Lamira

Half-human half-serpentine race local to Alhara. Legend say they were born from Dragons when they landed upon Jana however their true origins remain a mystery in itself. They live in matriarchal tribe often ruled by a council of five Elders and they reside out in the dune seas as their home. Lamiras have been known to be attuned to the desert, so much so they can tame and domesticate Quicksanders as bloodhounds for the hunt or even security dogs to deter invaders. Immune to intense heat and fire damage, they are capable of slithering across the sand at high speed or use their lower bodies to leap as a spring coil. When they enter the town or a major city however they become incredibly slow and it is difficult for them to move around, let alone move inside a small space due to their large bodies. There are several types of Lamiras in Alhara;   Raja - the more traditional breeds who are born, raised, and die in their tribe. They have a close knit familiar community, to the point where they are extended family regardless of blood or family name and see themselves as close sisters and brothers. Marriage is arranged between families, usually between male and female Raja Lamiras who have been together since childhood thus it is common for pairs to be made from neighbors. Due to their traditional culture, they find same-sex marriage as taboo and when Raja Lamiras show any signs of it, they are cast out. Sometimes there are some Raja who are curious, or are exiled, and they leave the tribe to strike out on their own or to explore the world and experience freedom.   Asvati - a name given to Lamira who have left behind their tribal ways. Among some reasons for such a course of action include: running from an arranged marriage; conflicting with their family; committing a taboo act such as same-sex romance; or pursuing the world outside their tribe. Asvati journey across the sand and usually find work in nearby camps and towns as entertainers, desert guides, messengers, or even bounty hunters. Bounty hunting is one of the most popular jobs among the Asvati, an occupation which they have an innate advantage in due to their in-depth knowledge of traveling in the desert, their ability to glide across the sand with their serpentine lower halves, and their keenly accurate eyesight which assists in sharpshooting. Lamira bounty hunters not only rely on traditional weapons such as rifles or pistols, but also specially-designed weapons that can be attached to the ends of their tails. These attachments usually take the form of blades or spears, and are used in a similar manner to that of a scorpion’s stinger. No longer bound by the laws of their tribes, the Asvati are free to pursue whatever relationships they wish; coupling with non-Lamira races, marrying whoever they please without parental arrangements, and practicing same-sex romance, etc.