Naga

A naga is a glittering snake 10 to 20 feet long ending in a human head, with lamp-bright lidless eyes and a ridge of sharp plates from skull to tail. Some carry a chin pouch, and land kinds reek distinctively. Most speak four or more languages. They favor warm climates and rest in a half-waking doze that makes surprise nearly impossible, moving fast when startled.

Poor brawlers, naga trap their approaches and open every fight with magic. Only after their spells are spent do they bite with venomous fangs, and only the biggest can constrict like a giant snake.

Guardian naga are lawful good, green-gold with silver spines, golden eyes, and a sweet floral scent. They watch over a like-minded patron's treasure or some imprisoned evil, always warn intruders off, and often bury the foes they kill. Along with bite and coils, a guardian spits venom at one attacker up to 30 feet away (save vs. poison or die) and casts priest spells as a 6th-level priest.

Spirit naga are evil schemers banded black and crimson, with lank hair and the stink of rotting meat, their favorite food. They lurk in ruins and caves and ambush passersby. Too small to constrict, they have venomous fangs, a charming stare (as the spell; save vs. paralyzation to resist), and cast as 5th-level wizards and 4th-level priests.

Water naga dwell in clear fresh water, netted in emerald and turquoise, with red spine-spikes that bristle in anger. Neutral and curious, they fight only if threatened, biting for 1d4 and casting as 5th-level wizards, though never with fire spells.

Each naga roams about a quarter mile square from a deep hole, ruin, or dark room. The sexes look alike; 10% of encounters include mates, but a gravid female soon leaves to hide her eggs. Young resemble giant snakes until a painful molt reveals the human head.

Naga outlive many human generations and keep detailed oral histories, making them superb sources of lore, and many guard a treasure for centuries. Their hide makes scale mail +2; wizards buy their eyes and fangs for spells.