Page 124 - Serpent Kingdoms

REALMS

Life and Society The western arm of the Deepwash, known as Shalane Lake,
is much shallower than the rest of the lake and largely free of
The lizardfolk of Surkh have attained a degree of civilization
the dragon turtle’s depredations. Humans from the Shining
unmatched by their kindred elsewhere in Faerûn. Despite their
Plains and Erlkazar usually confi ne their fi shing expeditions to
isolationism, however, their practice of eating both humanoids
this end of the Deepwash.
convicted of serious crimes and the losers of deadly gladiato-
Spines of Surkh: The southwesternmost peaks of the
rial battles engenders fear among the Scaleless Ones in the
Deepwing Mountains, which overlook and encircle the City
surrounding city-states.
of Lizards, are known as the Spines of Surkh. Because the
Surkhites evince a high degree of loyalty for their monarch,
Surkhites bury their dead amidst these mountains, the region is
King Griss’tok (CN male lizard king barbarian 9). Griss’tok re-
littered with shallow tombs. Semuanya’s clerics are somewhat lax
mains an enigma to outsiders because he receives nonlizardfolk
about erecting wards around such crypts, so many of them have
visitors only if they speak Draconic, and then only rarely. A coun-
become home to scaled undead creatures, particularly ghouls.
cil of tribal chieftains advises the king, but since he can promote
At least three of the crypts in this area house the bodies of
or demote them as desired, they usually accede to his will.
Okothian sarrukh. Crypt looting is a crime in Surkh, and anyone
Although traditional clan and tribal distinctions remain in
caught in such an enterprise is consumed alive.
force in Surkhite society, Griss’tok actively discourages such
loyalties, regularly issuing edicts that force various clans and
tribes to unite or divide to weaken their importance. Surkhites Important Sites
are expected to settle their individual and collective differences
Only a few points of interest stand out from the generally peace-
through ritualized gladiatorial combat at the Arena of Scales.
ful land of Surkh.
Gladiators can be hired to serve as proxies for one or both parties
Arena of Scales: This vast amphitheater in the heart of
to a dispute, but the battle’s outcome must be honored whether
Surkh is rivaled only by those in Manshaka and Reth. The
or not the principals physically participate.
structure is fashioned to resemble a circle of carved stone dino-
Most Surkhites dwell in houses fashioned of baked mudbricks
saurs with their necks, limbs, and tails intertwined. Gladiatorial
that are built around shaded, communal pools. Labor is confi ned
events are held here twice each tenday, drawing large crowds on
to the early morning and late evening hours so that most Surkh-
a regular basis. Although the majority of the gladiators are liz-
ites can retreat to the cooling waters during the hottest portion
ardfolk, other races (particularly humans) can earn good money
of the day. Many of Surkh’s inhabitants work as fi sherfolk, har-
fi ghting on the Scaled Field as proxies of the various factions.
vesting the bounty of the sea, and most of the remainder are
Most combats are not to the death; they simply end when one
employed as soldiers or gladiators.
side or the other yields. However, should any participant or spon-
sor demand a battle to the death, the loser is eaten by the king
Major Geographical Features or one of his nobles.
Deepwing Portal: In the Spines of Surkh, high above the
Surkh claims some of the most beautiful landmarks in all
City of Lizards, stands a portal in the form of a stone slab with
of Faerûn.
serpentine symbols inscribed on its eastern side. This portal links
Deepwash: So named for its unplumbed depths, the Deep-
the Vilhon Reach with the mouth of the Great Petrifi ed Serpent
wash is the largest freshwater lake between the Shining Sea and
in the Serpent Hills. Although the lizardfolk of Surkh lay claim
the Sea of Fallen Stars. Its clear, cold water teems with count-
to this region, several yuan-ti in the employ of the Serpent Sibyl
less kinds of fi sh in suffi cient quantity to feed most of Surkh
have recently built a small fort around the portal, which they
without seriously depleting the supply. Drained by tributaries
have defended against repeated assaults.
fl owing from the Cloven, Deepwing, and Snowfl ake Mountains
The portal activates only when the early-morning sunlight
and from Impresk Lake, the Deepwash is drained in turn by the
shines full upon the stone. During this period, any creature
Wintercloak River.
touching the stone is drawn through the portal and deposited
The Deepwash is the home of an immense dragon turtle
in the petrifi ed serpent’s mouth in the midst of the Serpent
(advanced to 36 HD), which is known only as the Dragon of
Hills. The nature of the portal makes its defense particularly
the Deeps. Surkhite fi sherfolk regard death in the creature’s
important, since traveling yuan-ti typically arrive at the stone
jaws as an honor, though not one that they actively seek. Some
several hours before it can operate and need a safe place to wait
sects within the city respect the Dragon of the Deeps to the
for dawn.
point of worship and make periodic offerings to it, though the
Shrine of the First Lizard: Beneath the streets of Surkh
beast has never acknowledged such veneration in any way. The
lies the Shrine of the First Lizard, a house of worship for the
dragon turtle lairs in a fl ooded, subterranean cavern system
Cult of Tiamat. Led by Deiros Forktongue (LE male Mulan
that winds its way deep beneath the Spines of Surkh, opening
human cleric 9 of Tiamat/hierophant 5 of Tiamat) and Fire
into the lake several hundred feet below the surface. Some-
of the First Lizard Ssenidak Wyrmspear (LE male lizardfolk
where within this maze lies the terminus of a one-way portal
fi ghter 5/cleric 9 of Tiamat/divine champion 5 of Tiamat),
from the Dragon Eyrie.
the Dragon Queen’s followers are growing rapidly in strength
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