Naga

The Naga, or serpent men, are an ancient reptilian people who dwell solely on some tropical isles and the vast continents of Mu and Lemuria. Very intelligent and among the most evil beings alive, they hate other humanoid races. Common Naga, fully humanoid and two-legged, make up 95-99% of the race; the rest are Nagaraja, or Naga kings, with human torsos and serpent tails. Both are cold-blooded and scaly with slow metabolisms, and both suffer in the cold, so they can live only in hot lands.

All Naga worship Tiamat, a monstrous dragon-serpent said to dwell at the center of the earth. Only Nagaraja can become her priests and priestesses, though common Naga are often allowed to study necromancy or wizardry. Their creed is rigid: the Naga were the first race, they are superior to all others, and one day they will unite every saurian species and rule the world. Followers are urged to sacrifice, kill or enslave other humanoids toward that end, and Naga use only slaves to build the temples and snaking labyrinths raised to their goddess.

In battle they are vicious and crafty, able to use most weapons but preferring scimitars, long daggers and staves; about one Naga in ten has a bite as venomous as a cobra's, and a Nagaraja can crush a foe in its tail for 2-12 damage each round. All Naga can speak empathically with snakes and reptiles, and a Nagaraja can command any reptile within 20 feet unless the creature saves vs WILL. Cold leaves them sluggish, at -1 on every save and attack. Few as they are, they threaten other races, since a 200-year lifespan lets their priests, wizards and necromancers amass great power. Most Naga are 1st to 8th level, but the ancient ones of either kind can go beyond 8th. By the appendix their professions are Necromancer, Priest, Warrior, Witch or Witch Hunter.