Uskad
"Live. Hunt. Live. Eat. Live. Sleep."Uskad
Uskad is the god of survival, and of the lizardfolk. He was, as far as history has ever been aware, always extremely practical, calculating, and prepared. He was acutely aware that the Meydras' bodies could be broken, strong though they were, and his every action was in anticipation of this possibility. He spent much of his days away from the other Meydra, and built a home for himself in the wild, at one point happening across Tvorec, from whom he learned how to hunt. Uskad saw the large number of lizards in the area where he had chosen to build, and explained what he was doing as they sat and watched him. He decided it would be beneficial to have allies, and so he took these lizards and created the first lizardfolk, in northeastern Talazic. When the great conflict of the Meydra came, Uskad was one of the few who chose no side at all, simply remaining with his people and hoping to weather the storm. When he died, they consumed his body, but his home clan, located near the center of Vundkrag, is still regarded as sacred among all others. Uskad is almost always depicted as a tall lizardfolk with a simple crown of sticks on his head, sometimes holding a piece of bark with Draconic writing on it, as he is considered father of the Draconic language.
Relationships
Uskad's parents were Suvrik and Brell and his brother Tirinasi, although there is no evidence that he had any kind of relationship with the latter, as they were likely born many years apart. Legends say that Uskad's interest in survivalism first came about as a direct response to his father's instruction on trade; he wanted to get down to the fundamentals and perhaps circumvent the need for cooperation with strangers altogether, since, as most lizardfolk profess, it is much easier and safer to rely on a small, familiar group. He is also thought to have admired his mother deeply for the important role her storms played in survival.
It is generally believed that Uskad took a lizardfolk mate whenever offspring were needed in the clan, though given his divine protection, this was likely uncommon. These mates are collectively given the honorific "Xarzith" by Uskad's followers, a title which is now awarded to any female leader or leader's mate in a clan.
Followers
Most lizardfolk revere Uskad, with almost every tribe having one shaman, or cleric, although Uskad has very few real temples. Some other races with a strong bent towards practicality and self-preservation follow him as well, as well as a bare few hermits and outlanders whose main concern is survival.
Associated Customs
"Step two": A phrase used to refer to any goal. Step one is firm and immoveable: survive.
Ritual of Excess: In the event that a follower of Uskad finds it impossible to determine a use for any given item, it is tradition to dispose of it in a religious ceremony as an offering to Uskad, such that he might take it and introduce it elsewhere in the world where it is indeed needed.
Divine Domains
Survival, lizardfolk, Draconic
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