Page 53 - Serpent Kingdoms

HIDDEN FOLK

normally includes a defi ned method (though not necessarily an centers around the belief that the ultimate agents of creation
equitable one) for splitting the spoils. Clans that have established are those of destruction and chaos. Because these forces are con-
numerous links with other individuals and clans within their stantly at work within their society, the pterafolk fi nd it easy to
tribes are considered powerful but not always trustworthy. worship this deity.
Fighting prowess varies from one clan to another. Some clans While the spirit naga chieftains form the religious focus of
care little for combat training and prefer to fi ght by instinct. their society, the pterafolk themselves spend little time in wor-
Others are more organized, requiring their members to undergo ship. Instead, they act as agents of Shekinester’s will, sewing the
regimented combat training. Members of such clans normally seeds of destruction wherever they happens to be. The pterafolk
have levels of fi ghter, barbarian, or ranger. often pray only before or during a battle or raid, or on the rare
The size of a pterafolk clan factors into its overall standing occasions that they seek divine intervention, which their
because a clan with numerous members has the raw deity almost never gives.
power to overwhelm others that are competing
for the same resources. Pterafolk often fi ght Relations with
amongst themselves, and whether or not an
outright battle begins is often determined Other Races
by one clan’s ability to stand against an-
The pterafolk pose a serious threat to
other. Possessions include the territory
all the major races surrounding their
the clan has staked for itself, as well as
settlements, including humans and
equipment and structures.
batiri (goblins). They regularly con-
duct raids on the villages and towns
Pterafolk of Chult and assault supply caravans
Characters and travelers passing through the area.
The nearby settlements have grown
A pterafolk may join an adventuring party if weary of pterafolk raids and are cur-
its goals happen to match those of the group. Such rently working to fi nd the creatures’
alliances are normally short-lived, ending either when strongholds in order to chase them Illustration by Kalman Andrasofszky
the pterafolk has made enemies within the group, or when out of their territory.
everyone’s objectives are realized and they part ways. Pterafolk
that are raised by races other than their own sometimes Pterafolk
overcome their natural penchant for violence and adopt
alignments other than evil. Such situation are rare, Equipment
however, since pterafolk are almost never trusted by hu-
Pterafolk prefer armor that
manoid civilizations and are usually driven off or slain
does not cover their arms and equipment
in the same way that other hostile invaders would be.
that can easily be carried on a bandolier, so
that they can transport it while in pteranodon
Magic of the Pterafolk form. They often make their own weapons and armor to ensure
that it meets their needs.
Pterafolk don’t trust magic, so only a rare few ever become
spellcasters of any kind. Divine spellcasters are somewhat
more common than arcane ones, since spirit naga chieftains Hidden Folk Encounters
sometimes take on pterafolk students, whom they later place in
Player characters can encounter hidden folk individually or in
positions of prominence.
groups almost anywhere. Ophidians are nearly always in service
This general distrust of magic gives rise to a hatred of arcane
to more powerful creatures, but pterafolk may be encountered
magic items among the pterafolk. Given the chance, pterafolk
in warbands or as individuals.
steal such items and destroy them at their earliest convenience.
Unlike the dragonkin, however, the pterafolk are not innately
compelled to seek magic items. Ready-to-Use Villain
The hidden folk have access to most of the same classes as
Deities of the Pterafolk humanoid characters. The following pterafolk character can be
encountered alone or with his tribe.
Like most of the scaly races of Faerûn, the pterafolk original-
ly worshiped the World Serpent. When that deity fragmented,
K’RR’ZAALT
they transferred their worship to Shekinester, the deity of their
K’rr’zaalt is the chieftain and spiritual leader of the Kron’ikl
spirit naga chieftains. For the pterafolk, worship of Shekinester
tribe of pterafolk. Following the untimely death of its spirit naga
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