Page 140 - Serpent Kingdoms

YUAN-TI CAMPAIGN

If such a love-mate or idol is harmed or slain by another spells. The yuan-ti “infl ict” the false sickness on trade rivals or
Yuan-ti, the furious or grieving survivor is likely to develop a per- foes who know of their presence, then let fearful neighbors do
fect plot for vengeance, then patiently and cold-bloodedly carry it the shunning, slaying, casting out, or burning of persons and
through. But if the perpetrator is a Scaleless One, a vrael olo may property for them. Many PCs who slaked their blades in Yuan-ti
give in to her rage, bursting into the open with all the agents, blood have awakened the next day to fi nd their skin green and
allies, magic, and aid she can muster, intent on slaughtering any fearful folk attacking them with crossbows and pitchforks.
creature even remotely connected to the affront. The yuan-ti still
isn’t likely to attack recklessly, but she may throw away the lives Orders of the Faith
of her agents and allies without hesitation and then wade into
battle herself instead of seeking to strike covertly. Immediately upon becoming active in a new area, the yuan-ti
establish a local altar to Sseth. Eventually, such altars become
Religious Differences temples, and from time to time both altars and temples ac-
quire new priests. On such occasions, the clergy of Sseth often
Another cause of open Yuan-ti activity outside of the jungles demand something more of the worshipers than a steady supply
is the strife between Set and Sseth, which has resulted in an of sacrifi ces and adherence to the Sacred Way of Sseth. Most
ever-growing restlessness in both the yuan-ti and the sarrukh commonly, the special offering they have in mind is at least
populations. Some Yuan-ti have been driven to almost human one local creature that is not a Yuan-ti (usually a human) who
impatience, and many want to lash out at their foes. A few willingly converts to the worship of Sseth.
entertain themselves with orgies of hunting and slaughtering Eventually such a creature must be convinced to worship
slaves in walled “hunting preserves” (country estates), but others at the temple, and at some point to willingly engage in Yuan-ti
may boil up out of the cellars of cities on dark or foggy nights breeding experiments (almost certainly with a creature not of
to personally rend a few humans before slithering back into her kind). Care of the utmost quality is always provided in such
hiding again. cases, since Yuan-ti aren’t interested in breeding failures or wast-
ing the life of a possible breeder. Nevertheless, the process can
The Old Trick easily kill or maim female creatures, thus depriving Sseth of
one of his humanoid faithful. Such risks force the yuan-ti to
In keeping with their love of subtlety, Yuan-ti often use “irresist- seek additional converts within the humanoid community to
ible” tactics—ploys that creatures can’t help but react to, even if ensure that the death of one creature doesn’t altogether negate
they have some suspicion about what is going on. As the wizard the humanoid worship of the Slitherer Supreme.
Vangerdahast, Mage Royal of Cormyr, once said of a favored Fulfi lling such religious dictates may force Yuan-ti to contact
tactic, “Old and obvious this may be—but the old tricks are old humans in ways they otherwise wouldn’t, and to befriend or
for one inescapable reason—they work.” even seduce them rather than seizing them as sacrifi ces, slaves,
The particular old trick of which Vangerdahast spoke is a or food. When they use such direct tactics, they often try to
favorite of the yuan-ti. In a land or city-state rife with tension corrupt an entire family—preferably one of wealth and infl u-
and competing powers, the vrael olo covertly place several agents ence, since such worshipers are considered better offerings to
to support the ruler, and several others to aid his strongest rebels Sseth than members of a poor, backstreet clan. If at all possible,
or opponents. Their goal is not to overthrow the ruler, but to Yuan-ti try to acquire several families of worshipers and keep
fl ush out malcontents by pushing the rebels into prominence. them apart from (and ignorant of) each other. This tactic en-
Those who join their cause while it seems to have a chance of sures that discovery of one group by the authorities doesn’t lead
success can then be identifi ed for later removal. to the unmasking of the others.
If the ruler truly feels threatened during the crisis, the Many human worshipers of Sseth are used as Yuan-ti agents
yuan-ti rush agents forward as timely allies to rescue him, for years. Eventually, their vrael olo contacts come to regard
thereby winning his gratitude along with suitable rewards. If them as favorite pets, aiding and indulging them whenever
the PCs fi ght on behalf of the ruler, the yuan-ti arrange for possible. Ultimately, a human worshiper of Sseth can become
them to take orders from their agents. This tactic ensures that a prized sacrifi ce—in fact, one who goes willingly to the altar
the yuan-ti can keep abreast of PC deeds, aims, and attitudes. is considered almost as holy as an accomplished and respected
If by luck and boldness the rebels actually manage to seize Yuan-ti who willingly offers himself.
the throne, the yuan-ti still profi t because their agents in that
group rise to power. However, they try to arrange for the rebels Snake Companions
to fail so that those opposed to the ruler can all be swept away
at once. Unsurprisingly, snakes are by far the most favored familiars,
Another example of an irresistible tactic is the spreading of companion creatures, and pets of yuan-ti. Some individuals even
a false plague. They simply introduce drugs that temporarily “wear” snakes coiled or draped around their bodies, taking com-
alter the appearance of human skin into food or water supplies, fort in their company and the feel of scales upon scales. Others
then buttress the impression of illness with rumors and a few use serpents as spies, lookouts, and guardians.

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