A band of ophidians stumbles across the ruins of an ancient sarrukh city, hidden beneath what is now the western end of the Forest of Wyrms. During their explorations, the ophidians discover the Naja Fountain, an ancient sarrukh artifact guarded by a powerful ha-naga named Terpenzi. Claiming to be the prophet of the World Serpent, Terpenzi proclaims himself King of Najara and begins a decades-long campaign to subjugate the scattered tribes of ophidians. »
Terpenzi, the naga king of Najara in the Heartlands, forsees its death at the hands of Verraketh the Shadowking of Ebenfar and orders its subjects to seek out the magics of ancient Netheril while it searches for a mate. »
Terpenzi assembles a great army of ophidians commanded by yuan-ti to attack the growing might of Ebenfar. The armies of Ebenfar destroy the city of SS'thar'tiss'ssun, cloak its ruins in powerful warding spells, and scatter the serpentfolk of Najara. Terpenzi leads its remaining armies into battle with the Shadowking, but is destroyed. The battlefield becomes known as the Fields of the Dead. »
One of Terpenzi's brood, Jacinica, becomes the new king-in-exile of Naraja. As its first official act, Jacinica orders the remains of Terpenzi to be transformed into a bone naga and enslaved to the bearer of the artifact known as the Marlspire of Najara. »