TROGLODYTE
The savage, degenerate troglodytes squat in the shallow
depths of the Underdark in a constant state of war
against their ne ighbors and one another. They mark
the borders of their territories with cracked bones and
skulls, or with pictographs painted in blood or dung.
Perhaps the most loathsome of all humanoids,
troglodytes eat anything they can stomach. They dwell
in filth. The walls of their cavern homes are smeared
with grime, oily secretions, and the debris of their
foul feasting.
Simpleminded Brutes. Troglodytes have a simple,
communal culture devoted almost entirely to procuring
food. Too s imple to plan more than a few days into the
future, troglodytes rely on constant raids and hunting
to survive. They take sadistic pleasure in huntingTROGLODYTE
intelligent creatures weaker than themselves and show
no mercy toward those they capture a nd drag qack to
their lairs to be devoured. The largest and toughest
troglodytes lead the hunt and become the leaders of
their tribes. However, if a leader shows any weakness or
hesitation, other troglodytes attack and eat it in a frenzy.
Troglodytes make little and build less, scavenging
their possessions from their prey. They understand
the value of metal weapons and armor, and fight
among one another for the right to have such items. A
troglodyte tribe might be torn apart by battles over a
single longsword.
Devotees ofLaogzed. Some troglodytes venerate
Laogzed, a demonic, monstrously fat toad-lizard that
slumbers in the Abyss. Laogzed offers the troglodytes
nothing in return except aspiration, for it is the dream of
his troglodyte worshipers to become as fat, well-fed, and
wearily content as he seems to be.
I§