Page 27 - Serpent Kingdoms

NAGAS

Outlook Since neither form of reproduction is particularly favored over
the other, convenience and individual preference dictate how and
Nagas are inherently curious about the world in general and when any given naga reproduces. This fl exibility also means that
magic in particular. They hold the pursuit of knowledge and the concept of a mate does not have the same importance to a
understanding above all other goals and the Art above all other naga as it does to most other creatures.
forms of study. While they can see the strategic advantages of
consulting a large library of wizard spells or entreating a deity Life Cycle
for divine support, most nagas see the Art as a natural exten-
sion of the mortal form. Thus, they tend to view sorcery as the Each naga lays its eggs in its own lair and tends them until they
perfect embodiment of natural magic. hatch. Young nagas are fed and trained by their parent, and the
Most nagas view the preservation of cultural achievements nagara instinctively work together until they are strong enough
as a worthy goal, regardless of the race that developed them. to survive on their own. At that point, the parent simply leaves
Thus, nagas of all subraces willingly seek that which has been the lair for good and seeks out a new one.
lost and guard the remains of fallen civilizations. Even ha-nagas
and spirit nagas, which normally revel in destruction, like to lair Organization
amidst the ruins of lost cities or even the remains of temples,
castles, or other edifi ces that they themselves have destroyed. Though nagas have little in the way of social structure, they do
Most nagas see their own limbless physical form as the understand the concept of the s’agara’ssynsa, or nest. Originally,
philosophical ideal for a true explorer and scholar. They view the s’agara’ssynsa encompassed only eggmates, since nagara of
the use of physical limbs to manipulate the environment as the same hatching must work together to survive until they
symptomatic of a lesser mind that has been diverted from true reach adulthood. Over time, however, this concept has been
understanding. According to some naga philosophies, the lesser extended to encompass small groups of allied adult nagas who
races constitute the “limbs” of a metaphysical body in which agree to work together toward a common set of goals. Eventu-
the naga is the “brain.” Thus, the pairing of nagas with lesser ally, such societal evolution may lead to naga tribes, but for now
servitors constitutes a perfect melding of mind and body. nagas rarely work in groups of more than three or four, and
then only for limited periods of time.
Naga Society Occasionally, a powerful outside infl uence (such as an indi-
vidual phaerimm or a group of yuan-ti working in concert) can
Each naga calls members of its own subrace naja’ssara, a nuanced forge much larger bands of nagas, but such social structures per-
term loosely translated as “embodiments of the ideal.” They call sist only as long as outside pressure is applied to maintain them.
members of other naga subraces naja’ssynsa (shadows of the ideal). The longevity of the Kingdom of Snakes is due in large part to
Young nagas of any kind are known as nagara, although that term the subtle infl uence of the Hss’tafi tribe, whose leaders have held
has acquired a secondary meaning that encompasses the ruling the ruling nagas together for centuries. Their technique consists
dark naga caste of Najara. Bone nagas and rarer undead nagas are of strictly indoctrinating the ruling class with the concept of the
called naja’se’ssynsa (eternal shadows of the ideal). “greater nest” and referring to its members as “nagara.” In this
Nagas never speak in the fi rst person singular, preferring way, they continually reinforce the notion that the nagas must
instead the “royal we.” An individual naga of any kind always continue working together with others of their “nest.”
refers to itself as Ssa’Naja (we the ideal). Members of lesser
races are termed dista’ssara, (hands of the embodiment), while Naga Characters
more powerful creatures are called senthissa’ssa (teachers worthy
of emulating). The typical naga is a natural master of the Art, exhibiting
inherent spellcasting powers equivalent to those of a 7th-level
Social Hierarchy or higher spellcaster. (Banelar nagas are a notable exception to
this rule.)
As noted previously, nagas of all kinds are fi ercely independent Although nagas can advance by gaining additional Hit Dice,
creatures. They have no concept of equal rank and hence no mature individuals who have traveled far and wide can also ad-
word for “peer.” Each naga considers itself perfect and other vance via class levels, although most do not survive long enough
members of its own subrace as nearly so. to do so. The favored class for such nagas is either sorcerer or bard,
and the favored classes for banelar nagas are cleric and wizard.
Relationships For the purpose of spellcasting, a naga is considered to have
virtual levels at least one spellcasting class that stack with any
Although some nagas are perceived as male or female (including, actual levels it has in the same class. For example, a typical
curiously, all naga deities), all are actually hermaphrodites. As dark naga casts spells as a 7th-level sorcerer, though it has none
such, each naga is capable of both self-impregnation and copula- of the other abilities of such a character (such as the ability to
tion with another of its subrace to fertilize the eggs of both. summon a familiar). A dark naga that acquired one sorcerer

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