Salamae

Appearance
Salamae range from between 5.7 to 7 rands tall. The females are usually more slender than the males, though they are all build with a stocky frame. A 'mae's skin is smooth, flexible, and usually spotted, though the size of the spots vary based on a salamae's lineage. Salamaes from the jungle are normally more heavily spotted with smaller spots than salamae from the swamps. A salamae's skin often appears to be wet, though they may be dry to the touch, and one can easily judge a 'mae's health by the general appearance of his or her skin. All maes are born with a thin, sturdy tail that ranges anywhere from 2.4 to 3.6 rands long. A very few maes have met with tragic accidents or diseases that have robbed them of their tails. Most maes that no longer have their tails resort to ritual suicide.

Most salamae have large, wide-spaced eyes set atop a snout with distinctive nostrils. Maes also have a wide mouth, and a thick, pink tongue. While most maes often appear to be cute for some, there are others who are quite fierce in appearance. One tribe of warrior salamaes boast of breeding fighters that stand over seven rands tall with muscles that rival any human's build. These fighters often decorate their tails with metal spikes and balls that allow them to use every limb as an effective weapon.

Female salamae tend to be smaller than the male of their species as well as plumper and wider at the hips. Offsprings are often born without spots, which come at approximately six years of age. The emergence of the spots, or fam-mar, as they are called by salamae, is highly celebrated by all members of a young salamae's family. It can also be a time of complete disgrace if a young mae does not take on the markings of her family, as this is a sign of bastardization.

Salamae do not have visible hair on any part of their body. They enjoy wearing helms and hats to decorate their, otherwise, bald heads. Some salamaes are blessed with beautiful spots and markings on their heads and foreheads. They will often wear jewelry or headbands designed to emphasize these coveted spots. Salamae love to decorate themselves, but they will not mar their skin if it can be helped. Piercings and tattoos are not common in their community, but jewelry and bright colors are favored. Feathers are used to decorate weapons and armor and are highly prized by salamae. Thus, a kestrel in molt could have an instant following of salamae.

Society
Living in tribes of 50 to 100 members, salamae reside most frequently in the jungles and swamps of Katayvan near Troj. Their physiological structure allow them to easily navigate through muddy, uneven ground as well as thick vegetation. Spotted and varied in coloring, salamae are extremely hard to see in their natural surroundings.

Before they began adventuring into larger cities, salamae were a mythological race. For centuries they lived in seclusion and secrecy, killing any intruders who entered their villages or simply blending in with their environment. Salamae sightings were stories told by mad men or adventurers filled with tall tales. Finally, a group of salamae called the Seekers broke with tradition and began trading with local farmers for delicacies such as tomatoes and potatoes.

Many salamae now venture to the large cities of the world as a rite of passage. All are expected to return to their home villages to add to the community's wisdom and knowledge. Many apprentice with great masters or train with weaponmasters. Others learn trades or tricks to aid them in swamp survival and irrigation. Some 'maes, however, enjoy the city life far too much to return home. A few radical villages have refused to let their children seek out cities for fear of "modern contaminations" and the loss of their youths.

Salamae are quite adept in fighting styles that involve spears or clubs, for these are weapons often used in the swamps. They are masters at fishing as well as trapping frogs, crabs and shrimp. They enjoy a high protein diet supplemented by fruits and berries. Most salamae also have a gift for tracking, animal care, and thriving in difficult conditions. Most maes, however, will not venture into northern or cold climates. They are much more suited to hot, humid weather.

True to the mammals they are, not the amphibians that they resemble, salamaes birth live young and nurse their infants for the first few years of their lives. Often the entire community will help in raising the infant and teaching it the necessary skills to succeed in life.

Salamae and lekleks can often be found living together in one large village in areas where void creatures are abundant. Their societies usually mesh well, though, a salamae's calm and deliberate persona can often contrast with the leklek's frantic and exciteable nature.

History
Salamaes have been a part of Primordiax histories for over 5,000 years. Some ruins depicting powerful salamae clerics date back from before the Sundering. No one knows exactly what kind of impact that cataclysmic event had on the salamae population, but not one salamae body was found after the Sundering. The living members of the race had also effectively disappeared. Effectively existing only in the lore of other races, salamaes reappeared with a vengeance when the lekleks began building Troj. Many of them came out of the swamps and jungle to aid in the construction of the stone city, and some of them have never left. Many of the salamaes whose families help build the city of Troj now have powerful clans within its dark, granite walls. These massive families are also known as "jingleets".

The salamaes of Primordiax have more Creation stories than any other race in the world. Quite possibly, every single salamae village tells its own version of the origins of their race. Some claim that an ancient goddess had a love for amphibians and created the salamae as caretakers of the wetlands in the world. Others claim that salamaes rode a gigantic turtle to this world from another star. On a darker note, one tribe of salamae, known for their black skin and varied gray spots, claim that they were born of the Void but that Aryoch blessed them with subtance. Unlike most salamaes, this specific tribe are quite serious and dour. Moreover, they are ever vigilant againt Void minions.

SEE ALSO: Races