The Ga-Taar are creatures born of the swamps and marshes, their scales slick with the dampness of their ancestral lands. Hulking and powerful, they are gator-like beings who possess a ferocity as untamable as the wilderness they inhabit. Their loyalty runs deep, as does their wrath, and their connection to the primal forces of water and earth gives them a resilience few can match. When the Ga-Taar march, the very ground trembles beneath their weight.
The Ga-Taar are a group of humanoid, gator-like beings who dwell in marshlands and swamps, living in small communes typically made up of close family units of 10 to 20 members. Wary of outsiders, they are slow to trust anyone beyond their kin, but once that trust is earned, their loyalty is unbreakable.
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Standing at an average of 6 feet tall with bulky builds, stout snouts, and rough scales, the Ga-Taar's large tails provide them with excellent balance. Their scales come in a variety of colors, though green and orange are the most common. Adapted to life in the swamp, the Ga-Taar have a natural swim speed of 30 feet per turn.
The Ga-Taar gain a +1 bonus to Strength and Constitution, speak the languages Merchant and Bestial, live up to 50 years, and have a movement speed of 30 feet.
Tribe of Tooth cutter
The hardened scales and razor-sharp teeth of the war-born Tooth Cutter clan make them a fearsome sight to behold. Much of their history remains shrouded in mystery to civilized nations, but what is known paints a picture of ferocity. The scaled warriors of the Tooth Cutter clan are aggressive, violent, and deeply wary of outsiders. They are, quite simply, dangerous.
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The Tooth Cutters find enjoyment in three things: the swamp they inhabit, the food they devour, and the prey they hunt for sport. Though their ways are primitive and rural, their battle techniques are anything but crude. They have mastered the art of overpowering foes larger than themselves, taking pride in their ability to crush stronger enemies—a mark of honor among their kind.
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Their society is divided into three castes: the Warrior, the Watcher, and the Wanderer. Warriors seek out and engage in battle, proving their strength and skill against formidable opponents. The Watchers, acting as leaders and strategists, guard the clan’s interests and remain vigilant against outside threats. The Wanderers are scouts and emissaries, sent beyond the swamps to observe the wider world and return with valuable knowledge or opportunities for the clan.
Tribe of Barabret
Barabret—what is known of this clan of the Ga-Taar is shrouded in mystery, whether by design or by sheer luck. These reptilian-scaled juggernauts are among the most cunning and vicious of their kind. Hailing from the tropical regions, their interactions with the outside world are limited. But to those who have encountered this elusive clan, they are known as massive, cunning, and fiercely loyal—creatures as dangerous as they are mysterious.
The people of Heras know them as the Butchers of the Stormring Bay for their habit of snatching fishermen off their boats, leaving nothing but wreckage and fear in their wake. Their hunting methods are monstrous and relentless, but perhaps the most enigmatic aspect of the Barabret is their devotion to two deities: the God of Death and the Lord of the Hunt.
The Barabret believe that the Lord of the Hunt was once a Ga-Taar warrior whose mastery of hunting and killing earned him a place at the right hand of the god Arapir. To them, every hunt is an offering, a ritual meant to gain the favor of their deities. The God of Death represents the inevitable end, while the Lord of the Hunt embodies the chase and the mastery over life and death. To make a kill in the name of the Lord is to earn his blessing, and the Barabret’s devotion to this practice makes them both feared and respected by those who know of them.
Tribe of Gatheroot
The Gatheroot tribe of Ga-Taar is the most well-known clan of the scaled bipedal lizards that inhabit the swampy regions near the more civilized areas of Gahiri. They have established largely peaceful interactions with their neighbors, engaging in trade and communication with the lands beyond their marshy home. The Gatheroot are known to trade rare herbs, swamp wood, and unique crafts, making them valuable partners to the surrounding regions.
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However, do not mistake their diplomacy for weakness. Beneath their civilized exterior lies a tribe of proud and powerful warriors, each as skilled in combat as they are in trade. The Gatheroot’s strength and discipline are legendary, and their warriors are adept at crushing skulls with their bare hands—proof that they are not to be underestimated.
The tribe’s dual nature—a balance of peaceful trade and fierce combat—defines their place in the world. They honor their ancestors through rituals tied to the marshes, believing that the strength of their warriors is drawn from the deep roots and still waters of their homeland. Proud and vigilant, the Gatheroot stand as both defenders of their people and respected partners in the world beyond.
Tribe of Serpentine
The Serpentine is a well-known and nomadic clan of Ga-Taar. True to their name, they migrate with the changing seasons, seeking out the most suitable climates year-round. This lifestyle allows them to gather a wealth of diverse trade goods that attract the interest of other races. They are known for trading rare swamp herbs, exotic hides, and crafted tools made from the unique resources they encounter during their travels.
However, their migratory nature has also made them targets for less civilized people of neighboring nations. As a result, the Serpentine have developed a wary and suspicious outlook toward outsiders. This distrust has led them to become highly vigilant, and they often take up arms as guards for their own convoys to protect their people and wares.
To gain further experience or secure additional resources, many Serpentine Ga-Taar work as mercenaries or bodyguards for those in need of skilled protection. Fiercely loyal to those who employ them, they have built a reputation as reliable and steadfast warriors who adhere to a strict code of honor. In combat, they are swift and precise, using their knowledge of the land to gain the upper hand.
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The Serpentine’s nomadic life is not without its cultural richness. They observe seasonal festivals that mark the beginning and end of their migrations, celebrating their freedom and adaptability as they move between lands. For them, each journey is both a test of their survival skills and an opportunity to expand their wealth and influence, ever strengthening the bonds within their clan.