Page 45 - Serpent Kingdoms

LIZARDS

Magic of the Lizard Kings Relations with Other Races

Most lizard kings use magic items that they have taken in trib- Lizard kings see humans, elves, dwarves, and other humanoids
ute from conquered tribes or won in combat. Few, however, make as food, not as allies or neighbors. Most scaly creatures are
their own, though tribal clerics keep the lizard kings supplied also not welcomed as allies by tribes under the rule of the
with healing items. lizard kings. Because lizard kings don’t worship any aspect of
the World Serpent, they consider any creatures that do so as
Deities of the Lizard Kings enemies of the tribe. Khaastas, who also worship Sess’innek,
are viewed as elite soldiers fi ghting for the same cause. Lizard
Lizard kings worship the demon Sess’innek. Since most are kings may also permit trade with fi renewts, and short-term
not clerics, they appoint lizardfolk within their tribes as alliances may form between the two races to deal with threats
priests and shamans to see to the spiritual needs of their peo- from other species. But lizard kings fear the fi renewts’ elemen-
ple. All members of a tribe under the control of a lizard king tal nature, so they keep such allies well away from combustible
must worship Sess’innek and no other. But Sess’innek needs items and structures.
still more worshipers in order to ascend to true godhood, so
lizard kings do their best to increase their patron’s following. Lizard King Equipment
When a tribe expands because of conquest, the survivors are
offered the option of joining the conquering tribe and wor- Lizard kings always use the fi nest equipment available, usually
shiping Sess’innek, or death. Clerics from opposing faiths are of masterwork quality or better.
slain on sight.
Sess’innek requires regular sacrifi ces in his name, but little Troglodytes and Trens
else. Because this simple form of worship is not greatly differ-
ent from that practiced by the faithful of the World Serpent, Troglodytes and trens are similar creatures that inhabit the same
lizardfolk absorbed from other tribes often fi nd it easy to con- environments and often live together in the same settlements.
vert to the worship of Sess’innek. Those that have diffi culty Both prefer cold, moist areas deep underground.
making the transition are savagely beaten until their faith “in-
creases.” Those caught worshiping another deity after claiming Overview
conversion are sacrifi ced.
The compulsion for lizard kings to eat the fl esh of creatures The sarrukh of Mhairshaulk created troglodytes to explore
from the Material Plane is supported by religious ceremony. subterranean areas and guard their underground strongholds
Twice a week, the lizard king holds a late-night ceremony in against incursions by Underdark races. The trens were the magi-
which a prisoner is brought to a dais in the temple. The victim cally enhanced results of yuan-ti breeding experiments between
is fi rmly secured and kept conscious throughout the ceremo- troglodytes and lizardfolk that took place long after the fall of
ny. The clerics lead the tribe in a prayer to Sess’innek. While the sarrukh.
the lizardfolk continue to chant and pray, the victim’s heart Both races regularly attack creatures passing through their
is cleaved from its chest and presented, still beating, to the territories. The trens fi ght in the front lines, keeping their op-
lizard king, who promptly eats it. The clerics then divide up ponents occupied, while the troglodytes throw javelins from a
the corpse, presenting the largest portion to the lizard king distance or employ other ranged weapons.
for consumption. Troglodytes encountered without trens usually prepare am-
Lizardfolk with a bent toward divine magic often become bushes for their foes. Their front ranks attack with clubs, while
druids. While druidic lizardfolk are not forbidden, lizard kings the others move in to fl ank opponents and attack with natural
strongly encourage devotion to Sess’innek. Thus, lizardfolk that weapons. Meanwhile, troglodyte javelin throwers attempt to hit
pursue a druidic path are usually shoehorned into the clergy of any enemies who try to use magic.
Sess’innek, and their divergent abilities are explained to the rest Trens encountered without troglodytes usually prefer to
of the lizardfolk as “following a different path of faith.” In make a frontal attack against their enemies with martial
truth, they venerate their own deities to the same extent as the weapons, while archers behind their own lines take aim at
rest of the lizardfolk venerate Sess’innek, but they remain with whichever opponents seem easiest to hit.
the clergy to gain the support of the king. Lizardfolk druids
that speak out against this artifi cial structure are challenged Description
by the lizard king and the clergy of Sess’innek, then quickly
subdued, sacrifi ced, and eaten. The two races are physically very similar, though the trens tend
to be stronger, more imposing, and less intelligent. A troglodyte
is shorter than a typical human and has long arms. It walks
erect on squat legs and has a long, narrow tail that it uses for

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