Four hexes southeast of Alakran.
At last, here's a lair of the Khilan lizard-folk, whose plots and plans have been hinted at before. Now it can be revealed: they are a paste-in of the Heelan lizard-folk (think Gila monster with the Spanish pronunciation) from Michael Prescott's excellent Trilemma adventures. The weird anatomy that has their skin hardening in dry conditions and softening in wet; the intrigue of their warlocks with hostile desertification environmental magic; all of this spoke to me. For more information on these creatures, go pick up the book!
This encounter marker is the center of the territory of a group of about
20 Dry Khilan, two Proudskull elites, and a chief, who patrol in groups
of 2d6 with one of these leaders always present. They are part of the hordes devoted to Apep and various demons,
who now overrun the south and west of Dulsharna.
As a species, I have given Khilan one additional feature: they adapt to the coloration of the geology they're in by eating local dust, sand, and pebbles. These Kheelan have been ranging over the dry plain for years and are the dust-yellow of that ground. They avoid the Shi-Ar river in full spate in winter and spring, but when it flows more weakly they will often dare each other to splash across it. The acid-like burning of the water on their parched flesh helps to harden the hide of their legs and tails.
Although this band is not in touch with any sorcerers of their kind, they are growing restless, looking for a "sign" and will flock to the service of, oh for example, any large and evil dragon that decides to settle nearby.
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