Sterling Serpents
After half an hour in pursuit of the White Wyrm we managed to get two harpoons in her. She started to cut closer to the surface and we neared to continue the attack when Jaybol saw the swarm coming up from beneath. The wyrm slapped its tail sending up a surge across our deck from bow to stern. Some of the boys were knocked flat straight away. As the foam cleared I was still coughing up water when I saw the deck was now teemin' with silver snakes. Big 'uns.
The waters of Silver Lake have been peaceful for many generations, but ever since the Skyfire Emanation was unleashed in the Trinity desert species long-thought extinct have begun to reemerge from its depths. When the Thorpe Expedition sailed west to Lowdown Village out of Ah-Mun Tradepost, they witnessed a titan white wyrm and its bonded school of sterling serpent companions. The party fended off a swarm of these silver snakes in order to rescue the merchant ship Calabash, which had been engaged in an ill-advised hunt of the white wyrm.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The sterling serpents are almost 10 feet long and 2 feet around in thickness. Their hides are composed of chrome-toned scales that bear the reflective properties of silver and the hardness of tempered steel. They possess powerful muscles for grasping and grappling prey as well as vicious three inch fangs that can easily kill smaller prey or even wound or ward off larger predators. Once a sterling serpent latches onto its prey it digs in with its fangs and injects a neuro-toxic venom that suppresses mental judgement and executive function. Victims who utterly succumb to the venom's effects eventually go limp in the serpent's grasp.
Greater than pythons, they were! They wound theyselves round the crew before we could think what to do. And they was bitin' and chokin' the life right out of us. Even when Balok's ship came to rescue us they snakes kept squeezin' and bitin.' After he got bit Chazzo started thrashing around wild, but then he slumped down silent. I'll never forget the empty look in his eyes. He didn't say a word, just stared into space while the snake closed its mouth 'round his head.
Growth Rate & Stages
Every 12 months sterling serpents shed their shiny skins, which slough off to reveal new scales. The cast-off molting is fragile and lacks the sheen and toughness of actual sterling scales.
Ecology and Habitats
Sterling serpents are native to the warm fresh water lakes and streams of the Silverlands. They travel in schools of 10-30 and accompany the titan white wyrms of Silver Lake. They are at ease travelling under water and possess gills for underwater breathing. They may also respire from the air; however, the serpents are much less motile on land than they are in water.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The sterling serpents do not appear to actively hunt for prey. They rather follow their wyrm pod and move to attack any threats that approach their bonded titan wyrm. In moments of inactivity, sterling serpents have been seen nestled against the flesh of their bonded titan, suffused with arcing sparks of lightning.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The glittering hides of sterling serpents are valued for their luster, but they are also prized for their hardness and durability. Armour made from sterling hide is exceptionally resilient and relatively light-weight compared to similar armours made from conventional metals. The venom of the serpents may also be extracted for various uses.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Sterling serpents possess extremely sensitive gustatory senses that permit them to use the sense of taste to detect the subtle odoriferous signatures of potential prey either by land or sea. It is said that mature sterling serpents can detect and track spilled blood within a quarter mile distance even underwater.
Scientific Name
Serpens Argentatus
Lifespan
Unknown
Conservation Status
Believed extinct until recently
Average Weight
35 - 50 lbs.
Average Length
12 feet
I got a hand onto my blade and started stabbin' blind. But they silver scales was harder than Vril steel and I cut myself tryin' to hack free, now! Them Merikans came aboard and managed to burn them with fire. I got fire-tanned in the deal but no problem. All praise to Mazta, I was the only man out alive that day.
Comments