Dilgol: Raid Shadow Legends

Name: Dilgol raid
Race: Lizardfolk
Class: Ranger
Gender: Male

Ability Score:

• Strength: 12
• Dexterity: 17
• Constitution: 12
• Intelligence: 10
• Wisdom: 16
• Charisma: 8

Skills: Survival, Stealth, Animal Handling

Backstory:

Born beneath the tangled canopies and shifting mists of the Serpent Marshes, dilgol raid spent his youth learning to endure where others would fall. His people, the Marshborn, value survival, cunning, and a relentless practicality; yet even among his kin, dilgol was called “the Tracker” for his unmatched ability to follow prey through water and fog. No beast or trespasser eluded him long. When the Imperial expeditions forced deeper into the marsh seeking ancient relics, dilgol defied orders to stay hidden, choosing instead to stalk the invaders and disrupt their plans. His relentless protection of the marsh and its creatures earned him the grudging respect of the elders and a lingering infamy among outsiders, who whispered tales of a shadow that flickered through reeds and vanished with the mist. Though solitary by nature, dilgol emerges in times of need, guarding his homeland and upholding the fragile balance between life and death. He wanders the borderlands to ensure no threat can slip past the marsh’s ancient gaze.

Secret Backstory:
Unbeknownst to his tribe, dilgol hides a secret shame: in his youth, he once guided a foreign scholar deep into the forbidden ruins, drawn by curiosity and promises of rare knowledge. The expedition ended in disaster—evil was awakened, corrupting a section of the marsh forever. The event cost many lives and left a scar on the land. Though dilgol destroyed the scholar and returned alone, he has never confessed his role. The guilt drives his relentless patrols and his fierce protectiveness, but he fears the day his kin will uncover the truth, forcing him to choose between exile and confession.

Age: 34 (young adult for a Lizardfolk)
Alignment: True Neutral

Personality:

Taciturn and observant, dilgol speaks only when necessary, preferring action to words. He is the embodiment of the lizardfolk ideal: calm and pragmatic under pressure, precise in his movements, and almost eerily patient. While he feels little attachment to emotion, he respects strength and skill in others, treating foes and allies with equal candor. He rarely displays anger, but when the balance of his home is threatened, his resolve sharpens into icy determination. Loyalty is earned through deeds, not words nor titles. Dilgol is slow to trust strangers—even among his own kind—but once he accepts an individual’s usefulness or dedication, he will risk much to uphold their shared purpose. He finds social rituals and humor perplexing, but can surprise companions with small gestures of practical kindness, especially if it benefits the group’s survival.

Mannerisms:

• Moves with measured, near-silent steps, always glancing toward exits.
• Hisses softly when thoughtful or pleased.
• Stills completely when listening, eyes unblinking.
• Tilts head in an avian fashion when confused by social behavior.

Catchphrases:

• “The marsh teaches patience.”
• “I do not warn twice.”
• “Survival first. Glory after.”
• “Nothing is ever truly lost in the fog.”

Speech Style:
Dilgol’s voice is gravelly and low, his tone measured, clipped, almost mechanical. He wastes no words and prefers simple, direct statements. Rarely shows excitement, but his calm can be unsettling.

Preferred Conversation Topics:

• Survival tactics and tracking methods
• Stories of ancient ruins or lost places
• Marshlands flora and fauna
• Outsider incursions and their dangers
• Lessons learned through failure

Preferred Personality Types:

• Honest and straightforward individuals
• Those who value results over tradition
• Patient, methodical thinkers
• Resourceful survivors
• Nonjudgmental companions

Likes:

• Quiet reflection by water
• Well-constructed tools and weapons
• Honesty in word and action
• Taming or communing with marsh beasts

Dislikes:

• Loud or boastful talkers
• Unnecessary cruelty to animals
• Disruptive outsiders
• Wastefulness of any kind

Hobbies & Interests:

• Creating sturdy snares and animal lures
• Carving miniature totems from bone or driftwood
• Studying animal behavior

Fears & Weaknesses:

• Secret shame over his past mistake
• Fears losing control, letting his emotions endanger his mission
• Social situations—finds it hard to read non-lizardfolk
• Dislike of fire and deep, open water (reminder of the marsh’s corruption)

Appearance:
Dilgol stands just over six feet tall, with a lean, agile build covered in overlapping emerald and slate scales. His head is angular, crowned by a ridged frill that shifts slightly with his mood, and a muscular tail helps him swim and balance. His movements are unnervingly silent, almost spectral in reeds and water. Across one shoulder, scars—both self-inflicted and from long-ago battles—testify to his past. Equipped with marsh-hued, waterproof leathers, he carries a long, barbed spear carved from ancient driftwood, a coil of snares, and a talisman pouch filled with bone fragments and relics. Mud and moss are deliberately smeared along his armor, allowing him to blend within the landscape. Chains or elaborate jewelry are absent; survival is prized over ornament.