Iruxi
Their physical shape not withstanding, iruxi have more in common with common iguanas than any of the mammalian or avian species that populate the world. Iruxi possess an alien and inscrutable mindset, their desires and thoughts driven by a different set of basic principles than those of warm-blooded species.
Despite their outlook being alien to most, some iruxi make an effort to understand, and in their own manner, coexist with members of other species.
Reptile Minded
The reptilian nature of iruxi comes through distinctly in the way they think and act. The emotional range of iruxi is more limited than warm-blooded species, and is mostly limited to fear, aggression, and pleasure. "Lizard brain" has become a common insult among other species. The fear they experience is detached from themselves and applied to a situation or thing. Unlike a lagombi who may tremble and panic when seeing a fearsome beast, iruxi do not experience the fear internally. Instead, a threatening creature may register as a being which is feared, and needs to be avoided for safety. They aren't scared of things that go bump in the night, they just understand that those things are dangerous. Likewise, they do not become aggressive themselves, but know that aggression is needed to defeat a foe, capture prey, or deal with certain issues. Pleasure is sought out only because it implies safety and good for the body. Eating, sleeping, drinking, and staying warm bring more pleasure than anything else to iruxi.Cold and Calculating
Iruxi tend to behave in an emotionless and distant manner, commonly causing issues with other species. They don't mourn fallen comrades or feel anger towards their enemies. They observe and react as each situation warrants, anything else is a waste of energy and brain power. They similarly lack any meaningful ties to history, as once an event has happened it lacks any future utility. Over time, iruxi who are commonly in contact with other species will learn the appropriate time for certain actions or responses. A temple is not an appropriate place to filet a kill, as it would anger the warm-bloods and lead to danger.Utility and Survival
The mindset of iruxi may seem cruel, but it helps them to survive in places that most species wouldn't dare venture. The swamps they're commonly found in are teeming with danger and threats, and life can be extinguised in an instant. Iruxi simply value their own survival above all else. Aesthetics, art, religion, and culture have almost no meaning to most iruxi. Their thoughts of the future rarely go beyond a few weeks, and the idea of building a structure or system that could take more than a year is baffling. Iruxi have survived this long hunting and gathering, why change that now? You can use the iruxi personality table to determine a personality quirk or to inspire a mannerism for your character.Iruxi Names
Iruxi names are simple descriptives granted by the tribe based on an individual's notable deeds, actions, or traits. For example, a warrior who defeated a strong foe and took their spear might simply be known as "Spear", or the one member of the tribe with a red stripe on their scales may simply be called "Stripe". There are no distinctions between male and female names in iruxi naming conventions.Iruxi Traits
Your iruxi character has the following species traits: Ability Score Increase Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1. Age Iruxi mature around age 14, and rarely live longer than 50 years. Alignment Iruxi see the world as a place of natural processes of life and death, and don't spend much time on morality. They are often neutral in nature. Size Your size is medium. Speed Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Bite Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Cunning Artisan As part of a short rest, you can harvest bone and hide from a slain beast, construct, dragon, monstrosity, or plant creature of size Small or larger to create one of the following items: a shield, a club, a javelin, or 1d4 darts or blowgun needles. To use this trait, you need a blade, such as a dagger, or appropriate artisan’s tools, such as leatherworker’s tools. Hold Breath You can hold your breath for up to 15 minutes at a time. Hunter's Lore You gain proficiency with two of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Nature, Perception, Stealth, or Survival. Natural Armor You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor. Hungry Jaws In battle, you can throw yourself into a vicious feeding frenzy. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your bite. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you gain temporary hit points (minimum of 1) equal to your Constitution modifier, and you can't use this trait again until you finish a short or long rest. Language You speak Common and Iruxi.Scaled vs Soft
Iruxi have a tendency to look at warm-blooded species with a mix of pity and concern. How did they survive so long without scales to protect them and with such small sharp teeth? They think of their swampy homelands as inhospitable to these other flimsy sapients, though this is often an exaggerated feeling. Still, when other creatures prove useful a few times or aid a iruxi, this pity can shift to a protective instinct. They'll start to see their warm-blooded companions in the same way they look at hatchlings - generally incapable of protecting themselves, but they should be kept safe until they reach their potential.Reptilian Forms
The physical shapes iruxi come in are as varied as the color of their scales. Some have wide, flat faces with protruding eyes, while others have narrow and long snouts with rows of sharp teeth. Some have developed thick bumpy scales to help retain moisture while living in the deserts. Others still have webbed fingers and toes that help them wade through swamps and riverbeds. An iruxi character's scale colors, patterns, and physical appearance can be as varied as any species of lizard you can think of.
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