Naga (Serpens Princeps)

*“During my limited time with the vast record of Aramoor. I was looking for my next expedition, at the time I was set on ancient ruins. I always wondered who were these ancient people, and what can they teach us today. That’s when I found an interesting report buried in the records.*

*It was the recounting of an expedition into some ruins by the only surviving member of the group. The report was old and damaged. I could discern some parts but not others. The report told of how the group had excavated a site and found an entrance to an underground cavern, that smelled of carrion.*

*The report mentions the group entered the ruins, leaving the narrator at the entrance. Within earshot of the narrator, the group encountered a woman, she spoke to them and told them how it was dangerous, and they shouldn’t be there. The group were concerned for the woman, refusing to leave; they tried to comfort her and bring her to the surface.*

*To this, the woman refused and said that they best just go. The group were not convinced. The silence was shattered as the sound of flesh being torn and bones being snapped echoed throughout the chamber.  The screams of his friends followed. Then silence. After 30 minutes and no sign of life, the narrator left the site. Swearing never to return.” -* Bartholomew Horingglow, Bestiarum Vocabulum, Aether, Vol I.

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**Place of Origin**

The Naga are ancient, once a race of servants to a humanoid race that predates all records. Nagas were created by these humanoids by magically interbreeding powerful serpents with natural intelligence and inquisitiveness. As servants they filled many roles in this ancient society: guards, researchers of magic and explores.

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**Rarity**

Rare – Few on Aether will ever see or know what a Naga is. Even if an individual actively searched for such a being, they would most likely fail. However, you’d have to question why you’d want to find a Naga in the first place.

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**General Overview**

Naga’s are intelligent serpents that inhabit ruins, amassing treasures and knowledge. Created as servants when their master race died out, the Naga deemed themselves their true successor. Industrious and driven, Nagas are known to leave their lairs to track down magical items and rare knowledge.

Nagas are immune to the effects of time. Even when struck down the Naga’s spirit lives on and reforms into a new body in a matter of days, ready to continues its work.

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**Race Alignment**

There are many subspecies of Naga, each with their own alignment to list a few:

*~ Ethos Naga*

Chaotic Evil, does whatever his greed, hatred, and lust for destruction drive him to do.

*~ Hydra Naga*

Neutral acts as law, tradition, or a personal code directs.

*~ Ocean Naga*

Neutral acts as law, tradition, or a personal code directs.

*~ Protector Naga*

Lawful Good, acts as a good person is expected or required to act.

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**Natural Race Abilities/Affinities**

*~ Rejuvenating*

When a Naga dies, its spirit lives on to manifest another body. After the Naga is slain, it will regrow its body and return to the living world in 4 days. Only a powerful ritual can prevent the spirit from reforming its corporeal being.

*~ Shapeshifting*

Some Nagas can shapeshift into a humanoid form and can do so at will. Although most dislike this transformation preferring the advantages of having a tale.

**Appearances**

Nagas vary in size in weight, typically they range from 10 to 20 feet in length and weigh around 200 – 500 pounds. Some have been known to be over 100 feet in length. Each subspecies shares the same characteristics, snake-like body with a humanoid head. However, a few differences should be noted.

*~ Ethos Naga*

With the female head on a snake body, Ethos Naga’s bodies are black scaled with purple bands. Their humanoid faces are framed with thin hair. An Ethos Naga carries the stench of death, thought to be caused by its exclusive diet of rotting flesh.

*~ Hydra Naga*
The largest subspecies of Naga, unlike their cousins. The Hydra Naga has one snake body that splits into five separate heads. Each head is independent; however, one head of the Hydra Naga is always the dominant one.

*~ Ocean Naga*
Scales that range in colour from emerald green to turquoise. Along these are scales in reticulated patterns that range from light olive and dark emerald greens to dark browns and greys. Their bodies are lined with frilled spines that stand on edge when excited or agitated.

*~ Protector Naga*
Their scales are of a greenish-gold hue, with a silvery triangular pattern along the back that tends to shimmer. Their eyes are bright- hypnotically lit from within. Some have golden frills that run the length of their bodies—some even smell of sweet flowers.

**History**

All Naga share the same history they were bread by an ancient humanoid race as servants. However, different subspecies of Naga were bread to fill various roles. The Ocean Naga was the first subspecies created; its task was to travel the oceans and map world for their masters.

Ethos Nagas were responsible for conducting arcane research, to hoard and store the information and secrets for their masters. Protector Naga like the Ethos Nagas, they were responsible for conducting arcane research. Unlike their cousins, they do not hoard this information but guard it against evil hands.

Hydra Nagas were bread as soldiers, why have one head when you can have five. They were the best Naga to own as a personal guard. A once prized possession.

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**Created by MrBiscuits**

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