Page 19 - Serpent Kingdoms

YUAN-TI

Constitution check. Success on this check begins a painful and Magic of the Yuan-ti
permanent change into a tainted one during the next 1d6 days.
Failure means a groggy, torpid transformation into a brood- Yuan-ti are masters of experimentation, both magical and
guard over a period of 1d6+6 days. otherwise. The vrael olo have had centuries to reap the
Onrushing death from a failed Fortitude save isn’t necessarily benefi ts of sarrukh sorcery and the research of thousands
an escape from yuan-ti servitude. During the hour in which such of inspired nagas and yuan-ti ancestors. Thus, the depth and
a creature lies comatose, it can be revived with a delay poison or variety of arcane spells at their command rival those of the
neutralize poison effect. Yuan-ti halfbloods and abominations most magically mighty human cultures. Through their own
often use their neutralize poison ability to revive a victim so research, the yuan-ti have developed subtle variants of many
that they can administer the mixture again, necessitating a new human-created spells that paralyze creatures or move them
Fortitude save. They repeat the attempt as often as necessary from afar. A few anathemas can also use ability rip and trait
until they gain a servitor rather than a human corpse. removal (see Chapter 11).
Humans can be rescued from either transformation by at Yuan-ti are always developing new spells and new variants
least two magical methods. Casting neutralize poison, dispel of established dweomers. Thus, an encounter with yuan-ti spell-
magic, remove curse, and heal on the victim (in that order) casters, especially Coiled Cabal members, presents a situation of
reverses the transformation in half a day, but the rescued unpredictable danger.
human permanently loses 1 point of Intelligence in the pro- Many spells widely known among yuan-ti are described in
cess. Alternatively, a properly worded wish, limited wish, or Chapter 11. These include fang trap, razorscales, serpent arrow,
miracle spell can undo the change instantly with no loss of venom bolt, and whirl of fangs.
Intelligence. Once the transformation is complete, only a wish
or miracle spell can restore a tainted one or broodguard to its Deities of the Yuan-ti
former human state.
Only humans can be successfully transformed with this mix- At the time the yuan-ti were created, the sarrukh empires were
ture. Any other humanoid that drinks it must make the same monotheistic societies that worshiped the World Serpent. All
DC 16 Fortitude saving throw, but success leaves the imbiber other gods were viewed as inferior blasphemies, and the sarrukh
sickened for 1d4 rounds, and failure results in a coma, followed believed that those who worshiped them should be either turned
by death in 1d4+1 rounds. to the veneration of the Great Scaled One or destroyed.
After the Mhairshaulk Empire fell, many yuan-ti sought
BROODGUARDS different fragments of the World Serpent to lead them to the
Broodguards begin their service to the yuan-ti as low-ranked truth, hoping to leave behind the dark decadence of their
slaves. Naked and unarmed except for their claws and teeth, they former masters. Most of these gods were forgotten long ago,
stand guard in and around the brood chambers. Broodguards eat but the worship of Sseth took root and became the foundation
and sleep at their posts, never leaving the vicinity of the brood of modern-day yuan-ti religion. Today, the majority of yuan-ti
chambers except to move eggs and hatchlings under yuan-ti worship Sseth with a strength and fervor that astonishes
supervision when the community is threatened. See the brood- other beings.
guards entry in Monsters of Faerûn for more information. Some yuan-ti, however, still search for other gods to
follow—usually because their own self-importance demands
TAINTED ONES that they become the most favored mortal devotees of their
Though tainted ones serve primarily as spies and agents in divine patrons, and doing so is easier when there are few other
human cities, they are also frequently employed as bodyguards worshipers with whom to compete. In particular, the worship of
and stealthy strike forces by pureblood yuan-ti working in the older gods Merrshaulk, Sss’thasine’ss, and Varae still thrives
human settlements. Tainted ones who outlive their yuan-ti in certain areas. Varae is secretly worshiped by many pureblood
masters often become free agents in the shadowy underworlds yuan-ti who dwell in and under human cities and have come to
of the human cities where they formerly served. A few even prefer the bustle and color of such settings to their own realms.
betray their masters, pitting the agents of one yuan-ti tribe Merrshaulk is often venerated by outcast or wandering yuan-ti,
against another, or arranging for humans to catch and destroy particularly those who restlessly travel Faerûn’s wild places and
their vrael olo masters. A few masterless tainted ones make their glory in hunting dangerous beasts. Some such yuan-ti believe
livings as slavers, poison dealers, and fences for yuan-ti of many that by worshiping Merrshaulk, they are shedding the decadence
tribes seeking to do business in a given city. Such businesses are of their own culture and bypassing the “inevitable failure” of
lucrative, and rumor has it that least one tainted one amassed following the ways of Sseth.
suffi cient wealth to purchase his own escape back into true hu- Many yuan-ti cults form around anathemas. Some of these
manity by hiring a good-aligned archmage to cast a wish spell creatures claim to be awakened older gods; others proclaim
upon him. themselves entirely new deities. At present, this latter category

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