Asp Viper

Otherwise known as Rmla Viper, a name given by the Imaziɣen, this venomous snake is native to the Shamsi and Arabiyyan Deserts. At first glance, it may be difficult to tell the Asp apart from another local Isk Viper, their main difference being the "horns" on the Isk Viper. Asp aren't particularly aggressive but won't hesitate to stand their ground when threatened, coiling into a C shape and rubbing their jagged scales together with a rasping sound. These are a small and stout snake with a broad, triangular head and small eyes. They spend their days burrowed just under the surface of sand dunes or under bushes, ambushing prey and burning any foolhardy enough to touch them! Predator Prey Carnivore Crepuscular Solitary Toxic Camouflage

Kaithur

Ilnid's Movement By using Ilnid's Movement, Asp Vipers are able to move on or through sand freely, swimming, slithering or flying through solid quartz or glass. They can use any of these materials as a solid foothold or move through solid materials as though it were water. They can even briefly turn into sand, traveling on the wind or through desert sands and reform elsewhere. Finally, they are immune to Ilnid magic and impervious to natural glass or quartz. by Lee Stepp Ilnid's Skin Asp with Ilnid's Skin can transform their scales into glass, sand or quartz! When converted to glass or quartz, their already rough, sharp scales become far more hazardous and tough, easily cutting through flesh or deflecting damage. Meanwhile, those which can transform their scales into sand are nearly imperceptible in Shamsi ergs, blending perfectly into the sand. These Asps are also immune to damage from both Ilnid magic and naturally occurring sand, glass and quartz. Rithaldis' Form With Rithaldis' Form, asp vipers can convert their fangs or their tail into a kind of radiant energy (photons, plasma, sunlight, ionizing radiation). This bite penetrates nearly any hide and leaves radioactive burns, local to the area of the bite--extremely painful. Alternately, when transforming their tail, they might use this to attract prey which eat radiant plants, leaving it poking out of the sand as a lure. These asps are also immune to damage from radiant energy while in their form. Rithaldis' Skin Asp with Rithaldis' Skin are able to transform their scales into radiant energy (sunlight, photons, solar plasma, radiation) and are immune from damage from these energies as well. Most often, they transform their jagged scales into solar plasma. These scales become like small, overlapping plasma daggers which are very dangerous to the touch, leaving radioactive burns to any foolish enough to touch them in this state.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lifespan Length Cerastes vipera Sahara Sand Viper 15-18 years 8-20 in 20-50 cm Coloration Scales are strongly keeled, giving them a rough texture as they overlap. Colration ranges from beige, light brown to orange-red depending on habitat. Those living in coastal sands might even be blue-grey with orange eyes. Only females have a black tail. In their magic form, their scales or at least their spots go stark white while their belly scales appears glassy and transparent.

Habitat

Desert Semi-Desert Shrubland Rural These vipers are perfectly at home amid sand dunes called erg and sandy scrublands, living within the Shamsi Desert, Kemet, Kna'an and Birit Narim. They are most active during dawn and the evening in spring and autumn but are purely nocturnal in summer months. They will warm their body in upper layers of sand during the day, easily slipping between loose sand. If they feel threatened, they rub their scales together in warning and might open their mouth to expose their fangs, both glowing white hot. Only its eyes and nose break the surface of the sand while waiting for prey.

Diet

Carnivore Herpetovore Mammalivore Avivore Asp Vipers have a unique hunting strategy, a mix of ambush tactics and pursuit. However, they usually only take up more active techniques in the months leading up to brumation (hibernation). Despite appearing slow, Asp can move with surprising speed once they begin sidewinding across the sand. In order to lay in wait, they sink into loose sand very quickly using their angular, serrated scales, slipping underneath the sand tail first. They wait motionless for prey to approach, sometimes leaving the tip of their tail exposed and wiggling this to draw prey closer. Asp prey mainly on lizards, geckos, rodents and birds, some of which are Qafz Jerboa, Ramil Lark and Mul'ataa Agama.

Life Cycle

Ovoviviparous Monogamous Precocial These are a solitary species, only interacting with others of their kind during mating season. Breeding during the first weeks of April, Asp attract a mate by releasing pheromones and mate while buried under the sand. Unlike most snakes, these are not an egg laying species. Asp vipers instead give birth to live young, anywhere between 3-8 snakelets. They are born inside a soft membrane with yolk attached and may remain motionless for two days before finally breaking free.