Page 37 - Serpent Kingdoms

LIZARDS

their enemies, but these techniques still remain effective, since Firenewt Society
their enemies don’t know where a surprise attack might origi-
Firenewt tribes living in close proximity to one another are
nate. Since most fi renewts live in mountain peaks, they tend
almost never on friendly terms. At the best of times, they
to concentrate their raids against other groups of fi renewts as
ignore each other, and at the worst they fi ght vicious wars. In
well as other humanoids, such as goblins, orcs, and other moun-
fact, fi renewts are more likely to be at war with their own kind
tain-dwelling creatures. Firenewts are a constant source of
than they are with other hated races. Whether or not a war has
harassment to the Bedine tribes of the Anauroch desert, and re-
been declared, the greatest honor a fi renewt raiding party can
cently the Bedines have devoted enormous resources to seeking
achieve is to fi nd the hatching chambers of a rival tribe and
out fi renewt settlements and destroying them.
destroy its eggs.
A typical fi renewt community is ruled by a single over-
THE LEGEND OF INFERNO
lord—typically the most charismatic individual in the tribe.
Traditionally, fi renewts use the giant striders native to the
The overlord’s primary function is to plan raids, assign fi renewt
Flame Vault on Tuern as mounts. How they acquired such
warriors to various trade routes, and ensure that his subjects are
mounts, however, is a matter of some speculation, since no
properly trained and combat-ready. Although fi renewts fi ght
fi renewt has ever actually visited this location.
constantly if given the chance, only the overlord actually has
According to legend, a red dragon of the Starmounts by the
the power to declare war upon enemies. In many cases, he may
name of Inferno once sought a small cadre of fi re-based crea-
choose to harass enemies with quick raids or other actions that
tures to serve him. Seeing the fi renewts of the Peaks of Flame
require fewer resources than an all-out war.
during one of his forays and deciding that they were well quali-
While the overlord makes the major decisions for a fi renewt
fi ed to be his underlings, he approached them with a proposal:
tribe, clerics of Kossuth oversee the day-to-day functions. These
In exchange for the service of a large band of fi renewts, he
spiritual leaders decide which of their captive humans or human-
would provide the colony with an immense pile of gold that the
oids will become meals, attend to the welfare of the tribe, and
residents could use to recast their statue of Kossuth. The fi re-
offer healing as needed.
newts, who had seen mounted knights and recognized the value
Firenewts prefer to dine on humanoids of almost any kind.
of mounts in combat, made a counterproposal. If the dragon
They can survive on the meat of herd animals, wild beasts, or
could fi nd a creature that the fi renewts could ride and breed,
even rodents, but they resort to such fare only when they are
they would give him fi fty of their warriors.
completely out of their preferred food. If there are multiple
Inferno agreed and left to seek suitable creatures. Several
humanoids are available, fi renewts always select humans fi rst,
months later, he returned carrying an immense bag fi lled with
followed by elves, dwarves, and then other humanoids. Firenewt
giant strider eggs, which he presented to the fi renewts along with
tradition holds that brutally torturing creatures before death
instructions for hatching them. The fi renewts hatched the eggs
makes them tastier. Once the meat has been cooked, the clerics
and quickly discovered the usefulness of the giant striders. In re-
eat the juiciest parts, then distribute the rest among the other
turn, they honored their agreement and selected fi fty fi renewt
members of the tribe.
warriors to follow Inferno, whom they served for the remainder
Societal laws vary from tribe to tribe. The most commonly
of their lives.
addressed offenses are murder and the theft of food. While
the overlord can step in and judge such matters if desired, the
Outlook tribal clerics handle most of the criminal proceedings. Death is
the most common penalty for those found guilty of offenses.
Despite their society’s apparent orderliness, fi renewts are ex-
Such killings tend to be even more brutal than the torture of
treme sadists. They delight in the torture of virtually every
humanoids slated for meals. A condemned fi renewt is tortured
creature, especially sentient ones such as humans and other
for a minimum of three days. After various body parts have
humanoids. Firenewts often become enemies or rivals of one
been removed, stabbed, or sliced open, the fi renewt is treated
another, fi ghting over assets, social standing, or mates. Murder
with sarsson, an herb that giant striders fi nd irresistible, and fed
is common within any given tribe, though fear of retribution
alive to his own mount.
from the slain fi renewt’s family, the clerics, or even the overlord
prevents numerous killings. The most expedient way of elimi-
RELATIONSHIPS
nating a rival is simply not to aid him during a battle, allowing
Firenewts take mates within their own tribes as they please,
him to be overwhelmed by opponents. When such a solution
but such relationships rarely last long. The ambition of these
is not feasible, simply slaying the rival and hiding or destroy-
creatures and their propensity for treachery far outweigh their
ing his body is the next most common means of elimination.
loyalty to any individual. Likewise, the membership of an indi-
Though everyone knows the missing fi renewt’s probably fate,
vidual warband always remains fl uid, allowing for a change of
the standard assumption is that he simply wandered elsewhere
venue when disagreements threaten the stability of a group.
and failed to return.
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