Aquatic Lizardmen? Y' think? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aquatic Lizardmen? Y' think? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BearSir
10-18-03, 09:21 PM Why has TSR/WIZARDS/HasBORG always maintained lizards, lizardfolk and reptilian hybrids are aquatic? True many RL lizards have some attachment to water, but only on species actually lives semi-marine (the Galapagos-island iguana). Most lizards like dry, semi-arid regions.

I believe it was in Savage Species where the reptilian template was used and specifically said something to the effect of: Reptilians are never found in deserts.

Um, why? Horny-Toads. Goannas in Australia. Lizards abound in deserts, rising with the sun to heat up and go about their reptilian lives...

Yes, I am aware I am being a geek here...but then we all are cuz we play D&D. But it bugs me!

Can someone please tell me why they are so...limited in their views on things? Cannot paradigms shift past the dinosaurs living in the water to support their weight, and dragging their tails in the mud?
sandskimmer
10-18-03, 09:45 PM Cannot paradigms shift past the dinosaurs living in the water to support their weight, and dragging their tails in the mud?

I totally agree. That's why they made rule 0. ;)
Insanity
10-19-03, 07:34 AM Crocodilians, while not true lizards (there are some physiological diffrerences), are reptilian and spend a good deal of their time in water. I have always seen the lizardmen as being more crocodilian rather the lizard.
BearSir
10-19-03, 10:04 PM [light bulb going off expression]
Ooooh yeah. That makes a great deal more sense to me. But why then not "Crocodilecreatures..."--with all due props to Steve Irwin and Paul Hogan of course:rolleyes: --I wonder?

Something to consider. Thanks for your thoughts.
Kaardomos
10-19-03, 10:54 PM Originally posted by Insanity
Crocodilians, while not true lizards (there are some physiological diffrerences), are reptilian and spend a good deal of their time in water. I have always seen the lizardmen as being more crocodilian rather the lizard.
I see them more like komodo dragons myself, although I do agree that there is really no reason to prohibit desert creatures from the template as several lizards are indeed desert dwelling(But I do like the aquatic lizardmen :P).
DrakeRunner
10-19-03, 11:17 PM Because "Crocodilefolk" sounds stupid. Plus they're supposed to live in swamps. Thus, Aquatic.

Of course, the PHB and MM only lists about 4 types of Elves, but we know full well there are around 20, so go crazy with subraces.
Xaxor
10-19-03, 11:57 PM Is that really a good suggestion? (-_-);;
Oh, and though its outdated, Dragon 268 had an article with more lizard/amphibian races.
Incenjucar
10-20-03, 12:09 AM That the swamp-dwelling lizard folk were the base of reptilians is just a matter of 'how it happened'. There are probably a dozen (Core, even) reptilian races out there, which have nothing to do with amphibiousness. However, they all have a tendancy towards evil for some bloody reason... 'cause, you know, giant fence lizards would have to be evil. :rolleyes:
DrakeRunner
10-20-03, 12:06 PM Well, have you ever heard "Cold, reptilian stare" to be a compliment?
lukelightning
10-20-03, 01:10 PM "Mr. Lizard Guy, what a cold, reptilian stare you have."

Lizard Guy: "Why thank you."

Originally posted by DrakeRunner
Well, have you ever heard "Cold, reptilian stare" to be a compliment?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BearSir 10-18-03, 09:21 PM	Why has TSR/WIZARDS/HasBORG always maintained lizards, lizardfolk and reptilian hybrids are aquatic? True many RL lizards have some attachment to water, but only on species actually lives semi-marine (the Galapagos-island iguana). Most lizards like dry, semi-arid regions. I believe it was in Savage Species where the reptilian template was used and specifically said something to the effect of: Reptilians are never found in deserts. Um, why? Horny-Toads. Goannas in Australia. Lizards abound in deserts, rising with the sun to heat up and go about their reptilian lives... Yes, I am aware I am being a geek here...but then we all are cuz we play D&D. But it bugs me! Can someone please tell me why they are so...limited in their views on things? Cannot paradigms shift past the dinosaurs living in the water to support their weight, and dragging their tails in the mud?
sandskimmer 10-18-03, 09:45 PM	Cannot paradigms shift past the dinosaurs living in the water to support their weight, and dragging their tails in the mud? I totally agree. That's why they made rule 0. ;)
Insanity 10-19-03, 07:34 AM	Crocodilians, while not true lizards (there are some physiological diffrerences), are reptilian and spend a good deal of their time in water. I have always seen the lizardmen as being more crocodilian rather the lizard.
BearSir 10-19-03, 10:04 PM	[light bulb going off expression] Ooooh yeah. That makes a great deal more sense to me. But why then not "Crocodilecreatures..."--with all due props to Steve Irwin and Paul Hogan of course:rolleyes: --I wonder? Something to consider. Thanks for your thoughts.
Kaardomos 10-19-03, 10:54 PM	Originally posted by Insanity Crocodilians, while not true lizards (there are some physiological diffrerences), are reptilian and spend a good deal of their time in water. I have always seen the lizardmen as being more crocodilian rather the lizard. I see them more like komodo dragons myself, although I do agree that there is really no reason to prohibit desert creatures from the template as several lizards are indeed desert dwelling(But I do like the aquatic lizardmen :P).
DrakeRunner 10-19-03, 11:17 PM	Because "Crocodilefolk" sounds stupid. Plus they're supposed to live in swamps. Thus, Aquatic. Of course, the PHB and MM only lists about 4 types of Elves, but we know full well there are around 20, so go crazy with subraces.
Xaxor 10-19-03, 11:57 PM	Is that really a good suggestion? (-_-);; Oh, and though its outdated, Dragon 268 had an article with more lizard/amphibian races.
Incenjucar 10-20-03, 12:09 AM	That the swamp-dwelling lizard folk were the base of reptilians is just a matter of 'how it happened'. There are probably a dozen (Core, even) reptilian races out there, which have nothing to do with amphibiousness. However, they all have a tendancy towards evil for some bloody reason... 'cause, you know, giant fence lizards would have to be evil. :rolleyes:
DrakeRunner 10-20-03, 12:06 PM	Well, have you ever heard "Cold, reptilian stare" to be a compliment?
lukelightning 10-20-03, 01:10 PM	"Mr. Lizard Guy, what a cold, reptilian stare you have." Lizard Guy: "Why thank you." Originally posted by DrakeRunner Well, have you ever heard "Cold, reptilian stare" to be a compliment?