The Legend of Niaggo

Within the halls of the great temple of Yuan, N’Gar gathered the young hatchlings and led them into the chamber of the great serpent. It was his duty to educate and nurture the young ones and make certain that they followed the path of Yuan. In truth, N’Gar had never really thought of it as a duty. For him it was a joy, and the reason for his existence.
“Settle down hatchlings!” he began. “Rest on your cushions now and be still, for I am about to tell you of the great hero Niaggo and his quest that saved our people and brought us the Jade Serpent.” The young serpent people hushed for the priest. They were ready for a story about a hero.
“Hundreds of years ago,” N’Gar began, “before the birth of your fathers’ fathers, our people were faced with near extinction! A terrible famine gripped the land and the dead and dying choked the streets. Many believed that Yuan, our protector, had abandoned us. Not even the wisest of priests could advise our blessed Emperor on how to end the suffering of his people.
“Niaggo, our hero, was a young serpent man at the time. The smallest of his brood, he had always been picked on by his brothers and sisters and teased by the other hatchlings at school. He had the courage to fight his tormentors, but still he returned to his parents’ den bruised and bloodied more often than not. Niaggo cursed his weakness and the shame he brought his family.
“As Niaggo was preparing for the coming of age ritual, when he would shed his skin for the final time, he prayed in the temple. He was unsure of his future. Still smaller than the other young warriors, he lacked confidence in himself. The famine was at its height and many of his schoolmates had already set out in search of food. Niaggo made a decision that night to entrust his life to Yuan. As he knelt before the image of our god, he placed his soul in the hands of Yuan to do with as He pleased.
“The next day during the ritual Niaggo was struck senseless as Yuan sent him an incredible vision. He saw before him a serpent idol carved entirely out of jade that pulsated with a dark green light. As he watched, the light spread from the heart of the idol and washed over the land, returning life to all that it touched. Suddenly, a gigantic, ebon snake appeared from nowhere and swallowed the idol whole. The green light quickly faded and only darkness and death remained. In that instant, Niaggo knew that he must find this ebon snake and retrieve the idol at all costs to save the Valossan people.
“When he told the priests about the vision they mocked him. No one could believe Niaggo had been chosen to end the famine. It was silly they all said. Niaggo was simply trying to get attention. Even his own parents thought he had made up the story. But, the hatchling that had once doubted himself was now filled with confidence and strength. Niaggo left Valossa, in search of the Jade Serpent, on his own, as an outcast.
“Niaggo traveled the land seeking the ebon snake he had seen in his vision. Everywhere he went he saw death and more death. He passed through countless villages filled with the emaciated bodies of his starved brethren, and was forced to fight off hunger-crazed cannibals after his flesh. His spirit began to waver and doubt slowly crept into his mind.
“At long last he came to a huge mountain shrouded in a cloud of black vapor. He knew that this must be the lair of the ebon snake. Without hesitation, he entered through a large cave. Inside he found a winding path leading deep into the earth and he followed it for what seemed like days. When he reached the bottom he found himself in a huge cavern. A gaping chasm pierced the floor of the chamber from end to end.
“A loud rumbling noise erupted from the depths of the chasm as he approached. The noise reverberated throughout the cavern as a huge, ebon snake reared up right before him. Niaggo took a step back and then held firm.
“The snake had a single green eye in the center of its head. It gazed menacingly down at Niaggo and spoke to him, ‘Why do you come here, son of Yuan? Your people have abandoned their god and now pay the price for it. Everyday, more of your brethren die from starvation. What have you come here for? Can you help?’
“Niaggo answered boldly, ‘I am here to take back the Jade Serpent as Yuan has chosen me to do so. With it, my people will be saved from the famine and life will return to Valossa. You will give me the serpent now!!!’
“The snake rose as if to strike, baring its fangs. ‘Hssss! SSSo bold you are little one! I could kill you easily. Swallow you whole if I wanted to. But if you are the chosen of Yuan you should know that I do not need to give you the serpent. The power of the serpent lies within all of the children of Yuan. You only need to have faith and his power will wash over you and protect you.
“‘Do you have faith little one?’
“‘Yes!’ responded Niaggo loudly. ‘Yuan is my protector and I do his bidding always.’
“‘We shall see, little one. We shall see’, responded the ebon snake.
Then, with alarming speed, the snake lunged forward, and opening his jaws, swallowed Niaggo whole! Niaggo despaired at first, thinking that he was dead. Then something stirred in him. He remembered the words of the ebon snake, ‘…have faith…have faith…have faith…’ As he felt himself slipping into the darkness of death, he placed his soul completely in Yuan’s hands.
“When he awoke, Niaggo was lying on the floor of the chamber alongside the brink of the great chasm. The ebon snake was nowhere to be seen. As his head cleared, he looked around not believing that he had survived the bite of that horrible snake. Then he saw it. On the ground, not far away, was a large piece of jade that must have been the eye of the ebon snake. It was the only proof that the snake had existed at all.
As Niaggo stared at the formless piece of precious rock before him, he knew what he had to do. With his own hands, he would shape the jade into a likeness of his beloved god. Imbued with the power of his own faith, the Jade Serpent would be used to save the Valossan people. When Niaggo returned to his home, he bore with him the Jade Serpent of Yuan. All those who had doubted him before now understood their folly. The famine was lifted and the people began to prosper. Niaggo became king and had many more adventures, but none as incredible as his battle with the ebon serpent.
“What does this teach us hatchlings? Can anyone tell me?”
After a few moments, one of the young ones stood up.
“Yes, Sseth?”, said N’gar.
With his tail twitching behind him, Sseth stood up to speak, “Well, sir, I think that I have learned that we must all remember to have faith. Even when times are tough, we need to trust in Yuan and have faith that he will protect us.”
“Very good, Sseth. Faith is our strongest weapon against our enemies.”
“Now you also know why so many of us have names that start with ‘N’. We are named with an ‘N’ to honor the memory of Niaggo, who saved Valossa from extinction. Now, come with me and I will show you the Jade Serpent.”