Lizardfolk

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Greyhawk creature
Lizardfolk
A typical lizardfolk, as depicted in the Monster Manual (2000).
Alignment: Neutral
Size: Medium
Type: Humanoid
Subtype or Tag: Reptilian
Patron Deity: Semuanya
First appearance: Greyhawk (1975).

Lizardfolk are reptillian humanoids who look like anthropomorphic lizards. Prior to third edition, they were referred to as lizard men.

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Lizardfolk are primitive reptilian humanoids that can be very dangerous if provoked. Although they are omnivores, lizardfolk prefer meat.

Environment[edit | edit source]

Lizardfolk make their homes in temperate marshes and swamps. They are passable swimmers however, and may also be found in underwater cave systems.

Lizardfolk have been encountered in significant numbers in the Gnatmarsh, the Hool Marshes, the Mistmarsh, the Rushmoors, and the Vast Swamp.

Typical physical characteristics[edit | edit source]

Lizardfolk are tall, primitive reptilian humanoids who look like a cross between a powerfully built human and a lizard. They have a long tail, clawed hands, and a toothy jaw. Lizardfolk typically stand from six to seven feet tall. Their scales are normally dull, earthy colors such as green, brown, or gray. They have a tail for balance, which measures three to four feet long. Typical weight is between 200 and 300 pounds (90 and 136 kg). There are several species of lizardfolk however, and these can range from 3-foot-tall (0.91 m) pygmies to 9-foot-tall (2.7 m) giants.

Lizardfolk can hold their breath for a very long time, by human standards.

Alignment[edit | edit source]

Lizardfolk are usually neutral.

Society[edit | edit source]

Lizardfolk society is primarily patriarchal, with the strongest member normally in charge. Shamans are typically counselors, and normally do not lead tribes. Where ever they make their home, survival is the main priority for any lizardfolk.

Notable lizardfolk tribes include the Twisted Branch tribe of the Mistmarsh.

The lizard men of the Gnatmarsh are a very cunning lot, using traps, snares, and poison-tipped spears. {The Marklands, page 70-71)

Religion[edit | edit source]

Lizardfolk mostly worship the deity Semuanya, whose main agenda is the reproduction and survival of the species. Increasingly, however, their worship is being poached by the demon lord Sess'innek. In fourth Edition, and no others, the core Monster Manual stated, "Lizardfolk do not worship gods, but large tribes often elevate one of their own to the status of a living deity. This figure becomes the tribe’s lizard king. A lizard king usually possesses unusual strength, ferocity, and cleverness and might be tainted by primordial or demonic influences. Powerful reptilian creatures such as dragons sometimes usurp this role and command a tribe’s loyalty."[1]

Language[edit | edit source]

Lizardfolk speak Draconic. In early editions, lizardfolk spoke their own language.


Lizardfolk subraces[edit | edit source]

See Gallery below, for images of subraces

  • Blackscale: Larger and more barbaric, with dark scales and an affinity towards acid.[2]
  • Dark Talon: Murderous lizardfolk, toughened by alchemical infusions of black dragon blood. They seek to conquer lands controlled by other humanoid races.[3]
  • Lizard King: Demon-blooded lizardfolk who often rule tribes of their non-fiendish kin. Serve the demon lord Sess'Innek. [4]
  • Poison Dusk: Smaller, chameleon-like lizardfolk who frequently utilize poisoned arrows.[2]
  • Quanak: Psionic lizardfolk. [5]
  • Viletooth: Lizardfolk with genetic relations to black dragons.[6]

It is difficult to distinguish races in mechanics between editions, sometimes. In fourth Edition, and no others, the core Monster Manual stated, "A lizard king usually possesses unusual strength, ferocity, and cleverness and might be tainted by primordial or demonic influences."[1] This seems to draw from both third Edition's Dark Talon and Lizard King variants, and seems to lead to fifth edition's Lizard King variant.

Prominent Lizardfolk[edit | edit source]

History[edit | edit source]

During the springs of 583 and 584 CY, lizardfolk from the Mistmarsh became unusually active and attacked livestock and some outlying farms. This resulted in the construction of two new tower keeps to the north and south of the marsh: Blackwall Keep and Marsh Keep. The keeps have apparently worked, as very few lizardfolk have been seen outside the marsh since their construction.

Publication history[edit | edit source]

Lizard men first officially appeared as part of the original D&D game in the 1975 Greyhawk supplement booklet authored by Gary Gygax and Robert Kuntz, where it was described as an aquatic monster with a rude intelligence, that was fond of eating human flesh. The lizardman artwork that appeared on the inside front cover of that supplement[1] was used as part of the official TSR, Inc. logo from 1975 through 1978.[7]

Original edition[edit | edit source]

The lizard man was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975). It is described as an aquatic monster with a rude intelligence, that is fond of eating human flesh.[8]

Basic edition[edit | edit source]

This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the lizard man, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977, 1981, 1983),[9][10][11] and was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991),[12] the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).[13]

A variety of lizard men called "Cay-Men," inhabiting a kingdom called Cay, were described in "The Voyage of the Princess Ark" in Dragon issue #185. Options for including varieties of lizard man (collectively called "lizard-kin") as player characters were included at the end of the article.[14]

The Malpheggi lizard man was detailed as a player character race in the Hollow World Campaign Set in the "Player's Guide" (1990).[15]

First edition[edit | edit source]

The lizard man appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a semi-aquatic creature that dwells underwater, and is omnivorous but prefers human flesh.[16]

The lizard man is detailed as a player character race in White Dwarf #26 (Aug/Sept 1981).[17]

The lizard king, a more intelligent and evil relative to the more common lizard man, was introduced in the Fiend Folio (1981).[18]

Second edition[edit | edit source]

The lizard man and lizard king made their second edition debut in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and were reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).

The lizard man's first Advanced Dungeons & Dragons appearance was in the Monster Manual (1977), where it was described as a semi-aquatic creature that dwelt underwater, omnivorous but preferring human flesh. The lizard king, a more intelligent and evil relative to the more common lizard man, was introduced in the Fiend Folio (1981).

The lizard man and lizard king appear first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989),[19] and are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).[20]

The bakali, a relative of the lizard man from the world of Krynn in the Dragonlance campaign setting, was introduced in the Time of the Dragon boxed set, in the "Rulebook of Taladas" booklet (1989),[21] and also appeared in the Tales of the Lance set, in the "World Book of Ansalon" booklet (1992).[22]

The lizard man of Krynn was detailed in the Dragonlance Monstrous Compendium. (1990)

The lizard man was presented as a player character race for the Spelljammer campaign setting in The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook (1992).[23]

The lizard man is further detailed as a playable character race in The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993),[24] and is later presented as a playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & Powers (1995).[25]

The Athasian lizard man and lizard king were introduced for the Dark Sun campaign setting in Wanderer's Chronicle: Mind Lords of the Last Sea (1996).[26]

The Malatran lizard man and lizard king were detailed in Polyhedron #121 (July 1996).

Third edtion[edit | edit source]

The lizard man made its third edition debut under the name "lizardfolk" in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). It was later updated to the 3.5 rules in the 3.5 edition Monster Manual (2003). That same year, the lizardfolk was detailed as a player character race for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting in Races of Faerûn (2003). The lizard king, and lizard queen, were detailed for edition 3.5 in Serpent Kingdoms for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. (2004). The lizardfolk were further detailed in Dragon #335 (September 2005), in the "Ecology of the Lizardfolk". The lizard man appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000), where it is known as the lizardfolk.[27]

The lizardfolk is detailed as a player character race for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting in Races of Faerûn (2003).[28]

Third edition v3.5[edit | edit source]

The lizardfolk appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).

The lizardfolk is presented as both a race and a playable class for the Hollow World campaign setting in Dragon #318 (April 2004).

The lizard king, and lizard queen, are detailed in Serpent Kingdoms for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. (2004).[29]

The blackscale lizardfolk and the poison dusk lizardfolk were mentioned as monsters inhabiting the jungles of Q'barra in the "Eberron Campaign Setting" hardcover (2004).[30] These variants were fully described in the Monster Manual III (2004).[31]

The lizardfolk were detailed in Dragon #335 (September 2005), in the "Ecology of the Lizardfolk".[32]

The dark talon lizardfolk, including the soldier, champion, shaman, wasp rider, and Yarshag the dark talon king, were introduced in Monster Manual IV (2006).[33]

Fourth edition[edit | edit source]

The lizardfolk made its fourth edition debut in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).

Lizardfolk appear in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).[34] Witchlight lizardfolk are a dangerous variant, worshiping the black dragon Shadowmire, appearing in Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale (2011).

Fifth edition[edit | edit source]

The lizardfolk are included in fifth edition in the Monster Manual, additionally appearing in entries as the "Lizardfolk Shaman" and "Lizardfolk King/Queen". They were again presented as a player character race in Volo's Guide to Monsters, as well as presenting interesting points about their culture and mindset. The Wayfarer's Guide to Eberron provided an entry on the lizardfolk only as they appeared on Khorvair.

Lizardfolk appear in the Monster Manual for the 5th edition (2014).[citation needed]

The Lizardfolk is a playable race in Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016).[citation needed]

Reception[edit | edit source]

In 2020, Comic Book Resources counted the lizardfolk as # 1 on the list of "10 Powerful Monster Species That You Should Play As", stating that "Along with the ability to manufacture their own weapons from the natural environment around them, they provide an excellent role-playing experience and have some pretty awesome tricks up their sleeve."[35]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References[edit | edit source]

Citations[edit | edit source]
  1. a b Mearls, Mike, et al. 4e Monster Manual: Roleplaying Game Core Rules. Wizards of the Coast, 2008.
  2. a b Cagle, Eric, et al. Monster Manual III. Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
  3. Kestrel, Gwendolyn F. M., et al. Monster Manual IV. Wizards of the Coast, 2006.
  4. Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 68–69. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
  5. Brocius, Scott, and Mark A. Jindra. “Quanak Lizasrdfolk.” Psionic Bestiary: Lizardfolk, Quanak, Wizards of the Coast, 27 Dec. 2002, Wizards.com Archive
  6. Stephens, Owen K. C., and Rodney Thompson. Dragon Magic. Wizards of the Coast, 2006.
  7. TSR logos#Logos
  8. Gygax, Gary and Robert J. Kuntz. Supplement I: Greyhawk (TSR, 1975)
  9. Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by J. Eric Holmes. Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR, 1977)
  10. Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Tom Moldvay. Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR, 1981)
  11. Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 1: Basic Rules (TSR, 1983)
  12. Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991)
  13. Slavicsek, Bill. Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game (TSR, 1999)
  14. Heard, Bruce, "Part 32: The Silence of the Lizards" Dragon #185 (TSR, September, 1992)
  15. Allston, Aaron. Hollow World Campaign Set (TSR, 1990)
  16. Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
  17. Moore, Roger E. and Brown, Michael. "Lizardmen as Player Characters". White Dwarf #26 (Games Workshop, Aug/Sept 1981). p. 16.
  18. Turnbull, Don, ed. Fiend Folio (TSR, 1981)
  19. Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume One (TSR, 1989)
  20. Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1994)
  21. Cook, David. Time of the Dragon (TSR, 1989)
  22. Johnson, Harold, John Terra, J. Robert King, Wolfgang Baur, Colin McComb, Jean Rabe, Norm Ritchie, Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, Jeff Grubb, Doug Niles, and Michael Williams. Tales of the Lance (TSR, 1992)
  23. Scott, Curtis M. The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook (TSR, 1992)
  24. Slavicsek, Bill. The Complete Book of Humanoids (TSR, 1993)
  25. Niles, Douglas and Dale Donovan. Player's Option: Skills & Powers (TSR, 1995)
  26. Forbeck, Matt. The Wanderers Chronicle: Mind Lords of the Last Sea (TSR, Inc., 1996)
  27. Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
  28. Reynolds, Sean K., Forbeck, Matt, Jacobs, James, Boyd, Erik L. Races of Faerûn (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)
  29. Greenwood, Ed, Eric L. Boyd, and Darrin Drader. Serpent Kingdoms (Wizards of the Coast, 2004)
  30. Baker, Keith, et al. Eberron Campaign Setting (Wizards of the Coast, 2004)
  31. Burlew, Rich, et al. Monster Manual III (Wizards of the Coast, 2004)
  32. Scott, Amber E, and F. Wesley Schneider. "The Ecology of the Lizardfolk." Dragon #335 (Paizo Publishing, 2005)
  33. Kestrel, Gwendolyn F.M. Monster Manual IV (Wizards of the Coast, 2006)
  34. Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)
  35. Bourque, Jacob. Dungeons & Dragons: 10 Powerful Monster Species That You Should Play As. Comic Book Resources.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
———. Monster Mythology. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
  • Scott, Amber E., and F. Wesley Schneider. "The Ecology of the Lizardfolk." Dragon #335. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.
  • Scott, Curtis M. The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
  • Slavicsek, Bill. The Complete Book of Humanoids. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
  • Turnbull, Don, ed. Fiend Folio. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1981.
  • Williams, Skip, Jonathan Tweet, and Monte Cook. Monster Manual. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
———. Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III v.3.5. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by Eric Johnson, Richard DiIoia, Jason "PupickDad" Jacobson, a French fan group, and numerous other fans over the years. The wiki page for the EGI has a list of sources, full product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Lizard Man Lair (Lizardfolk Lair) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 21, 23(Map), 66-84
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 4, 8, 10, 12, 16
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Spelljammer Boxed Set: Lorebook of the Void 57, 58
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, SJR6 Greyspace 30, 76
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Stormwrack, D&D 3.5e 218, 219
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, War Captain's Companion Boxed Set: Book 1 63
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 16
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, X1 The Isle of Dread (1st-3rd printing), D&D Basic 6, 10, 25
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, The Isle of Dread: Original Adventures Reincarnated #02, D&D 5e 7, 24, 28, 43, 64, 67, 102, 112, 133, 134, 135
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, X1 The Isle of Dread (4th printing), D&D Basic 8, 11
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 15, 16, 21-22, 26, 27, 31, 34, 37, 46, 49, 54, 55, 92
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 9, 11, 20, 22, 87, 89, 91
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Dragon magazine #350 69
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Dragon magazine #351 70
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Dungeon magazine #114 46
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, EX1 Dungeonland 9
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, From the Ashes: References Card #10
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, From the Ashes: References Card #12
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, From the Ashes: References Card #14
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders 65, 110
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Greyhawk: Supplement I, OD&D IC, 6, 18, 33, 37
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 21, 25-28, 31, 32, 38, 39, 52, 55, 56, 59, 61-85, 111, 112, 120, 129, 212, 214, 226, 227, 241, 242, 256
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, I2 Tomb of the Lizard King 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 19, 26, 27, 28
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, I7 Baltron's Beacon 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 22, 24, 29
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, MC1 - Monstrous Compendium Volume 1 Insert (Lizard Man)
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Encounter Tables
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monster Manual 1, AD&D 1e 62
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e 227
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) 227
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e 169
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e (Premium Edition) 169
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.0e 128-129
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monster Manual 1, D&D 4e (Deluxe Edition) 178, 179
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Monster Manual 1, D&D 5e 204-205
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Oerth Journal #18 14
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Oerth Journal #31 18
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, PHBR10 - The Complete Book of Humanoids 40-42
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, PHBR10 - The Complete Book of Humanoids 7, 9, 15, 40-42, 69, 87, 110, 112, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120
Lizard Man {Lizardman, Lizardfolk} Monster PC Race, Native of: Prime Material, Return to the Tomb of Horrors 28
Lizardfolk Monster Reference SEE Lizard Man
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