Page 46 - Serpent Kingdoms

LIZARDS

balance. A tren is slightly larger than a troglodyte but more creatures for favors and magic. Ultimately, the trens’ odor
muscular. Its tail is longer and wider than a troglodyte’s, and its proved too offensive to their new masters, so almost all were
limbs are more proportionate to its body. Troglodyte statistics set free. The yuan-ti also kept a large number of the trens,
appear on page 246 of the Monster Manual; tren statistics are which still serve them.
provided on page 87. The trens that had been released from service formed mer-
cenary groups, many of which set out in search of troglodytes
Racial History to serve. The troglodytes were initially suspicious, but when it
became apparent that the trens would be willing to follow trog-
The sarrukh of Mhairshaulk originally used troglodytes to lodyte leaders and not attempt to take control of
explore the region of the Underdark now called the settlements, they were welcomed and fully
Serpent Deeps. These agents brought back useful incorporated into many troglodyte
reports on the civilizations of aboleths, il- communities.
lithids, and other creatures that could
potentially pose a threat to the sar- Outlook
rukh. Alarmed at this information,
the sarrukh sent the troglodytes deep Both troglodytes and trens perceive the
underground to act as sentries and world as a cold and hostile place fi lled
warn them should any major invasions with creatures that are bent on destroy-
forces appear. ing them. This viewpoint is not entirely
The denizens of the Underdark were incorrect, since they are hated by both
eventually dismissed as minor threats, good- and evil-aligned creatures be-
since they proved unable to cooperate in race that seems to have a use for either
cause of their senseless attacks. The only
Illustration by Wayne England attempts were made to claim sarrukh generally prefer the trens because they are
large enough groups to mount a reason-
of them is the yuan-ti, and the vrael olo
able offense against the sarrukh. A few
more capable in battle. Rejected by nearly
territory, but they all failed thanks to
the troglodytes’ early warnings.
every other creature because of their rela-
tive weakness and overpowering stench, the
When the sarrukh empire fi nally
fell, the troglodytes disappeared from
Mhairshaulk into the depths below.
try to destroy any other intelligent
From there, they spread throughout troglodytes take comfort in isolation and
creatures within their reach.
most of Faerûn, establishing settlements Because both the troglodytes and the
near underground water sources where they could prey trens have been servitor races in the past,
on the various wild creatures that lived in the Underdark. they prefer to follow the most powerful
Troglodyte cleric
Their settlements prospered to such an extent that troglo- and tren monk creature that wishes to rule them. Since
dytes eventually ranked among the most common creatures most other creatures avoid them, their
in the Underdark. leaders are usually the strongest among their own kind.
When the yuan-ti rose to prominence under the leadership
of Sseth, they sought a servitor race to aid them in becoming Troglodyte and Tren Society
the new masters of Faerûn. Many groups of troglodytes were
rounded up and forced to serve in the armies of Serpentes. A troglodyte tribe follows the most powerful individual—male
Soon, however, it became clear that although the troglodytes or female. This chieftain appoints the next most powerful war-
had been successful in the Underdark, their physical power riors as subchiefs, who in turn lead bands of warriors on raids.
left much to be desired. Thus, the yuan-ti decided to try The chieftain rules the tribe until either she is slain in battle
altering them. The sarrukh magic that had allowed the trans- or her health declines to a point where she can no longer fi ght
formation of scaly creatures into other forms had long since effectively. At that time, the tribe selects a new leader, often
been lost, so the yuan-ti bred the strongest troglodytes with discarding all the old subchiefs in favor of younger warriors who
the most powerful lizardfolk and treated the eggs daily with have recently proven themselves in battle.
the bull’s strength spell. The result was the tren, a creature Noncombatants are few in troglodyte society. The females
more physically powerful but less intelligent than either of battle alongside the males and are no less ferocious. The young
its parent races. join raiding parties consisting of twenty to thirty troglodytes
The yuan-ti used the trens to defend and expand Serpen- as soon as they are able to hold weapons. Each tribe, however,
tes. After its fall, many trens were traded to other powerful does have designated hunters and gatherers. These troglodytes

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