The Humanoid Races, painted for this archive

Ahl-At-Rab

Creature, The Humanoid Races

Warlike, nomadic desert saurians known as "sand devils", the Ahl-At-Rab stand about six and a half feet tall, with scaly tan-to-brown hides and a fin-like crest, and ride tamed giant lizards they call sand dragons. They relish combat, usually fight to the death, eat those they slay and keep captives as slaves or future food, yet are thought to be a dying race.

Also called Sand devils

From the book

The Ahl-At-Rab, called sand devils, are warlike reptile-folk who roam certain deserts and barren wastes, always on the move in search of food. They are thought to be distant kin of the sea-dwelling Makara. Slow but strong, they average six and a half feet, and seven-foot males are common. Their scaly hides run from tan to dark brown, and a fin-like crest from mid-forehead to the nape probably helps regulate the heat of their cold-blooded bodies.

They build nothing, but shape decent weapons and rough tools from copper or obsidian. Certain tribes keep tame vipers and sand boas, and ride the huge, lumbering lizards they call sand dragons, which serve as mounts, pack beasts and fighting partners and carry them up to twenty miles a day over desert or wasteland.

Combat is their reason for living, and they will charge even big armed companies. Despite claws and teeth they favor spears and obsidian clubs, which double as missiles, and whips of sand-dragon hide, sometimes with copper or hide shields and breastplates for rider or mount. They fight to the death unless badly outmatched, and afterward eat the fallen, though never before the battle is over. Prisoners become slaves or a food reserve, so they are usually well treated unless suspected of spying. Once numerous, they are now thought to be dying out; few tribes exceed forty to fifty warriors plus as many females, young and elders, and tribes rarely unite, being busy fighting each other.

The Ahl-At-Rab worship Tiamat, the serpent goddess, and look on the Naga almost as demi-gods. They are Warriors or Shamans, and a Shaman's Power Animal is always a serpent. They can speak with any reptile and go up to fourteen days without water, but cold halves their SPD and DEX.

At a glance

Type: Reptilian (saurian) humanoid, cold-blooded
Habitat: Deserts and barren wastelands; nomadic
Height: About 6 1/2 ft.; 7 ft. males not uncommon
Appearance: Scaly hide tan to dark brown; fin-like crest from mid-forehead to base of neck, thought to regulate body temperature
Movement: Slow moving but powerful
Relations: Believed distantly related to the sea-dwelling Makara
Crafts: Not builders; make weapons and crude implements of copper or obsidian
Domesticated animals: Vipers, sand boas, and giant lizards called 'sand dragons' used as steeds, burden beasts and fighting mounts
Travel: Up to 20 miles per day mounted on sand dragons through desert or barren terrain
Weapons: Spears, obsidian clubs (both also thrown), war whips of sand dragon hide; occasionally copper or reptile-hide shields and breastplates, sometimes also fitted to their mounts
Behavior: Live for combat; attack even large armed groups; fight to the death unless hopelessly outmatched
Diet: Carnivorous; devour those slain in battle once fighting is over
Prisoners: Taken as slaves and as a food reserve; usually not mistreated unless thought to be spies
Numbers: Few tribes exceed 40-50 warriors, with about as many females, young and old; tribes seldom ally and usually war on each other
Height/Length: 6 1/2-7 ft.
Weight: 200-300 + lbs.
STR: 15-19
SPD: 6-12
DEX: 6-12
CON: 20
INT: 6-12
WILL: 8-16
CHA: 2-12
PER: 8-16
Level: 1-12 +
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Damage: Claws: 1-4 (+ STR) each, Bite: 1-4, or as per weapon employed
Special Attributes: Speaks with every reptilian species; lasts up to 14 days without water; cold cuts its movement (SPD and DEX) by 1/2
Armor: As leather armor
Hit Points: 20-60 +
Found in: Gondwana, Lemuria/Mu/Elysium Sea, Mediterranea
Comments: Worship the serpent goddess Tiamat and regard the Naga as near demi-gods; they are Warriors or Shamans, and a Shaman's Power Animal is always a serpent