xulgaths

Faction overview

xulgaths are an intelligent, green-scaled reptilian tribe inhabiting Caves around the Cradle of Stone. Members include front-line warriors, spellcasters, and a maul-wielding tribal leader. They emit an overwhelming stench aura that can sicken nearby creatures, maintain nests and alcoves, and use a Braided Root Cradle to suspend a Giant Violet Crystal, which they treat as a religious object.
The Party approached the Cradle of Stone and noted xulgath traits. Bruneg concluded that xulgaths used a narrow side path past shrieker mushrooms. Three xulgath warriors in a Crystal-Lit Chamber engaged The Party, employing lunges, clamps, thrown javelins, and spellcasting. A fleeing xulgath shouted deeper into the Caves to summon reinforcements. More xulgaths and a noticeably larger leader joined the fray, supported by a spellcaster. Hidden xulgaths initiated an ambush using a spear trap. The xulgaths sheltered nests and stored spoils, and the maul-wielding leader was ultimately killed after sustained combat.
Sulgaths occupy the Cradle of Stone Caves, found in multiple chambers, including a guarded chamber with one frontline warrior and three spellcasters, one of whom is a smaller wand-bearing caster. During encounters, a xulgath peeked into the firelight during a watch and fled. Another xulgath was seen attempting to reset a corridor trap and fled when discovered. The party forced a door and faced four xulgaths, who used fear magic, protective shields, cold spells, healing magic, and at least one caster cast blindness. The frontline warrior engaged attackers with repeated close attacks. The leader used a morningstar, drank a healing potion, maintained a shield spell, and employed a draining hand that siphoned vitality from Bruneg to fortify himself. The party killed the leader and the remaining xulgaths and searched their chamber. The dead xulgaths carried a Crushing Morningstar, a Scroll Of Paralyze, Explorer's Clothing With A Magical Rune, a Returning Bird Token, and Bandages Of Rapid Recovery. Nearby dark mantles were concluded to be well-fed and likely kept or tolerated by the xulgaths as living cave predators.
The xulgaths are also known for their field contact parties. One such contact party failed to return, prompting the xulgaths to investigate suspected Fahrak activity. Meanwhile, Fahrak leaders sent messengers and mapped routes to contact the xulgaths at a cave, unaware that the xulgath party had already taken Cave Camp. A captive Hobgoblin Captive Alchemist mentioned that her detachment was meant to arrange a deal with the xulgaths. Additionally, a centaur sent from General Aserci visited the Hobgoblin Main Camp seeking directions to the xulgaths.