Choleric
The Choleric Calthryn are most often referred to as Fire Striders, due to the distinctive walk, which is common to all Calthryn. Due to their tolerances and appearance, Fire Striders are uncommonly found amongst human populations. When occasionally seen, they are most commonly noted in a blacksmith's shop or working alongside a weaponsmith or armorer. Apparently their predisposition for fire, entices them to these shops which can also serve as havens for rest and rejuvenation for their bodies. However, it should often be noted that most Blacksmith's who have a strider who is friendly to them, do not reveal the secret, since the Fire Striders are invaluable for help at the forge.
In appearance, the Fire Striders resemble humans in bodily shape if not in coloration. Their skin coloration is typically bronze, but shades of red, orange, yellow, white and blue have been reported as their coloration changes with their moods. Ranging from the colors associated with extreme calm (bronze, yellow, and red) to the coloration expectant of a Choleric Calthryn when intensely angered (blue or white). Their eye color is similar to their skin color, in the reports that the eye coloration also fluctuates, but it remains in shades of green, blue, yellow, red, orange and rarely pure white. Hair color is a bit more stable and usually remains either a reddish or blondish coloration. The reason for these colorations is due to the human shell that remains with the Calthryn. This shell has been infused with the essence of fire, and as such, the fire is dominant over the shell for appearance and function.
In abilities, Fire Striders have perhaps the widest range of available weapons and armor. Due to their unique natures, they prefer to use metallic armors and weapons since the heat given off by their bodies, will not severely damage the weapons and armor over time. Natural armors such as leather, studded leather, hide and cloth all quickly deteriorate on a Fire Striders body and as such are useful for only short periods of time. The same is true with weapons such as bows, which will gradually weaken and destroy themselves over time with the Choleric Calthryn if not consumed outright when his mood changes to one of anger. In order to avoid loss of money and to obtain reliable equipment, most Choleric Calthryn simply avoid non-metallic items outright and stick only to weapons and armor composed entirely of metal.
Fire opposes water, and as such, the Fire Striders are no exception. The presence of too much water is taxing to their systems and can even cause damage in the right circumstances. Few if any Choleric Striders will ever travel in the rain, whilst the number gets smaller still when discussing travel by boat. In order to regenerate damage from the daily presence of moisture in the atmosphere, all Fire Striders require time within a fire of some type at the end of the day. Failure to rest in this manner results in eventual breakdown and decay of their elemental essence. In game terms this is treated as severe exhaustion, eventually to the point of death, since this is the only known method of rejuvenation. Needless, to say, Fire Striders are quite fond of an evenings campfire. When it comes to actual exposure to the rain and water in general, such exposure acts upon the Choleric Calthryn as if strong acid were eating into his flesh and body. Complete immersion into water is often fatal, due to the incredible volume of water that immediately begins to act like acid upon the Fire Striders body. Very cold situations are typically devoid of water since cold air holds very little moisture, thus Choleric Calthryn have been noted in freezing climates, however, the presence of snow and other types of frozen water serve as a strong deterrent to them unless properly equipped to avoid contact. Moreover, the presence of cold temperatures also serves to rapidly deplete the energy of a Fire Strider, so they typically require rest within a fire source at least once every 12 hours to maintain their bodies.
As the Choleric Calthryn progress in experience and abilities several new options open up to them. The most fundamental of the abilities of the Choleric Calthryn is immunity to flames and heat of any sort. Fires, including magical ones do no damage to the Calthryn, but may include the possibility of rest or rejuvenation. The only magical fire, that is known to bother the Choleric Calthryn is the Chill Shield version of the Fire Shield spell, otherwise no magical flames have been known to effect them. The second ability to develop is the use fire magic of several forms, all Fire Striders are able to pick spells from the School of Elemental Fire and the Sphere of Elemental Fire. The limitation on these spells is that only 2 of any spell level may ever be selected. An example of this is a Calthryn with 2 fire spells from the School of Elemental Fire, or 1 spell from the school and 1 from the sphere, or 2 spells from the Sphere of Elemental Fire. In this way, the maximum number of spells per spell level is preserved. Another ability of the Fire Striders that is notable is the elemental form that is available at 7th level. The usage of the elemental form, allows Fire Striders to alter their appearance and their body in unique ways, enabling them to move through small openings not normally passable by anything other than a mouse. Also, at this point in their development, they are without a mortal shell, so all non-metallic items on their bodies are consumed by the elemental fires that rage over their bodies. When they walk across various surfaces they leave burn marks or scorched places depending on their footwear at the time. Moreover, the change to the elemental form, also enables them to utilize their own type of locomotion. For the Choleric Calthryn this type of movement isn't as pronounced as other types of Calthryn, but at this point in their development, Fire Striders may ignite flammable objects they touch, by will alone. Upon the surface of combustible materials, Fire Striders are able to roughly double their normal movement rate without exertion.