Bullywug

Bullywugs consider themselves the right and proper rulers of the swamps. They follow an etiquette of sorts when dealing with outsiders and each other, subject to the whims and fancies of their leader — a self-styled lord of the muck.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Bullywugs have green, gray, or mottled yellow skin that shifts through shades of gray, green, and brown, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings. They wear crude armor and wield simple weapons, and can deliver a powerful bite to foes that press too close.
The huge heads of bullywugs resemble those of frogs, with big, bulbous eyes, wide mouths, and long, flicking tongues. Said tongues are barely capable of navigating a stunted variant of Common, and they typically speak in thick, sloppy accents.

Biological Traits

Bullywugs have powerful bites, are strong swimmers, and can hop long distances. They have chameleon-like skin and exude a rancid odor.

Genetics and Reproduction

Bullywugs are not known to bond in the long-term. Females lay a clutch of around 200 eggs annually, which are watched over by the collective tribe in a breeding pond. The non-intelligent spawn that hatch resemble large tadpoles and feed on insects and small amphibians, including each other. Juvenile bullywugs fend for themselves after six to eight weeks, with less than one percent reaching adulthood.
There are rumors of bullywug-human hybrids, living in mixed communities and serving unnamed things deep below the earth.

Growth Rate & Stages

Bullywug spawn grow rapidly, transitioning from tadpoles to juvenile bullywugs within six to eight weeks. As they grow, they must fend for themselves, facing dangers from their environment and their kin.

Ecology and Habitats

Bullywugs prefer dark, dank places isolated from humans, such as rainforests, damp caves, swamps, and meres. They require frequent hydration to keep their skin moist, fearing dry heat and areas with little standing water.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Bullywugs are carnivorous and strong swimmers, able to hunt effectively in water. They are also known to capture intruders and enjoy eating human flesh.

Biological Cycle

Bullywugs must soak their entire bodies at least three times a day to stay hydrated. If unable to do so, they weaken and eventually die.

Behaviour

Bullywugs are bullies, often lording over trespassers in their domains. They prize coins, jewels, and other treasures, though they lack the greed of other marauders. Infighting is rare, and they are easily confused, with the smartest of them being about average human intelligence.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Aside from their gods, bullywugs only ever show respect to their leaders, for their organized (or at least semi-organized) societies are socially fascist and so tyrannical as to be totalitarian. Absolute authority is vested to subleaders led by a male chieftain, a self-styled lord of the muck who can treat all his subjects as possessions and freely kill (and eat if he chose) his followers if they do not instantly follow his whims. Only when the previous leader is too old to rule would the next dominant male kill and usurp (and possibly consume) him.
This foul aristocracy formed the basis of bullywug "etiquette", both amongst themselves and outsiders. Bullywugs introduced themselves with grand titles while groveling and kowtowing before their superiors, ceaselessly competing to win their favor. It was in this sycophantic competition that the bullywug love and hoarding of treasure became important despite its lack of actual use in their societal system. Instead of killing each other, bullywugs could advance by finding treasures and trinkets (including magical items) to present to their lord as tokens of deference or loyalty.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Swamps, rainforests, damp caves, and meres.

Average Intelligence

Low to average human intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Bullywugs have keen senses, particularly their vision and smell, which are adapted to their swampy habitats. Their skin is chameleon-like, allowing them to blend with their surroundings. They also carry the rancid reek of the bog.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Bullywugs form strong bonds with giant frogs and toads, using them in their hunts.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Bullywug language is stunted and thick, with a choppy, sloppy accent.

Scientific Name

Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Rana
Species: R. Sapiens

Lifespan

10-15 years

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Average Height

4-5 feet

Average Weight

100-150 pounds

Average Physique

Lean and muscular, adapted for both swimming and jumping with big, bulbous eyes, wide mouths, long flicking tongues, and chameleon-like skin. They have Green, gray, or mottled yellow skin that shifts through shades of gray, green, and brown.