Lizardfolk, Athasian

A tall, powerfully built humanoid resembling a cross between reptile and human, this creature has taloned hands, fanged jaws and a long, heavy tail.

Combat
Athasian lizardfolk fight ferociously but are cunning opponents and are not above retreating to reassess the field of combat. They prefer sudden frontal assaults or overwhelming attacks from positions of ambush. They often seek to force foes into the water, where the lizardfolk have an advantage. If outnumbered or if their territory is being invaded, they set devious snares, plan clever ambushes, and make amphibious, night-time raids to hinder enemy supplies.

Description
Much like the lizardfolk of other worlds, the lizardfolk of Athas are amphibious humanoids that follow a huntergatherer lifestyle. Beyond these initial similarities, however, there are several striking differences that set the Athasian subspecies apart.

Forced to lift themselves from savagery earlier than their cousins of other worlds, the lizardfolk of Athas developed a simple yet civilized society ages ago. Living in close contact with the kreel flocks that they shepherd, the Athasian lizardfolk have long since lost their taste for sentient flesh, subsisting instead largely on a diet of kreel flesh, kelp and various shellfish. Ruled by a line of wise and generous kings, they have also enjoyed the support of Saragar‘s Mind Lords, who saved the lizardfolk from the ravages of the Cleansing Wars and the dread Keltis. Lizardfolk have few natural enemies, besides the Last Sea‘s larger sharks and, of course, the behemoth known only as the squark.

Dressing in kreelskin loincloths, an Athasian lizardfolk is usually 6 to 7 feet tall with green, gray, or brown scales. Its tail is used for balance and is 3 to 4 feet long. An Athasian lizardfolk can weigh from 200 to 250 pounds.

Athasian Lizardfolk Society
Gentle hunter-gatherers with a complex inner life, the Athasian lizardfolk are living curiosities from another age. They were preserved from genocide by the Mind Lords and have never forgotten this kindness. From their hidden city of Nesthaven their kindly king Nelyrox (Ftr 8) rules over the three tribes, supported by the wisdom of his psionic advisor Mobji (Psi 7). The leaders of the tribes are all nominally loyal to Nelyrox, but at least one tribal warleader, a wily old huntress called Xhenrid (Ftr 6), clearly has her yellow eyes on the king‘s five-horned crown.

By age-old decree, the lizardfolk of Marnita keep very much to themselves. Although they may no longer live under the threat of genocide, they have learned to rely upon the bounty of their small world and seldom seek to wander beyond its boundaries. They are content to share their home with the Mind Lords and their children (for so the lizardfolk view their fellow shore dwellers) and the time is yet far-off when this ancient people will brave the deserts and wastes.

Athasian Lizardfolk Characters
Fighters and rangers are fairly common amongst the Athasian lizardfolk, as are clerics of elemental water. Druids, however, are at the heart of their lives and lifecycles, and are accorded much respect within lizardfolk society.

Athasian lizardfolk characters possess the following racial traits.
 * +2 Str, +2 Con, –2 Int.
 * Medium size.
 * An Athasian lizardfolk‘s base land speed is 30 feet.
 * Low-light vision.
 * Racial Hit Dice: An Athasian lizardfolk begins with two levels of humanoid (reptilian), which provide 2d8 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +1, and base saving throw bonuses of Fort +0, Ref +3, and Will +0.
 * Racial Skills: An Athasian lizardfolk‘s humanoid levels give it skill points equal to 5 x (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1). Its class skills are Balance, Jump, and Swim. Lizardfolk have a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Jump, and Swim checks.
 * Racial Feats: An Athasian lizardfolk‘s humanoid levels give it one feat.
 * Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An Athasian lizardfolk is automatically proficient with simple weapons and shields.
 * +5 natural armor bonus.
 * Natural Weapons: 2 claws (1d4) and bite (1d4).
 * Special Qualities (see above): Chameleon skin, hold breath.
 * Automatic Languages: Common, Lizardfolk. Bonus
 * Languages: Aquan, Kurnish, Saragan.
 * Favored Class: Druid.
 * Level adjustment +1.