I think a problem with this is proliferation… if the magic is easily learnt by other races why would they resort to technology either? An easy tho rather trite answer is that there is something special about these lizard folk that allows them such easy access to magic… that the magic goes down to their bones… and this is part of why they are so reculsive, as that in the past other races learnt that the troglodyte didn’t have to be alive to continue channeling magic in this fashion… the black market in troglodyte goods with troglodyte bones lashed to them to enable their function is rampant as it is disturbing.

@ Alphast:

Heh, that’s actually pretty interesting. Could such a society “industrialize” itself via magic? Or is magic always a halting force that keeps the societies in stasis? I kinda envisioned Troglodytes as more of a reactive race which is excellent to responding to external stimuli and adopting their magic to their needs, but perhaps being a bit slow taking it into abstract directions. So I figured they find spells that work for them, and then they stop tinkering with them until something forces them to adopt.

@ Mitlik:

I figured the former shamans took the mantle of being teachers, keepers of knowledge and researchers. The general population sort of learns the spells relevant to their work or needs, whereas the sages develop, improve and preserve them for future generations.

@ Dr. Azrael Tod:

Well, I guess it depends on which version of “wood elves” we are talking about, but I guess yeah. I never really claimed these are supposed to be 100% unique, original ideas. I guess they do end up being similar to elves in many ways, but I think I started at a different place with them and the logical progression from that point is there in the text.

so you have reptilic wood-elves?

doesnt seem that new to me.

You make this magic system sound like it doesn’t involve much in the way of research, which is good since they don’t have a whole class to devote to research as hunter gatherers. But, without research and the minimal complexity of casting/enchanting has consequences. It is reasonable to assume that the troglodytes would potentially have access to their most powerful of spells immediately, or that each new threat that caused them to re-evaluate would potentially reveal their most potent versions. It would severely disrupt any equilibrium with other races, should the lizard folk decide to aggro.

Now, if your magic requires research and a number of people that don’t actually contribute to the group survival I think you’ll end up with some amount of engineering. You’ll need to have an entire class make their contributions to society indirectly. That doesn’t mean only medieval times though, it seems like the Egyptians had a class of people that did not directly support their civilization. If not Egypt then certainly Greece.

Brilliantly logical. I like the idea. But maybe there could be a new evolution. Rather than having temporary spells changing the attributes of matter for one or two uses, the shamans could discover permanent spells and enchantments modifying the very aspect and nature of substances. That stone that you magically “soften” each night to sleep is practical, yes, but it is ugly. Some shaman could create a permanent enchantment which makes it permanently soft and cozy and looks awesome as well. And here you have a new “revolution” in your all magic society: magically crafted objects and materials. Your Troglodytes don’t look basic and rough any more: they will appear as demi-gods to outsiders, wielding non-metallic, yet unidentifiable (because magic) materials.