Saurian (Ma'ako)
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On the Continent of Khemet, life took a very different turn. A worldwide disaster ended the Age of the Archosaurs everywhere else on the planet, yet on Khemet these great stone-age beasts survived and prospered, eventually evolving into sapient life - a fierce and regal people known to all as the Saurian race (the Ma'ako in their tongue). The Saurians quickly became the dominant species on Khemet, subjugating and taming the great Archosaurs to harness their power for war and industry. Oral tradition and fragmented histories indicated that the free Human kingdoms once united to repel many Saurian invasions. Yet the longstanding hostilities between the two peoples ended with the old world, and the great empires of Humans and Saurians alike fell, ushering in an age of darkness. The Ma'ako now number among the survivors, living behind great walled cities like Belhaven, working tirelessly alongside both Humans and Elves to push back the darkness and survive for yet another day.
Saurian biology is quite different from that of Humans and Elves. Many are exclusive meat-eaters, unable (and unwilling) to eat many of the vegetables that are staples of the Belhaven diet. The relative rarity of meat (due to a lack of available land for ranching behind the city walls) sees many becoming hunters, soldiers, and Rangers who relish the opportunity to venture beyond the walls and bring the fruits of the hunt back to their communities. Like their reptillian ancestors, Saurians do not give live birth (though mothers do nurse their young), but reproduce by laying a clutch of 4-8 eggs which are kept warm, safe, and cared for in the home for 3-4 months (depending on the temperature) before hatching. Infant mortality among Saurians is incredibly high; typically, only half of the children who hatch will survive their first year; thus, Saurians typically do not commemorate the hatching date but the naming date of their young, which occurs with much pomp and celebration a year after hatching. Parents typically only have one set of children during the course of their lives.
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Saurians are a fierce and regal people, descended from the great Archosaurs
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Ma'ak and the saurian belief system
Saurians evolved along a very different path from Humans and Elves and thus have a unique outlook on the world, influenced by a brain that is inherently pragmatic. Saurians tend to think in terms of absolutes; something either is or it is not. Sarcasm is lost on them. A metaphor is a waste of breath. And yet the remaining vestiges of their culture and philosophy are wondrous to behold. Central to the Saurian concept of life and spirituality is the concept of Ma'ak. Ma'ak is the stuff of the soul; it is one's personal power, the singular source of inner strength, the amount of favor one holds with with Akhana, a nebulous and impersonal force above even the gods in cosmic station (Humans might think of it as "destiny").
In Saurian thought, Ma'ak is something one can lose or gain more of, and through one's actions, their personal Ma'ak will be increased or diminished. While each Heritage has their own ideas about what increases or diminishes Ma'ak, there are some commonalities. All Saurians believe that acting with fairness, courage, and integrity increases Ma'ak while cowardice, wastefulness, cruelty, and immoral conduct diminish Ma'ak. A warrior becomes a legend due to her great Ma'ak. A Shul'dak is able to tame a wild Archosaur because the beast recognizes his powerful Ma'ak. Parents have many healthy (or few/sickly) children because of their combined Ma'ak. A wealthy merchant prospers not because of sound strategy and business acumen, but because of his strong Ma'ak. In the minds of most Saurians, all of a person's successes or failures (whether they are Saurian, Human, or Elf) depends mainly upon the amount of Ma'ak they possess.
In Saurian thought, Ma'ak is something one can lose or gain more of, and through one's actions, their personal Ma'ak will be increased or diminished. While each Heritage has their own ideas about what increases or diminishes Ma'ak, there are some commonalities. All Saurians believe that acting with fairness, courage, and integrity increases Ma'ak while cowardice, wastefulness, cruelty, and immoral conduct diminish Ma'ak. A warrior becomes a legend due to her great Ma'ak. A Shul'dak is able to tame a wild Archosaur because the beast recognizes his powerful Ma'ak. Parents have many healthy (or few/sickly) children because of their combined Ma'ak. A wealthy merchant prospers not because of sound strategy and business acumen, but because of his strong Ma'ak. In the minds of most Saurians, all of a person's successes or failures (whether they are Saurian, Human, or Elf) depends mainly upon the amount of Ma'ak they possess.
Naming trends
Traditionally, Ma'ako have two names - their individual name and the name of the family they were born into. These are not thought of as a single name, but as two distinct names, similar to a given name and an alias. It is exceptionally rare for a Saurian to give their family name when introducing themselves as these names are typically reserved for civic and legal uses, or in very formal situations. It is far more common for Saurians to use the name they were given on their Nameday (which occured approximately one year after their birth).
Where family names are often short and simple ("Ibuk", "Malu", or even "Tsa-Shibun"), individual names are long and evocative, describing the Saurian's personal values, unique qualities, and projected destiny. One's name is seen as the color of their Ma'ak and is both a description and a pronouncement over the young Saurian, made by their parents after a year of careful thought and observation. A name is not taken lightly. While each Heritage has different patterns and criteria for choosing a person's name, all Saurian names are unique phrases like "Mouth That Swallows the Moon" or "Thief of Silk and Obsidian". A Human might try to shorten such names to "Mouth" or "Thief"...which is often perceived by Saurians as a grievous insult. Shortening the name of a person is thought of as a curse, akin to wishing them a shortened life or an unfulfilled destiny, thus Saurians insist upon saying their entire name when it is used.
Where family names are often short and simple ("Ibuk", "Malu", or even "Tsa-Shibun"), individual names are long and evocative, describing the Saurian's personal values, unique qualities, and projected destiny. One's name is seen as the color of their Ma'ak and is both a description and a pronouncement over the young Saurian, made by their parents after a year of careful thought and observation. A name is not taken lightly. While each Heritage has different patterns and criteria for choosing a person's name, all Saurian names are unique phrases like "Mouth That Swallows the Moon" or "Thief of Silk and Obsidian". A Human might try to shorten such names to "Mouth" or "Thief"...which is often perceived by Saurians as a grievous insult. Shortening the name of a person is thought of as a curse, akin to wishing them a shortened life or an unfulfilled destiny, thus Saurians insist upon saying their entire name when it is used.
Lifespan
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Ma'ako follow a different lifecycle from that of Humans and Elves. Instead of being born live, Saurians are hatched from a clutch of 4-8 eggs (around half of which will not survive). A Saurian is considered a child on their Nameday, the first anniversary of their birth where the children who survived their first year of life are given their names. At age 10 a Saurian reaches physical maturity and enjoys many decades of strength before old age begins to cloud their mind and dim their vitality (but never their ferocity). Before succumbing to old age, almost all Saurians undergo a state of Akh-Tu (literally translated "emptying") where their rational mind grows dimmer and dimmer and the savage, reptillian brain takes over. It is believed that this is the person's spirit leaving their body for the realm of the gods, taking with them all the Ma'ak they have stored up in life as power and glory in the next world. Saurians lose their memories and higher reasoning, becoming more and more like the fearsome Archosaurs from which they are descended before death finally claims their body at around 150 years of age.
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Child: 1-10 Youth: 10-40 Adult: 40-120 Elder: 120-150 |
Special Asset: Draconic Heir
DRACONIC Heir
BASIC
Your claws and teeth provide you with a powerful natural weapon. Gain the Savage Attack ability.
Your claws and teeth provide you with a powerful natural weapon. Gain the Savage Attack ability.
Savage AttackMelee Attack - Half Action
Roll Melee + Brawn to attack an adjacent enemy with your teeth, claws, and natural weaponry. If you hit, deal 1d4 + Brawn Physical damage. You can use Savage Attack once each round. |
ADVANCED
Your thick scales always provide you with +1 Physical Resistance regardless of the clothing or armor you are wearing.
Your thick scales always provide you with +1 Physical Resistance regardless of the clothing or armor you are wearing.
Heritage
Amoxalid
(uh-mawks-uh-lihd)
(uh-mawks-uh-lihd)
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The Amoxalid were once river-dwellers, settling the fertile valleys of southern Khemet in Ro'atserok, where a confederation of free city-states once held power. While a handful of these cities remain fortified against the darkness, many Amoxalid have fled their homeland, heading north, even as far as Belhaven where they make their home and livelihood upon the river once again. Amoxalid are exclusive meat-eaters, favoring fish over other meats. They are known for their raw fish dishes, which emphasize simplicity and quality ingredients to surprise and delight Saurians and non-Saurians alike. Due to their beliefs about Ma'ak, Amoxalid are renowned as architects, tacticians, and builders of great civic works. Amoxalid believe that Ma'ak increases through patience, diligent planning, and decisive action taken at the right time. Ma'ak decreases through irresponsibility, recklessness, and impulsive action. Thus, Amoxalid tend to be great planners, moving with stealth and caution until the moment is right.
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Naming Trends: All Saurian names are unique, but Amoxalid typically choose names which evoke waters, stealth, darkness, building, planning, and perceptiveness.
Sample Names: Cunning River Serpent, Deepwater Stalker, Matron of the Veiled Marsh, Obsidian Scale Navigator, River Shadow Guardian, Seer Through Dark Waters, Sentinel of the Silent Depths, Stealthy Silt-Diver, Waterside Builder, Who Knows the Moon-Depths
Common Family Surnames: Asek, Auri, Babas, Chnoubis, Enskera, Harsaf, Jabari, Ka-Nahk, Khen-Em, Maratad, Nunu, Set-Et, Tahutia, Tat-Ahk, Toha
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FEATURES
Amoxalid characters receive ONE of these Features
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PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Amoxalid are at once sleek and lithe, yet large and powerfully built, resembling bipedal crocodilians. Their scales are typically green or greenish-blue, useful for blending into the waters they call home, though rarely one may find an Amoxalid with scales of white or black. Their eyes are typically yellow or green and their mouths are full of sharp fangs. |
Bhakrai
(baw-krai)
(baw-krai)
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The Bhakrai are a snake-like people from the northern region of Khemet, a land called Ankhatet. Once trusted viziers and powerful merchant lords, the Bhakrai adapted as the world ended with many migrating into the lands of the humans, even as far north as Belhaven. Today, the Bhakrai continue to ply their trades among the free people of the city, selling rare and exotic goods as well as cheap junk they manage to sell through their natural charisma and salesmanship. As a minority population, Saurians often face impoverishment and unfair discrimination, but the Bhakrai penchant for accumulating and managing wealth often lifts these communities out of poverty. Bhakrai believe that the accrual of Ma'ak is inextricably linked to the accumulation of wealth and that the two feed into one another. Likewise, as Ma'ak diminishes, so too does one's wealth and Ma'ak can be lost through acts of wastefulness, foolish investments, and reckless spending.
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Naming Trends: All Saurian names are unique, but Bhakrai typically choose names which evoke wealth, money, precious substances like silver, gold, and gems, diplomacy, negotiation, and words as warfare.
Sample Names: Coin of Fair Fortunes, Diamond Heir, Empire's Emerald, Gilded Ambassador of the Opulent Court, Golden Master, Platinum Dragon of the Luxuriant Sun, Red Was the Ruby, Sage of the Silver Summit, Shimmering Moon Sapphire, Vault of Secrets Golden, Warrior of Words
Common Family Surnames: Abasi, Askari, Eghbal, Faramin, Gozar, Khali, Mernia, Moza, Radan, Rahnema, Rastegar, Sashani, Shariati, Yazdani, Zadeh
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FEATURES
Bhakrai characters receive ONE of these Features
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PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
The Bhakrai are long and lithe, perhaps the tallest of all Saurians at well over six, nearly seven feet on average. They are thin and snake-like, with long necks and vibrant frills which are often adorned with paint or jewelry. Their scales range across a wide spectrum of colors and their eyes are red, orange, or yellow, rarely blue or green. |
Carnithian
(kar-nith-ee-uhn)
(kar-nith-ee-uhn)
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(kar-nith-ee-uhn)
Resembling dragons and the great carnivorous Archosaurs, the Carnithian people are mighty warriors who once dominated Ankhatet, the northernmost region of Khemet and built an empire that lasted for over a thousand years. Though many still survive within the lands of Khemet, hoping to one day reclaim their lost civilization, many have migrated elsewhere, into cities such as Belhaven. Carnithians ply their skill in war and mastery of strategy across many fields. Some serve as bodyguards, soldiers, and scouts in the Ranger corps. Others pursue positions as lords and leaders, enjoying the power and privilege they once knew as masters of Khemet. In the mind of a Carnithian, one obtains Ma'ak by eating from the fallen corpse of a worthy opponent. The practice has evolved over the years into taking a trophy from a fallen (not necessarily a dead) opponent, though some still practice the old ways. Ma'ak is lost by killing an unworthy opponent.
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Naming Trends: All Saurian names are unique, but Carnithians typically choose names which evoke power, battle, action, conflict, strength, warfare, dragons, and lordship.
Sample Names: Ashen Lady of the Red Sun, Bane of Shadows, Blade Unbridled, Born of the Storm, Crimson King, Dire is His Claw, Eyes of Empire Remembered, Fear is a Weapon, Forged in the Fire, Scales of Wrath and Iron, Thunder on the Wing, War in All
Common Family Surnames: Alash, Amelon, Apla-Idina, Aristun, Asaru, Astoros, Awa-Iri, Aya, Balasu, Erisum, Eru, Ete, Hagam, Ibu, Iluk-Masil, Ilun, Iqinu, Ishemi, Istar, Kaspati, Neru, Niritu, Maradon, Remush, Satiru, Shamus, Sin-Sam, Tsuharu, Udurach, Zalkir
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FEATURES
Carnithian characters receive ONE of these Features
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PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Carnithians are large and powerfully built with scales of red, gold, orange, and other bright, fiery colors. They have horns and an array of sharp spikes throughout their bodies, adding to their imposing demeanor. They have the faces (and temperaments) of dragons with rows of sharp teeth and claws. |
Menzobani
(mehn-zoe-bahn-ee)
(mehn-zoe-bahn-ee)
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Largest and most physically imposing of the Saurian people, the Menzobani are gentle giants who once made their homes in the lowland plains of Ro'atserok in southern Khemet. Though they established no great empires, their people were famed for their strength, work ethic, and stubborn optimism. Menzobani always seem to be in a good mood. Even if at odds with someone, a Menzobani will exercise politeness and restraint. But when engaged in battle, they are fierce warriors and fiercely protective of those in their charge. Above all else, Menzobani value family, loyalty, and social connection. Their belief is that Ma'ak is gathered through strong social bonds to people of good character; that the Ma'ak of a good and strong person can pass to another through strong relational connection. Good people strengthen each other. But one must be wary of their relationships...for Ma'ak can be lost through associations with dishonorable, weak-hearted folk who siphon Ma'ak away from the stronger person in the relationship.
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Naming Trends: All Saurian names are unique, but Menzobani typically choose names which evoke strength, protection, loyalty, unity, guardianship, resilience, simplicity, reliability, and friendship.
Sample Names: Bastion of Hope, Clad in a Raiment of Tears, Embrace of the Heart, Guardian of Summer Roses, Kinsman Redeemer, Loyal Victor, Sentinel of the Last Hold, Steady is My Shield, Strong in Heart and Hand, Unity's Price
Common Family Surnames: Aren, Bila, Bosek, Danor, Eskar, Eretz, Gillen, Lirona, Minse, Nediv, Nehorai, Orr, Runi, Stavo, Yanna, Yeramachi, Zafir
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FEATURES
Menzobani characters receive ONE of these Features
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PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Menzobani are large and powerfully built with great horns and hard head-crests that resemble shields around the backs of the heads. These crests are often painted or adorned with piercings and finery. Their eyes come in shades of brown, blue, yellow, and green and their scales resemble the colors of the earth. |
Theropteran
(thehr-awp-tur-uhn)
(thehr-awp-tur-uhn)
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Smallest and cleverest of the Saurian folk, Theropterans were once water-dwellers who made their way along the waters, swamps, and shorelines of Khemet. Having migrated north into cities like Belhaven, they still ply their trade along the waterways of the world as sailors, craftsmen and traders...as well as pirates, smugglers, and thieves. Though many distrust Theropterans, they are not without honor. In the mind of a Theropteran, dishonor is only earned (and with it, the accompanying loss of Ma'ak) when the mark did not have a fair chance at resisting or escaping. A con is honorable if the mark had every opportunity to see and evade the snare. An ambush is all fine and good if the victim could have seen and avoided it. There is no dishonor when evading security measures to steal from a locked chest. In fact, to a Theropteran, Ma'ak is gained through the honorable circumvention of laws to increase one's wealth and power.
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Naming Trends: All Saurian names are unique, but Theropterans typically choose names which evoke stealth, darkness, trickery, deceit, cunning, deception, swiftness, agility, and guile.
Sample Names: Assassin in Revel's Guise, Dagger's Depths, Dazzling Darkwing Deceiver, In Masque He Dwells, On Wings of the Night, Shadow's Companion, Shrouded in Dusk, Stalker in Unrent Veil, The Moon in Waiting, Twilight Phantom, Whispering Nightshade
Common Family Surnames: Ahikiban, Amagia, Arikitu, Belthea, Darseem, Eta, Halamat, Joma, Kharapal, Mahagol, Manitashu, Muglai, Nahap, Shusur, Tirigato, Zarnea
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FEATURES
Theropteran characters receive ONE of these Features
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PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Theropterans are among the most physically diminutive of the Saurian people, with colorful scales and bright, decorative frills which flare out when the Saurian is excited, frightened, or otherwise emotional. Their eyes and scales reflect the many colors of the rainbow, with a few capable of changing their colors to match their environment. |