Ssraaz's page

Ssraaz is a massive lizardfolk towering at 6'9 and 240 lbs. He is covered in topaz green scales and a large crest a little more on the blue side extends from his head to the end of his 4' long tail. Sharp inches long teeth and claws reinforce his feral appearance. He wears no clothes but a leather armor reinforces by small wooden scales btu carries an large assortment of weapons, a pair of nets and of tridents, a sling and a greatclub reinforced with coral shards.

Ssraaz son of Razzal and double-son of Marazz the Wavewarden is a warden apprentice of the Bloodied Coral tribe, a tribe of the Lizardfolk living on the western most isle of the Sieben Islen. The tribe, now numbering more than 80 members occupies a coastal village bordering a wide lagoon on one side and a tepid marsh on the other side. Sixty years ago, when Dresmond valorous was found unconscious on a beach of another of the Sieben Islen, the tribe was reduced to less than twenty members by the unrelenting attacks of the Sahuagin on them. Only the strength and cunning of Marrazz had saved them from being wiped as the giant lizardman was relentlessly patrolling the waters to warn the tribe of the upcoming attacks and enable them to retreat into the marsh where they could hide or evade their enemies.

When the call came to all the remaining tribes that a small halfman was gathering the Lizardfolk to take the fight to the Sahuagins, Marraz left the remains of his tribe under the protection of his last living son and escorted the elders of the tribe to the meeting. He was amongst the selected to join the core of the group that attacked and finally defeated their enemies. However, some of them did not come back and Marazz was one of them, mauled to death while killing one of the Devourer's lead cultist. The tribe was devastated when the news came.

But his sacrifice was not in vain as the Bloodied Coral tribe were safe and could now prosper and reconquer their lagoon and the reefs behind without fear. Having been hardly exploited during the war, the reefs were full of fish and shells and provided for the tribe growth.

Nowadays, the tribe is more prosperous than it has ever been, both with the nature bounty but also with the trade of pearls and shells that are in great demand in Middleport and ion the mainland. Despite that newfound wealth, the memory of the Wavewarden and the wisdom of Silaz, its current elder have contributed to the stability of the tribe. Once only directed by its elders, a shaman devoted to the Flower of Chance (an aspect of the azata empyreal lady Chadali) and the eldest witch, well versed in the knowledge of herbs, the tribe elders now include two other randomly selected adults that change every year.

A new group a protectors for the village has also been created and named in memory of Marazz. The Wardens, as they are called, are devotees of the Flower of Chance and responsible for the safety of the tribe. Numbered ten, they patrol the marsh, reefs and detect and remove threats. but they are also called as arbiters buy the inhabitants. Their leader is also designed by fate for a year so that all are prepared to take this burden in an emergency.

Like his father, Ssraaz is the direct descendant of Marazz and was prepared from the moment he broke his shell to integrate the Wardens and show himself worthy of his twice-father. Tutored both by Silaz and his father, he has learned to master his claws, teeth and the fishing nets for restraining his opponents. Along this martial training came the specific warden training: the knowledge of the water and the marsh, how the surrounding animals can warn of incoming dangers and the knowledge of the weaknesses of the Sahuagins. Because the wardens needs to be ready for their return.

The training was harsh and demanding but Ssraaz embraced it and it felt very natural for him as he was favored by his natural abilities and his mindset. His determination was reinforced by the meetings with Dresmond Valorous, the last one just before the halfling's death. The aura of the small and ailing hero coupled with his determination to visit each year his former companions or their families to inquire of their well being resonated with Sraaz.

As he grew to adulthood, his confirmation as Warden was but a formality. The ceremony took place on a full moon day, as the tide was at his highest and the water lilies wide open. Asking for the blessing of the goddess to better protect his people, his call was answered by the sound of the message drums. The large ones carved into the widest trunks that were used to communicate from tribe to tribe and island to island. They were relaying the request of the mayor for help against a threat to the islands.

That is the will of the Lady, said the shaman, and the village could not but respond and send Ssraaz. Packing his weapons and supplies for the trip, he was gone within the hour. Riding the currents from island to island, he swam relentlessly, stopping only for short sleeps and arrived to the capital. that was the first town he had ever seen. Nor had he seen as many people, especially other races, gathered in the same place.