Jawnomicon

Uktena

In Cherokee tradition, the Uktena is a giant horned serpent living in deep water or mountain passes, bearing a brilliant crystal in its forehead that grants great power to anyone who can safely obtain it.

At a glance

Tradition
Cherokee tradition
Trait family
The Stone-Gazers
Symbols
Deer

Near this figure

and 1 more
  • Krasue Bioluminescent body markings · Cursed into monstrous form

Symbols

Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.

Traits

Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.

Form

  • Serpentine elongated body
    why

    the Uktena is described as an immense serpent

  • Hybrid of multiple animals
    why

    bearing a set of deer-like horns on its head

  • Deadly gaze
    why

    Its gaze or breath is said to be capable of killing or overwhelming a person outright

  • Turquoise or jeweled scales
    why

    marked with bright colored rings or scales along its body

  • Forehead crystal or jewel grants power to taker
    why

    On its forehead it bears a brilliant, blazing crystal called the Ulun'suti (or Ulunsuti), sometimes described as diamond-like or as glowing with its own light.

  • Lethal breath alongside gaze
    why

    Its gaze or breath is said to be capable of killing or overwhelming a person outright, and even indirect exposure, such as touching its shed scales or coming too near its resting place, is described in some tellings as bringing death or misfortune to the person and their family.

  • Cursed into monstrous form
    why

    some tellings describe it as a man transformed by the Little Men into the monstrous horned serpent and sent to kill the Sun, a task at which he failed

Sight and sound

  • Bioluminescent body markings
    why

    a brilliant, blazing crystal called the Ulun'suti (or Ulunsuti), sometimes described as diamond-like or as glowing with its own light

Offensive powers

Roles

Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.