Homebrew Alternate Lizardfolk Species Details

“PALEFANG STEPPED FORWARD INTO THE CIRCLE that was already forming around him. He had left the village two moons ago as a hatchling, determined to return and prove his strength. He now sought to challenge the aging chieftain for his position as leader of the clan. The rival lizardfolk he had slain earlier that day had strengthened his reputation enough that the chieftain did not think it disgraceful to accept his challenge. If he won, Palefang would wrest control of the clan, and the other hatchlings would be forced to respect him. As the circle of lizardfolk closed around him and the chieftain, Palefang drew his bone dagger. The chieftain let out a guttural hiss and dropped his cloak from his shoulders, revealing a scaled body covered in scars. The noise of the tribe grew louder and louder in his ears, and for the first time in a long time, Palefang knew fear.”

—Captain Rufus Hogback
Retired Adventurer

 

 

Tribal Warriors

Lizardfolk are a people unlike any other; feeling no emotion, yet fiercely loyal to their tribe. Their need to prove themselves in battle makes them dangerous neighbors, and they are constantly involved in tribal warfare. Their culture of war has prevented them from advancing past their primitive ways.

Unlike most humanoids, they do not form familial bonds, instead bonding with their tribe. Any lizardfolk would risk their life to protect the hatchlings of their tribe. Even the females that lay clutches of eggs view all of the hatchlings, even those they didn't hatch themselves, as their children.

Honor and Violence

Lizardfolk society is governed by a strict caste system based on personal reputation. Lizardfolk increase their standing by overcoming enemies that are their equal, or better. They have no interest in fighting the weak, and they will stop at nothing to test their skill in battle against more powerful foes.

Lizardfolk view their lives, and all of their actions, through this lens. After they hatch, they have one year to accomplish enough great deeds to earn their place as an adult member of their tribe. If they fail to meet this expectation they are exiled from the tribe or killed in honor duels by their clutchmates.

Lizardfolk Names

Lizardfolk hatchlings are named for their appearance. If they survive to adulthood they are given a new name based on how they established their reputation. Lizardfolk are always looking to overcome greater obstacles and earn new names.

Hatchling Names. Blackclaw, Dreadspine, Greenscale, Heavystep, Longtooth, Quickfinn, Rotfang, Widemaw.

Adult Names. Bonecrusher, Firewalker, Heartsplitter, Kingbreaker, Lightthief, Trollslayer, Wyrmeater.

Alternate Lizardfolk Traits

The Bullywug are often compared to the Lizardfolk, especially those of the swamplands. However, both races tend to find this comparison equally offensive.

Ability Score Increase.

Your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores each increase by 1.

Size

 Bullywugs sizes vary from the dimensions of a halfling to a dwarf. Standing between 3'2" - 4'7", and weighing 5-275 lbs. Your sizes are Small or Medium.

Natural Weapons

Natural Weapons. Your crushing jaws are a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Cunning Artisan

As part of a short or long rest, you can use a blade or dagger to harvest bone and hide from a Small or larger creature to create one of the following objects: a shield, a club, a javelin, or 1d4 darts or needles.

Sneaky

You are proficient in the Stealth skill.

Natural Armor

You have tough scales. When unarmored, your Armor Class is equal to 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can still use a shield and gain the benefits of this trait.