Lizardfolk Ancestries

The Lizardfolk have many variances in between them based on from which ancestry they hail from.

The lizardfolk are a diverse and resilient people whose cultures have evolved in response to their unique environments and histories. Though sharing a common ancestry, the Varanus, Carnifex, Azmith Lizardfolk, and Eiri Lizardfolk have developed distinct traits, traditions, and lifestyles that reflect their respective regions and experiences.

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Varanus

Region: The warm, verdant jungles of southern Yorn. Their capital city is Srohaxl

Main Settlement: Srohaxl, a grand city built within sunlit glades and dominated by towering ziggurats.

Culture and Traits: The Varanus are tenacious yet pragmatic, known for their reclusive but amicable relationships with neighboring tribes and peoples. They prioritize martial prowess as botth a form of expression and resolve, as well as in defense of their home and neighbors, but are not hungry far war, having fought and lived side by side with other species and tribes for centuries. They champion beliefs in the balance of nature and that it is up to nature to right itself when imbalanced, as well as venerate the sun and it's warmth as a beacon of vigilance and care, like a sentinel in the sky.

Role as Defenders: For centuries, the Varanus have acted as the primary defense against the insectoid hives invading from the north, honing their skills as guardians of Yorn’s jungles. Their rivalry with the Carnifex stems from ideological differences; the Varanus see themselves as protectors, while the Carnifex embrace unrelenting aggression. They see themselves more as protectors of Yorn's living beings, valuing peace and coexistence while remaining vigilant against external threats.

Key Traits: Varanus lizardfolk are adaptive and resourceful, skilled in jungle warfare and ambush tactics. They excel at coordinating with their allies, reflecting their focus on community and mutual support.

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Carnifex

Region: The dense and labyrinthine waterways of Yorn's northern jungles. Their capital is Sergmaw

Culture and Traits: The Carnifex are the embodiment of ferocity and ancient lizardfolk warrior culture. To them, war and bloodshed are as essential as sustenance, and their lives revolve around the practice of combat. They venerate an ancient lizard "deity", seen as a divine symbol of strength and conquest, and dedicate their battles to its glory. They see themselves as champion the old and true ways of lizard life, emulating their ancestral, beastial predecessors in a way they think venerates them. Power, the food chain, and the exchange of life and death are the only constants.

Isolation and Rivalries: Unlike the Varanus, the Carnifex are deeply reclusive and distrustful of outsiders, preferring to dominate rather than coexist. Their rivalry with the Varanus stems from differing philosophies: the Carnifex view the Varanus’s defensive stance as weakness, while the Varanus see the Carnifex’s aggression as reckless and destructive.

Key Traits: Carnifex lizardfolk are physically imposing and aggressive, with natural weapons like claws, small spikes along their spines and other areas, and teeth sharpened for combat. They are masters of guerrilla warfare and ambushes, making their jungle domain nearly impossible to penetrate.

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Azmith Lizardfolk

Region: The sprawling deserts and sun-scorched landscapes of Azmith.

History of Captivity: During the reign of King Regnault III of Sirelina, many lizardfolk were captured and enslaved by Azmithian and Sunan traders. Their physical resilience to heat and harsh conditions made them valuable as laborers. Over time, freed lizardfolk communities began to emerge, giving rise to a fractured but adaptive culture that melds remnants of their ancestral traditions with influences from Azmith.

Culture and Traits: The Azmith lizardfolk are pragmatic survivors, their culture shaped by centuries of hardship and adaptation. While they retain certain lizardfolk traditions, such as respect for their natural surroundings, they have developed new customs to thrive in their arid environment. Most avoid the Golden City, living as part of the various surrounding communities or falling in with nomadic tribes willing to have them.

Key Traits: These lizardfolk are physically robust, with heat-resistant scales and remarkable endurance. They have developed strong communal bonds, often forming tightly knit communities to preserve their unique identity amidst the diverse populations of Azmith.

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Eiri Lizardfolk

Region: Used to live in the northern foothill of Astana, but migrated in large numbers to the frigid and unforgiving Ice Region of Eiri.

Adaptation to Cold: Unlike their tropical cousins, the Eiri lizardfolk have evolved to survive in icy climates. Their thick, heat-insulating hides and unique adaptations, such as fur-like growths along their backs, tails, and limbs, allow them to endure the extreme cold.

Culture and Traits: Mining ore in Astana's northern mountains and selling their hauls to the human kingdoms south of them was a lucrative way of life fore them. Fled north to escape the dragons during their tyrade in Astana, eventually adapting to life living in homes cut out of the snowy mountainside, tucking away from the cold. Still have adapted their mining traditionss, but sell between Eiri and Astana's populations. Their communities are small and self-reliant, relying on hunting, fishing, and resourceful crafting to sustain themselves.

Key Traits: Eiri lizardfolk are notably smaller in stature, around 3 to 4 feet in size. Their small stature helps them lose less heat from sheer surface area. They are known for their resilience and tenacity. Their physical adaptations make them surprisingly agile and capable in the snow, while their culture emphasizes cooperation and perseverance in the face of adversity.