The Albin

The Albin are an offshoot of the subterranean Skur, which branched off from the earliest Lacertians, sometimes called Lizardfolk or Lizard People. Finding their original homelands too open, vulnerable, and subject to wide temperature shifts, the Skur left their cousins ages ago to seek out the protection and stable temperatures of the underground environment that fit their unique physiology better.
Groups of these folk have made their way to various cavernous and hidden locales that others of their race usually find too inhospitable. Not only were they able to survive in these places, but have been thriving there for generations in their new homelands.
The Albin in turn left the Skur about 325 years ago following the outcast shaman Torg Greenfin and his visions of a new life in a vast remote cave deeper under the ground. While those who would become the Albin were able to survive in the climate with the Skur, they often clashed over many ideals.
Two major issues arose over time. The first conflict was over the perpetual war that the Skur orchestrated against all who were not Lacertians. This cost many lives and brought little in return, but this was the nature of the Skur, they seemed to live for battle and constantly wanted to prove who was superior, not just to other races but also to other clans and tribes of lizardfolk. The Albin didn’t mind fighting but realized that they could not make any sustainable progress as a culture if every moment was dedicated to fighting against all enemies, current and future.
The second issue that constantly came up was disagreements about where to settle new encampments and villages. While both groups wanted to live underground, those who would become the Albin, wanted to live near the comfortable underground rivers, lakes, and waterways where there was more food and resources. However, the Skur made sure to choose places that were high and dry away from the waters, claiming that it toughened their hides and caused them to win more battles.
Generations of arguing, infighting, and quarrels eventually led to the disenfranchised sneaking away after an earthquake open a fissure in the cave floor that contained slow moving, green glowing water. Torg Greenfin recognized this from his visions and led the groups of lizardfolk away from the Skur and eventually into their new homeland by Lake Gluhend Dezmeer in The Bos Magara. When the remaining Skur realized what had happened they were furious and branded the Albin as traitors and vowed to attack any and all of them on sight.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Albin are taught to read and write the basic Lacertian language as well as their own Albin dialect that has changed from the Skur dialect over the centuries.  Those that show an aptitude for reading and writing are additionally taught Common and other local languages of the area.

Culture and cultural heritage

These are a deeply religious and spiritual people who have great love and respect for their subterranean lake homeland. Their daily decisions are based not only on what is best for the tribe or how it honors their deities, but also on how they will be affected by the lake and underground itself. They have begun to see the lake as a spiritual family member or tribal ancestor and take care to learn from it and respect it.

Shared customary codes and values

Under Greylock Twotails, the lizardfolk have returned to living by their strict set of values that place their tribe's wellfare above everything else. All decisions are made in the context of what is best for the tribe and therefore the continued existence of its members. The good of the tribe comes first, then the importance is placed on the tribal elders (who will lead the tribe), then the children (the tribes future), and finally the adults (expendable and easily replaced).

Average technological level

Despite being considered a primitive species by many others, the lizardfolk are quick learners and have mastered many of the common skills and technological advances as the other races. However, they often choose not engage in those advances and instead focus on the skills that help them survive in their immediate area and current needs. It is also not uncommon to encounter Lacertian druids, shamans, clerics, sorcerers, witches, bards, rangers, fighters, blacksmiths, and apothecaries, among others.

Common Dress code

Very little clothing is needed or worn by the Albin. Most lizardfolk wear simple loose-fitting skirts, loin cloths, wrap-around sarongs, and large shirts with bare feet. These are all made out of natural plant fibers or animal skins. Their jewelry and adornments are often made out of carved bone or worked stone or precious metals and occasionally fine gemstones. Designs and images are often a reflection of the plants and animals of the lake or cave region.
However with their newfound resurgence under the leadership of Greylock Twotails, the lizard folk have begun to acquire more advanced armor and weapons from scavenging the dwarf and elven corpses found in the cave and from their occasional raids. As they have gotten better weapons and armor they have begun to explore with more confidence. Their success with scavenging and raiding has garnered them a much larger variety in clothing materials and styles.

Art & Architecture

All architecture is made from the natural materials of the lake and cave region. Buildings are very simple structures of hides, aquatic plants, stone, or mud. Most homes are dome shaped structures made of local materials. The more important and permanent building are usually raised and constructed of mud bricks or stone blocks.
Their artwork is usually made from carved stone, bone, or more dense water plant stems, and naturally occurring metals. They often take the form of magnificent aquatic animals or images of their deities. Precious metals and gemstones are not usually found in the lake, but they can be found in raids on unsuspecting dark dwarves or elves or traded for or acquired and then repurposed into their own artwork or jewelry.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Each Lacertian ethnicity has slightly different funeral and death customs, but they all have a similar theme. Upon death the surviving tribe members will sing songs celebrating the deceased, pray to the deities, return the body to nature, and hold a feast in their honor.
The Albin hold what they call lake funerals. First they lay the deceased body on a floating raft of reeds and then build a small row of rocks around the body. These rocks were decoratively painted and prayed over the night before by the family members. The weight of the rocks is just enough to keep the raft barley floating above the water. The shaman then recites prayers to their patron deities and with the family members, swims the funeral raft out to the sacred part of Lake Gluhend Dezmeer. Final words of good travels are spoken by each family member and then the eldest member of the family places the final rock on the raft and slowly sinks it below the water. It is now left for the environment, plants, and animals to reclaim. They believe that this is the best way for their lake home to collect and reuse the body and it allows the spirit to be incorporated into the larger aspect of nature.

Common Myths and Legends

All Lacertians believe that they were created and placed upon the world by their most revered deity, Lacerta, The Swamp Mother. Even though the Albin have left their cousins and now reside in Lake Gluhend Dezmeer in The Bos Magara, they have great love for her and still worship her on a daily basis.
The lizardfolk also know the famed story of Stellio, The Star Lizard and his journey that made him a deity. He is their second most important god and they pray to him as well.

Historical figures

All Lacertians and the various offshoot ethnicities share common kinship, whether hereditary or spiritual to the deity, Stellio, The Star Lizard. He is sometimes remembered as The Starlight Hunter, who was once one of them, but ascended to godhood.
The Albin have two historical figures unique to their own kind. The first was Torg Greenfin, an outcast shaman of the Skur who accepted his visions and eventually organized and led the Albin away from their lizardfolk brothers. Branded a traitor and marked for death, he followed his revelations and the green glowing water through seeps and cracks to the new Albin home at Lake Gluhend Dezmeer in The Bos Magara.
The Albin owe their current existence and prosperity to the their leader, Greylock Twotails. It was he who finally united their people and organized them into a more efficient and successful community. No longer did they wage self destructive battles among themselves or become overpowered by the Rau Zlo dark dwarves of Barlang Varos or the dark elves of Hellaborg. They invested in defense and sustainable agriculture, both protecting their people and feeding them, leading to new prosperous times and allowing them to fortify their territory at Lake Gluhend Dezmeer.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

The lizardfolk have no preset roles or ideals for the different genders, but common circumstances often dictate what each individual will be doing to help provide for their mate or offspring and for the tribe as a whole. Male and female elders are in natural positions of leadership and make the decisions for the tribe. Single adult male and female individuals will take on any of the responsibilities required by the tribe. However with mated pairs, the pregnant female or mother will be home preparing for the family due to her limited mobility and the father will be required to do the tasks that involve long distances, strength, or movement. Male and female children will undertake various chores depending on each ones age, skill level, and talents.

Relationship Ideals

The Albin will usually have several relationship partners throughout their lives, but they only court with one other lizardfolk at a time. When courting they will stay together for at least one season to see how their relationship progresses. If no offspring occur then they will usually separate and look for new mates. If offspring do occur, then the pair will stay together and raise the children until they reach maturity. They will then look for new mating partners or retire and become tribal elders, forsaking all future mates.

Parent ethnicities

• The Skur

Encompassed species

• Lacertian

Related Locations

• Lake Gluhend Dezmeer
• The Bos Magara

Pantheon

While the Albin pray to many deities, they are most influenced by and worship:

• Lacerta, The Swamp Mother, Goddess Of Swamps And Lacertians.
• Stellio, The Star Lizard, God Of Nocturnal Activities.
• Mara Tal-lag, Goddess Of Lakes.
• Karst-hellir, God Of Caves And The Subterranean.
• Raksturs, God Of Nature.
• Kilimo, God Of Agriculture.
• Collita, Daughter Of The Harvest.

Most have rejected and no longer worship Ssarpele, The Black Serpent Of The Dark, and his demigod offspring, Nyoka, Ukame, Se’em Kohltul, and The Dark Serpent.

Scale Color Patterns And Morphology

"The Lacertians have an interesting ability that allows their scale color, texture, design, and morphology to quickly adjust and change within a few generations of living in a new location. It seems that each subspecies and ethnicity has unique scales that vary based on the environment that it inhabits. Whether this arises from a subconscious desire, selective breeding, random mutation, or environmental impetus is still unknown.
Today the Albin scales have lost all pigments and appear white, presumably for being underground for so many generations where their coloring had no benefit to them. While their bodies do appear white, they have also gained a green glow on the harder and more callous parts of their bodies. This glow is due to the presence of a bioluminescent algae that is found in both Lake Gluhend Dezmeer and The Bos Magara ceiling. It is believed that the algae now lives permanently in these structures of the Albin, where it finds a nourishing and protective environment.
In addition to the change in color from their Skur ancestors, the scales have also become much smaller and smoother. Additionally the webbing in the hands, feet, and dorsal crest have expanded as well. These changes are believed to aid them in traveling through their new watery environment in which they spend the majority of their time."

— Pianeta Mennesker, Expert on the Peoples of the Planet