Sandrunner, Two-Frilled
the Secret to Chittiki Success
The Chittiki people are, more than most other folk, a merchant trading society. Much of their success in this regard stems from their ability to domesticate the Two-Frilled Sandrunner Lizard, which they use to carry both themselves and their goods long distances over many terrains to reach their trading partners.
Sometimes single creatures carrying a merchant and perhaps a few of their children may arrive in a town. At Baron's Point, though, whole trains of the beasts will come down out of the mountains with riches to be loaded on ships and carried across the world.
As part of their training, Two-Frilled Sandrunners are fitted with small riding seats and harnesses as early as one year after hatching. While too small to ride by an adult Chittiki at this age, the lizard becomes acclimated to the seat and being controlled by the reins. (Chittiki children are often allowed occasional rides on these young beasts.) Once they are large enough, adult Chittiki control the creatures from their riding seats. Additional fittings are also introduced, including the sun canopy frame to shield the rider from the desert sun, and packframes for carrying cargo. Larger specimens may even be fitted with as many as three or four additional seats to accomodate a larger trading party.
Sometimes single creatures carrying a merchant and perhaps a few of their children may arrive in a town. At Baron's Point, though, whole trains of the beasts will come down out of the mountains with riches to be loaded on ships and carried across the world.
Domestication
According to Chittiki chronicles, the first Sandrunners to be domesticated about seven hundred years ago were of the Single-Frilled variety. These were used primarily as pack animals, but the frills made it difficult, if not impossible, to use them as mounts. Success was mixed as the lizards tended to eat the Chittiki leading them along a trail if care was not taken to keep them well-fed. When the first Two-Frilled varieties were discovered, though, it became possible to place a riding seat between the frills, and the animal could be controlled by use of reins much like a horse. Placing the driver out of reach of the the lizard's mouth in this manner proved to be far more successful, and since the two-frill trait appears to "breed true", it is exclusively Two-Frilled Sandrunners that are used for domestic purposes today.As part of their training, Two-Frilled Sandrunners are fitted with small riding seats and harnesses as early as one year after hatching. While too small to ride by an adult Chittiki at this age, the lizard becomes acclimated to the seat and being controlled by the reins. (Chittiki children are often allowed occasional rides on these young beasts.) Once they are large enough, adult Chittiki control the creatures from their riding seats. Additional fittings are also introduced, including the sun canopy frame to shield the rider from the desert sun, and packframes for carrying cargo. Larger specimens may even be fitted with as many as three or four additional seats to accomodate a larger trading party.
A proper Chittiki chef must be capable of preparing Sandrunner eggs in no fewer than fifty distinct manners. This is the mark of proper training.
Other Domestic Uses
In addition to being used to transport Chittiki and their goods across vast distances, the eggs of the Two-Frilled Sandrunner are considered a delicacy among the Chittiki.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
80 years
Average Height
4ft (120cm) to shoulder
Average Weight
3000lbs (1350kg)
Average Length
22ft (7m)
includes 8ft (2.5m) tail
includes 8ft (2.5m) tail
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Two-Frilled Sandrunners are typically a mottled light brown in coloration - appropriate coloration for desert camouflage. The back spines are often a darker brown naturally, but many Chittiki merchants paint the spines in bright, distinctive colors to make them more identifiable when they are housed in communal holding pens. The distinctive painting also serves as "brand identification" for these traders.
Geographic Distribution
Pathfinder 2E Statblock
Two-Frilled Sandrunner - Creature 6
COMMONNHUGEANIMAL
| The Two-Frilled Sandrunner is a large quadripedal lizard. It is characterized by the arrangement of flexible "spines" that run along its back. Two rows, about 1ft (30cm) apart begin where the neck joins the back of the skull. The spacing widens to about 1.5ft (45cm) midway between the shoulders and hips before tapering to meet where the tail meets the body. A single row of the spines continues down the length of the tail. In most specimens, the spine length tapers down towards the tip of the tail, but in a few, the last several spikes are actually elongated and harder than the rest. There is some discussion as to whether these "Spike-tailed Two-Frills" should be considered a separate species, but they seem to be able to mate freely and produce viable offspring when paired with Two-Frills that do not have the more formidable tail spikes. | |
| Perception | +13, low-light vision, scent (imprecise), 60ft |
| Skills | Athletics+16 |
STR +7 , DEX +2 , CON +4 , INT -4 , WIS +2 , CHA -2 | |
| AC | 23 |
| Saving Throws | Fort +15, Ref +13, Will +11 |
| HP | 105 |
| Speed | 25ft |
| Melee |  Jaws: +16 / +11 / +6 Damage: 2d10+9 Piercing + Grab |
| Special Abilities | Grab: The Two-Frilled Sandrunner may elect to Grab any creature immediately after successfully hitting it with a Jaws attack.Swallow Whole: The Two-Frilled Sandrunner may attempt to Swallow Whole any creature of size Large or smaller that it currently has Grabbed. The creature must succeed at an Athletics check vs the victim's Reflex DC. On success, the target suffers 2d10+7 bludgeoning damage immediately, and again at the and of every turn during which it remains swalloed. Swallowed creatures have the Grabbed condition, and the Slowed 1 condition. Furthermore, the creature must hold its breath or begin suffocating. Only one creature of size Large may be swallowed whole. Multiple creatures of size M or smaller can be Swallowed, however. Once a creature has been swalloed, the Two-Frilled Sandrunner's jaws are now free to attack another target. |
This was a wonderful read! I love the quotes in particular, and I feel like you have a great flare for storytelling!
Thanks for the compliment! And thanks for the read and comment. It's always good to know people are actually reading this stuff! Best of luck in your own Summercamp journey.
Laurels & Loot is a new, lightweight TTRPG rules system that hearkens back to the early days.