Sauri
Sauri (plural), singular Saurus.
Sauri are called "Saurus Warriors" because each an every Sauris is a warrior born.
In published Games Workshop fluff, Saurus of all ages are generally portrayed as being quite single minded about warfare and fighting. This is not how I write them.
I find intellectually deeper Sauri to be more interesting characters though they are still focused on warfare first and foremost and few Sauri have the intelletual depth of a typical Skink.
Basic Information
Anatomy
On average, each Saurus is about seven feet tall and some change when standing fully erect, but most Sauri slouch a bit.
They have crocodile like heads and tails though somewhat proportionally shorter snouts than true crocodile.
Saurus warriors can bite with lethal force, and don't need to be armed to be a threat but most Sauri prefer to fight with weapons if weapons are available. Among other issues, attacking with a bite attack makes their head more vulnerable.
Their tails are thickly muscled, while not able to strike with the lethality of their bites, a clever Saurus can surprise enemies with tail swipes potentially unfooting weaker opponents or at least distracting them.
Saurus scales are very thick, and a Saurus' naked hide is roughly as hard to pierce as a human wearing chainmail.
Genetics and Reproduction
Growth Rate & Stages
Like most Lizardmen, Sauri emerge from their spawning pools in adult bodies. It is rare to the point of extremis for a Saurus to be spawned individually. Most Sauri emerge in large groups and they tend to stay with their "spawning brothers" for life viewing them as their true family.
Saurus warriors are born willing and able to fight and are able to take up arms in defense of the Lizardmen within minutes of their initial spawning if need be. More than once, a Temple City was saved from being overrun by a surprise spawning of Sauri.
An individual Saurus is born with a simplistic vocabulary and fierce fighting instincts. They instinctually view other Lizarmen as allies and the Slann as their superiors.
Sauri do not fear death but they do not seek death either. If a Saurus avoids dying in battle, he will never die of old age. Saurus get bigger, stronger, and smarter as they grow older though this maturation is admittedly slow compared to other mortal creatures.
Sauri grow in combat ability and tactical instincts but Sauri can and do learn things outside of how to rip enemies to shreds.
With time and effort, Sauri can learn to read, learn advanced hunting techniques, learn about flora and fauna, learn about religious or really anything that might be indirectly useful to martial duties.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Sauri are obligate carnivores. A Saurus can survive on grain, fruits, and vegetables but they won't be happy about it. To be at full fighting trim, they need to eat meat, fish, or insects. Fresh meat is their favorite, and raw meat or lightly cooked is generally considered most palatable.
They are cold blooded and have efficient digestion systems. Despite their huge size, they don't have caloric requirements much bigger than large adult male humans (though that is a lot of food compared to what Skinks eat).
In the jungles, Sauri are capable of hunting their own prey by themselves but in Temple Cities and Kahoun they usually rely on Skinks to feed them. Even in the jungle, Saurus hunters tend to work best when they have Skink spotters and scouts working with them.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Sauri have hearing roughly comparable to humans. Their eyesight is a little bit below human norms but thier sense of smell is far superior.
As a Saurus gets older, his senses sharpen. Well, not really. A young Saurus and an old Saurus have the same general sensory strength, but an older Saurus' improved wisdom and instincts makes him far better at interpreting sensory data.
Civilization and Culture
History
The first spawnings of Sauri were created by the Old Ones themselves, the Sauri were sent everywhere in the world to purge the life forms the Old Ones viewed not in keeping with their plan.
Most of the Sauri died in this attempt, requiring new Saurus spawnings. Saurus Warriors in general went from genocidal warriors of the Old Ones more into guardian roles.
Every temple city and Kahoun has periodic new spawnings of Sauri. Whether from luck, destiny, or the foresight of the Old Ones, Saurus spawnings often are shortly followed by events that force military confrontations.
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