Nagaji

Uszara needing a species which could integrate itself into greater sentient society created the Nagaji, a humanoid serpent species with a great magnitude of varients. As with all of Uszara's creations Nagaji have a tendency towards serving Uszara and using similar arcane magic. However, Nagaji by design are inherently independent and only seek connection to Uszara through the primal bond of ancestry and motherhood. Uszara saw this as a necessity and is willing to let them exist like this. With this freedom Nagaji form nations, temples, and villages with as many varied governments, societies, and traditions as there are scales on a serpent's back. If Nagaji can be said to share any trait, it's devotion, be it to a community, a temple, a concept, or a lifestyle. Most Nagaji are also drawn to the spiritual in all its expressions, even the darker aspects of philosophies and religions.

If you want a character who combines the crushing strength and the sinuous mystery of a serpent, you should play a nagaji.

## You Might...

* Enjoy the intersection of spirituality and everyday life.
* Have deep reserves of patience for tasks others might find boring.
* Adhere to strong beliefs and traditions about your place in the universe.

## Others Probably...

* Assume you have no goals or interests beyond serving Uszara.
* Find your unblinking eyes and serpentine features intimidating.
* Are awed by your connection and dedication to holy natural places.

## Physical Description

Nagaji are prone to sharp differences in appearance. Some have tails alongside legs, some have sharp claws on their hands and feet, and some are so unique from their kin that they're mistaken for lamias rather than nagaji. The most common nagaji features are a serpentine head and a humanoid body. They usually have the unblinking eyes of a snake, though other peoples often claim a nagaji's gaze is far more intense. Scales cover nagaji bodies, with patterns that resemble those of snakes or nagas. Depending on their heritage, a nagaji's neck might be as long as a swan's or as short as a human's, and many have a frill of skin or scales down their back. Nagaji tend to possess crushing strength, but how it manifests can vary; some have bulky figures, while others have the slender yet powerful musculature of a snake.

## Society

Nagaji communities widely vary, from ancient empires to tiny fishing villages. They tend to be isolated from other peoples, more as a matter of convenience than choice; nagaji have different physical needs than most ancestries, so even when integrated into mixed communities, they tend to live with other nagaji. Everything from marriage traditions, religion, social roles, valued arts, and methods of governance differs in specific nagaji communities. Within these communities, however, nagaji often have very strict and traditional views on these topics. Multiple instances of wars between nagaji have come about due to one group of nagaji finding another's practices unacceptable. This perspective applies to relations with other peoples as well. For instance, most nagaji consider themselves rivals and enemies of garudas due to their historical legends, even if the nagaji involved have never even seen a garuda.

As nagas are usually matriarchal, nagaji have a strong respect for women in leadership positions--likely due to their connection to Uszara. Not all nagaji follow suit with matriarchal societies, but they tend to trace lineage through the mother, and almost no nagaji societies are strictly patriarchal.

## Alignment and Religion

Nagaji are most commonly neutral but otherwise don't have any strong pull toward specific alignments. The presence of a naga can sway nagaji toward that naga's ethos, but a nagaji's view on life tends to be determined by the culture to which they belong.

Among the worshippers of Uszara of which there are many in the Nagaji population are dissenting opinions about Nagaji's purpose and role in that it is an ultimate test of devotion and all those that do not worship her will be met with reincarnations into Uszara's mistakes or be cut off from being able to dream among other superstitions. Some Nagaji find reverence in Rakta to be satisfactory having the knowledge and secrets available to create greater societies and garner more power.

## Adventurers

As the backbone of naga-ruled societies, nagaji can have any background imaginable, reflecting their intended role in society. Outside naga realms, nagaji adventurers often have the acolyte, emissary, guard, or merchant backgrounds. A nagaji's strength means they excel as fighters and champions, but they're flexible enough that they can do well in any role they put their mind to, and clerics, sorcerers, and alchemists are popular professions.

The most common reason for nagaji to adventure is for the benefit of a nagaji community, but their reasons can be as varied as any other people on Cyril. Nagaji might set out seeking holy sites in the world, searching for enlightenment, looking for material treasures, or for personal reasons related to their background, family, or city

## Names

Nagaji names vary depending on what region of the world they occupy, but they tend to possess short vowels when they have any at all. Nagaji usually name themselves or allow groups of siblings to name each other as children, a tradition that often sees nagaji eagerly shedding these names for new ones when they reach adulthood.

### Sample Names

Adesha, Garija, Kaya, Kuwana, Onok, Paravata, Sheni, Takasha, Tasi, Ulu, Vaski, Yulbin