After the discussion over the last few days about non-human species, and originality, I thought of the following. Basically, a species that crossed over from the Dreaming before much of human history in Qaiyore, and may be the source of Nagasri worship on the Rimriver. Ibrahim ------- The Emissaries of the Snake Lord Alorathean legends about snake spirits abound, and amongst the Panchayyah they are especially plentiful. One legend in particular speaks of the "Emissaries of the Snake Lord", or "Holy Serpents", the Bhaktim, snake-spirits that live deep in the dark forests and deep rivers of the Avaeran wilderness. These snake-spirits are said to grant the prayers and supplications of those determined enough to search for and find them in the wildest areas of the Avaeran wilderness, far away from the lands tamed by the Alorathean tribes. In accordance with the unusual dual identity of the Snake Lord, as both the Dark Saviour and the Lord of the Night, the supplications of the tribesmen may be granted - but in either a beneficial or harmful manner (in the case of the latter, the supplication interpreted in a highly alien manner). As such, few tribespeople actually seek out these holy serpents, and even fewer are determined enough to find them. Many a Alorathean shaman though will remind the faithful that Nagasri is not called the Teacher of the Unknowable for no reason, and that only the truely desperate should seek aid from the Bhaktim, for they will interpret human wishes, desires and requests completely from their own utterly non-human perspective like that of their lord, Nagasri. --- The Bhaktim In reality, these "holy serpents" are in fact a race of intelligent magic-using serpents, possibly originating in the Dreaming. With millenia-long lifespans and no enemies (only the Aloratheans really know of their existence), there is little urge amongst them to populating the species. Content to live their lives in the untamed Avaeran wilderness on the edge of the Panchayyah lands, they spend their long lives contemplating matters of philosophy and sorcery, ignoring the outside world completely. For some reason, known only to them and possibly the Panchayyah shamans, they only tolerate their isolation being interrupted by the rare Panchayyah pilgrim seeking aid. In the one instance known to Panchayyah memory of an outsider accompanying a Panchayyah pilgrim to a Bhaktim, the outsider was consumed entirely by the serpent, and the Panchayyah pilgrim cursed terribly for profaning the most secret of the Snake Lord's rituals. ================================ Confidentiality Statement and Disclaimer ================================ This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and contains information that is privileged and confidential. If you, the reader of this message, are not the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return email and delete the original message. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
