Saurid

Saurid or Lizardmen are a sentient anthropomorphic lizard people found within Aelyria.

Abstract​

The saurids, or lizard men, are a mysterious people hailing from the lands west of Aelyria. They have a rich and colorful history of enslavement and while those who managed to escape the brutality of the slavers mostly keep to their people; they are known to wander into other communities from time to time. They have the unique ability of racial memory, allowing knowledge of the past to be shared among their clansmen.

History and Origins​

It is commonly speculated amongst scholars that the history of the saurid pre-dates all other sentient life known to Telath by several millennia. Indeed, on the rare occasion one can be questioned, they frequently speak of a time before the “soft skins” came, hinting towards things that verge almost on the blasphemous in the eyes of Aelyria’s religious leaders. It is because of this, coupled with misconceptions through out the empire, that many of the Peoples have come to the conclusion that this species should have long ago been wiped from the planet's surface.

Physical Appearance​

Depending on the type of saurid, the people ranges from a bipedal height of 6 – 7.5’ with females tending to be larger than their male counterparts. They have a hide covered in interconnected scales, though the size and shape of these vary by habitat, with the underbellies tend towards lighter shades. These scales cover the majority of their bodies and tails, but are smaller and finer around the mouth, nose, and eyes. They as well seem to show little to almost no fatty tissue beneath these scales, and it is believed they have a higher concentration of muscles than most mammalian Peoples. Because of this, they are often stronger and faster than they may first appear.

Each type has a very reptilian snout, some with teeth while others a bony ridge instead. Most of these have forked tongues, though there are those who have a more flexible though tough tongue. Saurids have sharp claws on both hands and feet, better-suited for finding purchase for climbing and running than for holding tools and weapons. The tail is flexible, with some individuals' tails prehensile enough to grasp small trees. Most saurids disdain this use, viewing the tail as a means of balance rather than as a weapon or a limb for grasping.

Culture and Society​

A typical Saurid tribe is lead by a Council of Elders, made up of the oldest and wisest members of the tribe, members who might not be as capable of hunting and fighting as they were in their youth. Females tend to be in these councils more than males, due to the fact that they have a longer lifespan by not fighting as much as the males. This does not mean there are no male members though, a few do become part of the Council, usually giving advice on tribal movements and warfare.

Further reading: Saurid Culture

Notable Skills and Traits​

Combat
Saurid are stronger and faster than Humans, and also benefit from scales, giving them the equivalent of leather armour, though the toughness of this varies by type. Their claws and teeth also make effective natural weapons.

Further Reading: A Primer to Combat

Arcana
Though in ancient times the saurid were highly resistant to arcana and therefore unable to learn it. However when the [Wiki]Stone of Unbinding[/Wiki]
fractured, the saurid lost this resistance which means saurid are now capable of using arcana, although most remain blissfully unaware of this.

Further Reading: Primer to Magic, Primer to Arcana

Trades
Saurid can individually specialize and focus on particular professions or callings and can become experts in many different trades.

Further Reading: Primer to Trades

Special Abilities, Weaknesses and Resistances
One of the more remarkable abilities of this people is their ability to regenerate their injured body. While not capable of regenerating lost limbs, a saurid's wounds heal roughly three times as fast as most other species.

Saurid Types​

Originally it is believed that the saurid were once one distinct civilization. These saurid, who it is believed to be the first of this sentient people of lizard, eventually branched out from their original lands, each group lead by a different shaman or druid whose beliefs represented their own. It was these shamans, who later became known as the Firsts by their respective tribes, who brought them to their new homes. Some found solace in the jungles and rivers, others the mountains and swamps, and others yet in the grasslands and deserts. There is even rumor that the original species is still in existence, though even to these sub-species that knowledge is a mystery.

Through either Magic or evolution, or maybe a mixture of both, those branching saurid soon took on physical changes to better survive in their knew worlds. As such, they have been classed into five main sub-species based on habitat; though rumor still has it that this is but a few of those in existence.

Ki'Ssss'kk - "Savannah Rattlers"​

The Ki'Ssss'kk Clan are "monitor" type saurids, coming from the plains. Imagine an intelligent komodo Dragon strolling around upright, with longer arms and legs, and that's the right shape. Now tiger-stripe it, with greens and tans (natural camouflage, when on all fours, low in the tall grasses). Next, at the tips of their tails, molt rings, from shedding their skins, gathered in the shape of a serpent head. It rattles with a sound that a 400 pound rattlesnake might make. They use this tail tip to distract their opponents into watching it, versus them, moving the tail like a cobra, ready to strike. You do not know fear, until you enter a large field, and the grasses begin to make that rattling noise all around you, and nothing can be seen. The snout of the Ki'Ssss'kk can be used to trumpet, something they do for signaling. The throat sac is slightly extended, which allows them to make a very disturbing bubbling drain pipe guttural growl, much akin to the large cats of the plains. The tongue is much akin to that of the rattlesnake, able to not only taste a scent for tracking, but sense residual heat, allowing them to track even in conditions that would normally preclude a smell.

The fighting style of the Ki'Ssss'kk seems to be a pack oriented distraction and attack method. One of the saurids will gather the focus of the prey, and allow the others to come in from the sides of the opponents, flanking them, unless all can approach undetected. Quick and brutal, they prefer to sweep an opponent into a prone position, and then use their size and weight to advantage.

Ki'Rak'kk - "Ridge Runners"​

The mountain based saurids are a smaller and stouter version of their plains brothers, the Ki'Ssss'kk. One could almost make the claim that these are dwarven saurids! They are, overall, lighter in weight than their brethren, and their claws are a bit longer and stronger for climbing over rocky terrain. They are smaller in size because it is difficult to breath in the higher altitudes, and this adaptation means shorter distance for blood to flow. It also explains their barrel-like chest, as they have a much larger lung capacity than most other saurids. Curiously, this is the only subspecies that I have knowledge of that actually appears to have fat upon their flesh. Instead of the sleek and pure muscle of the other saurids, these appear to have adapted to the lower temperatures by growing a thin layer of insulating fat beneath their scales. Do not let the bloated appearance of the Ki'Rak'kk fool you. They are no slower than their brethren, contrary to their looks. The Ki'Rak'kk are also omnivores. They have developed this trait because of living high up in the mountains, and not being able to find enough meat to feed on. This allows them to be able to adapt to various environments, if they are ever displaced.

When eating they usually eat the fat first or only, just like bears. Mentally, they are adapted to be loners because the mountains do not really have a lot of resources to support numerous large tribes. They tend to spend large amounts of their time as a single solitary scout for a much smaller clan structure. Their scale patterns tend to give them the appearance of rock or gravel, and it has been reported that they have changed color to adapt to their surroundings during their annual molting, ranging from the mottled grey in the Grey Cliffs region to reddish-brown of the Great Mountains near Aslan's Forge. About once a year they meet in the lowlands in order to be able to discuss the entirety of their clan, and work out problems between different families. If ever threatened, they have various smoke signals that they will light over the mountains, signaling they should all meet at their meeting grounds.

Ss'ai' Err'rah - "Tree Huggers"​

The Ss'ai' Err'rah, or “Tree Hugger” as they have come to be called, is a woodland variety of the saurid species. Though sharing similarities with the various other brethren, there are some noticeable differences between this sub-specie and those of different habitats. Most noticeably among these creatures is the make up of their hides. Unlike many of the saurid species, the Ss'ai' Err'rah’s hide does not have large scales, but instead looks to be made of small granular scales tightly crowded together to give the appearance of a smooth skin. This misconception is most noted when the saurid’s skin has been coated in moisture, giving it a glossy, often yellowish texture. This however is depended on the variety within the species. Not so much because they differ, but within the Ss'ai' Err'rah, there are two known variants: The green common to the lush forests and the brown common to the woodlands.

Both these species are all but identical in everything but color and in rare instances, crests (or crown) more common to the brown woodland variety. The heads, attached to the body by a neck slightly less thick then the base of the skull, tend to be triangle (wedged) shape, often with an elongated snout. Contained within the snout, unlike some variants of this species, is a bony ridge along the upper and lower palate in place of fangs or sharp teeth. As well, unlike the tongues common to other sub-species, the Ss'ai' Err'rah’s tongue is not forked, nor is used for scent. Instead, they are thicker and have an almost elastic like composition with a tacky surface.

Credit​

Credit goes to Pescado Branch