For centuries Ardem tribe has the largest population in Meority thanks to their immense desire for… procreation; and if not for low fertility rate of their eggs it would be extremely high way before current age. It comes from a fact that round every second month is a mating season for Ardem, during this time faint smell of cinnamon and fruits from their sweat and pheromones soars around. While growing appetite and infatuations can warn about incoming carnal desires beforehand, it became routinely for sistren of other tribes to expect minor delays or halts in some systems and infrastructures during these weeks. But we should pray first for Ardem’s othertribe partners, trapped and wrapped in web of endless love – it is a great challenge to survive emaciation and exhaustion and tortures of pleasures.

It doesn’t mean that outside of these seasons Ardem are not sexually active, after all its Ardem Engifted who founded “Slime and Tentacles” Doctrine as well as their engineers design various pleasure machines, but at least they are sober enough to become remarkably diligent and endeavorous members of society, committing themselves to amend “wasted” time, never afraid of assuming responsibility or take difficult tasks, performing best at their capacity and extra if possible. For Ardem laziness is inadmissible in bed and work alike, so they expect each other (and other tribes) to commit in full aptitude in every aspect of life, or face systemic contempt and scorn. In thought, it is presumed that they want to uphold societal stability for own good so they can continue dedicating themselves to what they enjoy, without worsening of benefits and qualities of life we achieved after centuries of progress.

Except… there is another way Ardem can channel their prurience. As much as they are passionate about sexual pleasures, it all comes to mental response from physical and psychical sensations, receiving or giving, and a minor re-wiring can easily turn desires for lust and procreation into frenzy of ruination. A mental switch that converts any Ardem into a vicious berserk who revels in carnage and seeks for pain.

Confrontation face-to-face with Ardem warriors in such state were always dreaded by other tribes: with razor-sharp blades on their quick tails, and piercing claws and fangs, they swiftly shred their victims in a carnival of flesh; not bothering if mangling themselves in the process, for their brain shuts off any limits on body – even if blades and hands are broken, and earth is soaking wet with own blood leaking from bone-shattered limbs – with a smile they will hunger for more pain, own and foe’s. The most terrifying thing is to realize that such amorous and seductive people like Ardem can turn into bloodthirsty creature not from hate or envy, or to protect what dearest to them, but for pure pleasure.

During less peaceful times of our history some nations would count Ardem as a major war asset, managing military campaigns according to their mating seasons and population on each side. Though, most disastrously infamous battles were made when both side would send their numerous Ardem on each other, resulting only in a combined wave slaughtering every othertribe sistren around – Ardem berserks don’t attack one another as long as they can sense different prey around.

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As a result of highly promiscuous lifestyle Ardem are generally bisexual and don’t hold common concepts of a family – when ready for a long relationship they assemble into groups of a dozen or more mutual spouses called Garappe, where together they share one bed, parent responsibilities of future eggs and household-financial problems… but especially bed. In such relationship Ardem don’t elude to secret affairs: flirt is acceptable to find new spouses for Garappe, yet faithfulness is expected to the rest of relationship from now on, for a sole exception being a participation in Carnal Rites within a Church of Thighs with the rest of familiar congregation. As well Ardem immunity system is untouchable by venereal diseases (which are so few and innoxious among other tribes anyway).

Ardem comprise of four distinct genetic groups: Ardem De are the most common and most lustful of them; Ardem Va are truly vicious – they often turn to violent side of inner nature instead of procreation, spending time hunting for Cults of Envy or Jealous Beastiary, hence they are genetic minority; Ardem Al are sanguineous in a different way – they are fascinated with feeling of pain and prefer very rough and extreme activities for body and mind, so if you don’t make them moan from pleasures of agony… then it will be you; Ardem Do are the shy ones (for their kin) – sexual drive is not as licentious, mating seasons are shorter and they can even bond to a single partner for a long standard marriage.

Unlike many other tribes, instead of commonly structured nose with nostrils Ardem have four spiracle-like orifices on their necks with “nasal” cavities surrounding trachea tube before connecting to it slightly below. Respiratory system, however, is still connected to Pharynx for voice modulation through use of airflow. Under primary eyes there are two smaller ones which can see ultraviolet light. Besides scalp Ardem are absolutely hairless. Syringe-like fangs designed to quickly deliver substance from venom glands in a swift bite, and in Ardem’s case it is an aphrodisiac fluid: compatible with most sistren tribes but highly potent thence dangerous.

Spinnerets located on each wrist under carpus, and are typically segmented into three orifices, each producing own filament. Silk glands located in forearms inner side and between bones. Combining filaments from both arms can produce silk thread strong enough to hold weight of own weaver, and when Ardem fully emptying silks glands they can produce a thread of such strength forty times longer than own body height. For more precise work on web Ardem use nails on hands to separate and move filaments around.

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Ardem adore all bodies – because body is art. Comfortable with openly exhibiting own beauty and sensuality, they, as a widely spread tribe, set an example which sistren tribes quickly followed, and eventually Expressions of the Body were seen as meritorious since before preserved history (in reasonable suggestive limits of course, unless Revealing is imposed by religion or status). Expressions of the Body is an Ardemial founding philosophical principle – not sexual lust, but aesthetic love and appreciation of bodies granted to us by our Allmother, as arousing and hot as She intended. Our flesh is made of Her flesh, thus these bodies are not to be ashamed or hidden, but to be presented in all beauty for each other to admire, which also means duty of ours is keeping these bodies healthy and fair as they are given – a healthy mind in a gorgeous body. Evidently until middle Age of Crumbling Ardem were almost naked in good weather, wearing just sandals and loose loincloth, but in time other tribes influenced them too, and Ardem understood that clothes shall be, but not to conceal our bodies, no, they believe otherwise – clothes are first to complete and emphasize our gorgeousness, to add more flair and heat.

There was no peculiarity in Ardem migration patterns during Age of Crumbling, with a rapidly growing population they would settle on every new lands that was discovered. Ancient ruins all over Northern Continent suggest that even back then Ardem were already devoting themselves to faiths in Her Bottom and successfully captivating other tribes to join. Although it was forbidden by the Hegemony, Ardem kept praying in secrecy for two millennia.

After the Church of Thighs was established and second Angel of Love was pronounced as the Matriarch of Thighs in first century AA, Ardem flock to the Northern Continent where her teachings are spread wide, and avoid Realms of Bosom where it is less welcomed. Though every Sacred Tribe worship their Aspect, Ardem are so passionate and dedicated to Angel of Love and Her Church, They all as much believe themselves to be her spouses and not jealous each other. As well it is hard to find any Ardem goods and services which are not adorned with a Rune of Love or Trigon of Hips and Thighs.

Through spiritual discipline, prayers on Thighs and Carnal Rites, Ardem embrace and rejoice inner desires, as well as train abstinence and perseverance against them while contemplating lovemaking of others – means to tame oneself and able to repel these corporeal calls later when a calm decent mind is needed the most in a society full of tribes less libidinous. Thus it is common for Ardem to continuously lock and chastise own flesh outside of dwellings residence to not give in bodily impulses so easily (measures they still enjoy experiencing of course). Moreover, the Church of Thighs is taking care of Ardem whose carnal ardor is endangering even for own kin. They are shaving scalp clean to wear sacrosanct Gimp Garb, and either: surrenders oneself to surreptitious Horny Attics of Thigh Churches where Angel of Love personally drain them of lusthood, or decent into the Forbidden Catacombs of the Golden City to hunt heinous Cult of the Worm… in any case, these Ardem are near to never to be seen again.

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