Shovani Scalebreak
Scalebreak is a good way of remind players that lizardfolk NPCs, particularly those from Shovani, are very big on age and hierarchy. Discussions between Shova lizardfolk will sometimes refer to the number or extent of scale loss on a particular Shova citizen as a commentary on what kind of rank and deference they deserve.
The social taboo of failing to shed can make for an amusing side quest, as outsiders ignorant of the compounds purpose are hired to acquire alchemical ingredients necessary to make the potion for removing scales. It can be quite funny to emphasize the secrecy of the mission, only for the characters to later find out they were merely keeping quiet the violation of a social taboo. It's the equivalent of getting someone rogaine or viagra, if such substances were difficult to produce and acquire.
Showing a lizardfolk's reaction to their own molting can also illustrate something about that characters approach to aging. A hotheaded general might grimace when a scale comes off, reflecting on their mortality and limited time left in active service. A more sagely sort, however, might grin or see losing the scale while talking to the characters as a sign of good fortune. There's no need to launch into a lengthy explanation of this tradition in order to use it, just a quick description of their reaction can add flavor and help illustrate what kind of person they are.
When a lizardfolk reaches old age, typically between 80 and 100 years, they begin to molt the scales they've carried through most of their lives. The underlying skin is smooth and colored similarly to its corresponding scales, so a few missing scales is easily overlooked by most outsiders. It is something lizardfolk nearly always notice, though, because the shedding has cultural significance.
Scalebreak, as it's sometimes known, is seen as a mark of old age and wisdom, and other Shova lizardfolk become especially protective of such an elder. It's a tradition that likely dates back to before lizardfolk used armor, when molting would make an elder especially vulnerable.
These honored elders will sometimes give a single scale as a gift or sign of appreciation, and while monetarily worthless it considered a sign of great respect and trust. In even rarer cases, an elder will commission a shield, weapon, armor or item incorporating some of its scales as an almost parental gesture of endorsement and faith in another. The scales remain tough even after detached from their host, and such weapons and armor are treasured items that are usually of excellent quality.
Some lizardfolk seek the respect of molting before their natural time, and a lizardfolk demanding more deference than its age or rank would justify is sometimes referred to behind their back as a "scale picker." Others, particularly the more militant elders, dislike shedding their scales because of the vulnerability it creates.
Not shedding one's scales despite old age is sometimes considered a bit of an embarassment, however, sort of like going bald in reverse. When a lizardfolk begins pushing 90, they will sometimes quietly retain an alchemist to help them loosen a few particularly visible scales.
Transmission & Vectors
Scalebreak cannot be transmitted. It is a natural part of the aging process and governed by genetics.
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