Lizardfolk

Lizardfolk are proud and powerful reptilian predators that make their communal homes in scattered villages deep within swamps and marshes. Uninterested in colonization of the dry lands and content with the simple weapons and rituals that have served them well for millennia, lizardfolk are viewed by many other races as backwater savages, but within their isolated communities lizardfolk are actually a vibrant people filled with tradition and an oral history stretching back to before humans walked upright.

Physical Description: Most lizardfolk stand 6 to 7 feet tall and weigh 200 to 250 pounds, their powerful muscles covered in scales of gray, green, or brown. Some breeds have short dorsal spikes or brightly colored frills, and all swim well by moving with flicks of their powerful 4-foot- long tails.

Society: While completely at home in the water, they breathe air and return to their clustered mound-dwellings to breed and sleep. As their reptilian blood makes them sluggish in the cold, most lizardfolk hunt and work during the day and retreat to their homes at night to curl up with other tribesmen in the shared warmth of large peat fires.

Relations: Though generally neutral, lizardfolks’ standoffish demeanor, staunch rejection of civilization’s “gifts,” and legendary ferocity in battle cause them to be viewed negatively by most humanoids. These traits stem from good reasons, however, as their own slow rate of reproduction is no match for warm-blooded humanoids, and those tribes who don’t defend their wetland territories to the last breath quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the mammalian hordes. As for their tendency to consume the bodies of dead friends and enemies alike, the practical lizardfolk are quick to point out that life is hard in the swamp, and nothing should go to waste.

Alignment and Religion: Lizardfolk tend towards neutral alignments, living in harmony with nature and in xenophobic isolation. Their religion is primarily local, tribal, and shamanistic, with nature-based faiths predominating.

Male Names: Hisstar, Hurronn, Ragga, Reptul, S’sthai, Tik

Female Names: Ixinna, Kroyur, Turrish, Sakkarr, Uzgar, Zzith

Racial Traits

Ability Modifiers +2 Str, +2 Wis, –2 Dex

Hit Points 4

Size and Type: Lizardfolk are Medium humanoids with the reptilian subtype.

Armored Hide: Lizardfolk receive a +1 racial bonus to KAC while wearing light or no armor.

Swimmer: Lizardfolk have a swim speed of 30 feet.

Natural Weapons: Lizardfolk are always considered armed. They can deal 1d3 lethal damage with unarmed strikes and the attack doesn’t count as archaic. Lizardfolk gain a unique weapon specialization with their natural weapons at 3rd level, allowing them to add 1–1/2 times their character level to their damage rolls for their natural weapons (instead of just adding their character level, as usual).

Xenophobic: Lizardfolk begin play speaking Draconic only. Lizardfolk with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Aklo, Aquan, Common, Goblin, Halfling, Sylvan.

Alternate Racial Traits

The following alternate racial traits may be selected in place of one or more of the standard racial traits above. Consult your GM before selecting any of these new options.

Chameleon (Ex)

The lizardfolk’s skin is soft and supple and changes coloration to match its background. This grants the lizardfolk a +4 racial bonus on Stealth checks. This is doubled to +8 when the lizardfolk is not moving. If the lizardfolk is prone, she gains an additional +2 circumstance bonus on Stealth checks. This racial trait replaces armored hide.

Rock Lizard: The lizardfolk’s claws and tail are adapted for climbing in rocky terrain. She ignores the effects of difficult terrain when moving, if that terrain is rubble or similar rocky terrain and gains a climb speed of 15 feet, including a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks. This racial trait replaces swimmer.