Lifeforms · Intelligent Species · Desert
The Kumbra
Known in folk-lore as the Blighted Storm-Serpents, the reclusive Kumbra are far more than any might guess.
Full Description
Closely related to the Naga and Lamia in appearance, the Kumbra are serpentine beings up to fifty feet in length. Vivid in color, royal blues, striking reds and iridescent oranges are most frequent amongst them.
Their features are very distinguishing - flowing manes of tendrils justify the less prejudiced name of 'Lion Serpent'; facial plates of bone, interrupted only by large sensitive eyes surrounded by coruscant scales, and a sensoric-magical 'third eye' give them the appearance of masked mimes. Their mouths are located underneath, and can stretch to a surprising width, which they need to devour their prey, for the Kumbra are constrictors.
Their mighty serpentine bodies end in three prehensile arm-like appendages, which, while not especially strong, are well-suited for fine work.
Kumbra warriors are handicapped in comparison to their kin, as they lack the three arms - instead, four appendages topped with a long scythe-like blade each sprout from their thorax.
Finally, the workers are diminutive, but quite strong for their size, though simple of mind as children. Their greatest advantage are four strong arms which can lift even heavy burdens, and a thick, meaty tail they can stand on.
Additional Information
Though their numbers are few today, the Kumbra once produced an advanced culture, and reached deep understanding of philosophy, natural sciences and the arts.
This aptitude is still strong with the Kumbra, though it is hard to share it with other races, due to their method of communication, which is electricity. Currents of varied intensity serve as speech, their books are on magnetized media. Long copper lines running through the great Kumbra cities of old served as long-distance communication, while shared pools of water were discussion groups.
The speech can be also used in self-defense, for a foe can find himself rather shocked after being yelled at.
Kumbra can learn to understand foreign languages, but are unable to pronouce them, thus, to understand them, one must expose himself to the current; mages with Lightning-Resistance spells are best suited for this.
An easier route may be the Kumbra diplomatic script, ordinary visual marks once used to send messages to foreign nations.
***
The storm, the lightning, electricity pervades all of Kumbra culture, they revel in it. Even their procreation is based upon this energy: two or more Kumbra will get together in a mating ritual, and, if their mutual affection is strong enough, they will produce a 'Nova', which is a nexus of buzzing energy that gives birth to young Kumbra from time to time, depending on the surrounding mana level. These children share characteristics of the individuals who gave birth to the Nova.
All Kumbra are of the same 'gender'. Their sexuality is expressed through small pulses of energy, a kind of 'pillow talk', delivered to the partner.
Especially talented individuals, often older Kumbra, can spawn special Novas that produce workers or warriors. These creatures never become full-fledged members of the society though; most warriors and all workers are sterile, and rather simple of mind.
***
When not pursuing artistic endeavours, the Kumbra prefer to lie in the sun, or on a weather-beaten elevation, and contemplate, alone or in company. As they usually eat once a month, and sleep irregularly, they can be lost in thought for quite long.
When a project catchs their fancy, they will devote themselvs to it - many of the great ornaments, astrological charts and mana-channeling standing stones dotting the Great Vast are their doing; the works are especially impressive when viewed from the air, as they span miles.
***
The main reason why they are so few today lies far in the past, before the schizm between the heavens and the abyss. When all creatures sided either with the demon lords or the gods in the great struggle, the Kumbra, in their philosophic nature, tried to mediate; they were crushed between the millstones of the great conflict as a result.
Most faiths incorporate an intolerance towards the Kumbra, as they are 'hell-tainted traitors', which has forced them into the most inhospitable of places - a good thing is that they like deserts anyway.
An advantage is that they can deal with infernal forces, should they wish so, with less danger than most mortals; they do this as a last resort though, as demons have become bitter with the aeons of banishment.
Despite the past, the Kumbra maintain shrines to both abyssal and celestial entities, hoping for a reconciliation in the future.
Kumbra population is recovering slowly, mostly centered around a few cities in the deep desert, though this is known only to a few adventurous scholars.
Adventure seeds?
*First of all, PCs might be very surprised to find a thriving Kumbra community in the deep desert. The characters may be seekers of knowledge, gold-hungry adventurers, or bloody-handed conquerors!
*Nova Voyage: a Kumbra community needs to relocate their Novas to a more mana-rich region to thrive. A great challenge for wizard PCs.
*Books! Books! Books!: when it is discovered that those metal disks found in abundance in desert ruins are ancient texts, a real treasure hunt breaks out, with wizards, clerics and scholars battling it out in the deep desert.
Scrolls
Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.
No scrolls yet — leave one if you have a twist worth keeping.
Sign in to plant an idea scroll.
Award XP
Enjoyed this? Sign in to thank EchoMirage with blade clashes — 5 XP each, up to 25.
5 10 15 20 25Sign in to award XP.
Discussion
Reader talk, questions, and feedback — not scrolls.
No comments yet — be the first voice in the hall.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Continue the path
Three more steps through the hall.
- Minor Races and Race Ideas by MoonHunter Bound
Other takes
No other takes yet — the best compliment on the Citadel is a Retelling.
Bonds
Curated bonds across the Citadel. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.
Echoes 2
Pieces that link here
- Minor Races and Race Ideas MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- Shek-Ta Silveressa linked by manfred
Love the concept of the Kumbra's affinity for lightning and the Novas they produce! Very original! I love Naga, so to me, this well-conceived serpentine-race variation is exceptional!
This at first seemed like an okay submission, but when I got to their electric pilow talk I was more impressed. I was also delighted with the Kumbra and their failed role as mediators in the good/evil schism. I can quite imagine the less than shining Holy shrine to the good god, and the not quite as squalid and debased shrine to the abyssal lord. I am assuming that the Kumbra are very long lived, though.
Quite long-lived. All that thinking needs time. Their rather slow metabolism helps a lot in this.
I love the reason why they are so few. 5/5
Nicely done. A good short race post which does not need to be expanded. (Adding to codex)
Nice hooks and dramatic points to make this race work in a world. Really well done.
id love to be one
now THATS high praise!
The Storm Queen approves. Feels like it needs a little more meat on its bones, though.
What are their cultures like? How pious have they remained? Do they eat?
As noted, they are constrictors - they gobble up a large animal, then digest for a while. So, they eat a pig once a month. Makes for cute round bellies.
The culture needs to be added, true. I picture it as a quite libertarian society, with much value placed on personal worth: they are not very numerous, and it is possible for a Kumbra to know most of his peers personally, thus no real need for titles and badges and the like - when everyone knows an individual is very orderly and structured, he'll be the one who watches over the supplies, etc.
Their values focus on art and philosophy, little on glory and fame and similiar bollocks. They like sophisticated entertainment, and subtle humor.
Very good.
These creatures are a veritable wonderland of enjoyment to me. They have the ferocious-looking nature of a serpent and a lion, yet prefer to ponder over various things. I like the electricity- centeredness, and how you worked it into their culture. Excellent, Echo!
Without a doubt one of the neatest races I've seen, and incidentally, the one I chose to make an npc out of. ( http://www.strolen.com/content.php?node=5063 ) It's nice to see a non humanoid race that's not inherently evil or all powerful and can fit in to any fantasy setting with a little effort. 5/5
Echo likes your Quest sub, Silver.
This is a really great race - a step away from the unremitting evil of most serpentine races.
I could see them being used as either pro or antagonist fairly easily.