Zohk

UPDATED!
New outfit, new haircut, new mark, new scarf, and a few other things~ <3

This is my student character for Outcast Academy. Finally! It's done!
Hopefully, this will be an example to people as well.


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Name: Zohk (pronounced “Jacques”. Like Jack in French. Zaw-K)

Age: 153 (about 17 in human years)

Gender: Male

Height: 5’ 11”

Weight: 200lbs

Race: Salamander

Birthday: March 3ard (also the day the New-World-Division Treaty was signed)

Additional Information about Race: Salamanders are also called “Fire Lizards”. The first sightings of this race date back into the 8th Century, but they were often mistaken for normal amphibious salamanders. The only difference was, if certain salamanders were thrown into the fire, they would not burn. At this point, humans capitalized the name. “Salamander” means the fire-retardant species, and “salamander” is just an amphibian. They were, supposedly, the reason for poisoned wells and spoiled fruit. It was said to be because of the toxin they secreted from their skin.
While a lot of the stuff humans said about Salamanders were false, some of it was true. This includes their ability to reside comfortably in extreme heats. They can also put out fires, though they can rarely create fire without the means to do so. Salamanders are comfortable where it is warm, but can withstand a certain amount of cold.
Zohk’s people come from the Azores, on the island of Graciosa, in the Volcanic Complex of Serra Branca. They have small villages built out of the rocks deep in the belly of the volcanic system, and so they have been mostly untouched by human society. Zohk’s village, especially, has been sheltered most of its life, as its home volcano isn’t very active and doesn’t attract that much attention. Salamander villages are mostly family units, and they are a matriarchal society, claiming lineage through their female members. Male Salamanders are responsible for building new homes in the rock and finding food. Salamanders, due to their extreme environments, can eat almost anything; it’s just a matter of finding it. Because of the need to eat anything and everything, Salamanders have extremely hard teeth—they aren’t sharp, but they are nearly impossible to chip or break.
Salamanders can live almost anywhere, so long as fire can be created. If they are separated from their heat source, they can live off of their “Inner-Fire” for a time. It’s uncertain what, exactly the Inner-Fire is, but the Shamans of Zohk’s people believe that it is an ancient magic that sits in the heart of the Salamanders. However, the Inner-Fire works like a propane tank, meaning that it will eventually run out if used too much. The Inner-Fire is replenished by the presence of an outer heat source, but can be maintained if the Salamander is careful to keep their body temperature up. This can be done by wearing warm clothing, especially about the neck and torso. Their wellbeing can be measure by the flame on the end of their tail. If the flame dims to only a blue-white, the Salamander is deathly ill, and needs to be taken to a heat source immediately.

Personality: Zohk is a very laid back sort of guy. People can often mistake his attitude for apathy, but it’s actually simple content. He doesn’t see the need to fret over things he can’t change. He’s a curious and friendly soul, though sometimes, due to his sheltered past, he can be a little dense. He often doesn’t understand why people do certain things, but because of his “Let it be” attitude, it works out okay. He is easy to get along with, and slow to anger. His tail flame will mirror his moods (it will burn fiercely if he is angry, or splutter when he is embarrassed or nervous).

Likes: Precious stones, lava and fire, scarves (he hoards them), hot and spicy foods

Dislikes: Snow and hail, icy water, people roasting things on his tail-flame

Bio: Zohk was born to a very large family unit within a larger village. His father was one of the Councilmen of his village and was very good friends with the Chief. Because of this, Zohk and his siblings (all 20+ of them, as Salamanders do not differentiate between brothers and sisters and cousins, it’s all just one family) lived a pretty well furnished life for a Salamander. Zohk grew up in the arms of someone who loved him and had many people to play with as a child. He grew up among the Salamander community (about seven families, including his own), learning the old traditions and gaining news of the outside world from the Shamans that came and left by the seasons. He learned how to carve rocks, swim in lava, and build fires. He tried his hand at fire-magic and found that he was not all that talented. He was quieter and happier than many of the other children, and was very attached to his mother, who adored him. His father, too, was very loving towards him, especially after he proved that he was brave and strong in the “Inking Ceremony.”
When the Shaman brought back news of the “New-World-Division” it was Zohk’s 153ard birthday. His people saw it as a sign that Zohk was supposed to do something very important. When news of Outcast Academy reached them, many seasons later, his father was quick to ask the Chief if Zohk could be permitted to go. Though he wasn’t exactly enthused, Zohk agreed to attend the Academy.

Any Talents?: Zohk can make about anything he’s seen out of rock. He’s got a good memory and an artists’ hand. Give him a chunk of rock, a chisel, and a hammer…and he’ll give you a work of art. He is good at making things with his hands. He can use a little bit of fire-magic, but usually it’s only enough to make a spark or keep a fire from dying.

What about Weaknesses?: He cannot be exposed to extreme cold for more than a few hours. This includes both cold air and cold water. Harsh winters are very dangerous for him. Also, Zohk’s tail-flame should never be smothered by anything. He is better in defense than offense, though he’s really not a fighter, so he’s liable to just get the snot kicked out of him in a fight. Though I wouldn’t want to get into a fight with someone who has a flame always ready and at hand.

Preferred Dorm: Magma

General Additional Information: ---Zohk did well through the “Inking Ceremony”, and that is displayed on his face, arm, and back. The Ceremony is, pretty much, enduring the process of getting a tattoo. Since Salamanders obviously don’t have modern equipment, they make their ink by grinding up colored rocks and adding the thick powder to water. Then, the ink must literally be pounded into the skin. Zohk has a large, complex tattoo on his back, one on the upper half of his left arm, one of his right wrist, and two on his face. The tattoos signify a rite of passage…a “coming of age” if you will, but the entire process is completely voluntary. No one HAS to become a true adult by taking part in the Inking Ceremony.
---Zohk’s tail flame can be put out with water. However, he has to reignite it with his Inner-Fire, which is actually an enormous effort. Because of this, he bathes with wet cloths and cleans one part of him at a time.
---If he isn't paying attention, Zohk can, accidently, sneeze fire.
---Zohk has a large magic store inside of his body, thanks to a ceremony that the Shamans of his people performed. He was given the power of The Shaman. While he doesn't yet know what this means--he is no longer emotionally unstable and is striving to find out how to control this magic inside him. This magic is sealed by the mark on his forehead.