Jalachara

Reptilian, lizard like people

None, but outward characteristics vary by reptile type

Jalachara are huge, cold blooded, lizard like humanoids. They take after
various kinds of lizard- but the most common are the crocodile or alligator
breed that reside in the swamps and marshes of Tirradyn. These Jalachara
require water to keep their scales healthy, though many supplement scale
health with diet and baths. This is not the only kind of Jalachara out
there, it is known there are desert Jalachara with beaded scales like those
of a gila monster rather than the more traditional ones. There are also
Jungle Jalachara with brilliant lizard colors. They can eat just about
anything with their powerful jaws and robust constitution. They do eat rocks
as well to help them digest food. They have a natural craving for calcium to
keep their teeth and scales healthy, as such dairy based products have an
addictive quality to most jalachara. They are omnivorous with voracious
appetites to keep their energy up in their huge bulky forms. They are
muscular with tails known to be as powerful as a weapon. They have scales
that they shed once or twice a year and their teeth (if they have them)
regenerate. They have long, lizard like faces with eyes that do not blink,
but rather have nictitating membranes they can close. They smell through
their tongues and do not have ears, but rather hear through membranes on the
side of their heads. They continue to grow, albeit slowly, their whole life.
As they reach old age, their scales start to darken to black. That is how
you know a jalachara is near death. Some Jalachin are known to be able to
change their gender should there be need for it.

They tend to be a bit more primitive than other races, but they are not
stupid. They can be insular due to the fact that they are hunted, but some
have found a place in the world. Many tend to 'mask' in front of warm bloods
and play into the stereotype of being dim-witted hungry beasts. They are
opportunists and scavengers and rarely turn down a meal- no matter the
source. Some people are turned off because they are corpse eaters.

They are known to be protective of their home and environment and their
people. Known scavengers, they also enjoy fishing. They are often seen as
savage creatures and have long been taken as slaves and hunted for their
skin. They tend to live in tribal family units. They have names for their
different ages. Hatchlings- or infants. Anole are children. Skinks are
teenagers. Varanus are adults. Finally, there are Eunectes; the elders. They
tend to worship the natural ways over other ways and, depending on their
tribal origin, have a belief in unknown deities or Primordials. There are
not many Jalachara left in the world as they have been hunted, enslaved and
killed. There was also a terrible plague that swept through the swamps of
one of the largest communities of Jalachara, killing most of them.

Most have a Family name and a given name. They very rarely share their
given name and instead go by a nickname out in the world. If they share
their family name with you, it is a sign of trust, if they share their given
name with you, it is a sign of love. Their nicknames tend to be simple,
either given to them or a remark on their looks. Examples of nicknames:
Redclaw, Fang, Green, One, Red Bead. Their given names tend to be
multi-syllable with a strong meaning behind them. Examples: Zs'looq (Mud
Skipper), P'Shaan'qo (Calls the Fish), Zhu'lanquon (Fades in Sand).

Warm places as they are reptiles and will become bromated in the winter if
they get too cold. Most also enjoy the water and wet habitats.

They have a tribal structure, usually a chieftain, shamans and
spiritualists and then a council below that. They are patriarchal most of
the time, but it is not unheard of to have female leaders either. They
protect the hatcheries as a tribe and many times children are placed with
families based on their assumed skills and proclivities. As they go through
their ages, they are trained in various ways to best gain strength and serve
the community. To become Varanus, Skinks are often given a test to see where
their natural skill lays, upon passing this, they are placed with others
like them so they can be trained. When they pass their rituals, many have a
ball or other decoration added to their tail.