurrans display great practicality. Life is a struggle and each Ssurran must learn the skills needed to endure. Ssurrans are no-nonsense, individualistic survivors – traits that make them valued as scouts and guides amongst their fellow races. Despite their individualism, Ssurrans are most comfortable when surrounded by their allies. When outnumbered or threatened, they are cautious, even cowardly. They will seek to flee or bargain their way out of most overmatched contests, only fighting if cornered. When forced to fight, however, they are savage, rending and biting until an opening to flee presents itself.
Religion: The more sophisticated amongst the Ssurrans have adopted worship of the elements and para-elements, along with most of the rest of Athas. They favour Magma and Sun, with Fire also being popular. Clerics of the Earth element are also welcome amongst the wandering tribes.
Alignment: Ssurrans tend towards the chaotic or the neutral. The elder the Ssurran is, the more she tends toward lawful alignments, as the ties of tribe and family grow stronger.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Ssurrans are seen as savages, raiders or poor traders by most other species. For their part, the Ssurrans view most civilised races as pretentious fools, lost in their tools and forgetful of their kinship with the beasts of the wilderness. The Ssurrans dominate those whom they can and will seek to forge cordial relationships with those they cannot. If threatened, Ssurran tend to leave, only to return later and strike from ambush, usually with gruesome results.
Ssurrans are carnivores and will eat anything that they think will taste good and fill their bellies. The less civilised among them will eat intelligent life and have a particular fondness for halfling flesh, claiming it is soft, sweet and ever so spicy. These Ssurrans mark their food, either with claw marks or urine, and have been known to do this to foes they slay in battle, only to return and eat them later.

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

4-6 ft

Average Weight

180 - 225 lbs