Ursus the Grim
2014-10-19, 08:46 AM
Hey guys, its been a while since I dipped my spoon into the homebrew cauldron, and in 5e, no doubt. I love me some good old lizardfolk, so here's a quick something I whipped up. I'd like to fine tune it so that the average GM wouldn't mind seeing it in play, Not a lot of fluff here, I think the MM does a decent job fleshing out their role in this edition. I have big ideas for more stuff, but I want to get the bones right.
“Lizardfolk are easy. If they hate you, they try to kill and eat you.
Civilized folk are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.”
-Steven Sirwin, folk hero and ranger
The lizardfolk physiology speaks to millenia of survival as an apex predator in their ecosystem. Standing a head above the average human, clad in thick green scales, the lizardfolk look exactly as one might expect. Unlike Dragonborn, they possess a strong, muscular tail that assists them in balance and swimming as well as a mouth full of sharp teeth that can be used as a weapon when pushed. Males tend to be larger than females, with a pronounced yellow or red crest.
See page 204 in the Monster Manual for more information on Lizardfolk.
Lizardfolk Names
Lizardfolk go by one name, but they also know the name of the clan to which they belong. Lizardfolk traveling in the common lands might take a Common name that is easier for friends and foes to pronounce and remember. Lizardfolk that do share their clan name translate it into Common.
Birth Names: Ekgos, Svataril, Thraegix, Elsqat, Harroc, Shakri, Verthicha, Gewjar, Lucal, Torke, Dask, Skjall, Uxgix, Kapraliv,
Common Names: Walker, Helmsplitter, Bloodletter, Peacemaker
Clan Names: Strong Tail, Red Fang, Iron Flanks, Stone Flesh, Long Spears
Lizardfolk Traits
Your lizardfolk character has a number of traits in common with all other lizardfolk.
Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2.
Age: Lizardfolk reach adulthood at the age of 10. If lucky, they can survive into advanced age - between 70 and 90 years. While most lizardfolk die long before then, some individuals have been known to live past 100 years.
Alignment: Most lizardfolk, though brutal and dangerous, are neutral in alignment - they do what they must to survive, not out of maliciousness. A number are born touched by the demon lord Sess'inek and lean towards Chaotic Evil in their aggressive bloodlust.
Size: A lizardfolk stands between six and seven feet tall, with their weight anywhere between 180 and 300 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a swim speed of 15, which increases to 30 feet at level 4.
Hold Breath: You can hold your breath for 15 minutes.
Bite: You have a bite attack that deals 1d6 piercing damage and have proficiency with it. At 3rd level, when you take the Attack action to attack with a manufactured weapon, you may use a bonus action to attack with your Bite as well. If your Strength modifier is positive, do not add it to this attack.
Natural Armor: You have thick, scaly hide studded with osteoderms. Your AC can't be less than 13+your Dexterity modifier, regardless of what armor you are wearing.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic. The lizardfolk dialect of Draconic comes off as unrefined to other speakers, but you can communicate effectively through it.
Subrace: There are a variety of subraces of Lizardfolk. The most common are listed below.
Achauksta
The Achauksta, or Green Sun lizardfolk, are by and large the most successful subrace. Achauksta shamans are revered, and tribes strive to work with nature to survive, as opposed to trying to conquer it. As an Achauksta, you possess a cunning rivaling your strength. You are a valuable asset in the wilderness and in combat alike.
Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Untamed Instincts: You have proficiency in the Survival skill.
Vuthack
The Vuthack, or Blackscale lizardfolk, are said to be the first to be corrupted by Sess'inek. Even larger than your already considerable cousins, you are the biggest and most brutal among your kind. Vuthack are nearly eight feet tall and have much darker scales. Vuthack who find themselves among the common races often find rewarding work as bodyguards or mercenaries. As a Vuthack, you are a terror in combat, wielding physical might beyond that of the common races.
Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Keen Senses: You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Weyogol
The Weyogol, or Poisondusk lizardfolk are far smaller and eke out their lives in the shadow of their larger cousins, earning their keep as scouts and sentries. Due to their low position among Lizardfolk tribal structure, the Weyogol learned to avoid trouble and make use of their small size to be of value. Weyogol are smaller, standing no taller than five and a half feet, and have more muted coloration. As Weyogol, you know how to escape detection and avoid conflict.
Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Jungle Shadow: You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.
Changelog
10/20
_Added Natural Armor, suggested by Draken.
_Changed subrace ability scores to reduce Vuthack Strength score, suggested by Durazno.
10/22
_Improved Bite damage to 1d6. suggested by Gnomes2169. Now scales with level.
10/23
_Removed damage scaling from an earlier version of Bite, thanks again to Draken. Added 'multiattack clause.'
Suggestions NOT Currently Implemented
_Reduction of Natural Armor
_Athletics Proficiency (in addition to subrace skill)
Don't like what I've done? Starcofski has a radically different take on it. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?331572-D-amp-D-Next-Beastial-Races-(PEACH)) So does Ralcos! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?381050-MM-Races-(PEACH))
“Lizardfolk are easy. If they hate you, they try to kill and eat you.
Civilized folk are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.”
-Steven Sirwin, folk hero and ranger
The lizardfolk physiology speaks to millenia of survival as an apex predator in their ecosystem. Standing a head above the average human, clad in thick green scales, the lizardfolk look exactly as one might expect. Unlike Dragonborn, they possess a strong, muscular tail that assists them in balance and swimming as well as a mouth full of sharp teeth that can be used as a weapon when pushed. Males tend to be larger than females, with a pronounced yellow or red crest.
See page 204 in the Monster Manual for more information on Lizardfolk.
Lizardfolk Names
Lizardfolk go by one name, but they also know the name of the clan to which they belong. Lizardfolk traveling in the common lands might take a Common name that is easier for friends and foes to pronounce and remember. Lizardfolk that do share their clan name translate it into Common.
Birth Names: Ekgos, Svataril, Thraegix, Elsqat, Harroc, Shakri, Verthicha, Gewjar, Lucal, Torke, Dask, Skjall, Uxgix, Kapraliv,
Common Names: Walker, Helmsplitter, Bloodletter, Peacemaker
Clan Names: Strong Tail, Red Fang, Iron Flanks, Stone Flesh, Long Spears
Lizardfolk Traits
Your lizardfolk character has a number of traits in common with all other lizardfolk.
Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2.
Age: Lizardfolk reach adulthood at the age of 10. If lucky, they can survive into advanced age - between 70 and 90 years. While most lizardfolk die long before then, some individuals have been known to live past 100 years.
Alignment: Most lizardfolk, though brutal and dangerous, are neutral in alignment - they do what they must to survive, not out of maliciousness. A number are born touched by the demon lord Sess'inek and lean towards Chaotic Evil in their aggressive bloodlust.
Size: A lizardfolk stands between six and seven feet tall, with their weight anywhere between 180 and 300 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a swim speed of 15, which increases to 30 feet at level 4.
Hold Breath: You can hold your breath for 15 minutes.
Bite: You have a bite attack that deals 1d6 piercing damage and have proficiency with it. At 3rd level, when you take the Attack action to attack with a manufactured weapon, you may use a bonus action to attack with your Bite as well. If your Strength modifier is positive, do not add it to this attack.
Natural Armor: You have thick, scaly hide studded with osteoderms. Your AC can't be less than 13+your Dexterity modifier, regardless of what armor you are wearing.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic. The lizardfolk dialect of Draconic comes off as unrefined to other speakers, but you can communicate effectively through it.
Subrace: There are a variety of subraces of Lizardfolk. The most common are listed below.
Achauksta
The Achauksta, or Green Sun lizardfolk, are by and large the most successful subrace. Achauksta shamans are revered, and tribes strive to work with nature to survive, as opposed to trying to conquer it. As an Achauksta, you possess a cunning rivaling your strength. You are a valuable asset in the wilderness and in combat alike.
Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Untamed Instincts: You have proficiency in the Survival skill.
Vuthack
The Vuthack, or Blackscale lizardfolk, are said to be the first to be corrupted by Sess'inek. Even larger than your already considerable cousins, you are the biggest and most brutal among your kind. Vuthack are nearly eight feet tall and have much darker scales. Vuthack who find themselves among the common races often find rewarding work as bodyguards or mercenaries. As a Vuthack, you are a terror in combat, wielding physical might beyond that of the common races.
Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Keen Senses: You have proficiency in the Perception skill.
Weyogol
The Weyogol, or Poisondusk lizardfolk are far smaller and eke out their lives in the shadow of their larger cousins, earning their keep as scouts and sentries. Due to their low position among Lizardfolk tribal structure, the Weyogol learned to avoid trouble and make use of their small size to be of value. Weyogol are smaller, standing no taller than five and a half feet, and have more muted coloration. As Weyogol, you know how to escape detection and avoid conflict.
Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Jungle Shadow: You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.
Changelog
10/20
_Added Natural Armor, suggested by Draken.
_Changed subrace ability scores to reduce Vuthack Strength score, suggested by Durazno.
10/22
_Improved Bite damage to 1d6. suggested by Gnomes2169. Now scales with level.
10/23
_Removed damage scaling from an earlier version of Bite, thanks again to Draken. Added 'multiattack clause.'
Suggestions NOT Currently Implemented
_Reduction of Natural Armor
_Athletics Proficiency (in addition to subrace skill)
Don't like what I've done? Starcofski has a radically different take on it. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?331572-D-amp-D-Next-Beastial-Races-(PEACH)) So does Ralcos! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?381050-MM-Races-(PEACH))