Page 42 - Serpent Kingdoms

LIZARDS

Faerûn, never divulging their purpose or their feelings about to fi ght and restore the wounded to health rather than by the
external issues. Some hide their settlements well; others fre- spiritual guidance they can provide.
quently relocate to avoid confrontation with any natives who On the other hand, the khaastas venerate their ancestors
might seek to destroy them. almost as gods. Each khaasta learns the names and deeds of
Outcast wizards and sorcerers typically roam, often stum- past generations for as far back as the older clan members can
bling from one dangerous situation to another, until they are recall. Such information is passed down in the oral tradition
eventually killed or wander into groups of mercenaries or other and never written down. Before going into battle or facing some
evil-aligned creatures that prize their abilities. Occasionally, a other trial, the khaastas call not upon the favor of Sess’innek,
khaasta fi nds herself in the company of good creatures, whom but upon the blessings of their ancestors. Periodically, each clan
she quickly labels as weak. Such alliances are usually doomed to performs ceremonies of remembrance to honor the lives of
failure because of the friction such an attitude generates within their ancestors.
the group.
Relations with Other Races
Magic of the Khaastas
Despite their innately vicious nature and traditionally short
Khaastas are not naturally inclined toward arcane spellcasting— tempers, the khaastas have mounted no attacks on the civilized
in fact, in the Barrens of Doom and Despair, khaastas that can regions of Faerûn. In fact, they have taken care to maintain
use arcane magic are almost unheard of. Normally, the khaastas amicable relations with all the civilized creatures they have en-
simply call upon their demonic allies to provide magic for them countered, so as to prevent splintering of their power through
when needed. The demons typically oblige such requests more local confl icts. A few orcish tribes ousted from their territory by
out of hatred for whatever beings the khaastas are fi ghting than the newcomers have attempted to strike back, but their attacks
any loyalty they feel toward their allies. have been both costly and ineffective.
The war with the sarrukh, however, has caused the khaastas
to revise their way of thinking to some degree. Their strategy of Khaasta Equipment
placing near-permanent settlements in Faerûn while raiding sar-
rukh strongholds from their home plane has created a need for In addition to their birth swords, khaastas prize fi ne weapons
magic that allows them to move between the planes. Sess’innek and armor above all else. Though khaastas rarely make their
initially provided them with such magic, but they have since own magic items, many sport magic weapons or armor that
acquired a large number of magic items that allow planar travel they have taken from enemies or received as gifts from their
as well. demonic allies.
In Faerûn, khaasta wizards and other wielders of arcane
magic are beginning to appear. But because the khaastas are Lizard Kings
superstitious folk by nature, those who have learned to use magic
are often rejected by their tribes upon returning to their planar Lizard kings (or lizard queens, as the females are called) are
homes. This practice has led a few small groups of khaastas half-fi end lizardfolk that have assumed the leadership of nu-
to carve out permanent homes for themselves in Faerûn. Such merous lizardfolk tribes throughout Faerûn. Violent, chaotic,
outcasts normally fi nd work in mercenary bands of other races, and evil, they lord their power over their subjects, driving them
but a few have discovered lizardfolk tribes and taken up residence to war with surrounding settlements. Most lizard kings seek to
as their shamans. conquer rival lizardfolk tribes and subjugate them under their
rule. Because they worship the demon Sess’innek, lizard kings
Deities of the Khaastas recognize the khaastas as potential allies and aid them when
called upon.
Khaastas venerate the demonic Sess’innek rather than an actual
deity. The worship of Sess’innek has more to do with the ar- Overview
rangements previous generations of khaastas made with him
than with any actual respect on the part of those currently Lizardfolk tribes under the rule of lizard kings tend to be more
living. advanced than those without such leaders. They typically employ
The khaastas are not particularly religious, which is fi ne with higher technology, making their weapons and armor out of steel
Sess’innek as long as they fulfi ll the minimum requirements he rather than natural materials. Such tribes generally form perma-
sets forth—namely a certain number of sacrifi ces in his name. nent settlements complete with stone or wood dwellings, rather
The khaastas sacrifi ce approximately one out of ten prisoners to than roaming the wilderness as nomads. Their tactics in combat
Sess’innek. Clerics exist, though they do not receive their spells are also more organized, allowing them to hold formations and
from Sess’innek, and their value is measured by their ability use traps to advantage. Lizardfolk under the leadership of a

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