Salimar

Basic Information

Anatomy

On average, Salimar stand roughly 4 and one-half feet tall; they have elongated bodies with somewhat stumpy legs and thick tails.  They resemble bipedal salamanders.  A Salimar's skin is glossy black and smooth with patches from their head to their tail that range from snow white, to silver, to dark grey.

Biological Traits

It is widely known that Salimar are not only immune to fire, but are actually healed by it.

Genetics and Reproduction

While Salimar are both amphibians and egg layers, fertilization is internal and the embryo is carried for half of its maturation inside the mother's body before being expelled as a gelatinous egg.  The egg will then continue to absorb nutrients and mature the embryo until it emerges from the egg, several weeks later.  A female Salimar bears only one egg per reproductive cycle.

Growth Rate & Stages

Infant Salimar are aquatic, similar to tadpoles, with gills and an elongated tail for locomotion. Over the course of their first year, they will develop arms and legs, and their tail will thicken and become shorter, and finally their gills will begin to close up, ultimately sealing.  A juvenile Salimar will grow until the age of 10 or so before reaching the ultimate adult height and weight.  Salimar typically live to 50, although there are examples of elderly Salimar (usually females) living into the 70s.

Ecology and Habitats

Salimar prefer to live near water.  While they live in a variety of places, their cold-blooded nature makes warm temperate to tropical climates preferable.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

To a non-Salimar, most Salimar look very much alike.  Subtle differences between them, such as shape and placement of the gray and white patches on their black skin, are the only outward markers of difference to other Heritages.  Salimar, though, identify each other through smell, so the scent of a Salimar, coupled with their physical attributes, makes up their beauty ideal.

Common Dress Code

In Salimarian culture, being well-dressed is an absolute must, as it is symbolic of their wealth and stature. A Salimar would sooner go out unarmed than poorly dressed. Not only do Salimar wear of the latest trends in fashion, but will also wear expensive jewelry, including rings, amulets, brooches, and bracelets. This holds true for both males and females, and is especially true for Salimar who travel for a living, like sailors, traveling merchants, or caravan masters.  Many traveling Salimar will use jewelry as a way of conveniently carrying wealth.  Other Salimar will possess heirloom jewelry that they pass down through their children.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Salimar have earned a reputation for being hard-nosed, but fair merchants, living by waterways and port cities to conduct business. They are highly intelligent and dignified creatures with a great respect for - and interest in - culture.

History

The origin of the Salimar people is truly unknown.  It is believed that they arrived during the so-called Lost Years towards the end of the Second Age, making them the youngest of the civilized heritages in the Lands of Legend. During the Third Age, Salimar extended out to become citizens of every nation upon the continent.  Salimar typically take up merchant professions, either directly selling goods to the masses, or being part of the delivery of good across the land. 
As the Fourth Age began, Salimar occupy the middle classes of most societies on the continent, and several Salimar families have been elevated into the ranks of nobility.

Common Myths and Legends

Salimar worship a variety of the gods of Lands of Legend, with Raya, Metra and Skeinor being the most common.  Merchant-minded Salimar will light prayer tapers to Handel, the godling of commerce and trade, who in Salimar tradition, is depicted as a giant Salimar holding a measuring scale and scroll.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

As everyone is a potential customer, Salimar try to get along with everyone. They see Dwarves as friendly rivals in crafting and mercantilism, and are sometimes envious of the long lives of the Elves and Treefolk. Goblins, with their roguish nature, are often looked upon as trouble-makers, which is never good for business, but typically tolerated. While they do not share many of the customs of the Lizardfolk, Salimar get along well with them, as both Heritages can comprehend being looked at as different by the warm-blooded folk. Of all the Heritages, Salimar are probably most cautious about Humans, as Humans' capacity for prejudice and unreasoned violence is greater than other civilized people.

Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

4-5 feet tall

Game Attributes

• 10 Hit Points
• Either
  • Pyrothermic Healing: Any damage that would be dealt to you by a source of natural (non-magical) fire instead heals you for that amount.
• OR
  • Cryothermic Healing: Any damage that would be dealt to you by a source of natural (non-magical) extreme cold instead heals you for that amount.