Lizard-Kin - Sis’thik
Climate/Terrain: Tropical or sub-tropical desert
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Tribe
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Average (8–10)
Treasure: A
Alignment: Neutral evil
No. Appearing: 3d6
Armor Class: 5 (4 with armor)
Movement: 9
Hit Dice: 3+3
THAC0: 17
No. of Attacks: 1 or 3
Damage/Attack: By weapon +2 or 1d6 (claw)/1d6 (claw)/1d3 (bite)
Special Attacks: Nil
Special Defenses: Fire resistance
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: M (6’ tall)
Morale: Elite (13)
XP Value: 175
270 bodyguard
650 shaman
975 queen
The lizard-kin of Mystara share an ancient lineage. The chameleon men are the oldest of these races; some believe that caymen, gator men, sis’thik, and standard lizard men all descend from a common ancestor related to chameleon men. Relations between lizard men and the four lizard-kin races, however, range from indifferent at best to hostile at worst.
Sis’thik (Desert Scourge)
In burning deserts live nomadic humanoids called Sis’thik, a proud race of reptilian warriors that feat nothing.
Sis’thik have thick, leathery light tan skin that lets them blend in with the arid terrain. Their nostrils can seal out dust, and transparent eye screens allow them to see in sandstorms.
Combat: Female sis’thik use scimitars in combat and sometimes employ shields (boosting their AC to 4). These females boast great strength, inflicting a +2 bonus to damage rolls using melee weapons. Males, if force, attack with claws and bite.
Normal fires do not affect sis’thik; plus, these lizard-kin suffer only 1 point of damage per die of magical fire damage.
Habitat/Society: Sis’thik tribes have 3d6 × 10 adult members, plus 4d6 noncombatant children. Female sis’thik control the tribes and do all the fighting. The males seem slow and stupid, existing only for mating and drudge work. Females do not reproduce often, considering how much other work they have to do. Most lay a clutch of 2d4 eggs every other year.
Each sis’thik tribe follow a queen with 8 Hit Dice, who receives a +3 bonus to damage rolls. The queen is accompanied at all times by 2d4 bodyguards, each with 4+1 Hit Dice. Each tribe also includes 1d4 shamans of 1dt to 8th levels.
Some sis’thik tribes breed xytar lizards as mounts; two sis’thik can ride a single xytar. In addition, these lizard-kin have been known to cooperate with blue dragons.
Each sis’thik tribe has its own territory. Any who wish to cross it must debase themselves before the queen and shower the tribe with gifts of wine, food, and metal items. Sis’thik sometimes build shelters of mud brick, usually near oases and other resting places. They do not appreciate others using these structures without permission.
Ecology: Sis’thik prey on creatures such as ant-lions, camels, jackals, and wyverns. They savor the taste of copper dragon flesh, which has resulted in enmity between the two races. These lizard-kin also enjoy eating figs, dates, and cacti.
Originally appeared in the Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).