Lizardfolk Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Lizardfolk Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DLyon
05-16-07, 01:48 AM So, our DM is just about ready to kick off a new campign. The setting is a large, relatively unexplored continent in our world. inhabited by a variety of native races, among them lizardfolk. The campaign is high adventure in what is a combination of 'darkest Africa/Amazon basin'.

My character is the trusty native guide, a lizardfolk ranger by the name of Slilin. Here is a brief history of his life, leading up to the beginning of the campaign, followed by a description of his personality and physical appearance. I would appreciate any feedback, constructive criticism and suggestions for background, character quirks, etc.

History

Slilin was hatched in a small lizardfolk village, somewhere along the south-eastern coast of the continent. As a child, he learned the art of hunting and stealth from his father, as well as fishing. Most of his duties involved hunting or fishing in order to provide food for the village. As he gew older, he was also taught how to wield the traditional weapons of his tribe: the bow, axe and warclub.

At the age of thirteen Slilin went through the traditional adulthood ritual of the males of his tribe: he was sent out to find and kill a giant crocodile, armed only with his bare hands. It took him three days to track one down. The fight itself was long and ardous, but Slilin emerged victorious, albiet bruised, bleeding and battered.

Slilin returned to his village, a full-fledged warrior. He became one of the protectors of the village and on more then one occasion he helped fight off raids by other tribes or creatures. Four years passed and he grew, becoming larger and stronger. By now he was six feet tall and heavily muscled, but still as fast as he had ever been.

One day, he took a small coracle raft out to do some fishing. Unfortunately, a storm came in while he was out at sea and he was blown far to the north and east, away from shore. Slilin survived for a week on the fish he had caught, eating sparingly. He had condemned himself to death when he spotted a strange cloud on the horizon. As it drew closer, he realized it was a large wooden...thing. With wings of canvas. Slilin almost thought he was hallucinating from lack of food and water.

However, he was not. It was an Elven trade ship, bound for the northern coast of his continent, where a variety of races from other lands had set up trade posts and colonies. They picked him up and, despite some initial difficulties with communication, carried him there.

With no way to get home and a language barrier, Slilin was in a bit of trouble. Being an intelligent sort, he began finding work and learning as much of the language as he could. There were other lizardfolk, but they were different from his tribe and their dialects strange to him.

As he learned the language, he began to act as a guide, taking adventurers, treasure hunters or explorers into the interior. He could still identify dangerous creatures or track animals. Eventually, he was able to save money and buy himself steel weapons, of which he is very proud and hopes to show to his family and friends, should he ever return home.

Description

Slilin is large and heavily muscled, standing at six foot even, with broad shoulders. His skin is, naturally, covered with scales and a dark green in color, although it fades to a white on his belly and throat. His eys are orbs of black. He usually wears only a loincloth and a belt, which holds most of his equipment, as well as a quiver for his bow. Around his neck he wears a necklace with the teeth of the crocodile he killed, as well as an ancient coin he found outside of his village, which he believes will give him luck.

When he prepares to go into combat, he paints symbols of protection on himself, in order to stop the weapons of his enemies from harming him. Slilin also daubs paint over his face in order to show his dedication to his cause and to make him look more fearsome.

Slilin does not worship a god, per se. Instead, he worships the spirits of the earth, the air and the other elements, as well as looking to his ancestors for guidance.

His personality is very friendly and he enjoys guiding people out into the jungles. However, he is also deepl superstitious and has, on more then one occasion, advised his clients to turn back when facd with bad omens or coming upon one of the ancient stone temples that dot the region. As he puts it, "Bad spirits live there."

Currently, he awaits employment.
fuzzycrusader
05-16-07, 02:58 AM this is great. he sounds like a really fun character to play. But I have to ask, does he plan on actively heading for home anytime in the near future? Does he even know where home is in relationship to where he is now? The trek back to the village would be a pretty neat adventure for your group should they decide to accompany him.
DLyon
05-16-07, 03:06 AM As far as he knows, home is to the south and east. Unfortunately for him (but fortunately for our plot) no one is going to sail a lone lizardfolk halfway around the continent.

I'm hoping that it will get worked into the campaign at some point and I'll be talking to my DM about it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DLyon 05-16-07, 01:48 AM	So, our DM is just about ready to kick off a new campign. The setting is a large, relatively unexplored continent in our world. inhabited by a variety of native races, among them lizardfolk. The campaign is high adventure in what is a combination of 'darkest Africa/Amazon basin'. My character is the trusty native guide, a lizardfolk ranger by the name of Slilin. Here is a brief history of his life, leading up to the beginning of the campaign, followed by a description of his personality and physical appearance. I would appreciate any feedback, constructive criticism and suggestions for background, character quirks, etc. History Slilin was hatched in a small lizardfolk village, somewhere along the south-eastern coast of the continent. As a child, he learned the art of hunting and stealth from his father, as well as fishing. Most of his duties involved hunting or fishing in order to provide food for the village. As he gew older, he was also taught how to wield the traditional weapons of his tribe: the bow, axe and warclub. At the age of thirteen Slilin went through the traditional adulthood ritual of the males of his tribe: he was sent out to find and kill a giant crocodile, armed only with his bare hands. It took him three days to track one down. The fight itself was long and ardous, but Slilin emerged victorious, albiet bruised, bleeding and battered. Slilin returned to his village, a full-fledged warrior. He became one of the protectors of the village and on more then one occasion he helped fight off raids by other tribes or creatures. Four years passed and he grew, becoming larger and stronger. By now he was six feet tall and heavily muscled, but still as fast as he had ever been. One day, he took a small coracle raft out to do some fishing. Unfortunately, a storm came in while he was out at sea and he was blown far to the north and east, away from shore. Slilin survived for a week on the fish he had caught, eating sparingly. He had condemned himself to death when he spotted a strange cloud on the horizon. As it drew closer, he realized it was a large wooden...thing. With wings of canvas. Slilin almost thought he was hallucinating from lack of food and water. However, he was not. It was an Elven trade ship, bound for the northern coast of his continent, where a variety of races from other lands had set up trade posts and colonies. They picked him up and, despite some initial difficulties with communication, carried him there. With no way to get home and a language barrier, Slilin was in a bit of trouble. Being an intelligent sort, he began finding work and learning as much of the language as he could. There were other lizardfolk, but they were different from his tribe and their dialects strange to him. As he learned the language, he began to act as a guide, taking adventurers, treasure hunters or explorers into the interior. He could still identify dangerous creatures or track animals. Eventually, he was able to save money and buy himself steel weapons, of which he is very proud and hopes to show to his family and friends, should he ever return home. Description Slilin is large and heavily muscled, standing at six foot even, with broad shoulders. His skin is, naturally, covered with scales and a dark green in color, although it fades to a white on his belly and throat. His eys are orbs of black. He usually wears only a loincloth and a belt, which holds most of his equipment, as well as a quiver for his bow. Around his neck he wears a necklace with the teeth of the crocodile he killed, as well as an ancient coin he found outside of his village, which he believes will give him luck. When he prepares to go into combat, he paints symbols of protection on himself, in order to stop the weapons of his enemies from harming him. Slilin also daubs paint over his face in order to show his dedication to his cause and to make him look more fearsome. Slilin does not worship a god, per se. Instead, he worships the spirits of the earth, the air and the other elements, as well as looking to his ancestors for guidance. His personality is very friendly and he enjoys guiding people out into the jungles. However, he is also deepl superstitious and has, on more then one occasion, advised his clients to turn back when facd with bad omens or coming upon one of the ancient stone temples that dot the region. As he puts it, "Bad spirits live there." Currently, he awaits employment.
fuzzycrusader 05-16-07, 02:58 AM	this is great. he sounds like a really fun character to play. But I have to ask, does he plan on actively heading for home anytime in the near future? Does he even know where home is in relationship to where he is now? The trek back to the village would be a pretty neat adventure for your group should they decide to accompany him.
DLyon 05-16-07, 03:06 AM	As far as he knows, home is to the south and east. Unfortunately for him (but fortunately for our plot) no one is going to sail a lone lizardfolk halfway around the continent. I'm hoping that it will get worked into the campaign at some point and I'll be talking to my DM about it.