Veles-Wrede

Deep within the Rainbow Forest, the Wrede thrive. Born from the divide between Kecuala and Semuanya, the lizardfolk of the Mana-Jalqabaa emerged. The scaly-folk have made Veles-Wrede into their personal enclave and home. Veles-Wrede in their tongue literally translates to Land of Lizardfolk, and the territory lives up to its name. Yet much like their legendary father Kecuala, the lizardfolk race is increasingly afflicted by abstract thought. As Wrede society evolves, as tribes expand, as territory is settled and claimed, and as the outside world encroaches inward on their sea of jungle, the lizardfolk of Veles-Wrede have begun to enter into intense debate about themselves as a people, and themselves as individuals.
Nowhere is this debate more prominent than in the city of Ven-Wrede. Built around and upon the supposed egg of Semuanya, the idea of a city of Lizardfolk at all is considered heretical by some tribes. Here within the city for the first time in recorded history, the Wrede are building permanent settlements, raising buildings, homes, shops. To some of the clans, their worst fears are becoming realized, the heresy of the outer lands has begun to erode the Wredes way of life. But the clerics of Semuanya differ, claiming that a fortified enclave to protect the unhatched egg of their god is a natural response, that it's discovery means that the time for the great unification draws close. They argue that a city is necessary to bring all their people together so all may become one once more. Yet others, such as those who follow the totem of the Black Dragon Udraess, argue that even the term "cleric" instead of "shaman" betrays their intentions.
Outside of Ven-Wrede, the thoughts of the Lizardfolk are no less unified. A number of younger tribesman near Tulluu Irratti have turned away from Semuanya entirely. Instead, this new tribe is placing their trust within the fey of the Summer Court who have appeared in greater and greater number near the great waterfall that feeds the Lesh-Jada. Many of these fey travelers count the warrior Rashaz as a personal hero, he who once served at the right hand to the Queen of Summer Titiana.
To the west in Veles-Manros, the people of Ven-Wenya pursue a separate belief: Kecuala is speaking to the people of Veles-Wrede in their dreams. By communing with the plane of dreams in the old Maot cities, they may be able to quiet Kecuala once and for all. Others whisper a deeper heresy. Kecuala has achieved his perfect vision for the Wrede future. It is Semuanya who now prevents the great emergence. The solution is simple, the egg of Semuanya must be destroyed.
The followers of Semuanya, of tradition, of the natural order, still have their supporters. The Ador-Wrede or the folk who plant in eight colors, cultivate the land in Semuanya's name. Many of these planters follow the totem of the Brontosaurus. These tribes will often follow the greatest planter, or the greatest warrior, but their mission is uniform. Their purpose is to cultivate the rainbow forest in all eight colors of the rainbow, so that all who fall under its leaves will know they are of one mind and body. They are the preservers of nature, who allow for plants and animals to grow so they may be consumed by the Wrede people.
The relationship with outsiders differs much between the clans. Clan Drazda has made peace with the peoples of Geweer, even trading with them at river crossings. Others like Clan Watasma would never dream of such humiliation, slaughtering the people of Kabout-Ral with abandon to offer their hearts to Semuanya. The emergence of the Kraken gives many of the Lizardfolk pause. It's reliance on human and mortal worshippers’ flies in the face of Wrede honor, but there are some who speculate that the Kraken is an incarnation of Kecuala, or perhaps even Semuanya herself.
None of these matters are likely to be settled soon, and for many of the warriors, hunters, and tamers of Veles-Wrede they are of little importance. There are greater matters to attend to. Be they hydras, nagas, dinosaurs, undead giants, rogue fey, or even literal nightmares. All targets for an aspiring Wrede to prove themselves and ascend to a place of reverence in the eyes of their ancestors.

Culture

To the outside world, the people of Veles-Wrede seem savage and uncivilized. They practice isolationism, if they venture outside of their forest it is only to raid or to skirmish with those encroaching upon their territory. They prefer the swamps and the forests of home to the sights and sounds of the city. Less than one in a hundred will speak the trading tongue with more than a few words of dialogue. The Wrede often make their homes in trees, or in underground burrows along the muddy banks of the various rivers of the Lesh-Jada. Yet they are a communal people, a people who revere their ancestors and their faith, living as they do out of choice rather than necessity. The lizardfolk stalk their prey in jungles, they perform ritual sacrifices to ancient gods in stone circles erected in a time out of memory. They celebrate elaborate fertility festivals under moonlight. It is said that after the summer and winter solstice especially, it can days for a tribal leader to restore order to a community.
Lizardfolk practice ritual scarification. Warriors will take the metal weapons of slain enemies, have them melted down and then poured over their bodies in elaborate patterns. The molten metal fuses with the outer layers of their scales to look like metallic tattoos. It is quenched and hardened by submersion of the individual in Lesh-Jada after the application. This practice is also commonly used to display tokens of affection. For example, a lover might give another gold to fuse in a band around their neck, or a proud father might give bronze to fuse around their child's forearms.
The Wrede are insular and traditional largely by choice. They look upon the outer races with a fair degree of distain, not because they are inherently inferior, but because they believe they have forsaken a natural way of life. The other races cannot recite the lineage of their ancestors, they do not revere the gods or mind the omens, they do not live in harmony with nature.
Individuals will sometimes select a totem creature to have imprinted upon themselves, either as a metal tattoo or as a ritual scar upon their scales. These totems are thought to represent certain ideals that a lizardfolk hopes to emulate, or an aspect of an animal that they revere. Coldblooded creatures are the most common creatures selected, but occasionally a lizardfolk, especially from a clan with atypical beliefs, will have a more exotic animal totem. These totems allow for kin of different clans to know each other’s will from a distance. Many of the Wrede see these totems as a statement of a clear mind, unclouded by thoughts, and a way to bring them into a singular peace with Senuyana. The only totem that is taken seldomly, and often questioned is the totem of the dragon. To take the aspect of a dragon into oneself is seen as a challenge to authority and a claim of arrogant supremacy, and others can and have killed their kin to put down those egotistical enough to take the mark.
Some totems include:

• The Electric Eel
• The Poison Dart-frog
• The Spinosaurus
• The Velociraptor
• The Tyrannosaurus Rex
• The Brachiosaurus
• The Allosaurus
• The Talarurus
• The Triceratops
• The Flat Bark Bettle
• The Sloth
• The Anaconda
• The Anteater
• The Hydra
• The Naga
• The Fey

Public Agenda

Individual policy concerning those within and without is largely dependent on tribe. Some tribes are friendly with outsiders, and indeed several have ventured as far as the Joto Rainforest to meet with elders of the Elven races. Some will allow emissaries to visit foreign lands as ambassadors. Others are extremely isolationist, killing and consuming any who trespass within their territory. The definition of trespassing also varies from clan to clan, with some tribes claiming that anyone who comes within 20 miles of the forest line is a threat to lizardfolk security.
The leaders of tribes can be male or female, depending on who is capable of holding power through strength, wisdom, or force of will. An individual tribe is named for its current leader. When a tribe's leader dies or steps down, their replacement will then have the tribe re-named after them.

Assets

The lizardfolk possess massive beasts of burden in the form of dinosaurs that are used to hunt or to build out their prominant capital of Ven-Wrede. Additionally magical items and weapondry are in abundance, created by shamans and tribal leaders to serve the greatest warriors within a particular clan. The emphasis on lizardfolk traditional often means that these weapons are passed down from generation to generation to next warrior in line.
A number of dragons are buried in Veles-Wrede. Their bones are often used in the construction of materials, including deadly and nigh-unbreakable weapons and armor, unless preserved at the dragon's request. Metals often hoarded by dragons are melted down to create ornate weaponry, and many trespassers have been slain with blades of pure gold or platinum.

History

Long after the legendary separation of the creator deities, in the Age of Wonder, Veles-Wrede was home to vast numbers of dragons, waging war against the giants of the west. After the conflict had ended, many of these dragons turned upon one another, driving down their numbers and reducing their presence on the Wrede territory until less than a dozen supreme overlords remained. Emerging from the Age of Night, these ancient beings began slumbering into obscurity, and the lizardfolk of Veles-Wrede began to more actively claim the land around them.
Over the course of thousands of years, the people of Veles-Wrede have slowly transformed the jungle around them to fit the will of their goddess. Trees have been planted in the eight colors of the rainbow, dinosaurs have been tamed for use in hunts, but largely society has not changed since the early days.
By far the most recent discovery and shift in lizardfolk culture occurred close to 150 years ago, when the great egg was discovered near the shores of Lesh-Wrede. Originally uncovered during a violent skirmish that upended large tracks of the earth, the tip of the egg was quickly seen as a religious omen by the shamans of the competing clans, who put aside their differences and called all spiritual leaders together in a grand summit to unravel the mysteries of the egg. The council of shamans concluded that the egg was likely the container of Semuanya herself, awaiting the day when her mate would be reborn so she may emerge to embrace him.
Over the last century attempts have been made to dig up the egg, with so far perhaps only the top third visible above the surface due to its massive size. The city of Ven-Wrede formed around the egg to support the dig, and has become a prominent settlement, complete with grand temples to Semuanya. Some argue that this construction flies in the face of all that their people stand for, and that the oracles of the Great Mother are worshipping little more than a false idol.

Demography and Population

Lizardfolk are the only true race capable of existing within Veles-Wrede for sustained periods of time, as any outsiders are often swiftly killed and consumed by either the Wrede or the wild animals that live within the Rainbow Forest. A few fantastical races do exist in small quantities whom the lizardfolk are either unable or unwilling to engage with in combat.
To outside observers, the average warrior amongst the Wrede is around 7 feet tall, and 250 pounds, appearing in any of the eight colors of the rainbow, with metallic tattoos and carved wooden fetishes hanging about their tails.
Fey are the most prominent of these minorities, many in the outer tribes see them as friends and allies, and their lack of a material essence makes consuming them wasteful. Of these fey most hail from the summer court or are otherwise unaligned with fairy politics.
Some Nagas exist within the forest in isolated communities. They generally do not bother the lizardfolk nearby, and they in turn are not bothered, usually out of a mixture of respect and fear for a naga's terrible abilities. On rare occasion a Naga may align with a tribe of lizardfolk for a particular battle or event, but such events are always one-time occurrences.
Perhaps the strangest of all, some literal dreams have begun to manifest in the western half of Veles-Wrede. Many suspect their appearance is a sign that the great and foretold merging is imminent, and as a result these dreams are often treated as augurs and religious miracles by the people of the forest. Some however argue that the nature of these phenomena is not well known, and they could just as soon be nightmares sent to keep Kecuala's mind divided.
Several caverns on ancient dragons exist within Veles-Wrede. Considered by some to be the distant ancestors of the Wrede people, these dragons are left to their own devices and their caves left undisturbed. Every century or so a dragon may emerge from a cavern to hunt for weeks at a time on both lizardfolk and other races, and are hunted in turn. These "glorious hunts" are often seen as positive omens to the Wrede people.

Territories

1. Veles-Drazda: Land of Clan Drazda: Perhaps the most "moderate" of the lizardfolk clans, Clan Drazda maintains disciplined and peaceful relations with the people of Redford despite significant backlash from her own people. Battles with the goblins in the past have led to the deaths of many on both sides after the people of Redford lit the river aflame, and Drazda has no desire to repeat that tragedy. Many call Drazda a coward behind her back, others lament for the loss of Rashaz the Bold, but her leadership holds for now. Her settlement is one of the few places where an outsider may be allowed to trade, though doing so still requires special permissions to avoid being killed on site.
2. Rath-Kundorim: The cavern of Kundorim The Young, son of the ancient red dragon Koundorim the Elder; now gone to meet Semuanya. Kundorim is one of the more active dragons in Wrede territory, he oftentimes travelling amongst the lizardfolk in a polymorphed disguise. His cave contains numerous trinkets of his father's rule, and he will gladly accept tribute in many forms in exchange for the promise of his protection when the young dragon is ready to make his move.
3. Rath-Gymmodos: Home to Gymmodos the Ice Tyrant: Perhaps the oldest and most savage of the remaining dragons in Veles-Wrede, Gymmodos thankfully sleeps for hundreds of years at a time deep within her dwelling place in the heart of Tulluu Irrattti. Her ice caverns are dense and filled with mirrors and other traps to encase and slowly consume would be intruders. Naturally, many lizardfolk youth will dare each other to see how deep they will approach the dragon's resting place, often with disastrous results.
4. Lesh-Bokkaa: The great waterfall dividing Veles-Wrede from the Great River Runway is home to Clan Shadar, one of the more young and radical tribes of lizardfolk within Veles-Wrede. Whereas others rely upon tradition and experience, the youths of Clan Shadar rely instead on fey creatures who serve as allies and companions to them in battle. These alliances have made the Wrede of this tribe impossible to dispose of, at least for the moment. Rumors exist that a portal into the fey wilde itself exists within Lesh-Bokkaa, a fact often boasted by the people of Clan Shadar themselves.
5. Rath-Udraess: Udraess the Death-Devoured is a prominent black dragon who resides just outside of the Violet Forest. He often communes with the lizardfolk of Clan Vayilati via visions and animal messengers, offering them aid in battle against their enemies in exchange for tribute. This alliance has made the clan one of the deadliest in the region, though thankfully their attention is turned to outsiders from Kabout-Ral, who have been punished severely for infringing upon their territory.
6. Maot-Drom: The tomb of the Giant Drom is considered cursed territory by the lizardfolk, who refuse to willingly enter it. In the past, one of the ancient dragons of Veles-Wrede would periodically cast a spell upon the cavern to quiet the evil within, but none has done so in years since the death of Koundorim the Elder. Drums have been heard from the cavern at night, and many lizardfolk fear that a great and evil spirit may soon arise from the tomb as they have in Maot to continue their ancient war.
7. Ven-Wenya: City of Dreamers: These lizardfolk philosophers came to rest in the ancient stone giant city for extended periods of time during travels and eventually settled within permanently. These lizardfolk perform philosophical and religious works while the rest of their clan wanders. In their stay, the Wrede here instead turn their thoughts towards the realm of dreams, communing with strange creatures and abstract thoughts and drawing these thoughts forth into the living world. Some believe if the abstract thoughts of the realm of dreams can be manifested, a reunion with Kecuala will become easier, while others believe that the lizardfolk are doing nothing more than bringing in heresy incarnate into the waking world.
8. Rath-Adraka: The Tomb at Road’s End: One of the stranger sites in Veles-Wrede is the series of ancient tombs possibly erected by the giants of old during their years of servitude to the victorious dragons. The bones of several ancient dragons are buried here, with their children's bones metaphorically and literally guarding the entrances to their specific elders. In years past dragons would often pay respect to the tombs of their fallen during their glorious hunts, but none have visited the forlorn city of the dead in many years. Blind oracles of Clan Adraka now guard the tomb themselves, dispatching cruel justice on anyone who would impede upon this sacred ground.
9. Ven-Wrede: City of Lizardfolk: Built around the Egg of Semuanya, this massive city continues to expand around, through and beyond the nearby trees. Stones from Ven-Wenya and Ven-Asala have been used in its construction, and it is home to a high temple, a great market, an elderforge, and several forums of learning for lizardfolk scholars. Recently, some of the residents of the city have begun experiencing strange dreams, and some have even awoken to have their entire memory stolen from them. Others have simply not woken up at all. Shamans are at a loss for how to deal with these dream eaters, and some fear the city has come under a slow and nightmarish siege.
10. Ven-Asala: City of Portals: The origins of the city of Ven-Asala are unknown. They do not belong to giantfolk, or dragonkind, or even serpentfolk. Some speculate it must be a naga stronghold, but if so, even the Naga have abandoned the city, which now stands supposedly empty. Periodically, strange portals in each of the eight colors of the rainbow will open in the numerous doorways that litter the city. Their destinations are unknown, and none have willingly entered into them to explore further.
11. Rath-Mehidoria: The cavern of Mehidoria the Deathroot is home to perhaps the cruelest of the dragons still living in Veles-Wrede. The Copper Dragon Mehidoria delights in the suffering of the Lizardfolk as repayment for sins supposedly committed upon him by past generations. Mehidoria is blind and is no longer able to travel far from his hunting grounds. His breath remains as deadly as ever though, and many lizardfolk are dragged screaming into his layer to be eaten slowly over a year or more.
12. Veles-Mej: The land of the Mej Clan is known for the Ador-Wrede, a blessed society of cultivators known for the preservation of plants and the fostering of new growth within Veles-Wrede. Their supply of sacred seeds, taken from the blessed realm are stored within the ancient tower of mists, where the druids of Semuanya ponder the mysteries of Semuanya's faith and prepare seeds each season for the great planting of trees in her blessed spectrum.
13. Sapa-Ophi, the Serpent’s Song: This site refers to an ancient serpentfolk ziggurat built in ages past that hugs the coast Veles-Wrede and sinks slightly further each year into the water. Few attempts have been made to explore the structure, as the serpentfolk were driven to extinction in millennia past, and few wish to revive their blasphemous secrets. Music can be heard from the ziggurat, and as such most give it a wide birth when travelling through the area.
14-21: The Rainbow Forest: An ancient forest cultivated by the Wrede in the spectrum of colors perceived by the shamans of Semuanya. Dinosaurs, hydras, nagas, young dragons and other threats stalk these woods, but will rarely attempt to attack an organized clan or tribe that passes through together.
14: The Crimson Wood 15: The Verdant Wood  16: The Azure Wood  17: The Violet Wood  18: The Golden Wood  19: The Cyan Wood  20: The Eighth Color  21: The Autumn Wood
22: Veles-Manros: The land of mammals is a vast savanna filled with lions, antelope, giraffes, zebras, and all manner of similar creatures. Notably, large dinosaurs also walk these grasslands, coexisting with the native animals, and being hunted often by tribes of opportunistic lizardfolk. A few undead giants have been seen within the area in increasing numbers, with some lizardfolk believing the time has finally come for an organized defense against these unholy creatures.
23: Lesh-Wrede: The great lake that houses at least part of the Egg of Semuyana. It connects to the larger Lesh-Jada, a great and interconnected series of rivers that flow throughout Veles-Wrede. Crocodiles, piranhas, hippos, and of course aquatic dinosaurs are common along the river roads, and many of these creatures have been tamed to ride by the lizardfolk themselves to allow for easy crossing through the woods.

Mythology & Lore

The traditional Wrede deity is Semuanya. As the elders tell it:   “Before the dawn of history, in the time of myth, it is said that Semuanya had a mate, Kecuala by name. While Semuanya was concerned only with the survival and propagation of the lizard race, however, Kecuala was distracted by more abstract and cerebral matters. Eventually it grew so distracted by its disparate thoughts that it split in half, becoming two entities, male and female. These were the first lizardfolk. Semuanya watches over the lizardfolk to this day, hoping one day they will eliminate their abstract thoughts and become Kecuala again.”

Worship

Ritualistic cannibalism is a routine part of lizardfolk funerary rites. It is a practice prescribed by their goddess at death, itself an aspect of Semuanya. The heart of the deceased is cooked, and those closest to the departed in life then share a meal prepared with it. In this way they allow the spirit of the departed to join their ancestors, and perhaps become part of Kecuala once more. For many, for a lizardfolk to die, and their body not be recovered and consumed is an unspeakable tragedy. They will be unable to join the ancestors, their experience will not be added to the collective. Canopic Jars are sometimes used to store hearts in the event a warrior is slain far from home.
It is a great and unusual honor for a lizardfolk to consume the heart of non-lizardfolk. It shows that even though they are not part of the lizardfolk race, they are nonetheless worthy to add their strength to the communal spirit and join the ancestors. In the current generation of this practice, some have moved away from this art, instead feeding their dead to the dinosaurs of the forest for sustenance. For many this is an unspeakable heresy, and the clerics of Ven-Wrede have called for the eradication of any found not consuming the hearts of the fallen. They who spite Semuanya will not be consumed, for they are not fit to rejoin their ancestors.
The Wrede practice ritual sacrifice and augury. For very important decisions an animal is often slaughtered and offered to Semuanya. The entrails of the beast are cut out and divinations performed based on how they fall. The nature of the question can determine the animal needed to gain accurate prophecy. Truthtellers of Semuanya are often sent on great hunts for dinosaurs and primordials to slay when asking questions affecting the cosmos or the nation. For everyday questions, knuckle bones are sometimes used in divinatory practices.

Alternative Names

The Rainbow Forest

Training Level

Levy

Veterancy Level

Veteran

Demonym

The Wrede

Currency

None

Legislative Body

Tribal Councils

Neighboring Nations

• Geweer
• Kabout-Ral