4. Zassil'torr Reptile Pens
The Reptile Pens are a sprawling network of reed-woven enclosures and wooden platforms perched on the swamp’s edge. The pens are built to accommodate the various needs of the reptiles, with some sections submerged in murky swamp water for amphibious creatures and others raised above the waterline to keep the dry-habitat reptiles comfortable. The air here is thick with the pungent aroma of raw fish and swamp vegetation, mingling with the guttural croaks and hisses of the animals.
- Submerged Pens: These water-filled enclosures house the giant frogs and semi-aquatic reptiles, providing an environment to mimic their natural swamp habitat. Wooden walkways crisscross these pens, allowing handlers to move safely above the water.
- Dry Pens: Elevated enclosures filled with packed dirt and vegetation provide space for training the giant lizards, from riding mounts to combat-ready beasts.
Where the strength and agility of Zassil’torr’s lizardfolk mounts are honed and nurtured.
Role in the Village
The Reptile Pens are integral to the daily life and defense of Zassil’torr. Managed by Huntmaster Tazzirik and his team of handlers, they ensure the village remains supplied with loyal, trained creatures for work, travel, and combat.- Training Ground: The pens serve as a training area for young lizardfolk learning to tame and ride these creatures.
- Strategic Asset: The lizards and frogs are vital for scouting, patrols, and combat, offering a unique advantage in the swamp terrain.
Notable Features
- Feeding Stations: Large wooden troughs and nets filled with raw fish and swamp vegetation are scattered throughout the pens. Feeding the creatures is a careful task requiring precision and patience.
- Training Tools: Sturdy poles, harnesses, and padded lizardfolk dummies are used to train the creatures for battle and riding.
- Observation Platforms: Raised platforms give handlers and visitors a clear view of the pens, ensuring safety and facilitating training.

Lizardman Warrior on trained Giant Lizard by 3orcs
DM-Only Secrets
Show spoiler
- Hidden Creatures: A few pens house rare and exotic reptiles that Tazzirik and Ssarkosh use in their dealings with outsiders, including creatures infused with minor magical abilities by the Swamp Seer.
- Training Challenges: A particularly unruly giant lizard named Rasshklaw has been causing problems, injuring several handlers. Unknown to the village, Ssarkosh has been secretly experimenting on it, infusing it with demonic energy.
- Potential Encounter: Adventurers might be tasked with calming or subduing Rasshklaw as part of their dealings with the village.
Adventure Hooks
- Sabotage: Rivals or pirates attempt to poison or steal the creatures in the pens, requiring adventurers to investigate and defend the village’s assets.
- Taming the Wild: The adventurers are asked to help tame a particularly aggressive creature, testing their patience and skills.
- Demonic Influence: A mysterious illness spreads through the reptiles, linked to Ssarkosh’s experiments. The adventurers must uncover the cause before it spreads further.
Adeventure Riding Giant Lizard Dialog
Show spoiler
Adventurer (Rider):
“Whoa, easy there, big guy. Keep those teeth to yourself.” (tugs gently on the reins)
“No, you don’t get to snack on allies, remember? Allies. Not appetizers.”
Lizard (hissing and drooling):
(low, guttural hiss)
(eyes narrow, tongue flicks out toward the gnome)
Adventurer (Rider):
“I saw that look! Don’t even think about it! I don’t care if Gibli smells like he bathed in bacon grease.”
Gnome (Gibli):
(nervously clutching his staff) “Uh, why is your... mount... looking at me like I’m an all-you-can-eat buffet? Should I... move away?”
Adventurer (Rider):
“Stay where you are, Gibli! You’ll just trigger the chase instinct if you run!”
Gnome (Gibli):
(mutters) “Oh, lovely. The lizard has instincts now.”
Adventurer (Rider):
(to the lizard) “I’m warning you, fangs-for-brains. You bite the gnome, and we’re both walking the rest of the way.”
Lizard (growls softly, still drooling):
(guttural, deep grumble)
Gnome (Gibli):
(steps back a pace) “You don’t look like you have this under control!”
Adventurer (Rider):
(pulls on the reins firmly) “I said NO! You don’t want to taste gnome anyway. Too much beard hair, not enough meat.”
Gnome (Gibli):
(indignantly) “Hey!”
Adventurer (Rider):
(to the gnome) “Just saying! It’s survival. We’ve gotta talk his language.”
(to the lizard) “Look, buddy, I’ll find you a nice fat swamp fish when we stop. Deal?”
Lizard (slowly stops hissing):
(low grumble, turns eyes forward reluctantly)
Adventurer (Rider):
(breathes a sigh of relief) “That’s better. See, teamwork! Now let’s keep moving before Gibli faints from fear.”
Gnome (Gibli):
(mutters) “Teamwork my foot. That thing’s just saving me for dessert.”

Reptile Pens by 3orcs
Trained Giant Lizard (Combat Mount)
Large Beast, Unaligned- Armor Class: 12 (natural armor)
- Hit Points: 37 (5d10 + 10)
- Speed: 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
- Skills: Perception +2
- Senses: Darkvision 30 ft., Passive Perception 12
- Languages: —
- Loyal Mount: The lizard is trained to obey its rider’s commands in combat and remains calm in chaotic situations.
- Swamp Camouflage: The lizard has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in swampy terrain.
- Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
- Tail Swipe (Recharge 5–6): The lizard sweeps its tail in a 10-foot radius. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 10 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Type
Room, Animal, Pen
Parent Location

Trained Giant Lizard by 3orcs
Comments