Lizardfolk

History:

LIzardfolk are a race founded during the second seeing and seeded on the continent of Norshmarsh. They had no contact with the kingdoms of man or dwarves as their civilsation grew and expanded. 

It is said that as their race grew, an ancient green dragon had tried to conquer and enslave them, only to be defeated by a legendary lizardfolk named Maz’rok in single combat in a battle than laste ten days and ten nights. The truth of such tale is hard to judge for that was before even the lizardfolk had discovered how to write.

The Lizardfolk stayed mostly isolated throughout the times. Unlike the humans or dwarves they build no empire or kingdom, instead staying in small tribes and conclaves which occasionally warred with each other. They were eventually found late into the second age by Imperial explorers. Initial contacts were peaceful and the Imperials began to set up outpost and began to trade with the local tribes. The largest of these outposts was named New Fauna.

Yet on night on 912 AE, the outpost on New Fauna was destroyed and the thousand of the Imperial citizens slaughtered. The reason for this attack to this day is shrouded in mystery, the Empire believes it unprovoked while the Lizardfolk claims in their tail it was retaliation for humans intruding their lands.

Whatever the reason for the next thirty years, a great war occured as the Imperials attempted to exact revenge as well as colonise the lands of Naskmoth. Imperial forces were more organised, equipped and armed with steel arms and armour along with artillery. The lizardfolk’s magic was more primitive and less refined compared to the Empire’s. Yet the lizardfolk had great numbers but they were scattered across a thousand tribes. Nevertheless their home field advantage which they used to devastating effect was a major source of the Imperial’s headache. The Empire could not make advances deep in the dense swarms and jungle of Naskmoth as the lizardfolk learned to avoid field battles and instead rely on ambush tactics. 

The lizardfolk soon realise that despite the Empire was unable to push deep inland, the coast of Naskmoth was firmly in Imperial control.  The lizardfolk tribes now began to realise that a leader was needed to unite the scattered tribes and drive the Imperials back

Then came Gro’zuk of the Swordfang tribes, his father had commanded his tribes forces against Imperial incursions yet Gro’zuk was not like his father. He had seen enough of the Imperial’s wanton atrocity and wanted no more. Thus, one by one he united the lizardfolk tribe under him through clever diplomacy or brute strength. With that he marched against the Imperial colonies. Gro’zuk used the Imperial’s pride against them, he marched in broad daylight and open fields and lured the Imperials into a massive battle. Eager for a quick decisive victory, the Imperial’s rushed out to meet him but ran straight in Gro’zuk trap. In the battle of the hollow hills, An imperial army of nine thousand was surrounded and destroyed. With the Imperial colonies now undefended, Gro’zuk instead insured and ultimatum, forcing the Imperials to treat on equal terms. The Imperials would be confined to their outpost and were forced to treat the lizardfolk as equal partners. Gro’zuk also instituted that in times when the lizardfolk race was threatened, all the tribes must come together and choose one to lead for they could not be bullied again. An invitation to join the Empire was entertained but rebuffed by Gro’zuk who wished the lizardfolk to be left with minimal contact. Many times ambitious colonist or imperials would try to expand only to be crushed by the lizardfolk

Thus the lizardfolk remained as great crisis and wars raged over Allurian. Lizardfolk occasionally departed their continent but most remained there. The arrival of the Elves was a period of change for the lizardfolk as they settled in the deepwood forest of Iladrin which many lizardfolk had avoided. The Elves were cautious and far less passive. Eventually however by 1571AE the Elves had began to settle in Iladrin, they offered peace and cooperation to tend to the deepwoods with the lizardfolk. Some refused while others were happy to cooperate. Small conflicts were had between Elves and their lizardfolk allies against those wishing the Elves to leave.Though eventually the opposing lizardfolk either left the deepwood or became part of the deepwood realms. 

The lizardfolk were eventually contacted by the newly formed coalition in 1613AE, offering membership in their alliance. Initially the offer was rebuffed but the lizardfolk tribes through careful diplomacy by the Coalition voted in favour for the status quo would change little except now they were given greater protection in the event of an Imperial invasion.

During the crisis of the far realms. Forces from Sogomere invaded and attacked Naskmoth. The lizardfolk chose the leader of the spearscale tribe Sa’druk to lead the lizardfolk defence of their homeland. Without cultist or cults and with the lizardfolk seemingly resistant to many of the tools used by the forces of Sogomere, the demons found themselves in inhospitable terrain and greatly outnumbered. The initial incursions were crushed and the lizardfolk forced the demons to flee and shut the portals. 

The lizardfolk have contributed volunteer warriors to the Coalition but have remained mostly away from civilisation keeping to themselves. Despite that, they are a formidable power when provoked. 

Biology:

Lizardfolk are sturdy and hardy creatures that despite their large size and rather undexterous form can be rather stealthy. They have an extremely good sense of smell and have eyes that can see in the dark. They have extremely muscled tails with sharp claws and teeth. Some lizardfolk have bodies that produce poison, how a lizardfolk get such attributes is unknown, but it’s suspected all lizardfolk have such abilities but is more apparent on some of their kind. 

They live for 60 years and stand slightly below dragonborns. To reproduce, they lay eggs. 

Culture

Lizardfolk have a tribal culture but it is not one based on brute strength, lizardfolk value intelligence and cunning and are in general skilled in magic. The lizardfolk prefer magic in the druidic ways but also sorcery and shun traditional arcane magic.

Lizardfolk culture varies from tribe to tribe but all share certain themes. They are in general very primal in certain ways such as table manners, food gathering and love. The lizardfolk acquire a large portion of their food through foraging and hunting though they know and do farm. They live in huts and have only a single city, the city of Dosx’tal which is in truth a large connection of tree houses and huts rather than buildings. 

Common values that lizardfolk share is a sense of duty to their tribe and a lizardfolk often adheres to their tribe’s values.

A lizardfolk tribe’s leader will be chosen often by an election by the various lizardfolk members above the age of fifteen. The leader often then creates a council who will help lead the tribe. Though before contact with the Empire Lizardfolk had no currency, following it, they had slowly used currency throughout their lives. Often however, a tribe often provides for its own in exchange for service and uses currency for trading with other tribes.

Like all the races of Allurian, the lizardfolk follow the gods yet they only worship a part and almost never worship others. Gods such as Sarinin and Lirienoix are never worshipped while Marnous and Arilorin are almost universally worshipped. 

It is said that some lizardfolk tribes are capable of taming large ferocious beasts known as dinosaurs while it is even whispered some lizardfolk worship and work under dragons, notably green. 

Military:

The Lizardfolk rely heavily on infantry and in some cases dinosaurs. Often in battle they are led by an old-blood, veteran member of their tribe to help give them much needed coordination and discipline.

Individual lizardfolk are dangerous warriors, they are strong and tough and fight with a primal ferocity unmatched by any race. Dinosaurs that they bring to combat are creatures of terrifying power that can terror rout entire units of infantry. Lizardfolk also are excellent at ambushes and skirmishes, equipped with blowpipes, small forces of lizardfolk can whittle down entire armies with ambushes.  Their warriors are equipped with clubs and javelins are adept at using these weapons against most foes

Yet the lizardfolk are not without weaknesses, they lack artillery, archers or crossbows and their warriors' ferocity can often be a weakness as it is a strength. While lizardfolk are relatively cowered and terrified, they can easily be outmanoeuvred thanks to their lack of discipline compared to other professional armies. 

Norshmarsh, the land of the lizards.

Norshmarsh is a vast inhospitable land filled with swarms and tropical rainforest. Ancient temples and cities lay buried under the vast flora and fauna of the land. It is inhabited by fearsome creatures dubbed “dinosaurs' ' On the north lay the deepwood of Iladrin which is considered under the realms of the deepwood while to its eastern and western shore lay outposts and colonies of both the Coalition  and the Empire which trade and interact with the lizardfolk. Deep inside the lands then lay the lizardfolk capital of Dosx’tal. 

Opinions towards the races:

Human: “They can vary, yet they all share one thing, greed. That is not so bad because they are often kind about it and bring goods from their lands. They think of us as simple beings but why do we care? We proved to them we will not be conquered by them.” 

Dwarf:  “Pride and stubborn, they make some of the finest metal you can find but they have a pride even humans do not have. It is a pleasure seeing them swallow it for they know they are powerless here.” 

Elf:  “Strange folk these Elf things are, they conquered the strange woods where most do not dare tread. We may have feared it but for them to take it so easily and make it their home is of concern.”

Dragonborn “Look so similar to us, like the dragons that reside here. There must be a connection, we must be wary of them.”

Halfling/Gnomes(lizardfolk barely notice let alone care about the difference) : “A funny thing, always cheerful and always willing to trade. They lack the greed man have, a pity that there are more humans than them. Be careful though, some are more tricky than others.”