Salamanders as a player race.

They start off with tough skin 2 (+2 AC), rC- and a naga-like tail
(can't wear boots but can wear naga bardings). At XL7 and XL14 they gain
one level of rF and slow movement respectively; at XL14 they also gain
the ability to swim through lava. (Perhaps their own internal fire is
slowly burning itself out...)

They are medium-sized and have base statistics of 7 Str / 8 Int / 9 Dex,
and have an excellent aptitude for fire magic (cf. "legendary affinity for
fire"); a very minor affinity for long blades, polearms, and bows (the
weapon types most of the monsters can start with), and a poor affinity
for ice magic.

They have +1 HP, +1 MP, -1 exp, are as magic resistant as a naga, and
have the same stealth modifier as minotaurs (slithery, but fiery).

I can imagine many character builds being successful with this
combination of attributes; let's see how that pans out.

Includes a couple of base tiles which may or may not need improvement.