Kigzesl
The Kigzesl are a semi-aquatic race of Naga known for their four arms, colorful fins, and long snake like tails that are well suited for swimming.
Characteristics
From the waist up their body is shaped similar to that of a human with the exception of the second pair of arms that jut out just under the first pair. Both sets of arms are approximately the same length as a human with a comparable torso, and their hands are similarly shaped though they’re nails are much longer and more claw-like. Their nails are also usually either pitch black or gold in color. In most cases the skin covering their upper body comes in varying shades of blue, green, or purple and usually is very smooth and sleek. However a rare few have been known to have small matching scales running up the sides their abdomens, along their foreheads, or down their shoulders. Albinism has been known to occur in them as well though it too is quite rare.
Naturally being naga their torsos extend into long snake-like tails covered in smooth scales. However unlike most naga the tip of a Kigzesl’s tail is not cylindrical or pointed. Instead it is fairly wide and flat, being shaped more like a paddle than anything else. They also have razor sharp fins running along the back of their head, along with soft spines and additional fins down their backs and tails to help them swim. Females have even been known to have small fins on the front of their bodies near where their tails meet up with their abdomen. Both their scales and fins tend to come in bright and colorful patterns that are regarded as beautiful in their society. The more colorful and elaborate the patterns are the more attractive the Kigzesl is considered to be.
Though their facial features are similar to those of humans Kigzesl eyes are distinctly snakelike with transparent scales called brille covering them instead of eyelids. These scales provide protection for their eyes against dust and other foreign bodies. They also double as goggles while they are underwater. Their teeth are notably long and fang-like, with poison producing sacks situated above them, and compared to most races their ears are unusually small. Unlike humans and some naga Kigzesl do not have hair, at least not in the traditional sense anyway. Instead what most of them refer to as their ‘hair’ are actually thin tentacle-like appendages that use to increase their maneuverability in the water by rhythmically move as they swim. In the case of females who possess magic these tentacles often resemble and behave like actual snakes, each having their own set of eyes and fang laced mouths.
In terms of size male Kigzesl are generally shorter than their female counterparts. The average male is usually between fifteen and eighteen feet long, where the average female is typically between nineteen and twenty two feet in length. Males also tend to be much bulkier and stronger than females, their upper bodies being far more muscular and intimidating than the average human male. Female Kigzesl are usually more within the standards of human females in terms of build, though they too can grow fairly large from time to time as well.
Homeland
Most Kigzesl originate from a chain of four small tropical islands called the Cyllan Isles located in the Hivan Ocean. There they either live in large communal villages at the center of each island, or in the natural underwater caves that surround them. Some have also taken to living out at sea or even living on the mainland as well, though in both cases those that do are in the minority.
Natural Abilities
With all of their spines, fins, and tentacles Kigzesl are natural born swimmers, being both quite quick and nimble underwater. They are also capable of holding their breaths for extended periods of time, only have to come up for air every hour or so. Like snakes their hearing isn’t as great as most other races. However to make up for this their tails have special sensors that are capable of detecting subtle vibrations in the ground, water, and air. The sacks in their mouths produce a strong neural toxin that causing swelling, paralysis, and can even be fatal in humans if left untreated for too long. Some have even been known to show signs of delirium after being bitten as well. Female venom is usually more potent and fast acting than most males’, and their bites almost always require near immediate attention to avoid any of the symptoms.
Life Cycle
The average Kigzesl lifespan is slightly longer than a human’s. Males can live anywhere between 80 and 120 years, and females can live between 110 and 160 years. They are hatched from eggs that are fertilized internally during mating and laid in sandy nests on the shores of specially chosen wading pools in the Scyllan Isles. After laying her eggs a female will wait nearby in the pool, occasionally coming on land to help with the incubation process by coiling around their tails around them for about four months until hatching.
After hatching baby Kigzesl are roughly about a foot in length, and have very plain scale patterns. They are raised by their mothers for a short period, who feed them by suckling and teach them to swim inside the pool. This lasts for the first few months of their lives until there fangs have fully grown in and their venom has begun to develop, after which they fed predominantly on meat and fish. For the first fifteen years of their life young Kigzesl grow at a very steady rate and their tails molt once every two years or so to accommodate the growth. Once they have reached their full size however their tails cease molting, and the final scale and fin patterns are the ones they will have for the rest of their lives.
Male Kigzesl reach sexual maturity shortly after their final molting and are immediately considered eligible for mating. Females on the other hand do not become fully mature sexually until they are seventeen years old when their bodies produce their first eggs. Once this has occurred they experience a strong instinctive urge to reproduce, and will actively seek out a suitable mate (usually one in their generation). If one is found they will coil their tail around the male’s waist and formally request that he mate with her. While the male does have an option in the matter very few actually refuse as it is considered an honor to be a young female’s first.
The mating process is very quick and efficient, much like that of a reptile. The eggs are fertilized shortly after penetration, and the male is dismissed immediately after it is done. Most females will only become fertile four more times in their life on fifteen year intervals, and they usually aren’t as instinctual driven during these periods as they are during the first cycle. In fact it isn’t uncommon for a female, especially for higher ranked ones or ones employed as soldiers, to skip a fertility period or two. When this occurs the unfertilized eggs are simply ejected from the Kigzesl’s body three weeks after they develop.
Culture
Kigzesl society is primarily ruled by high level merchants, each of the islands belonging to a single merchant guild whose leaders make up its government. Most Kigzesl living in the Cyllan Isles are employed by these guilds usually as farmers, miners, or basket weavers. Those that have managed to either build or purchase boats are sent out to trade goods with the mainland, and usually make up the upper echelon of their society. The larger the boat a Kigzesl owns, the more goods they are able to transport, and thus the more power they hold within the guild. The main exports of the islands are exotic fruits, rare spices, jewelry, and watertight baskets. Aside from coin, clothing and weapons are their main imports and possessing either is considered to be a very clear sign of wealth.
Although males greatly outsize and outnumber females their society do seem to have slight matriarchal tendencies. Females are usually held in high regard, and hold most of the high level administrative positions in the guilds and society. Males are considered to be more suited toward physical labor because of their size and strength, and they make up the bulk of the work force and the military. However that isn’t to say that males are treated poorly, or that they cannot rise to the administrative areas in the guilds. It’s just usually harder for them to do than a female.
The Kigzesl familial structure is particularly unique in that it only consists of a female and her spouse. Her children aren’t considered to be a part of the family, but as a part of the community as a whole. Most have no idea who their fathers are, and after their teeth and venom have fully developed they have almost no contact with their mothers at all. Instead they are sent to live with a group of males and females called the Sarsa who will teach and watch over them until they are old enough to seek employment. A young Kigzesl’s place in society is also completely unaffected by the status of their parents. Instead it is the duty of the Sarsa to determine what they are most suited for, and to figure out what kind of job they will have in society.
Another interesting thing about their familial unit is that a female’s “spouse” isn’t necessarily her mate. In fact it is actually quite common for a female to send their spouse out to find a suitable mate for them when they are fertile. The spouse’s role is primarily a romantic and care giving one. They see to it that their wives are well taken care of, especially while they’re watching over their eggs and children, and are usually held in a much higher regard than mates in their hearts. A female typically chooses the Kigzesl they trust the most, regardless of their gender, to become their spouse. Male spouses are also free and often encouraged by their wives to mate with other females if they are requested to.
As mentioned before Kigzesl often trade for clothing, and it isn’t uncommon for them to be found wearing them. The type of clothing that they wear can vary greatly depending on which civilization they bartered with to gain it, but as they usually prefer loose and more manageable garments. Of course the finer clothes and fabrics are usually reserved for high level guild members as owning clothing is considered to be a sign of wealth. However it isn’t uncommon for poor Kigzesl and slaves to fashion makeshift clothes from shells, coral, and seaweed. While in the water they usually prefer to go completely naked for the ease of movement.
In combat most males tend to prefer to use their fists and tails in combat, especially if they are in the water. On land some, particularly those employed in the military or as guards for merchant ships, have taken to wielding large swords and polearms imported from the mainland, but most still prefer to use their natural weapons. Females on the other hand typically prefer to use weapons. In the water they usually carry wooden spears or metal ones gained through trade, and on land they utilize smaller swords or bows. Heavy armors are usually reserved for warriors that are stationed on the land, and lighter ones are assigned to those who patrol the waters surrounding the islands.
Magic is very rare among both genders, but those that possess the potential to use it are often sought after both as soldiers and mates. Water and ice magic are the most common types among Kigzesl mages, but some have been known to learn other types as well. Female mages in particularly have been known to use charm and glamour magic to get what they want.
Religion
Although they do not possess an organized religion or system of beliefs most Kigzesl do believe that they and their islands were created by a god called Ssyre. Unlike most gods Ssyre isn’t referred to as having any particular gender. Instead its gender is directly related to the gender of the Kigzesl speaking about it. In other words males treat it as a male, and females treat it as a female. Regardless of its gender Ssyre is always depicted as being an enormous sea serpent.
