Xhosalar

Snake/insectoid people that are native to Venubia. They have lithe bodies, resembling a cross between a praying mantis and a snake. Some have four arms, others have two arms and two vestigial limbs. Each xhosalar is born with a set of poisonous fangs and rattling tail, which it uses as a warning to foes, but also in music and conversation. All have a hood that is unique to the individual - each hood is like a fingerprint to the xhosalar, with varying colors, patterns, and shape. Their carapace could vary from yellow, brown, green, red, or grey. Very rarely a xhosalar would be born with a black carapace. This is always interpreted as a sign from Xhazulu, the great Sky Serpent, and the child is raised to become a great leader.
Once, they created great cities with pyramids and statues of their serpentine gods and rulers. Now many are wanderers. When Greensea refugees (which the xhosalar named Fexhnal) first traveled across the Xhosic Desert, they were hungry, thirsty, and dying. Many of the peoples on that expedition were displaced from their homes due to the eruption of Mount Xylus. When they arrived at the great sandstone gates of Xhosis, the largest city, the xhosalar turned them away, killing and mounting the heads of stragglers as a warning. It is recognized among their people that this was a direct insult to the Sky Serpent, and their people were punished with famine and plague. Seeing this, the Fexhnal stormed the city and overthrew the xhosic people. Xhosis is now better known as Meldrior, the capital of Venubia.

Scientific Name

xhos

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

5-6 feet

Average Weight

80-120 pounds

Geographic Distribution

• Xhosic Desert