Scaley Kind is the title of a great number of reptilian species in the realms, dating back to the first so-called creator race, the Sarruhk some thirty thousand years ago, however, the species we are here to talk about today is not a member of Scaley Kind and has no links to any of the creator races, or the gods of Faerun for that matter, because they came from another world. Today we are going to learn all there is to know about the Dinosaur-like Saurials.
While largely keeping to themselves, a few Saurials have gained recognition in the wider world.
Dragonbait is Perhaps the most famous Saurial, Dragonbait is a Finhead Paladin known for his quiet courage and unwavering loyalty. He gained prominence through his adventures alongside the warrior Alias, chronicled in the Finder's Stone Trilogy. His travels and heroism have served as an inspiration for younger Saurials in the Lost Vale, encouraging them to look beyond their isolation. He has appeared in official Dungeons & Dragons materials, including the 5th Edition adventure Tomb of Annihilation and then there is Grypht, a Hornhead, Grypht serves as the respected leader of the Saurial community residing in the Lost Vale. He provides guidance and stability for his people as they continue to recover and maintain their sanctuary.
Much of the initial lore and the introduction of Saurials to the wider D&D audience came through the novel series, The Finder's Stone Trilogy, by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. This series introduced the character Dragonbait and provided narrative context for the Saurials' plight, their connection to Moander, and their hidden refuge in the Lost Vale. I came to know Dragonbait via a videogame set in the Tomb of Annihilation adventure setting in the Jungles and ruins of Chult, but outside of the initial novels, they first appeared in the Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying canon in the Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix - MC11 for 2nd edition advanced dungeons and dragons, they also appear in the complete book of humanoids, where we saw the first playable stats for the species, the book of lairs volume one and two, Polyhedron Magazine within the living jungle campaign articles and there are some dedicated fans of that location I can assure you, then Serpent Kingdoms and then Races of Faerun and finally, the Tomb of Annihilation adventure, but to save you hunting down all those documents, I've gathered all the lore for you, so, settle back, grab yourself a tasty beverage, Derrick, Jessica and Macen this one is for you, and a reminder to you all, I frequently research and produce these videos prompted by requests from viewers, the best way to do this is join my discord server, you don't have to be a financial supporter of the channel, but I'm not going to lie and say that is not going to influence who's requests get priority, lets get real here, I'm a working sage after all. Please remember to like the video, make a comment below, share it on any social media and if you enjoy my content on a regular basis, subscribe to the channel. For those of you with a spare coin or two a month, consider supporting me on Fourthwall or Patreon for exclusive bonus content also, or perhaps just a one off purchase of a Deeply Nerdy Mug, or T-shirt, and with that said, on with the lore!
Saurials are a distinct and rare lineage of intelligent, bipedal humanoids classified as "sauroids" or scalykind, bearing a striking resemblance to the dinosaurs of ages past. Crucially, they are not native inhabitants of Toril, the world that hosts the Forgotten Realms setting. Their origins lie on an unknown crystal sphere, a distant world separated from Faerûn and Kara-Tur by the vastness of Wildspace or the Astral Sea.
The Saurials' presence on Toril is a consequence of tragedy and coercion. The vast majority were forcibly abducted from their homeworld by the malevolent deity Moander, the Darkbringer, god of rot, corruption, and decay. Moander enslaved the Saurials, intending to use them as instruments of destruction, paving the way for his own foul rebirth upon Toril. Many Saurial heroes and defenders fell battling Moander even before reaching this new world.
Following Moander's eventual defeat and death, an event tied to the actions of heroes like Finder Wyvernspur, Alias, and the Saurial paladin Dragonbait, the surviving Saurials faced a difficult choice. Rather than attempting a perilous and uncertain journey back to their lost home, they elected to remain on Toril. Encouraged by figures such as the Sage Elminster, they committed to staying, partly to help heal the lands scarred during their enslavement. They settled primarily in a hidden refuge, beginning a long process of physical and spiritual recovery.
Saurials are undeniably dinosaur-like in appearance. They possess tough, scaled hides, often adorned with naturally vibrant stripes or spots, which they sometimes enhance with decorative body paint. This paint serves not only aesthetic purposes but also subtly modifies their scent cues for communication. They have sharp claws on their hands and feet, and balancing tails. Unlike many reptilian creatures found on Toril, Saurials are not cold-blooded.
Communication among Saurials is a complex affair, far removed from the spoken tongues of humans, elves, or dwarves. Their native language consists of a combination of high-pitched whistles, clicks, and chirps—many of which fall outside the range of human hearing—intertwined with distinct pheromonal scents that convey emotional states and complex meanings. For instance, a specific lilac fragrance signifies a deep longing for their lost homeworld. This unique linguistic structure makes direct communication with non-Saurials nearly impossible without magical assistance (like a tongues spell) or specialized empathy, though some limited understanding can sometimes be achieved with dragons due to distant commonalities with the Draconic language. To bridge this gap, some Saurial communities, like the Lacerials of Malatra, have developed specialized sign languages for interacting silently during hunts or communicating with neighbouring tribes.
Saurial society is characterized by strong communal bonds and a generally peaceful, pragmatic outlook, though tinged with the melancholy of their history.
While numerous subraces are believed to exist on their original homeworld, only four distinct types of Saurials are known to have established populations on Toril. These names were given to them by inhabitants of the Realms, as their own Saurial designations remain largely unpronounceable to outsiders.
Bladebacks
Named for the prominent plates, ridges, or spines running along their backs, Bladebacks are often larger and more physically imposing than other subraces. They are less numerous in established settlements, likely due to the greater food resources required to sustain their size.
Finheads
Distinguished by a prominent crest or fin adorning their heads, Finheads are often described as excitable and eager when faced with new challenges or experiences. This inherent curiosity and tendency to charge headfirst into situations makes them the subrace most likely to become adventurers encountered outside their hidden communities. The famed Saurial hero, Dragonbait, is a Finhead.
Flyers
Possessing membranous wings or wing-like forelimb extensions resembling those of pterosaurs, Flyers are capable of limited flight or gliding. They tend to be smaller and more agile than Bladebacks or Hornheads and constitute a significant portion of the Saurial population in the Lost Vale.
Hornheads
Characterized by bony horns or horn-like clusters on their heads, Hornheads are typically robust and sturdy. Like Bladebacks, they are present in smaller numbers within the known communities compared to Finheads and Flyers, possibly due to resource limitations. The leader of the Lost Vale community, Grypht, is a Hornhead.
These four subraces coexist peacefully within their settlements, viewing each other as part of a single, unified people despite their physical differences. Most Saurials tend towards a Neutral Good alignment. They often possess a straightforward, almost black-and-white view of morality, valuing honesty, community welfare, and fulfilling one's duties. Their experiences under Moander have left them wary but not inherently hostile towards outsiders.
Saurials form strong communal ties, living and working together for the benefit of the tribe. All subraces are treated as equals within a settlement. They are known to mate for life, forming deep and lasting pair bonds. Typically, a mated pair lays one or two eggs annually. Both parents share the responsibilities of guarding the eggs during incubation and raising the hatchlings. Young Saurials reach physical maturity relatively quickly, within about five years, but achieving mental and emotional maturity takes considerably longer, typically an additional ten to fifteen years, mirroring human development timelines.
Within their settlements, most Saurials lead lives as farmers, hunters, weavers, carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, and even musicians. They focus on self-sufficiency and maintaining their community. The trauma of their abduction and enslavement still weighs heavily on them, fostering a degree of isolationism and a cautious approach to the wider world. However, inspired by the tales of adventurers like Dragonbait, younger generations are showing increasing curiosity about the world beyond their hidden valleys.
While specific details are scarce, Saurial spirituality seems tied to elemental forces and potentially draconic entities, possibly stemming from a shared ancient ancestry. Druidic practices are known to flourish in the sheltered environment of the Lost Vale. The Lacerials, in particular, suffer from a sense of spiritual abandonment by their original gods.
The Lost Vale (Tarkhaldale)
The main population of Saurials in Faerûn resides within the Lost Vale, a hidden, lush, and primordial valley nestled within the Desertsmouth Mountains, east of the Anauroch desert and near the Dalelands. This sanctuary is home to over one hundred adult Saurials from all four known subraces, though Finheads and Flyers are more numerous than the larger Bladebacks and Hornheads, likely due to the valley's finite resources. The community is led by a Hornhead named Grypht.
Life in the Vale is focused on subsistence – farming, hunting, and crafting. Initially, very few Saurials ventured beyond its borders, preoccupied with recovery. The Vale itself has faced peril; it was threatened by the return of the Netherese city of Shade and was subsequently displaced into a liminal space between worlds during the Sundering. This displacement occurred following a sacrifice by the heroine Alias, involving an ancient artifact meant to protect the Vale, locking it partially out of time for roughly a century. It sometimes manifests as a hazy, shimmering mirage to weary travelers in the Anauroch.
The Lacerials of the Malatran Plateau
Far to the south, in the jungles of Kara-Tur, lies the Malatran Plateau, home to a second group known locally as Lacerials. Physically, they appear identical to the Saurials of the Lost Vale, encompassing the same four subraces (Bladebacks, Finheads, Flyers, Hornheads). They too claim to have been abducted from another world, arriving on Toril due to a magical mishap rather than direct enslavement by Moander, though their origin world is presumed to be the same.
It's suggested the name "Lacerial" might have been used initially due to naming restrictions within the RPGA's Living Jungle campaign, but lore confirms their Saurial heritage. They originally settled in the Valley of Spirits, a place considered taboo by local human tribes, but were forced to flee following an unknown catastrophe around 1997 DR (Dale Reckoning). Evidence suggests this event may be linked to an internal conflict, symbolized by factions bearing tattoos of either a white heart or a black flame.
They established a new, hidden village named Lilac deep within the jungle, named for the distinctive scent emitted by homesick individuals. Though known to their neighbours on the plateau, Lacerials generally avoid prolonged contact with outsiders, still grappling with the spiritual trauma of their displacement and perceived abandonment. They utilize a unique sign language for specific interactions and are known to trade for local goods like Koshiva date wine.
My name is AJ Pickett, as always, thanks for listening and I will be back with more for you, very soon.
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