Horned Serpent

Horned Serpents are large magical beasts famous for their magical scales and unusual horns. While some are considered benevolent, most are aggressive monsters that need to be treated with caution.

Description

Horned Serpents come in a variety of subtypes, but they all possess brilliant scales that shine with crystalline or iridescent brightness, and horns upon their head. Some also possess a crest, within which can be seen a crystal substance that glows brightly, though this is not true of all varieties. Horned Serpents can grow up to 120 feet long and have a relatively stocky appearance, having a body width up to 25 feet.

Variations

Tree

Tree Horned Serpents are known as servants of Cernunnos, the Tuatha de Danann God of the Forest. They have ram-like horns and scales of glittering forest green. They are known to eat fruit and are peaceful creatures associated with regeneration.

Deep

Dangerous monsters that lurk in deep water, Deep Horned Serpents have water and air-based powers. They are enemies of Thunderbirds and are known to cause great destruction whenever they are woken.

Cave

Most often found in lakes within caves, or underwater caverns, Cave Horned Serpents are known for their iridescent crystalline scales, a large, crystal-like growth on their foreheads and stag-like horns. They are believed to have divination powers, and are generally indifferent to Sapients.

Storm

Storm Horned Serpents have blue scales and stumpy horns like those of a giraffe, which are bright yellow. They have lightning and thunder powers and are known to be incredibly fast moving creatures.

Blazing

Glazing Horned Serpents have a bright, blazing crest like a diamond upon their foreheads, their horns are shaped like an antelope and their scales are a glowing reddish-yellow. They have purplish-brown rings along their length, and they are able to exhale a poisonous gas.

Behaviours and Abilities

Horned Serpents' behaviour can vary wildly depending on the type of Horned Serpent. As an example, Cave and Tree Horned Serpents are generally benevolent to Sapients, while Deep and Storm can be more violent. However, there are some traits that all Horned Serpents share. They are incredibly strong, able to coil and crush their enemies, but are also highly intelligent creatures that are able to plan complex strategies as needed. The oldest and most powerful of them are capable of speech, especially amongst the Tree Horned Serpents who act as messengers and envoys of Cernunnos. They are often reclusive creatures, preferring to remain hidden from prying eyes while seeking food.
Most Horned Serpents have some kind of elemental ability related to storms, air or earth, and are capable of swimming.

Ecology

Habitat

Horned Serpents tend to live in mountainous, forested regions with access to plenty of water. They are amphibious and most types will make dens either in lakes, or in caves with access to a body of water.

Diet and Feeding

Most Horned Serpents are omnivorous, though Tree Horned Serpents prefer vegetarianism and Deep Horned Serpents lean toward carnivorism.

Reproduction

Little is known of Horned Serpent reproductive activities, as they are generally quite reclusive and private.

Taming, Harvesting and Taxidermy

Horned Serpents are rarely tamed, instead it is considered more correct to refer to it as "befriending" them, especially in the case of the ones capable of speech.
Horned Serpents' horns, scales and crests are sought after as ingredients in spells and potions, which each type's parts giving different effects. The scaled skin of Horned Serpents can also be worked into a type of leather-like armour with elemental resistance properties, or used to craft boots and gloves. The bones of larger specimens can also be used to craft weapon handles, wands, tools and ceremonial ornamentations, and skilled crafters can even work them into armour.