"Drango Ora, the rain-soaked jungle capital of the Deko'Lahk Ordra, the great Reptilian Empire. Of all the capitals on Athanasy, it is by far the largest and, many would say, the most beautiful. Great marble pyramidions, megastructures known as Tehats, rise up from the flooded jungle floor, bathed in green and blue lights, dressed in stunning garden verandas and enormous painted murals. Down below, wide streets follow canals and rivers as they weave between the towering buildings, amid the embracing shade of religious statures, swaying trees, and colorful tents. A proud, monumental city displaying in reverence an entire civilizations traditional beginnings and its unmatched technological innovation."

"But, of all the tribes of the Ordra, which is responsible for this unforgettable sight? What species, if any, can lay claim the iconic and universally beloved architectural artistry of which billions of reptiles enjoy living within? Well, while the Ordra and its success is very certainly an example of un-matched collective cooperation among all reptiles, one species stands out above all others in terms of what they have given to their empire, and that would be the 2nd of the Five Sacred Tribes, a species religilous and culturally revered as second only to the holy and divine Pterodactyls, the Kahikaal!"

"The Kahikaal, better known to Xenos by their human colloquialism "Naga", are to the Ordra's sciences what the Pterodactyls are to it's Faith. You cannot have a Techno-Theocracy with technology after all, and it is here that the Kahikaal shine! The Kahikaal have consistently proven to be among the Universes' most adept and astute minds in the fields of both art and science. While the other Sacred Tribes have shaped the cultural and religious identity of the reptile community for millennia, the Naga have been shaping it physically. Historically, the most legendary and innovative thinkers and creators have been Naga, in fields that stretch from astronomy to architecture, music to mathematics! But what about the species themselves? What are the Kahikaal like?"

"Well, for starters, they are a independent bunch. Unlike most tribes, who tend to stick together as groups after communal raising, Naga are often quick to set out on their own paths. They intentionally avoid other Kahikaal for much of their early lives in order to broaden their perspective and see their people from every side, through the eyes of their kindred spirits. In recent centuries, this has also developed a very unique and perceivable fascination with Xenos, which in some cases is strong enough that their own empire refers to it as xenophilia, a romanticized obsession with non-reptiles. This practice has also led to most of their kind to be exceptionally patient, open-minded, friendly, and endlessly curious. Many consider Naga to be the "friendliest" and "most approachable" of the reptilian species, while others paint them as "fantastic listeners" and "the fiercest of companions". This last comment makes sense, as Naga take their social lives very, very serious. When they make friends, they do so for life, and are among the most unapologetically loyal and affectionate companions a person could ask for. They also eagerly seeks mates as soon as they come of age, but are also somewhat "picky". As exceedingly social creatures, Naga want to find a life partner as early as possible, and will often date heavily and passionately until they find the perfect lover. This had led them to often be romanticized in other cultures as "hapless, bold bachelors and bachelorettes" who know the ways of the heart down to a science.

"There is another side to Kahikaal culture, however. They are, naturally, an exceedingly ambitious people, and with this ambition can come pride, arrogance, and stress. It has been noted that naga often struggle with serious anxiety issues, which can also devolve into short tempers, depression, and even panic attacks. They also have a dangerous habit of hyper-fixation, as well as a tendancy to overwork. they are goal-oriented above all else, and perceive their ability to give back their communities as their purpose in life, their sole reason for existence. If they begin to believe they are failing in this duty, which many of their kind deem a divine mandate, the results can be dangerous, primarily to the naga themself."

Perhaps this is why they so eagerly seek companionship, as Naga who socialize more are well known to be far happier than those who self-isolate. As a Sacred Tribe, most naga as considered high nobility, which comes with a great deal of inherited wealth from the Ordran Nehyll [the church government], and access to countless contacts and assets. This helps them quickly establish friend circles, gain insight into the field of which they want to focus, and get to work right away serving their community. We all owe a great deal to these serpentine visionaries and their tireless work, so next time you see a Naga out and about, be sure to thank them for all they do! Few individual species have as much a direct impact on all of our daily lives as the Kahikaal do!"

"Did you know?: Naga are infamous for appearing quite androgynous, as females usually have slender or flat chests, and both genders have very similiar sounding voices. It is surprisingly common for a xeno to mistake a male Naga for a female on first sight, or vice versa!"

"Did you know?: The Kahikaal invented Rain Gardens. Now a staple in cities all over Athanasy, no one loves a proper Rain Garden like the naga do! These are large, internal spaces that simulate soft, misty rainfall, which are filled with colorful flora and aesthetic fountain statues and ponds. These are paired with Rain chimes and rain drums to create a very smoothing effect. Rain Gardens have such a positive psychological effect that some psychiatrists and therapists even hand out prescriptions to visit one!"

- From the Fracture Educational Departments' "Species of the Trifecta, Part 4: Reptiles of the Deko'Lahk Ordra!"

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At last, the naga get their lore moment in the spotlight! This started as a simple pic to play around with clothing designs for them but it turned out so well I just kept going XD

This albino cutie is named Mahi-ae, or "Mahi" for short. They are young and single, still in the process of forming their circle of friends and companions while finding their place in the world.~

As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated!

Fun Fact: "Hap'za" is Ordran for "esteemed guest"! Kahikaal often use this world for potential friends and/or partners.~

Textless Version: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/63826123