Saurus Scar-Veterans

The most powerful of their kind, Saurus leaders are more than eight feet of savage reptilian muscle. The highest rank given is the title Oldblood, while those beneath them are known as Scar-Veterans. They are perfectly designed killing machines, their martial prowess further enhanced by battle experience. To their foes, be they ancient nemesi or simply those who trespass upon the sovereign territory of their masters, the Saurus leaders are nothing less than the vengeance of the Old Ones made manifest.

Some Saurus leaders are marked for greatness at their spawning, bearing a different pattern or crest to the rest of their brethren. Those few who emerge with pale or albino skin tones are always revered — for they are the favoured of the Old Ones and destined to become mighty heroes of the Lizardmen. Yet a Saurus need not be different from his comrades to gain veteran status; he need only survive.

It's unknown for a Saurus Warrior to die of old age, and unless they are slain by violence or plagued by an unnatural disease, they continue to serve. Despite this longevity, few Saurus live beyond a few hundred years. Given the constant dangers they face - the predatory flora and fauna of Lustria and the high attrition demanded by battles beyond count — only the most fierce and resilient of their kind can endure. A few exceptional Saurus have been alive for many thousands of years, overcoming threats and defeating enemies since the world itself was young.

The longer Saurus live, the tougher and more ferocious they become. The hardened scales that cover their bodies become thicker and some plates ossify completely. Their scales become paler, a marking considered a blessing of the Old Ones. In addition to the further growth of lethal protrusions, the corded muscles of these ancient Saurus become yet stronger, until they are able to crush rocks with their bare hands. Another obvious sign of a Saurus’ age are the battle scars, burns and tooth marks that criss-cross their bodies. Saurus leaders are often attended to by scores of Skinks. Directed by their Priests, the Skinks will secure bronze armour plates upon an Oldblood or Scar-Veteran. Other venerations might include daubing warpaint, adorning his scales with sacred oils, affixing sacred relics or festooning his body with the shrunken heads of sacrificed foes, or other grisly tokens. Such actions not only bring the favour of the Old Ones, but also mark the status of a leader.

Saurus are neither dim-witted, nor simple; their minds are narrowly focussed on batde, and batde alone. They instinctively know about military matters, and have no concern for lesser issues. In Lizardmen society, the Slann Mage-Priests choose the overall strategy and the Skinks direct its daily execution. In times of conflict, however, all defer to the Saurus, and they in turn rely on the eldest of their long-lived kind — for the Oldbloods and Scar-Veterans have honed their battle tactics over the ages.

All Saurus Warriors are spawned with the knowledge of how to fight, and the longer each lives, the more battles he survives. The longer he survives, the more he understands the needs not just of a lone warrior, but also of an entire army. While a Scar-Veteran cannot explain the meaning of a refused flank, he will know how to launch such a manoeuvre. A Saurus Oldblood could not express why he chose a defence in depth to defeat a foe, yet he will inexorably recognise when such situations are called for and react accordingly.

With only a low, grum bling growl and a final bellow, an Oldblood or Scar-Veteran can set an entire Lizardmen battle line in order. Once combat begins, the Saurus leaders eschew all matters of finesse - hurling themselves into the fray with merciless efficiency. Each stroke, bite or thrust dispatches a foe, often with the enemy literally torn limb from limb by the ferocity of the attack.