Locelie

A humanoid species with reptilian characteristics.

Basic Information

Anatomy

With a few exceptions the locelie have a humanoid form, a snake like head, and scales covering their bodies. Their colouring is as varied as elves or dragonborn, with their scales begin red, brown, green, yellow, copper, or innumerable shades inbetween.

Civilization and Culture

History

First Age

The locelie lived in the jungles of Jarcarra during the first age. Having established an empire far from any other sentient race they had assumed they were the supreme beings on the planet and rightful rulers of all they surveyed. When they encountered other beings capable of using tools it sent a shock through their society. Believing that these interlopers threatened their dominance the locelie society changed becoming more warlike than before.
Rather than wait for the intruders to come to them the locelie began a period of expansion. Unfamiliar with the scale of the world outside their jungle the locelie underestimated the numbers of their foes and while they enjoyed some early successes they were ultimately driven back into their jungle. Despite the defeat, the locelie persisted in their believe that they were the most superior beings. This was reinforced by the relative fragility of the creatures they had fought and in some cases captured. Since these beings were weaker (and considered less intelligent) it was obvious to the locelie that these new creatures should serve the locelie. In order to ensure that their new slaves would remain obedient the locelie developed spells to ensure their compliance.
The sheer number of their enemies meant that the locelie couldn't embark on another military campaign so they decided to use trickery instead. Interrogation of the slaves had revealed that these lesser creatures had emotions and desires that were alien to the locelie, but it was easy for the locelie to see how they could use them to manipulate these weak beings. Rather than start with their nearest neighbours, agents were sent out to distant lands to try manipulating them into serving the locelie. These agents proved successful and the locelie were able to use their willing servants to wipe out their closest enemies.

Second Age

The locelie continued to expand their influence for centuries until they had control of the entire continent. Some of their servant states had informed them of other land masses with more lands to conquer so the locelie sent out more agents to attempt to repeat their successful pattern of subtle conquest. This time however they ran into a much larger organisation than any they had encountered previously - The Alliance. The scale of the Alliance frustrated the locelies' efforts as not only did they have to influence a lot of people, they also had to go to much colder regions which could be deadly for them.
After one too many failures the Allinace became aware of the locelies' efforts and a campaign was launched to put an end to the threat. A large force was sent to locelies' home continent to liberate those serving the locelie. With technology and magic far superior to the locelie and their client states, the Alliance's victory was a forgone conclusion. The locelie were driven back into their jungles again and the freed lands were invited into the Alliance. While some in the Alliance argued for pursuing the locelie into the jungle and exterminating them altogether, there were enough objections to this drastic course to ensure the locelie were able to survive.

Third Age

Following the years of darkness and the establishment of the The Empire several expeditions were sent to Jarcarra to see if the locelie had survived. While the remains of several towns were discovered there was no sign of the locelie and it was assumed that they had been wiped out by the demons.

Fourth Age

Little thought had been given to the locelie for centuries, with only historians and collectors aware that they had existed at all. It wasn't until a group of adventurers encountered a small group of locelie near the village of Leelon that people became aware that any of the serpentfolk had survived.

Lifespan

150 years

Average Height

6'2" - 6'6"

Geographic Distribution

• Griboli Forest

While long thought extinct an expedition organised organised by Martin Hatherol revealed that these beings still existed in The Serpent Ruins. The creatures were encountered a second time during the hunt for The Lost Heart.