# Snake — The Jewels of Aptor character guide > Snake in The Jewels of Aptor by Samuel R. Delany. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Little Snake **First appearance:** 0001-the-jewels-of-aptor ## Snapshot A small, four-armed figure who perches on railings and watches the others climb — too cautious, or too knowing, to follow. ## Who they are Snake is the quietest member of the party, a miniature figure with multiple arms who sits apart when the others press on into darkness. When Geo asks if he can make the climb, Snake simply shakes his head, and the group moves on without him — a small refusal that lingers. His stillness and his strange anatomy mark him as something other than an ordinary companion, and his choice to stay behind makes the reader wonder what he knows that the others don't. ## Relationships ### [Geo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/geo) _friendship_ Geo and Snake share a bond of mutual respect and cooperation, working together as allies in a dangerous world. ### [Urson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/urson) _rivalry_ Snake and Urson have a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing due to differing loyalties and personalities. ### [Iimmi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/iimmi) _friendship_ Iimmi and Snake have a cordial, cooperative relationship, working together when needed. ### [Leptar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/leptar) _professional_ Leptar and Snake have a professional relationship, often interacting as fellow travelers with distinct roles. ### [Jordde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/jordde) _rivalry_ Jordde and Snake are adversaries, frequently at odds due to conflicting agendas. ### [Geo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/geo) _friendship_ Geo and Snake share a bond of mutual respect and cooperation, working together as allies in a dangerous world. ### [Iimmi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/iimmi) _friendship_ Iimmi and Snake have a cordial, cooperative relationship, working together when needed. ### [Urson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/urson) _rivalry_ Snake and Urson have a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing due to differing loyalties and personalities. ### [Leptar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/leptar) _professional_ Leptar and Snake have a professional relationship, often interacting as fellow travelers with distinct roles. ### [Geo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/geo) _friendship_ Geo and Snake share a bond of mutual respect and cooperation, working together as allies in a dangerous world. ### [Urson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/urson) _rivalry_ Snake and Urson have a tense, competitive dynamic, often clashing due to differing loyalties and personalities. ### [Iimmi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/iimmi) _friendship_ Iimmi and Snake have a cordial, cooperative relationship, working together when needed. ## In the story ### [The Jewels of Aptor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/the-jewels-of-aptor) Young crew member; thrown overboard by Jordde but survives. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/i) A four-armed boy thief; steals a jewel from the priestess, demonstrating his skill. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the thief who stole a jewel from Argo; she intends to use him to steal the third jewel. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/iii) Accused by Argo of being a spy for Aptor, but Geo believes he is innocent. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/iv) Relayed the dream into Geo and Urson's minds; his bunk was found with Whitey's body. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/vi) Uses the jewel to provide light in the dark temple. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/vii) Dives into the river first; experiences headaches from a thinking machine (radio tower); guides the party. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/viii) Runs from the table after being accused of being a spy; can read minds. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/ix) Snake is revealed to have been tortured by Jordde, losing his tongue; he uses the jewels to light the way. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/x) Snake steals the third jewel from the temple, acting as an unwitting spy for Hama. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/xi) Screams and runs when Iimmi presses him about the beach, but refuses to explain; later shares a vision through the captain's eyes. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/chapters/xii) Reveals Urson's betrayal and final thoughts, and is attacked by Jordde on the gangplank. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters/snake - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jewels_of_aptor_se/characters