Lizardfolk and Tortle of Cambrium
Lizardfolk
Lizardfolk are similar to minotaur in that they are able to take on the appearance of most reptilian creature rather than being limited to one particular reptile. For example, a lizardfolk could take on the appearance of a crocodile or alligator, gharial, komodo dragons, bearded dragons, iguanas, geckos, gila monsters, frilled lizards, and even therapod dinosaurs. An exception to this are turtles and tortoise, which belong to the tortle race - of which the two do share distant genetic ancestors - and snakes which belong to yuan-ti and naga, the latter two also distantly connected to lizardfolk but share a much further back common ancestor than with tortles. While they may look similar to dragonborn and from a distance may even be mistaken for one, up close it is impossible to mistake one for the other due to distinct physical factors - namely, most dragonborn have wings and lizardfolk are incapable of having wings. Despite being reptilian races lizardfolk and dragonborn are not related, and lizardfolk do not share any genetic connection to dragonborn or dragons. Instead of having a language native to them lizardfolk have their own distinct way of communicating - much like lizards and reptiles they use small, almost imperceptible movements and body language to express themselves, along with colour changing plates in their leathery hides or the ability to flush frills or sails with blood when threatened in order to communicate with one another. This unique method of communication is impossible for non-lizardfolk to understand and so lizardfolk will also be taught the local form of Common to be able to speak with non-lizardfolk individuals. On average lizardfolk are five feet to eight feet tall, living up to 100 years old and becoming a fully matured adult at 21 years old; however this varies between different reptile breeds with lizardfolk based on larger reptiles typically living longer than ones based on smaller reptiles.
Lizardfolk are native to all continents that have a warm climate, including Elysium, Shaojing, Iskan, Cadence, Jhenta and the sky islands. While the original native land of the lizardfolk is unknown, some scholars believe that the varied physical appearance of lizardfolk can be contributed to the fact they began in different continents and evolved to better suit their environments, without losing their preference towards hotter climates. Much like other cold-blooded animals lizardfolk are incapable of producing their own body heat and so have to rely on outside sources of heat to keep their bodies warm. In colder climates lizardfolk can become sluggish and irritable, and may even fall into a state of pseudo hibernation known as brumation.
By nature lizardfolk are obligate carnivores, meaning they are required to eat meat in order to gain all of the necessary nutrients to remain healthy. They are capable of eating non-meat products, such as vegetables and grains, but not as their only means of survival. Because of this, lizardfolk culture has revolved around the use of their prey's entire body to ensure they do not go to waste or dishonour their prey, such as using bones for tools, sinew and guts for string, hide and leather for armour, and so on. This whole sale use of prey can be seen as quite morbid and even grotesque to other cultures, however lizardfolk do not see the creatures that they hunt as prey as any lesser than themselves as predators - it is a brutal but necessary part of the cycle of life and instead of trying to pretend it doesn't exist lizardfolk accept this grim reality whole heartedly. This also includes 'recycling' the bodies of their deceased, and most lizardfolk take comfort in having weapons or charms crafted from the bodies of their ancestors as a way of remaining connected to them. Despite this, lizardfolk are not inherently evil, even if other sentient races may consider them as such.
Most lizardfolk have a strong connection to nature, and may follow a tribal, spiritual life style involving totemic spirits of animal guides or their own ancestors. Shamans are important figures in the lizardfolk way of life, and they are often consulted from minor things such as illness and injuries up to chieftains asking the spirits for guidance or to determine the possible compatibility of a potential marriage. Shamans are usually the right-hand men and women of tribal chieftains, but are not the successor to leadership; instead, being a shaman is a lifelong obligation and they tend to guide multiple generations of tribal leaders when sons and daughters succeed their parents. When a clan is taken over by another tribe the shamans are usually spared, but only if they're willing to break their oath of loyalty. Otherwise they are slain publicly as a warning to others. Similar to recycling the bodies of their prey when one tribal leader kills another they have the head of their enemy mounted in their throne room, both as a display of power and a warning to others. It is believed that displaying their enemies, specifically their powerful and honoured enemies, in such a manner allows the victor to absorb the power of the slain to become even stronger. Weak or dishonoured enemies are usually hung up and left to rot out of the reach of even wild animals to scavenge, which is among the greatest insult to lizardfolk. The patron deities of lizardfolk are Yasei, Clan, Evander, Calloanth and Ravenos, depending on which community they belong to.
Tortle
While lizardfolk are fairly common in the hotter regions of Cambrium, tortles are a more uncommon sight. Turtle-based tortles are similarly native to the warmer continents, able to exist in both arid and humid areas. Tortoise-based tortles tend to prefer exclusively warm and humid areas with access to large bodies of water. Regardless of subtype all tortles are capable of holding their breath for one hour, and being turtle or tortoise based does not change this specific racial ability. Tortles on average are five feet to eight feet tall and can live up to 200 years old, becoming a fully matured adult at age 40, which is the equivalent to 21 years old as a human. Despite the prevailing belief that tortles move slowly they move at the same speed as other sentient races. Similar to lizardfolk they become sluggish and irritable in colder climates, and may also fall into a state of brumation.
Tortle culture can be considered an off shoot to lizardfolk culture, particularly the spiritualism and carrying pieces of a deceased family member or loved one (most often a piece of shell) as a means of remaining connected to their ancestors. However, they do not practise the belief of recycling body parts of enemies or prey as tortles are omnivorous as opposed to obligate carnivores, meaning they can remain healthy without the need to eat meat. Similarly where lizardfolk rely heavy on belonging to a community tortles are more solitary and nomadic, often learning to fend for themselves before becoming an adult. This is not the case for every tortle, as some may decide to live in a community, stay connected to their immediate family or wish to live among other races, however it is common enough not to be seen as strange or neglectful. The patron deity of tortle is Yasei.
