* Restricted: Saurian Cultists only
Saurian Reptilians are carnivorous reptilians distinguishable from Serpent Reptilians by their legs. In addition they may possess wings or fins. They have representative species amongst Animal Order Reptiles (Saurian Reptiles such as the lizards, crocodiles and alligators, the amphibious fish-like icthyosaurs, and the animal raptors). Higher Order Saurian Reptilians in the Monster Order include some species which possess a few characteristics of People albeit in a reptilian way (eg the bipedal Skinks and other Lizard Men), whereas other biped Saurian Monsters are less personable (such as the elusive cunning and occasionally huge bipedal ferocious monster raptors). Some species of flying Saurian Monsters (Pterosaurs) such as Nazgūl have been encountered as mounts for Evil Magic Users. The array of Saurian Monsters culminates with the solitary, mysterious, and inscrutable Dragons.
Note that in Anarea all amphibians are Reptiles. Salamanders and Newts are Saurian Reptiles, Caecilians are Serpentine Reptiles (Snakes) and Frogs and Toads (Anura) are Reptiles but are neither Saurian nor Serpentine.
The Saurian Cults have their home in the warmer regions of the Overworld, especially the Jungle, and a few isolated locations in cooler parts.
OUROBOROS, E/N Demigod of Saurians is Patron of the Saurian Cults. He
is depicted as a huge scaled winged worm, with one or more pairs of legs,
forming a circle and apparently devouring His own tail to sustain His own life,
representing the Cycle of Life, the ideal of Life after Death, the idea of
Creation out of Destruction,
and the reputed self-fecundity of Saurians. Some allegorical
depictions emphasize a light upper half and dark lower half, contrary to normal
appearances. He is a subtle and devious Demigod, Whose
Qualities are perhaps reminiscent of the Dragons. The Eye of OUROBOROS is said
to have a penetrating gaze, from which none can hide if His gaze rests upon
them, except perhaps
HALKI
Himself. As a Reptilian Demigod, He serves the Hierarchy of VIXEW, N/N God of
Reptiles, and therefore has responsibilities under the Host of
KOROS;
However, He has a Dark Side, and in Alignment conflicts He Aligns with the Host of
HAERIM,
E/N God of Hate. He has His own ideas about the Cycle of Life and Life after
Death (reincarnation), which is evident from His breeding programme which created
the Monstrous Lizard Men, but apparently did not produce a new species of
People. He aims for Godhead Himself by sponsoring the Saurian Cults to gain
followers. The Histories aver that Saurian Cultures have grown potent, and
fallen cataclysmically, in approximately 500-year cycles.
The Saurian Cults are organized, devious and cunning. If and when they have nurtured any grievance to the point of hatred, they will exact vengeance with unexpected swiftness. They are rumoured to be able to harness breath weapons, and to be able to launch attacks in the blink of an eye. They rarely use poison, but may use disembowelling weapons as a matter of course.
Saurian Cultist Clerical Spells are granted for OUROBOROS either by KOROS or HAERIM, dependent on Alignment of Caster. However, most Cultists have their Faith in OUROBOROS, and believe He grants the Spells directly. They get Frozen Fear as a L4 Spell, Create/Neutralise Poison as a L6 Clerical Spell, Sticks to Reptiles as a L7 Spell, Rain of Raptors as a L8 Spell (instead of Ice/Fire/Rock Storm), Contact via Saurians as a L10 Spell (instead of Contact) and Conjure Saurian as a L12 Spell.
Saurian Cultist Druids are
Beastmasters,
with a Saurian-specific
Spell list.
Local species of Dracaena are used as Media uniquely for their Saurian Cycle of
Spells. For maximum bonus it should be harvested on the MidSummer Caeriad (26 Oscow). Harvesting on Midwinter
Caeriad (25/26 Yarom) would be a serious error, because then it will give
maximum minus instead of plus to the spell: for it is said with good reason
that one should not disturb a sleeping Dragon.
Saurian Cultist Binders Summon DRACAENOS, the E/N Demon Earl of Saurian Monsters, Servant of OUROBOROS with the Host of HAERIM; and SOBEK, the N/N Demon Earl of Saurian Animals (also known as Demon of Crocodiles), Servant of OUROBOROS with the Host of VIXEW.
The Saurian Cults turning towards the
Dark Side can sometimes tend towards
rather sadistic hedonism, with a propensity for enjoying abusing their
positions of power in a markedly hierarchical culture. They tend to
attract individuals who like to control others, and have close links with Thievish brotherhoods, creating networks of informants and
encouraging people to report or inform on others. Myths of Shapechanged metallic
Dragons usurping control of Saurian Cults are spread by rival Cults to
discourage recruitment and create fear amongst Saurian Cultists.
It is presumed some Saurian Cults are responsible for breeding Nazgūl as flying Pterosaurian mounts to ride. Some Saurian Cultists breed Saurian Cold Ones as amphibious mounts. Others (especially amongst the Kobolds) use Giant Lizards as mounts. It is usually asserted that Dragons cannot be tamed. At any rate it is difficult to find anyone who has survived the attempt.
Saurian Cultists have an affinity with Water. They have a traditional enmity with Snake and Spider Cults. There is a long-standing alliance and mutual understanding with Lizard Men. Saurians despise Snakes as legless degenerate species, and usually eat any they encounter.
© A.R. Magnay / P.R. Wild, 4 February 2006 (last updated 31 August 2013)
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