Basilisks & Gorgons
Basilisks and Gorgons are the same. What makes them different is what they're called in each of the half-worlds, Terra and Gaia. Gorgons is the name of the race on half-world Gaia until the Rejoining. Basilisks is the name of the race on half-world Terra until the Rejoining. The race continues to be called Basilisks to this day. There are very few Gorgons today that prefer to be called as such. Before the Rejoining, it was derogatory to call each other by the other name.
The race is reptilian in nature and final forms but has a human form. In their true form, they resemble naga or lamia. They are cunning and prefer to blend into human Society. While some snakes are venomous and others are not, Basilisks and Gorgons are venomous. This venom comes in various intensities based on the kind of snake they are. Garden snake basilisk or gorgon have less intense venom than those that are venomous snake basilisk and gorgon.
They are usually the rivals of Siciliaa and fervent allies of elementals and fae. The average basilisk or gorgon dislikes most or all humans. Few do choose to get along with humans or hold them in some esteem.
Basilisks and Gorgons hold Mating Balls to find their mate or to have fun, which will be explained further.
Basic Information
Anatomy
They are partially humanoid and partially serpentine. They are mistaken for Naga or Lamia. They have two arms and five fingers on each hand. Males can be muscular and bigger than the females. Basilisks and Gorgons have partially serpentine genitalia and human genitalia.
Biological Traits
Their average life expectancy is 3,000-5,000 years. In human form, they can be 4'11"-6'5" for mature females and 5'8"-7'5" for mature males. Other heights, weights, and lengths are dependent on their true forms and the kind of snake they are. They can go up against the larger Siciliaa of the Lahimiyaa species. Throughout a basilisk or gorgon's body are various eyes that allow them to cancel a psychic attack, let off a power beam, or petrify their enemies.
Genetics and Reproduction
They reproduce sexually. They do not lay eggs, however. Instead, they have children. The mother carries the children for nine months.
Growth Rate & Stages
A year is one revolution 365 days around the sun, Elidi. A Basilisk and Gorgon move up in age by one. Basilisks mature by the time they turn 22 years old and stop aging. Like humans, they enter puberty around the age of 8 or 9 years or as late as 13 years.
Ecology and Habitats
They live all over the globe. One should look into the species of snakes in a given area to determine what basilisks or gorgons can be found there.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Basilisks or Gorgons eat what a human eats. And they are big enough to eat humans. They are mostly carnivorous but have been known to be omnivorous in an effort to blend with Society. They can hunt their prey or wait for the butchers at the nearest supermarket in the modern era.
Biological Cycle
It depends on the snake in their true form they are based on. They must blend in with Society, so they cannot hibernate in the winter. They must deal with the temperature drop like humans do.
Behaviour
They tend to be patient, ambitious, and sneaky when living life. People have found them climbing echelons in human Society and in the workplace. They do this for the survival of themselves and their families. They are steadfast towards their allies, and conniving towards their enemies.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Basilisks and Gorgons are usually solitary. Garter snakes form a group called "friends". Other basilisks and gorgons just come together for mating balls to reproduce or find a mate.
Domestication
No, but they do what is needed to blend in with human society as much as possible.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The eyes are used to disrupt psychic attacks from Siciliaa and evolved humans with psychic powers. Venom is used for magic, alchemy, and as an ingredient for poisons. Organs are usually trafficked to supply black market hospitals and various other facilities.
Facial characteristics
In human form, their ears are slightly pointed. Their eyes have reptilian pupils which they cover up with contact lenses that do not easily come off. They have a pointed nose and full to thin lips depending on the person's ethnicity and the kind of snake they are in true form. They have a pointed chin. In true form, the markings on their bodies are that of the scales of the snake they are. In true form, they have some scales along their cheeks and necks.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
They can be found anywhere in the world that has snakes. In cities, they are often found in higher classes as they are ambitious and wish to get ahead in life.
Average Intelligence
Above the average IQ for humans to about above the average IQ for human geniuses.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
They have extrasensory capabilities of their own as they are rivals of the Siciliaa. They can jam psychic abilities or block them when against a Siciliaa. This will force the Siciliaa to attack them with other means.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Tics and other parasitic bugs can get under their scales and infect them if they are not careful. They can get parasitic worms in their intestines and other places. Again, it depends.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
- Serev'ka Organization :: A portion of basilisks and gorgons have joined the ranks of the Serev'ka Organization in an effort to make a difference and to fight the Cult of Miatel.
- Vigilante Organization :: A portion of basilisks and gorgons have joined the ranks of the Vigilante Organization. For some, they have a dislike of the Cult of Miatel members. For others, they want to make a difference but do not want to follow stuffy rules.
- Cult of Miatel :: A portion of basilisks and gorgons have joined the ranks of the Cult of Miatel. For some, it is for the dislike of the Siciliaa. For others, it is because they found like-minded people.
Beauty Ideals
This race is solitary so it depends on a basilisk's or gorgon's preferences.
Gender Ideals
This race is solitary so it depends on a basilisk's or gorgon's preferences.
Courtship Ideals
It depends on a gorgon or basilisk's preferences. Many couples meet at Mating Balls.
Relationship Ideals
It depends on the individual gorgon or basilisk's preferences. Many couples meet at Mating Balls.
Average Technological Level
Equivalent to human society. There were likely inventions made by basilisk and gorgons to disrupt psychic warfare.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
They are all across the world and speak multiple languages. However, they may or may not have their language. They know other languages, but theirs are probably teetering on losing speakers. Some dialects are already dead languages.
Common Etiquette Rules
They adopted human society's common etiquette of various cultures and lost a great deal of their own. There have been attempts to bring them back, but unfortunately, a good deal has been adopted into the Cult of Miatel's etiquette.
Common Dress Code
It truly depends on the ancestry of a basilisk or gorgon.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Much of their culture and cultural heritage was lost due to having to blend into human society and teaching the Fae and various other races about human society. Some have tried bringing back their culture, but some of it has been adopted by the Cult of Miatel. They do so much to reclaim their Mating Balls, however.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Due to their attempts to blend into human society, they lost a good chunk of their common customs. They are often invited to holidays for the Fae and the Elementals. The latter holds festivals well outside the village. Mating Balls have been kept well within the Basilisk and Gorgon community. They welcome everyone as long as peace is maintained. They meet on the full moons and their Mating Balls are to honor many gods and goddesses.
Common Taboos
It was once taboo to court or marry a Siciliaa.
Historical Figures
Qadir :: The bane of a certain artist and his gallery-owning lover's existences.
Kamil :: The love of a certain accountain in ancient north-eastern Faa'rirhe.
Yarqana :: Another bane of a certain artist and his gallery-owning lover's existences. He is seen as a laughingstock by most.
Kamil :: The love of a certain accountain in ancient north-eastern Faa'rirhe.
Yarqana :: Another bane of a certain artist and his gallery-owning lover's existences. He is seen as a laughingstock by most.
Common Myths and Legends
There was a myth or legend that started the Mating Balls for the basilisk and gorgon.
Myths and Legends for the basilisk and gorgons are often told via oral tradition. Basilisks were usually hunters, so they believed a great deal in the sacrifice of their prey and the strength it took to do so. There were Rite of Passages for the young basilisk when it came hunting. In some legends, a basilisk of the King Cobra variety was hailed as the King of Basilisks and Gorgons. Other legends tell of an ancient basilisk named Medusa and her sisters who led the basilisk population.
Myths and Legends for the basilisk and gorgons are often told via oral tradition. Basilisks were usually hunters, so they believed a great deal in the sacrifice of their prey and the strength it took to do so. There were Rite of Passages for the young basilisk when it came hunting. In some legends, a basilisk of the King Cobra variety was hailed as the King of Basilisks and Gorgons. Other legends tell of an ancient basilisk named Medusa and her sisters who led the basilisk population.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
- Lahimiyaa :: (This will include the Reviaa, Lane'yaa, Lasciaa and Schiaa.) Basilisks feel they are mostly into themselves and do not care about the other inhuman races. They are mostly about looking good and being the good guy in their interspecies relationships. Siciliaa says this is not true, and explains that they have problems of their own they need to solve first before looking outside of themselves.
- Siciliaa :: Basilisks are rivals of the Siciliaa. They are both talented in psychic arts and are powerful. However, Siciliaa tend lord it over the Basilisks about how they were able to make a written language among other things.
- Vesperians :: Wonder how this inhuman race can tolerate the cold. They were originally happy the race kept to themselves. They do not have many bad things to say about this race, but they feel they are kind of standoffish. However, they can understand since the race has kept to themselves for many years. They would rather respect the Vesperians than respect the Lahimiyaa.
- Abyssal People :: They like them, but feel they should stick to the leylines like the Ferrymen and Daimons.
- Fae :: Are very mischievous and are borne tricksters. They would like to not deal with them too much, but to keep the Elementals happy, they will. The Basilisks respect the Fae.
- Elementals :: Have similar mating requirements, and thus will protect the Elementals. They respect the Elementals, but they find the race to be extremely kind and often taken for granted.
- Humans :: They don't particularly like them, but they tolerate them because they are a food source.
Origin/Ancestry
New World
Lifespan
3,000-5,000 years
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Average Height
It can lift half of their length.
Average Weight
2,500- (1,000 kg-)
Average Length
50-75 feet (15.24-22.86 meters)
Average Physique
They blend in with human society and can be found to be any size or width. Some are muscular. Some are overweight or obese. Some are slender and some are curvy. It depends.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
It depends on the snake they are, cause snakes have different color patterns and different types of scales.
Very detailed, great work!
"Every story is a thread, and together we weave worlds."
The Origin of Tanaria
Thank you! :3 Good luck on Worldember!