Naga

“Buddha sat cross-legged for seven days, experiencing the bliss of freedom. Out of season arose a great cloud, bringing seven days of foul weather, so Mucalinda, the naga-king, left his home and circled Buddha seven times with his coils. He spread his great hood over Buddha's head, thinking to guard him against cold and heat, gadflies and mosquistoes, wind and sun, and the bites of lesser serpents.”

-- The Udana, Mucalinda Sutra





The delegation arrives on exquisitely-painted barges, its members slithering down the gangplank laden with gifts of rare medicine. Criminal prisoners are enraptured by the swaying dance of the river god's scaled adherents, unaware of the fate that awaits them. An archer draws back an arrow, strong tail wrapped around the trunk of her arboreal perch as her friends spread out below.

Kingdom of the Snake

Serpentine ancients with a history dating back to the oldest gods, the naga were gardeners of the primordial world. Great golden cities rose from the living rock, magic and science were molded as one, and early humans sought to emulate the serpent's power with horrific rites.

In the modern day these snakefolk have largely retreated from the world. Practicing a simpler, harmonious way of life, they have become equal parts revered myth and scaled bogeyman. Also known as lamia and dracaena, the naga balance patience and fascination, drawn inexorably to meddle and partake in the fleeting joys beyond their nest.

Serpent's Tongue

Enormous serpents with arms, expressive faces, and vaguely humanoid torsos, the naga are lithe and intelligent. Most naga feature broad hoods and snakelike snouts: the males have wider hoods and less elongated faces. Though not fully ectothermic, the scaled naga enjoy warmth when resting.

Naga move by swaying in an upright, undulating "dance", and accelerate by lowering their upper body to quickly writhe forward. Naga clothing is therefore light, and concentrated on the upper body -- the tail is occupied only by ornaments.

In the Balance

Naga are invested in harmony, above all things: balance of body and mind, desire and logic, earth and water, world and person. They see life as a series of symmetries that must be carefully guided into a sustainable equilibrium, where everything depends on everything else.

Even enemies or tragedies must be accepted as part of this balance, acknowledged and compensated for without anger. In practice, the search for harmony is seldom smooth. Naga quickly take to bad habits and addictions, and are often enchanted by the exotic novelty of other races, convinced that their life's imbalance is caused by the absence of some vital missing piece.

Snake in the Grass

The adventuring life is one of virtue for the naga, who can use it to practice personal balance under extreme circumstances, or seek to right some fearful assymetry that is poisoning the land itself.

Others are less selfless. No few naga are convinced that their race should return to its old place atop the world, while a naga frustrated by the placid philosophies of her nest might slither away to really make a difference. Young naga are often enticed to see the world by nothing but the sheer indulgent novelty of two-legged, warm-blooded races with a thousand different songs and spices.

Naga Names

Naga names are given on birth, and make extensive use of sibilance: harder sounds are associated with female names, and are rare even then.

As children are raised communally, seldom knowing their specific parents, a naga has no family name. Instead, they take a nest name referring to the constellation or omen under which they were born, tutored by those who have been fated to face similar trials on the journey to balance.

Naga Male Names: Akalash, Dazhmaar, Dejhasha, Karathresh, Naszjak, Ohraaki, Raksakas, Shahadei, Shalzuuru, Takshaka, Vaszuki, Yamaatha

Naga Female Names: Azshara, Graathslan, Kiiyoha, Myiah, Maafnasha, Radjavaa, Salmissra, Sthevess, Stheino, Szaalah, Vajz, Yharaali, Zenathaar

Naga Nest Names: Ajzagharor (Dragon of the Dawn), Dhatedhuaan (Rising Smoke), Dothail (Two Bullocks) Kaantha (Forked Path), Khajaana (Treasure Trove), Rashikshu (Apprentice), Ryaala (Chalice)