Who are the Aralia? Part 1

The Aralia (from "arali", meaning underworld, and "a" or "lilia" meaning child or offspring) are an intelligent, amphibian descended species, whose principal habitat prior to the Nightfall event was underground. Their development of sentience predates that of humanity by a number of thousands of years, and as a result they are significantly more advanced technologically than ourselves.

Appearance
Aralia are bipedal, and are approximately 5 feet tall on average, with a tail that extends about 3 feet from the hindquarters. The tail is highly flexible, but not prehensile. The head is of a similar shape to that of a salamander's, except for a more prominent domed shape to the top of the skull, indicated a larger brain than that of their primitive cousins. Their hands and feet contain 4 digits, 3 fingers and an opposable thumb on the hand, and four stout but long toes on the feet. They are hairless, possessed instead of extremely smooth skin that is actually covered in extremely small, slick scales.

Their skin color varies significantly, and is one of the major individualizing factors in an Aralia's appearance, presenting patterns and coloration as wide-ranging as the amphibians from which they descend. Common skin colors are grey, black with reddish patches, and green or yellow with a whitish patch starting from their chin and running down through the legs and past onto the tail. Patterns however can range from spots, to stripes of all varieties, to splotchy patterns, to solid colors.

Males and females of the species are largely indistinguishable from each other, their sexual characteristics being largely internal. Some have suggested theories regarding sex affecting the patterns on the Aralia's skin, but as of yet no evidence has been able to be pieced together, while some of what is extant seems to contradict this, in that skin color and pattern are often shared familial characteristics.

Biology
Aralia are cold-blooded, like all amphibians, and particularly adapted to cool, damp climates, due to their amphibian nature as well as the nature of their habitat. They respond poorly to much warmer temperatures, as well as to extremes of cold, and temperatures too far from their comfort zone can negatively affect their energy levels. Lack of moisture is also problematic, as their skin does not hydrate itself well and can dry out easily. As a result of this, a large body of Aralia technological research centers around climate control systems, and when outside of their own home environments, Aralia scouts and military units usually wear climate controlled armor suits. However, like humans, there is considerable variation by local climate as to what constitutes an individual Aralia's personal comfort zone.

Aralia are primarily carnivores, but also supplement their meat diet with various species of fungus, and also some low starch, low sugar vegetation. Their metabolism is especially effective at producing energy from relatively small amounts of carbohydrates, and as a result consumption of foods with a higher concentration of sugars can cause havoc on the metabolism if not taken in extreme moderation.

Reproduction takes place through intercourse, with the male of the species impregnating the female, who then lays the inseminated eggs into a familial pool constructed for the purpose. The entire extended family lays it's eggs into this same pool; Aralia offspring generally are not aware of their direct parent, nor are their direct parents aware of which of the offspring are their direct descendants. The young develop through a tadpole-like stage, through to a stage strongly resembling that of their salamander cousins, before finally learning to stand on their hind legs. During this period, care of the young is shared collectively with the entire extended family unit, and as a result of this, familial bonds tend to form with the broader body of the family or clan rather than individual parents. This has lead to a much more communal tendency on the part of the species, favoring the importance of clan and state over individualism.

This attitude towards the importance of the greater good of the race also leads to a form of instinctual eugenics, as young children who appear to possess sub par genes or capabilities are often culled and even eaten, such as the sick or those possessing of genetic maladies or lesser intellect of physical capability.