Salamander

Version 0.15: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

salamander N
HP	42-81
HD	8
XP	524
Speed	10 (move: 140%)
AC	5
EV	7
Will	40
Attack1	17 (hit: fire: 8-15)
Resistances	rF+++
Vulnerabilities	Cold
Habitat	Amphibious Lava
Intelligence	High
Uses	Weapons & armour Starting equipment Open doors
Holiness	Natural
Size	Medium
Type	naga, salamander
Flags	Fighter Submerges Warm-blooded

Not the common harmless amphibian, but the far more dangerous mythological beast with which that amphibian shares its name. A red, flaming half-human half-snake creature with a legendary affinity for fire. It is strange and repulsive. “As for example: the Salamander made in fashion of a Lizard, marked with spots like to stars, never comes abroad and sheweth it selfe but in great showers; for in faire weather he is not seene. He is of so cold a complexion, that if hee do but touch the fire, hee wil quench it as presently, as if yce were put into it. The Salamander casteth up at the mouth a certaine venomous matter like unto milke, let it but once touch any bare part of a man or womans bodie, all the haire will fall off: and the part so touched will change the colour of the skin to the white morphew.” -Gaius Plinius Secundus, _Naturalis Historia_, Book X, ch. LXVII. 79 A.D. trans. Philemon Holland, 1601.

Useful Info

Salamanders are aggressive fiery relatives of the naga, capable of comfortably travelling through lava, usually carrying flaming melee weapons or bows. Unsurprisingly, they are fully immune to fire damage, but are vulnerable to cold. You can find them in the Snake Pit and the Depths.

Tips & Tricks

• Fire resistance cuts away most of their damage-dealing capabilities.
• In spite of the name, the salamander hide armour cannot be crafted from a salamander's corpse.

History

Prior to 0.14, salamanders could not leave the pools of lava they spawned in.