Page 36 - Serpent Kingdoms

LIZARDS

Firenewts Racial History

Whatever the circumstances of their creation, fi renewts origi-
Firenewts live in hot spots, primarily volcanic regions and des-
nated in the Firelands more than 15,000 years ago. Over time,
erts. These bipedal monstrous humanoids are as warlike as the
fi renewt raiding parties pushed up into the Peaks of Flame via
asabis, but not as loyal.
lava tubes that connected the Burning Rift with the volcanoes
above. From there, they spread into the surrounding jungles.
Overview Had it not been for the intervention of the yuan-ti, fi renewts
would probably never have roamed beyond Chult.
Though they are distantly related to the lizardfolk, fi renewts
In the early days of the Serpentes Empire, the yuan-ti discov-
are unlike many of the other scaly races because they were not
ered the fi renewts. Recognizing their aptitude for combat, the
created by the sarrukh. Some sages have suggested that a few
yuan-ti immediately enlisted the aid of their new acquaintances
lizardfolk wandered into the Firelands (the Underdark region
on the fi eld of battle. The fi renewts utilized a “hammer-and-an-
that lies below the Jungles of Chult) and slowly evolved into fi -
vil” tactic that involved placing a visible unit directly ahead of
renewts, while others believe that these creatures were the result
their enemies and a larger unit just out of view. Once their ene-
of magical experimentation.
mies drew close to the smaller, visible unit, the larger one struck
from the sides with melee and breath weapons. Meanwhile, the
Description smaller unit peppered the foe with arrows. This tactic, heretofore
unseen in Faerûn, proved remarkably effective against enemy
A fi renewt resembles a bipedal lizard with a long tail. Its hands
skirmish units.
are clawed, and its reversed knees give it an exceptional capacity
By the time Serpentes fell, fi renewts had spread throughout
for running and jumping. Its skin is a blotchy sepia color that
Faerûn. The great armies of the empire disbanded, leaving isolated
is darkest along the spine, fading to near-white on the belly. Its
colonies of fi renewts all over the continent. Although they could
lizardlike face is smooth and unremarkable save for its large,
have journeyed back to the Peaks of Flame, most of the fi renewts
inky-black eyes.
were one or two generations removed from those who had quit
Firenewt warriors wear armor and usually fi ght with swords
their ancestral homeland to fi ght for the serpentfolk. A few made
or other martial weapons. They prefer mounted combat, and
the return trek, but most settled in other volcanic peaks through-
most train giant striders as mounts. Statistics for both fi renews
out Faerûn, and a few made new homes in the deserts.
and giant striders appear in
Since their resettlement across the continent, fi renewts have
Monsters of Faerûn.
been a menace to travelers and those species unlucky enough
to live near them. Their surprise tactics are legendary among

Firenewts on giant striders

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