Salamander

Salamanders are one of the 12 major races in Mekkan, Humanoid with scales, bleeding through skin, large lizard tails, horns, sometimes frills or raptor-like feet. They are a very militaristic race with a history of zealotry as well as being warmongering with every known race at some point in history. They live in the West of the Mekkan Continent their land is called Avernus.

## Background

Salamanders have a linked history with Dragons. Spawning on the beaches they found their way inland and began as clans of marauders found within the cragland of western Mekkan, eventually expanding across the sea, where they discovered Kilm, forming a bond with dragons, became the first empire in later years and then to push much border friction with those that neighbor them. They quickly went from scattered camps to an organised military force, very Roman-like in nature. Through this expansion they discovered the Vampires following by a very close alliance. This empire moved and began waging holy wars in the name of the two deities through history, even waging multiple at once. Their sendon war against the Angelics lead to them being crushed in defeat and their third against the Kito'an ended where their Khan died, leading to a cycle they were destined to repeat for leadership over all the clans. The Empire took a crushing blow when the Fire Dragon Sayf became affected by an abyss that spawned under Kilm, the dragon and salamanders on kilm prayed and where bestowed the Eternal Flame by Yuelia to seal the Abyss and corrupted dragon. This blow quelled the bloodthirst of the Salamanders for a time, but at the dawn of the  5th Century the Khan waged the Greatest War Holy against all the races of the continent of Mekkan. They were on the brink of winning having forced Kito'an into their cities, torched the forest of theCervidan and had the Bovine abandon their northern territory, they were stopped by their Khan being assisted by one of his own Knights who mysteriously vanished afterwards, the Angelic took advantage of this and took the Salamander capital and the ranks of the salamanders fell apart. Sued for peace by the world the Salamanders Society struggled for a long time, leading to an uprising of a Mad King, a final holy war began, however by a rebellion, with the help of the other races stopped the madness. Reevaluate the situation and now have slowly transformed into a peaceful race over Time, developing air travel and other bits of technology.

## Culture

Salamander Culture is a mix of Roman and Byzantine Empire influence seen in the Architecture, Arms, Armor and fashion. The currency used in the lands, varies never having formed any formal currency, the Salamanders often trade in any currency from any land or straight barter. In recent times they trade in a odd variety of goods, their land should support very fertile lands, but it is mysteriously hard to grow anything so their agriculture is limited with their larger exports being Tea, Alcohol, Spices and Mushrooms, which they trade often to buy food from the Bovines. However their biggest exports a rare ore found in their land, Air & Sea Ships, Fish and Clay. In current age, even though the are taking a more peaceful path, they are a Militaristic society. Upon a Salamander turning 18 they are required to enlist in the military for a 3 year service. All Salamanders know how to fight in some capacity which means there is a surprisingly low crime rate.

## Ideals

The Salamanders drive for honor carried on into the culture of the race. Among salamanders, the most horrible crime was oath-breaking; honesty was expected whenever a deal was struck. Commitment to a word was expected to be carried out to the letter and all parties in a transaction were held accountable and responsible for failings. Ultimately, those who failed to meet their word were expected to accept the consequences and, in fact, most salamander did so. So widespread was this value of honor and honesty that it was commonly believed that Salamander never broke their word.
The Salamander people are broken up into 6 tribes, and in recent years now 8, that hold different ideologies and beliefs.

Salamanders believe that Gender has no bearing on ability as some Salamanders swap gender part way through their lives. However they are very binary when it comes to gender of you are either Male or Female. The gender ratios are 50:50 and is extremely rare that a salamander be born intersex, however the race does allow for some fluidity as some Salamanders are change genders part way through their life; The reason for this is generally unknown, many scholars have pondered and questioned it, believing it may be a population need.
Salamander Relationships and Sexualities are very diverse and are more tribe based rather than the populace as a whole.

## Language

Salamanders speak dominantly Basic and Salamandarin. This can often confuse foreigners to the land of Avernus.

## Art, Leisure & Architecture

Salamanders were usually practical about the arts. Few items were created for purely artistic reasons, instead having a functional purpose behind them. However, Salamander arts were not at all ugly or mundane in appearance and salamander craftsmen took time and care in creating new works. As pieces representative of the skill of a craftsman, salamander art pieces and fashion often possessed a distinctive flair that was draconic or elemental in nature and they were often embroidered with jewels or precious metals. Not all salamander art was purely pragmatic in nature, however, and the salamander had a love for jewelry as well. Jewelers, gemcutters, smiths, and minters had a respected place in salamander society.

Like the salamander approach to art, the race's attitude towards leisure activities was very practical, and when salamander weren't at work, they were often engaged in sports with a training component to them. Often competitive, these sports often lacked teams, with the most popular games ending in victory for one, clear winner. Many of these sports were also violent, particularly by the standards of many other races, and wrestling was extremely popular with the race, as were, to a more limited extent, blood sports such as gladiator games or pit fighting. Not all salamander sports were so physical, however, and the race was also fond of strategic board games, riddle contests, or improvised storytelling events. In all cases, the salamander emphasis for recreation was on the triumph of the individual and the improvement of practical skills.

The Salamanders architecture is of a very Byzantine and Roman Architecture, Either large domes or Square shaped rooms. Built with purpose in mind. Dome shaped roofs where common especially in the areas with the most ash rain, as it is easier to clean by pouring water from the top. Buildings of great importance often large, some of the most notable buildings is the Grey Cathedral in Sol and the Sanghelios Alcázar. Salamanders rarely bore into the earth when it came to construction due to risk of underground pockets of magma, so they got good at building around and on hills. The most impressive take on is the Pyrous Monistary built on the side of Pyrous Mountain an active Volcano.

## Tribes & Ethnicities

Salamanders come in a range of Size and colours; But some of the common traits that all Salamanders share is that they are resistant to poisons and fire and most if not all are able to breathe or emit fire on their bodies. Their skin is tough and harder to cut especially on their scaly parts. Typically they tower between 1.8m - 2.1m tall in height. Their hair, skin and scale colours change depending what tribe they come from. They age quite rapidly reaching the end of Adolescence around 16 and can live to around 120-180 years, however don't make it beyond 90.
A similar trait Salamanders share with Avians is the power to cast mana through verbal instead of the generic somatic gestures required for most spells. They lace mana into their voice and release it. It is why a lot of fire users cast certain spells from their mouths. Typically the project words of power or speaches, where as the Avians tend to project it more through music and song.

Salamanders are very prone to mutations, some controlled or spontaneous, commons changers are spawning deadly claws, muscles growth or loss, feet physiology and tail changes. In rare cases some Salamanders are born, blessed or mutate with wings which allow them to fly. Another rare mutation is a salamanders changing gender in their lifespan, cases are rare, but is noticeable in their society.

## Tribes

Although there have been many tribes throughout the history, the ones that have withstood the test of time are the main 6. Each tribe focuses on a different accept and all work in unison to each other.

### Blue

The Blue clan is one of the smallest tribes however, their leader Tamara rose up and conquered all the tribes and rose to become the new Great Khan, shifting the focus of the salamanders to be more peaceful with the rest of the races, something that has not been done before. They originally hail from a small remote island which is home to most of the clan leaders, however the main majority of the Tribe lives in Sanghelios and they serve whomever is the Khan and mainly Homeland Security. Members of this clan often have an affinity for Storm magic.

### Gray

The Gray clan are the keepers of Yuelia's Creed, they are lead by Father Alfrao, his church resides Grey Cathedral he has to be neutral between the two flame paths however he leans more towards the Flame of Life. They entire city of Sol is shrouded in an ash cloud fog, that drifts from the mount Pyrous. They don't have a particular affinity for an additional gate of magic.

### Gold

An odd Tribe that makes its home in Company, a remote city built Angelic mountain ranges. The chief is Bathama, whom are in charge of national and international security. Often sending out paladins charged with cleansing and purging sickness and corruption in its many forms, often leaning into the Flame of Purity. Their magic often includes Light and Earth gate mana in addition to their fire.

### Red

The berserker tribe of the Red Salamanders are the most well known and often made up public perception for what Salamanders where for a long while. Lead by Cynical Pyre they make up most of the Salamander Military. They share their giant village of tents and buildings with their close Vampire neighbours and are very accepting of Demons. Meaning a fair amount of Red Salamanders also practise blood magic.

### Silver

The Silver clan are in charge of forging various weapons for all the tribes they have the technique of steel flame, Their Chief is Kala and her brother is Slivi their tribe is set closer to the Desert and they are the only clan and race that can forge Draconium into Draconite.

### Green

Male; they have created many alchemical things and Wildfire

### Religion

Salamanders strongly follow the creed of Way's of Fire, which relates to the worship of Yuelia and the "holy" flames she creates. It teaches the art of using the destructive power of fire to cleanse evil,
there is currently a divide when it comes to the religion.

#### Flame of Life

This part of the sect believes that corruption and those of evil nature need to be burned. They tend to fight against rouge undead, creatures of evilly aligned, corruptions in the word and diseased beings.

#### Flame of Purity

Puritans are more aggressive with the faith, They fights against all abnormal beings that are not aligned to a gate or a deity. It believes that all creatures of intelligence with or without a corrupt nature that aren't blessed by the sacred gates shan't exist.

#### Ash Walkers

These monk reside on Mt. Pyrous, if a very powerful being of corruption needs to be purged they are transported here and thrown into the volcano. They study the various nature of fire. They also guard the fire gate.

## Magic

Salamanders are one of the more interesting races when it comes to magic, most of the race tends to be warriors who don't practice magic, Tribe Shamen or spellswords who 80% of the time specialise with fire.
Being gifted the power of the Fire Gate they are able to control the various nature and temperature of flames, being able to use it to burn the toughest of rocks.

## History

### **Peace Treaty**

This is the part where salamanders stop being agressive.