Like the elves, the lizard men want to be left alone. Their watery worlds are well protected and off the well-traveled trade paths, so they typically get their wish. Some among them, however, wish for a more active role in the Cluster, and have begun to trade with outsiders. In the past, the lizard men were treated with dis- trust and hatred, and their once prosperous race now teeters on the brink of extinction. A limited gene pool and their dislike of travel has led to stagnation in their settlements. Births are few and old age is slowly killing off the adults. The lizard men are a study of a race in decline. At least one of the settlements is doing what it can to remedy the situation. Of late, some lizard men have engaged in active trade and are actually having spelljamming craft built. These lizard men wish to escape their dying asteroid homes and seek out others of their kind. If successful, they may be able to revitalize their race and perhaps become something of a power in the sphere. Other races view the lizard men as backward primitives, and simple creatures not to be overly feared. This has helped the lizard men greatly by gaining them acceptance, albeit condescendingly, in many areas of the Cluster. Though still not a common sight, lizard men are becoming more and more known in the Cluster, and it is only a matter of time before the sight of their ships becomes known as well. Perhaps their goal of a new lizard empire is not as far-fetched as it seems. ## Individuals Individual lizard men can be either uncomfortably sullen and withdrawn or boisterous and outgoing. Of course, the bulk of lizard men fall in between the two extremes and have as wide a range of emotions and attitudes as do humans. Lizard men are hopelessly naive in their dealings with other races, for the most part, simply because they have had so little contact with other races. Like children, they don't mean to offend, they just don't know any better. **Rank**: 4