Yuan-Lumusi (yahn loo-moo-see)
The Serpent
Yuan-Lumusi is a deity of unknown origin and heritage. He is considered part of the Olcrid and is one of the members of the Dark Pantheon. Most of his disciples are the snake-people known as yuan-ti, who live mostly in jungles and remote places in the world and worship Yuan-Lumusi at various temples therein. Outside of these jungle temples, there are a few members of broader society that identify with Yuan-Lumusi's teachings of treachery and hidden ideals. These individuals' worship hardly ever comes to light unless they die unexpectedly and their affairs are examined by their home nations. Such cases in the past have involved advisers to and high mages of various monarchs who were secretly plotting against their lords to usurp the throne. These traitors typically had extensive forged evidence and ready-made propaganda to support rebels and those who wanted to see new leadership. Because of this historical precedent, worship of Yuan-Lumusi is one of the most forbidden practices in most of the world's cities and nations.
The yuan-ti who call Yuan-Lumusi their deity are a peculiar study in oxymoron, and also devotion. They are among the most devoted and fanatically dedicated followers of any deity in the world, yet their own religion calls for deceit and treachery toward one's own friends. The expectation for them to show blind faith in their deity and await reward is - as one might predict - often unfounded and fatal. The society takes in outsiders - mostly by force for those who venture too close to the villages in remote parts of the world - and converts them to snake-people. There is then a hierarchy where some of the faithful are rewarded with more power and more serpentine bodily features. Yet many who believe they are among Yuan-Lumusi's chosen go under these rituals never to wake again, consumed and cursed by the deity who asked for unending faith but offered only destruction in return.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Sigil: coiled snake holding a dagger in its mouth
Divine Symbol: flamberge or other curved blade
Tenets of Faith
- Seek out nonbelievers and either convert them or sacrifice them to grow your community's power.
- Never tell the enemy - or even your friends - your true plans or intentions.
- Faith will be rewarded, the strong shall be made stronger.
Physical Description
Identifying Characteristics
Yuan-Lumusi is almost always depicted as a massive serpent - of varying colors depending on the source - with six human arms. In some accounts, his scales are dark green, blending in with the jungles his followers usually call home. In other sources, they are black as night to sneak through the darkness after prey. In his six hands, this serpent is usually depicted holding a variety of curved blades, from smaller scimitars and daggers to large two-handed flamberges.
Portrait art by me using HeroForge
Divine Classification
Olcrid
Religions
Alignment
Chaotic Evil
Realm
Children
Comments