Sandrunner, Two-Frilled

the Secret to Chittiki Success

Day four of our basin crossing was uneventful. We were delayed only briefly by the desert centipede that erupted from the dunes -- Whiptongue and Spinetail made short work of it though. In fact their feeding on the beast cost us more time than the battle itself, but the two had earned their treat. Sometimes I find myself wondering how my ancestors made this journey on foot -- I don't know what I'd do without my two sandrunners.

— from the journal of Scratfive Shortwhiskers, a Chittiki gem trader

The Chittiki people are, more than most other folk, a merchant trading society. Much of their success in this regard stems from their ability to domesticate the Two-Frilled Sandrunner Lizard, which they use to carry both themselves and their goods long distances over many terrains to reach their trading partners.

Sometimes single creatures carrying a merchant and perhaps a few of their children may arrive in a town. At Baron's Point, though, whole trains of the beasts will come down out of the mountains with riches to be loaded on ships and carried across the world.

Domestication

According to Chittiki chronicles, the first Sandrunners to be domesticated about seven hundred years ago were of the Single-Frilled variety. These were used primarily as pack animals, but the frills made it difficult, if not impossible, to use them as mounts. Success was mixed as the lizards tended to eat the Chittiki leading them along a trail if care was not taken to keep them well-fed. When the first Two-Frilled varieties were discovered, though, it became possible to place a riding seat between the frills, and the animal could be controlled by use of reins much like a horse. Placing the driver out of reach of the the lizard's mouth in this manner proved to be far more successful, and since the two-frill trait appears to "breed true", it is exclusively Two-Frilled Sandrunners that are used for domestic purposes today.

As part of their training, Two-Frilled Sandrunners are fitted with small riding seats and harnesses as early as one year after hatching. While too small to ride by an adult Chittiki at this age, the lizard becomes acclimated to the seat and being controlled by the reins. (Chittiki children are often allowed occasional rides on these young beasts.) Once they are large enough, adult Chittiki control the creatures from their riding seats. Additional fittings are also introduced, including the sun canopy frame to shield the rider from the desert sun, and packframes for carrying cargo. Larger specimens may even be fitted with as many as three or four additional seats to accomodate a larger trading party.

A proper Chittiki chef must be capable of preparing Sandrunner eggs in no fewer than fifty distinct manners. This is the mark of proper training.

— from the bestseller Authentic Chittiki Cuisine for All the Folk

Other Domestic Uses

In addition to being used to transport Chittiki and their goods across vast distances, the eggs of the Two-Frilled Sandrunner are considered a delicacy among the Chittiki.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Sandrunner, One-Frilled

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

4ft (120cm) to shoulder

Average Weight

3000lbs (1350kg)

Average Length

22ft (7m)
includes 8ft (2.5m) tail

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Two-Frilled Sandrunners are typically a mottled light brown in coloration - appropriate coloration for desert camouflage. The back spines are often a darker brown naturally, but many Chittiki merchants paint the spines in bright, distinctive colors to make them more identifiable when they are housed in communal holding pens. The distinctive painting also serves as "brand identification" for these traders.

Geographic Distribution

• Great Basin Desert

Pathfinder 2E Statblock

Two-Frilled Sandrunner - Creature 6

COMMONNHUGEANIMAL

The Two-Frilled Sandrunner is a large quadripedal lizard. It is characterized by the arrangement of flexible "spines" that run along its back. Two rows, about 1ft (30cm) apart begin where the neck joins the back of the skull. The spacing widens to about 1.5ft (45cm) midway between the shoulders and hips before tapering to meet where the tail meets the body. A single row of the spines continues down the length of the tail. In most specimens, the spine length tapers down towards the tip of the tail, but in a few, the last several spikes are actually elongated and harder than the rest. There is some discussion as to whether these "Spike-tailed Two-Frills" should be considered a separate species, but they seem to be able to mate freely and produce viable offspring when paired with Two-Frills that do not have the more formidable tail spikes.
Perception	+13, low-light vision, scent (imprecise), 60ft
Skills	Athletics+16
STR +7 , DEX +2 , CON +4 , INT -4 , WIS +2 , CHA -2
AC	23
Saving Throws	Fort +15, Ref +13, Will +11
HP	105
Speed	25ft
Melee	Jaws: +16 / +11 / +6 Damage: 2d10+9 Piercing + Grab
Special Abilities	Grab: The Two-Frilled Sandrunner may elect to Grab any creature immediately after successfully hitting it with a Jaws attack. Swallow Whole: The Two-Frilled Sandrunner may attempt to Swallow Whole any creature of size Large or smaller that it currently has Grabbed. The creature must succeed at an Athletics check vs the victim's Reflex DC. On success, the target suffers 2d10+7 bludgeoning damage immediately, and again at the and of every turn during which it remains swalloed. Swallowed creatures have the Grabbed condition, and the Slowed 1 condition. Furthermore, the creature must hold its breath or begin suffocating. Only one creature of size Large may be swallowed whole. Multiple creatures of size M or smaller can be Swallowed, however. Once a creature has been swalloed, the Two-Frilled Sandrunner's jaws are now free to attack another target.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Two-Frilled Sandrunner is a large quadripedal lizard. It is characterized (and distinguished from its close relative, the Single-Frilled Sandrunner) by the arrangement of flexible "spines" that run along its back. Two rows, about 1ft (30cm) apart begin where the neck joins the back of the skull. The spacing widens to about 1.5ft (45cm) midway between the shoulders and hips before tapering to meet where the tail meets the body. A single row of the spines continues down the length of the tail. In most specimens, the spine length tapers down towards the tip of the tail, but in a few, the last several spikes are actually elongated and harder than the rest. There is some discussion as to whether these "Spike-tailed Two-Frills" should be considered a separate species, but they seem to be able to mate freely and produce viable offspring when paired with Two-Frills that do not have the more formidable tail spikes.

Growth Rate & Stages

Two-frilled Sandrunners are hatched from leathery-shelled eggs that average about six inches (15cm) across. Hatchlings are no more than about a foot (30cm) in length from head to tail. The creatures grow rapidly, however, reaching a size suitable for single riders or light pack duty within two years, and achieving full size in three to four years.

Ecology & Habitats

The natural habitat of the Two-Frilled Sandrunner is the desert. In domestic use, however, they are capable of living in any land-based habitat, and can be found all over Cartyrion. The occasional "escapee" has proven to be capable of surviving in all habitats except perhaps swamplands.

Oi, Norbert, get over to the stockyards and bring back four goats. Gotta feed them two-frills that came in this morning with that ratfolk trader. Gods, it give me the willies to watch 'em chow down on the poor critters... three or four bites and *poof*... no more goat.

— Baron's Point livery stable owner to stableboy

Dietary Needs

The creatures are primarily insectivores, feeding on the giant burrowing insectoids of the desert, but domesticated creatures will gladly devour sheep, deer, goats, or even cattle as well.

Biological Cycle

Two-Frilled Lizards are capable of mating and laying eggs by about three years of age. A female will lay a clutch of six eggs on average; these require four months to develop. Up to two clutches per year can be produced by a single female.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Wild Sandrunners can be found throughout the Great Basin Desert. Those domesticated for use as pack animals by the Chittiki can be found on trade routes throughout the world.

Perception and Sensory Capabilties

Two-Frilled Sandrunners have an exceptional sense of smell. As with most lizards, this sense involves flicking the forked tongue out rapidly and then pressing it against aroma sensors in the upper palatte of the mouth. Two-Frilled Lizards can detect presence and approximate direction of prey up to sixty feet away using this sense.

The eyes are placed to permit binocular vision straight ahead; the creature relies on eyesight for final location of prey when hunting. Hearing is less acute than that of the Folk, but special pressure-sensitive points on the lizard's feet allow it to detect minute vibrations of creatures that may have burrowed into the ground to avoid detection.

Credits

Page background cathedral Image by 5163451 on Pixabay
Page background manor house image by Josef Pichler on Pixabay
Page background hut image by PamelaAndrey15 on Pixabay
Page background forest image by Waldkunst on Pixabay
Character portraits by RPGDinosaurBob on Hero Forge®