Skarlak

Basic Info:

• Height: Blackscales: 4.5' - 5.5' / Greenscales: 5'-6' / Redscales: 5.5' - 6.5'

• Life Expectancy: 40-60 years

• Location: Swamps, marshes, and deserts.

Description:

Skarlak (lizardfolk) come in three main varieties - the enterprising Greenscales , the militaristic Redscales, and the isolationist Blackscales.

Language:

Though most outsiders simply refer to the lizardfolk language as "Skarlak" after the race that speaks it, the Skarlak themselves refer to their language as "Yhayassaeh," or "The Tongue/Speech." Though there are variations and regional accents, the langauge is static enough that one speaker of Skarlak will almost always be able to communicate with another.

Important vocabulary:

• Slahy [slah-yah]: "Not ours." Used by most Skarlak to refer to non-family members. Among the Blackscales, it denotes a non-tribe member.

• Tiszek [tiz-seck]: "Soft-skin." Refers to all non-Skarlak races. Usually a neutral term, but can be an extreme pejorative when used in reference to another Skarlak.

• Syl'cieth [Swhy-el-see-eth]: Literally, "the one who survives." A simply translated term, but one that carries a great deal of cultural baggage and complexity. It is a title rarely bestowed by a high ranking tribe member (usually an Archon or Sentinel) to a skarlak who has proven their worth, and brought something of lasting value and/or importance to their people or community. It seems to be reference both to prowess--one who has lived through an event that should be impossible to survive--but can also be, or is also, a reference to the recipients immortality, in that the value they have brought back to their people will outlive them.

Possible backgrounds:

• Ussetra: The largest of the three Skarlak nations, ruled by the Redscales. Military infrastructure permeates Ussetran society. Driven by honor and duty.

• Ral'ji Marsh: ruled by the Greenscales. Greenscale society has integrated heavily with the human nations that they border. They focus on trade and enterprise rather than combat.

• Vulshik: The smallest of the Skarlak nations, "ruled" by Blackscales. Isolated from the rest of the Skarlak, they tend to be xenophobic and somewhat feral, though they maintain very strong tribal ties on a local level.

• Serac Desert: The Serac region has a volatile history, and tends to attract those who are both ambitious and hardened.

• Felspar: Many Skarlak, especially Greenscales and Redscales, have moved into Felspar seeking interesting new opportunities.

• Kitek: Skarlak who pursue intellectual endeavors but wish to stay within their homeland will often live among the Kiteki and study with them.