Naga’s culture: cuisine and hospitality

Nagas, the snake folk, own and run many of the taverns of the Beasts’ Nations. The “snake innkeeper” is a cliché born from biological, cultural, and historical reasons.

Nagas are not cold-blooded to the same degree as other reptiles, but they are sensitive to low temperatures. The cold makes Nagas sluggish, and it is generally uncomfortable for them: for these reasons, Nagas prefer indoor occupations, possibly near fires and hot temperatures.
While Nagas are omnivores, able and willing to eat everything humans would, their teeth are underdeveloped, making chewing difficult. This food restriction encouraged nagas to step into the kitchen of many institutions (armies, monasteries, courts, guilds, crew) to grant themselves pleasant meals. Many of these cooks eventually started their businesses, and slowly “nagas’ cuisine” became the foundation for the whole Beasts’ Nation's culinary traditions. In those lands “a viper nest” means a cozy and comfortable place to eat.

Some of the hallmarks of the Nagas’ Cusine entred in the common traditions:

• the habit of pre-chopping the food, serving bite-size pieces;
• the ample use of egg both as the main ingredient (pancakes, omelets, frittatas, crepes) and in batters for fried dishes;
• serving sauces always to the side, as dipping;
• strained or pureed soups of various kinds (very famous is the Giant Crab Bisque from Getaberhan).

Nagas are not connected to cooking only to make a virtue of necessity, but also for a real knack for it, given by their physiology.
The taste and smell of nagas are superb, thanks to their very sensible tounges.
They can also see temperatures as a sort of “eighth color”: many snake poets tried to communicate what “heat” looks like but that elusive hue remains indescribable.

The nagas’ reputation for innkeeping and hospitality is an outsider’s stereotype, but one cultivated as a point of ethnic pride. Many snake people wish to live up to the fame of “the best hosts in the continent” which surrounds them.

If you visit some of the bustling harbor cities of the western Beast Nations, like Loghap, the snakes’ hospitality can seem a bit oversold- naga inns are usually nicer and better-run than the pragmatic minotaurs’ canteens or the flashy catfolks’ taverns, but nothing to write home about.

To find true naga hospitality, you must venture inland along the Stone River- the main highway of the Beast Nations. A long stretch of the Stone River lies in Hayeli, the sovereign state governed by the Serpentine Dynasty. The road stretches from the Ghost Forest in the east to Getaberan, one of the main ports on the west coast. It also sports the most viable mountain passes to the Holy Infernal Empire, making it a national and international artery of trade. Hundreds of small roads running down the mountains or up the plains merge into the main road like tributary streams, with an inn at every intersection.

When you enter one of the Nagas’ inns, you will be welcomed as a revered guest, even if you are wearing nothing but rags. Although comforts and pleasantries abound, you’ll soon notice some peculiarities in the staff’s behavior.

Snakefolk tend to possess a particular lisp, so they avoid words with the “S” sound, believing it will sound unpleasant to their guest. If an accidental “S” is uttered, they will cover their mouth and apologize (naga maids often carry a fan on their person specifically for this purpose). They will continue to do so until the guest tells them not to worry. Compliments should be indirect and are always reciprocated. You don’t say “you look nice” to a snake maid. Instead, you may ask what fabric her dress is made of, or the name of the tailor, to which she will answer and praise something of yours- fully aware of your intent. Same with tips- you are expected to leave a tip for good service, but you must not be seen leaving it. Instead you must put the coins beneath a dish, in an empty tankard, or under the bench.

This extreme and idiosyncratic politeness baffles first-time travelers and can cause misunderstandings- sometimes hilarious and harmless, other times with serious ramifications. If you gift something to a naga innkeeper, they must reciprocate, pestering you if you don’t accept. They may even challenge you to a duel, as the matter can become a question of honor.

This behavior is an over-the-top manifestation of some general virtues of naga culture- politeness, generosity, modesty, and humility.

One explanation for this attitude is that the nagas are the least humanlike of the beastfolk, and are aware that many humans suffer an instinctive phobia of reptiles. The naga people have witnessed the fear and discrimination that some animal-human species- such as centaurs or harpies- provoke, and don’t want to meet the same fate. Innkeepers and other professions that deal with foreigners take this ancestral need to make a good impression at heart.

This courteous behavior does possess a dark side. Some nagas will utilize hospitality to exploit their guests while keeping face. Flattery, passive-aggressiveness, and guilt can coerce someone to pay too much for too little and not complain. Some nagas will outright scam travelers, who will realize only days later, bamboozled by fake offenses and hollow praises. There are far too many cautionary tales about naive merchants who ended up working for free in nagas’ inns for years, crushed in a vice of moral obligations and emotional blackmail.

“Beware of the coils of kindness- they are soft, but can strangle you nonetheless.” -Naberius Vox, traveling scholar of the Holy Infernal Empire