Bangaa

Gruff, athletic lizardfolk renowned for their temperament. Bangaa are burly, muscular creatures caught in a permanent stoop; hard scales cover their bodies, while their snouts are jammed with razor-sharp teeth capable of rending and tearing with terrible ease. Though they may seem ponderous, Bangaa are surprisingly nimble, and can muster short bursts of speed where needed. Despite their reptilian ancestry, Bangaa tend to grow 'whiskers' or facial hair as they age; females have a prominent ruff of downy fur that covers their chests, the only significant difference between the two genders.

Bangaa are excellent scouts and trackers, favoring smell and hearing over sight. As a result, it is not uncommon to see Bangaa wearing blindfolds as a fashion statement. Their long, loose-hanging ears are split in two, giving them superior directional hearing; the tips are often pierced or encased in metal. Tattoos are another common decorative device, particularly among younger Bangaa; these are generally drawn on the shoulders or under the eyes.

Despite their longevity, low breeding rates mean that Bangaa population size remains relatively static. Four distinct subspecies of Bangaa exist: the sharp-snouted, long-eared Sanga and Bista  - colored gray-black and ochre respectively - and the bluntsnouted, short-eared Faas and Ruga, colored green and sand-brown. However, interbreeding has created a plethora of hybrids over the centuries whose skin colors can range from white to deep blue.