Jozhal

''This creature is a small, reptilian humanoid with long, spindly arms and legs, a coiling tail and a long neck surmounted by a narrow, muzzled head. It is covered in scales that seem to be colored in deliberate patterns.''

Tactics
Jozhals avoid combat if at all possible, fleeing or using their chameleon-like skin to hide. If forced into combat, a jozhal will attempt to defend itself first with psionics or spells, then with any magical items it currently possesses. If left with no other option, the jozhal will attack with a bite.

Description
Jozhals do not normally form permanent settlements. Instead, they travel in nomadic family groups, traveling between the fertile areas of the Tablelands and Hinterlands, beyond the Ringing Mountains. These families forage for roots, nuts, and small reptiles and insects.

The only time a jozhal family will permanently settle in one area is when a member of that family becomes a grove master (see page 96) and takes custody of his guardian lands.

Mating usually occurs in the latter part of the year, during the time of the Ascending Sun; eggs are laid about 30 days later. The female lays only a few eggs at one time, normally between three and five. The eggs are about four inches in diameter, and dun in color. The female digs a chamber and places the eggs inside, then covers them with sand.

A typical jozhal rarely tops 4 feet in height and individuals weighing more than 80 pounds are rare. Jozhal have long, slender legs, lanky arms ending in dexterous hands, and long, flexible tails. The neck of a jozhal is also long and flexible, ending in a narrowmuzzled head with large eyes and many needle-like teeth. The skin is covered in many tiny scales, which are only visible on close examination, and can change color to match with or contrast against the creatureʹs surroundings.

Jozhals have precise control over their skinʹs color, and sometimes use it to create decorative patterns of color resembling tattoos.

Society
Jozhals are naturally shy and secretive creatures, and do not normally learn the languages of other races. The leader of a family will learn the Common tongue, so that he or she may communicate with outsiders on the rare occasion that interaction is necessary. When around those they do not know, especially other races, jozhals become much more withdrawn and are unwilling to even speak to outsiders unless necessary. They will often travel days out of their way just to avoid encountering non-jozhals, especially elves and humans, whom they consider destructive. If forced to interact with members of another race, jozhals will attempt to make the experience as short as possible. Jozhals always make use of every little bit of anything that they find, to the point of extremes, practicing cannibalism and fashioning the bones of their dead into weapons and tools.

Jozhals are deeply suspicious of all arcane spellcasters. They will tolerate preservers, but will watch them closely for any signs that they may defile, and criticize them harshly if they use magic wantonly or carelessly. Jozhals do not tolerate defilers in any way. A jozhal may even put himself at risk to stop a defiler from damaging the land. The jozhal suspicion of arcane magic does not extend to magical items. Jozhals are fascinated by magical items, which they consider to hold the power of the land, and desire to own as may magical items as they can. Jozhal children are taught from a young age the proper use of magical items, both arcane and divine, so even non-spell caster jozhal will be able to use most any magical item they come to possess. They go to great lengths to possess magical items, typically following parties of humanoids to determine if they carry any magical items and stealing any they detect.

Jozhals as Characters
Jozhal adventurers are rare. Only a few are able to overcome their natural shyness to mix with strangers and fewer still are willing to be separated from their families for long periods of time. Those who do follow the adventuring path have usually had their families wiped out by raiders or some natural disaster. A few have allowed their obsession with magical items to overwhelm them and see adventuring as the quickest, easiest way to finding and possessing such items.

A jozhal characterʹs favored class is cleric. Most jozhal leaders will be clerics serving the element of Earth. All jozhals have a close, personal connection with the forces of nature. They consider the role of cleric to be the highest possible honor. While they worship all of the elements, they hold a special reverence for Earth.

Jozhals possess the following traits:
 * –4 Str, +4 Dex, –2 Con, +4 Int, +2 Wis
 * Small size. Jozhal gain a +1 size bonus to Armor Class and a +1 size bonus on all attack rolls.
 * Humanoid (psionic, reptilian): Jozhal are humanoid creatures with the psionic and reptilian subtype.
 * Jozhal base land speed is 30 feet.
 * Low-light vision.
 * Weapon Proficiency: A jozhal is proficient with all simple weapons and its natural weaponry.
 * +4 racial bonus on Hide checks. Jozhals can alter their skin coloration and often use this for camouflage purposes.
 * +4 racial bonus on Use Magic Device checks. Jozhals have a natural affinity for magic.
 * +1 natural armor bonus.
 * Natural Weapons: Bite (1d4).
 * Special Attacks (see above): Psi-like abilities.
 * Special Qualities (see above): Spell resistance.
 * Automatic Languages: Common and Saurian. Bonus Languages: Auran, Elven, Dwarven, Kreen, and Terran.
 * Favored Class: Cleric.
 * Level Adjustment: +2.