Salamander metamorphoses for Pyrim

In this post I would like to share my ideas for a Salamander metamorphosis. The Salamander appeared in a few editions of the French version and was mentioned in the Ex Oculis fanbook draft.

The Ex Oculis drafts give two different sets of Personality Traits for the Salamander in different docs, so I've decided to split the Salamander into two metamorphoses. Each encompasses different aspects of the diverse folklore surrounding this scaly fire elemental. 

The transformations are taken from the French version, specifically the list of ten transformations in 5e. These were: "Smell of hearth or smoke, Breathy voice, Black eyes, Aura of heat, Acrid sweat, Four-fingered hands, Asexual body, Poisonous blood, Body stains, Aura of flame."

The Firedrake (material fire)

"Salamander" © 2019 Gofelem

The first is the material Firedrake, a stereotypical dragon of Teutonic myth that greedily collects and guards its hoard with fiery breath and poisonous blood. It appears in countless myths, such as the famous epic Beowulf. As Ex Oculis describes it: "If a Djinn is an open flame, a Salamander is a glowing coal. Massive and reptilian, Salamanders brood and plot over their gains."

Angry (vs Joyous)

As the Firedrake grows angrier, this manifests first as an increase in body temperature that makes it difficult for others to touch them, then progressing into an aura of flame. The Firedrake may concentrate this flame for defensive, offensive or utility use, such as to prevent others from getting too close due to convection, to set combustibles on fire, or provide a light source.

Conservative (vs Rebellious)

As the Firedrake grows more conservative, traditional and distasteful of new things, his contempt manifests first as sweat with an acrid odor that causes a burning sensation on touch, then progressing into poisonous blood. The Firedrake may spit their own poisonous blood on enemies like it was pepper spray, causing an irritating burning sensation on skin or  painful blindness if it gets in the eyes.

Possessive (vs Altruistic, Spiritual)

As the Firedrake grows more possessive, it exudes a smell of the hearth or smoke reminding one of a dragon's hoard. Later its hands become four-fingered claws, all the better to keep hold of its hoard.

Proud (vs Modest)

As the Firedrake grows prouder and vainer, its voice grows deeper and breathier as if just waiting to spit fire. Its body grows smoother and loses semblance of gender, as such mortal imperfections grow meaningless to it.

Suspicious (vs Trusting)

As the Firedrake grows more suspicious of others, especially that they might try to steal from it, its eyes grow larger and blacker to better spy on others. Various shifting patterns appear in its skin, as if to throw off pursuers like a camouflaged predator.

The Calcifer (spiritual fire)

"Firey" by 3_eda

The second is the spiritual Calcifer, the bearer of warmth, a spirit of the hearth that personifies the lovely feelings of heat and home. While the name comes from Howl's Moving Castle, the idea comes from a synthesis of traditional fairy lore about hearth spirits and the folklore of salamanders emerging from the hearth.

Energetic (vs Lazy)

As the Calcifer grows increasingly energetic, he increasingly resembles fire given form. His voice grows breathy, as if he just ran a marathon. His body grows androgynous and asexual, more like fire in a humanoid mold than a human body.

Idealistic (vs Cynical)

As the Calcifer cultivates idealism, that idealism spills out of his body. At first it manifests simply as an aura of pleasant warmth, but deepens into the fires of hope and ultimately wings that ferry him aloft this sinful Earth.

Joyous (vs Angry)

As the Calcifer brings joy to himself and others, he exudes a pleasant aroma of the hearth: of chestnuts warming on the fire, of roasting smores, of delicious smoked foods. His hands grow into long delicate tongues of flame that seem to be perpetually full of illusory riches.

Reckless (vs Calm, Prudent)

As the Calcifer grows reckless, his sweat becomes acrid in odor and irritates the skin and senses like hot sauce. His very blood becomes hot sauce in his veins. Whenever cut by a weapon, his poisonous blood travels up the weapon and into the bearer, causing them to be blinded by the same recklessness.

Social (vs Private)

As the Calcifer socializes with others, his eyes grow larger, black and soulful; you could lose yourself for hours within the depths of his gaze. Patterns like dancing flames appear on his skin that draw and fascinate the eye.

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