Lizardfolk

Basic Information

Anatomy

Humanoid is shape, lizardfolk range in size and build from the size of halflings to slightly larger than humans. They rival humans for the sheer amount of diversity among their species as well, with more adaptations in coloration, scale pattern, and physical traits (especially cranium shape) than humankind. This wide variety is attributed to the distribution of the progenitor reptilian species across most of the world, and in a far more ancient time period than the diaspora of any other mortal race.
All members of this species are covered in a thick, scaly hide which protects them from harm in the harsh environments they inhabit. Their jaws are strong and most races of lizardfolk have either sharp, tearing teeth, or a long, sticky tongue used to capture, then engulf prey.

Genetics and Reproduction

Lizardfolk have both male and female sexes, but are capable of producing eggs asexually and changing sex over the course of a few months to correspond with their needs. A parent lays clutches of eggs, up to 20 eggs per clutch. When fertilized, eggs take about 3 months to hatch, though after this point they will never hatch and are usually disposed of in a ceremonial manner particular to whatever clan the parent belongs to. Only about half of all eggs laid result in healthy offspring. Partners commonly stay together during the months leading up to formation of a clutch, and for three months after to ensure eggs have hatched. Once offspring have been accounted for, partners divide them equally and part ways to raise them to maturity (about 2 years).

Dietary Needs and Habits

Lizardfolk are carnivorous; they live on meat and cannot digest plant matter. Their stomach acid is strong enough to burn away most contaminants from their food, and as such have no need to cook the meat they ingest. Culturally, most lizardfolk tribes have a preference toward either hunting or herding food, and the spectrum of prey ranges from insects to megafauna. There is also a strong cultural drive to consume living prey, although it will not hurt them to eat spoiled meat, as doing so viewed as a mark of low status to do so.

Biological Cycle

Unlike their genealogical cousins, the serpentfolk, lizardfolk do not shed their skins en masse. During shifts in seasons, especially before they have reached maturity, lizardfolk will shed scales in a similar manner to human dandruff. As scales are replaced, they desiccate, becoming thin and translucent, then fall off. Lizardfolk do not grant this process any particular attention, unless other species they come into contact with become interested in the scales for medicine or other trade purposes. Lizardfolk insist the dead scales have no value beyond the desire these other species feel for them (especially goblins) and are happy to barter with them.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The most populace race of lizardfolk inhabit the Dearth - the wildlands west of what is now New Padrya. Thriving in the sun-scorched rocks and vast desert sands of the Dearth, these reptilians live communally in small villages, usually not more than 30 individuals in each. Inhabitants of villages may or may not be related, and such information is of no consequence to their lifestyle. Thankfully, hereditary disease does not seem to be present within lizardfolk genetics, so monitoring heredity is not a practice within most of their societies. 
Lizardfolk excel in matters of pragmatism and fairness, as anything but absolute communalism and egalitarianism is anathema to their survival. Communes share all shelters, tools, weapons, and other goods, and all members are given the same amount of food with seemingly no priority or regard to status. For this reason, things like rank and privacy are foreign concepts to most lizardfolk, though the benefits for other species' survival can be appreciated after becoming familiar. A commune is considered to have too many members when needs cannot reasonably be met for all involved, at which point the commune will divide its membership and all belongings in half and seek out new habitat.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

All continents and biomes except Sveniskica and the Intesveniskic Tundra.

Average Intelligence

Lizardfolk exhibit the same sapience and intelligence as other mortal races. However, this intelligence is usually employed for matters of survival, even in situations of calm, leading to a stereotype that lizardfolk are more paranoid than other species. This is, of course, untrue according to lizardfolk. They reason that it's not paranoia if everyone is actually out to get you, a worldview that survives in the genetic memory passed down from the Progenitors.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Like all reptilian descendants of the Progenitors, the lizardfolk have the ability to see in infrared. This "heat-vision" becomes less useful in lower temperatures, especially at night in the deserts they have colonized, but is a key part of their diurnal lifestyle - used for hunting and travel in ways that other species do not fully understand.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Though these vary wildly between populations of lizardfolk, beauty and physical attractiveness seem linked to physical ability rather than aesthetic appeal, as with other mortals. Size of claws, teeth, and tongues are all major attractors, as are larger craniums, longer legs, and larger bellies - all of which imply one who is better at defending oneself, smarter, faster, and better fed.

Courtship Ideals

Size and strength are the only apparent standards for fitness among lizardfolk when they choose to partner, if at all. All other factors - sex, gender, coloration, morphology, intelligence, etc. - are neglected in favor of size and strength, presumably because eggs borne by bigger and stronger lizardfolk are more likely to survive.

Average Technological Level

The Progenitor race which began the diaspora of all reptilians was capable of technological feats the likes of which are only now being duplicated, thousands of years later. Their advances in engineering, genetic manipulation, and metallurgy now seem almost like magic. 
Despite their illustrious ancestry, modern lizardfolk reflect a roughly bronze-age level of technology. Lizardfolk are intelligent and practical enough to learn how to operate any machine, weapon, or technique at the level of any other mortal, however, lizardfolk communes typically do not produce much beyond what is needed to hunt and provide shelter against the cold or enemies.
Architecture among communes typically exhibits expertise in thatching, weaving, wattle and daub, and/or adobe construction - depending on the resources in the environment. Metalworking produces tools and weapons from copper and sometimes bronze, unless employed within cities with access to hotter forges, and armor is usually produced by leatherworking. Domestication of striders is widespread in the Dearth among lizardfolk for meat and eggs, while lizardfolk in more tropical regions are known to farm a wide variety of insects.

Common Etiquette Rules

Lizardfolk abhor dishonesty, seeing it as a theft of valuable time it will now take to discover the truth that could have been spoken from the beginning - time that would be better spent eating, or working toward one's next meal.
Additionally, feeding time is a celebrated, sacred time for most lizardfolk. Ideally it will be passed in silence so that it can be done efficiently. To speak with one's mouth full is a major faux pas among lizardfolk.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Lizardfolk enjoy living in proximity to other mortals. Usually they view themselves as better at surviving than these neighbors and will seek to either offer their services in trade for a constant supply of food (or in modern times, money to buy food), or simply to show off. Some lizardfolk are highly motivated to enter positions as hunters, mercenaries or laborers because they deem themselves the most capable candidates for these jobs. Others seek to uphold the justice systems of societies they neighbor or live within (usually as deputies or guards) seeing it as a means to promote fairness among other species that have difficulty with honor and justice.

Lifespan

20 - 50 years

Average Height

0.8 - 2 meters

Average Weight

30 - 100 kg

Geographic Distribution

• Northern Marshlands
• Ophidian Jungle
• The Dearth