Character Art - Sivi

Character art of Sivi, a swamp-dwelling salamander-like creature I call Sslikin. In the distant past, a great swamp goddess emerged from the great muck and, bearing a mighty intelligence, gave rise to their race and culture through rapid evolution. Their cultures were split into five distinct factions, though despite a differently colored banner and representation of different virtues, the entire race as a whole remained unified and similar enough to not actually see clan name as a viable reason for aggression or disdain. The goddess returned to the muck, leaving the Sslikin to continue to thrive on their own, but after a few ages of peace, one of the five clans suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Many set out to search for their missing kin, but they were never found. As a result, they trained more in the arts of combat, using the other swamp creatures as reference. They struck quick like snakes, strong like crocodiles, and persistant like leeches. This combat skill came in handy in fending off land claimers trying to seize their sacred homelands, whch to them, remains a religious symbolic location. Thus, they remain hidden and secluded in their communities.

... and that's it. They've continued to keep to themselves all this time, rarely venturing out as the swamp provides for them in plenty.