Page 138 - Serpent Kingdoms

YUAN-TI CAMPAIGN

traps or convince them to attack foes of the yuan-ti by intimat- strings, so that any vengeance they may take simply eliminates
ing that such persons are covert agents of the serpentfolk. other expendable creatures rather than the yuan-ti who are truly
The yuan-ti are masters at spotting other local plotters to blame.
(such as dopplegangers, agents of the Red Wizards of Thay or A typical Yuan-ti plot might unfold in any number of ways,
the Zhentarim, and cabals of dissatisfi ed nobles or merchants), but it always involves many fi lters between the yuan-ti and their
and they tend to leave such organizations in place rather than victims. For instance, a blackmail threat to a noble may come
attacking them or frustrating their efforts. The presence of from a rival noble, a courtier, or even a rich merchant, who in
such schemers provides Yuan-ti with masks to hide behind and turn is being blackmailed by another human into making the
additional people to manipulate. In fact, the PCs could battle threat—which he doesn’t really mind doing because he hates the
such lesser foes for years without realizing that the yuan-ti stand target in question or stands to make a tidy profi t. The human
behind them. As the monk Sathaerus of Candlekeep warned cen- blackmailing the blackmailer may be a minor mage who’s part
turies ago: “Remember that there are other secret rulers of the of a secret society dedicated to the overthrow of those in power.
world besides old and crazed evil wizards—and some of these are Should anyone trace the plot back to the minor mage, the
far better schemers.” blame will fall on the secret society because the mage herself
believes that a contact within the organization put her up to it.
The Insidious Plot The secret society doesn’t actually know anything about this
little matter, because the one who issued the order isn’t part of
Though the long-term goal of the yuan-ti is to enslave all other the organization at all. Meanwhile, other Yuan-ti are at work
creatures, the vrael olo are taught from birth that this goal manipulating other members of the secret society so that none
cannot be reached in their lifetimes. Thus, success for a Yuan-ti of them can be absolutely sure that the whole situation wasn’t a
lies in advancing the race’s agenda in a way that pleases the society plot.
tribal elders and Sseth and retiring in luxury. Even if the PCs make swift and bloody work of snatching
The Nature of the Plot aside the deceptions and charge relentlessly through the web of
Yuan-ti plots always involve gaining power, but they vary in scale. intrigue, much interesting play can ensue along the way. And
A small-scale plot might involve corrupting a wealthy family or further Yuan-ti misdirections at each step are likely to lead
dominating a village in order to draw profi ts from its businesses adventurers astray, and even cause them to make enemies who
and snatch away a few sacrifi ces for Sseth. A larger plot might have nothing to do with the yuan-ti.
require covertly seizing control of a trading coster, not only to
skim monetary profi ts, but also to use its caravans, ships, and Slithering into a New Area
traders to move messages and goods around Faerûn to further
other Yuan-ti plans. Major goals usually involve ruling a human When entering a new humanoid community, Yuan-ti typically
kingdom, city, port, or market town, preferably from behind the lurk in disguise for some time. During this period, they devote
throne, thereby gaining access to all the area’s resources. their energies to learning who wields power, who has wealth, how
The yuan-ti see it as only right that all rulers and other trade functions, where goods fl ow, and who the important and
formidable individuals (such as powerful wizards and highly- infl uential individuals are. Only when they are satisfi ed that they
ranked priests) in human societies be the dupes of the vrael understand the community well enough to manipulate local crea-
olo, and their lesser schemes are usually geared to contribute to tures and events with precision do they begin their operations.
such long-term goals. The yuan-ti may arrange the deaths of The yuan-ti typically start by spreading rumors, which
unbiddable rulers, nobles, or courtiers, take over local slave and accomplishes three main goals. First, it tests the speed and
drug trades, or even instigate wars between human lands—all effectiveness of the local grapevine and reveals how much dis-
to further their secret schemes. tortion and embellishment occurs along the way. Second, rumors
But while some human deaths are often necessary to advance lure local criminal types with whom the vrael olo are interested
a plan, the destruction of all humans is not part of their ulti- in dealing to the doorsteps of their agents. And fi nally, rumors
mate goal. Rather, the yuan-ti view humans as livestock that are the fi rst step in shifting local attitudes to favor the trade
should be tended carefully, bred, and altered judiciously for the practices that the yuan-ti intend to establish.
maximum yield. Seizing wealth and power in the short term and Next, the yuan-ti make contacts with local criminals, either
slaying others recklessly is the folly of lesser races that are ruled through agents or in disguise, and start working with them.
by greed and short-sightedness. Such joint operations are always conducted in a way that en-
This attitude explains why the yuan-ti never want to rule tirely conceals Yuan-ti involvement and allows them to judge the
openly in human society. To do so would make them targets and character and resources of their new allies. Once their contact
occupy their time with worries about personal security. They networks are established, the vrael olo gradually begin increasing
much prefer to control rulers and those close to them through their infl uence in shady affairs, perhaps by becoming the best
drugs, blackmail, or the advice of disguised purebloods. Openly customers of local fences or establishing a network of thugs who
coercing a human is considered unforgivably clumsy. Rather, slay or beat up others for hire. Soon the yuan-ti have eyes and
controlled humans are kept ignorant of who’s really pulling the ears in every tavern, festhall, and other place where criminals

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