Page 141 - Serpent Kingdoms

YUAN-TI CAMPAIGN

Some snakes, known as the Holies of Sseth, are sanctifi ed in themselves to particular goals and become political powers in
temple rituals. These creatures perform such functions as car- their own right. Chapters 1 and 7 outline many of the more
rying the bodies of sacrifi ces to the altars and guarding temple powerful and lasting of these organizations, but every anathema
relics and supplies. and abomination—and about every fourth or fi fth ambitious
The yuan-ti alter some snakes by means of magic and drugs, pureblood—tries to set up at least one such group.
raising their intelligence until they have enough awareness to Most yuan-ti secret organizations are controlled by an
become truly evil (usually granting them Intelligence scores of “inner circle” of six or fewer yuan-ti founders, each of whom
at least 4). Such altered snakes may also grow to tremendous recruits up to three members with promises of hefty rewards.
size, advancing to maximum Hit Dice during the treatment. Because recruitment is conducted in disguise, the newcomers
The half-fi end template may be applied as an acquired template never know the true identities (or even the true natures) of
to such creatures to refl ect their augmented powers. their superiors.
The second-rank members are then instructed to recruit
Familiars their own underlings, though never more than three per indi-
vidual. Their superiors tell them to choose carefully, since they’ll
A typical yuan-ti familiar (a fi endish Tiny viper) appears on be held responsible for their underlings’ actions. Spying on and
page 201 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Flying snakes (detailed testing recruits is encouraged, and the second-rank members are
in Races of Faerûn) may also serve powerful Yuan-ti spellcasters warned to reward (and scare) their underlings enough to cement
as familiars, carrying out tasks such as spying, delivering mes- loyalty. Any who demonstrate the slightest sign of weakness or
sages, and snatching small, light items such as herbs and gems. treachery must be ruthlessly eliminated. The inner circle then
Deathfangs (also described in Races of Faerûn) are employed suggests that third-rank members also be encouraged to recruit
by many tribal elders, anathema cult leaders, and senior Coiled their own underlings to run in the fi eld, and so forth.
Cabalists as guardians for treasure caches and prized slave stor- Once recruitment is in full swing, the inner circle begins to
age areas. Necromancers also use them as familiars. spy on members, seeking to learn who is part of the organization
A yuan-ti spellcaster with the Improved Familiar feat (see for several rungs down. Inner circle members issue false orders
Chapter 9) can use a jaculi, mlarraun, or whipsnake as a familiar, from time to time to see whether there are any leaks. Once they
as well as a spitting crawler, lizard, a muckdweller, a deathfang, are satisfi ed as to security, the organization sets to work.
or a fl ying snake. One without that feat may choose a dung Many senior yuan-ti are members of two or three differ-
snake, reed snake, or sewerm in lieu of a viper. ent organizations and inner-circle members of another three
Yuan-ti have domesticated and trained a great variety of or more. They derive much of their pleasure from keeping all
creatures as servitors, salable slaves, hunting companions, and their schemes separate and subtly advancing.
guardians. Several doglike creatures and snake-dog crossbreeds Most humans can’t conceive of trying to keep so many
serve the yuan-ti as guards and hunters, most notably the nifern deceptions going at once. Doing so successfully requires the
of the Underdark (see Chapter 6). The vrael olo are constantly yuan-ti outlook on life, a bit of luck, a good network of spies,
breeding and cross-breeding newly captured creatures to see what the ability to judge individuals shrewdly—and sometimes, sheer
results. Canines seem to produce optimal crossbreeds, whereas brute force.
feline breeding experiments usually fail.
Most yuan-ti breeding experiments produce twisted, helpless Major Yuan-ti NPCs
creatures of horrible aspect (often with multiple heads) that
soon perish, and almost all are sterile. A few of these monsters As examples of how powerful the successful leaders of shadowy
see service as guardians, and others are unleashed on humanoid yuan-ti organizations can be, three yuan-ti bosses are presented
communities that have dared to defy the yuan-ti. below.
Occasionally, when such a nightmare creature proves con-
trollable, it is set up as a god for jaded or gullible city-dwelling THE SERPENT SIBYL
humans to worship in underground cults. The yuan-ti can then The offspring of a yuan-ti abomination and a marilith demon,
command believers among the cultists to undertake tasks for the Serpent Sibyl believes herself to be a reincarnation of Sseth,
their faith. the avatar who ruled Serpentes a thousand years ago. Her fol-
lowers believe so, too.
Secret Organizations Though the Serpent Sibyl is coldly arrogant, cruel, and des-
potic, she has the ability to inspire her followers—stirring them
Yuan-ti love to organize cabals and societies, both among their with glowing descriptions of their ancient empires and spurring
own kind and for the manipulation of lesser beings. Humans them on to regain that lost glory. She also believes wholeheart-
are especially drawn to the mystery of such organizations—give edly in that vision and imagines herself ruling a new, grander
humans a secret sign and a password to make them think they’re yuan-ti empire for centuries, just as Sseth did.
special, and they’ll do just about anything! Some secret societies The presence of Sseth overwhelmed the Serpent Sibyl’s
are little more than fronts and misdirections, but others dedicate mind during the Time of Troubles and left her with imperfect

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