House of Yolilitzcoatl
The House of the Golden Serpent are the Healers of Laran. Ironically, they can't stop infighting and backstabbing, their worst enemy being each other. Heavily inspired by Aztec Mythology and Aesthetics (at least when it comes to details), the Gold Viper is essential to their empire's function, if only they could stop stabbing themselves every once in a while.
Structure
The Gold Viper's internal structure is in constant flux, largely due to the constant infighting. The Viper operates as one large house when in reality they are made up of an alliance of several smaller houses, the most notable of which will be listed here. The alliance acts less as a permanent military alliance and more as a "We are the only ones allowed to kill each other" club. The few times that someone outside the house has attempted to interfere with inter-house politics, their entire powerbase lost access to the medics provided by the Gold Viper, as well as dealing with the entire network of houses ceasing hostilities to completely eradicate the interloper. Internally, the Gold Viper classifies its houses as Scales.
The House of Iztacoatl, or the Scale of the White Serpent, is where most of the experimentation of the house comes from. While every house provides a bit of everything, just to keep the internal economy stable, the newest techniques, methods, and technologies tend to come from the White Serpent, the R&D department of the Golden Serpent. Due to this, they are often conducting internal purges to root out spies and traitors to and from other houses.
The House of Teocoatl, or the Scale of the God Serpent, is the main diplomatic wing of the Gold Viper. They coordinate the medics and doctors traded to other houses and powerbases and are in general the most stable branch. The external operatives tend not to mess with the God Serpent as it could jeopardize their own positions. They also maintain a decent amount of protection from the Vipers working within the House as killing the wrong diplomat could completely jeopardize the Golden Serpent's standing.
The House of Miquizcoatl, or the Scale of the Skull Serpent, is less a house more a regular powerbase with extra authority. Another of the more stable positions in the Gold Viper's Hierarchy, the Skull of the Serpent is the head of the Golden Serpent's military, navy and army combined. Every internal faction pays a due to Miquizcoatl, acting as the sort of fee to stay within the Golden Serpent's Hierarchy. The Skulled Serpent uses these troops as the policing force, making sure internal wars don't get too destructive, and whenever the house is called on a military campaign, these troops are the ones sent out. This position is the most closely monitored of all the internal seats, as a biased Serpent's Skull could very well swing the balance of power in the house for years. The Skull of the Serpent is without a doubt the title with the slowest turnover, as any failed and identified assassination attempt on the current Skull can damn a house to expulsion from the House. This house also receives most of the tribute given to the Viper in return for doctors.
The House of Nahuallocoatl, or the Scale of the Necromantic Serpent, is the Dynasty of priests. One of the things that sets the House of the Golden Serpent apart from other Great Houses of Laran, is it's religion. While many other Lati are recognized as having achieved mortal godhood, such as the Saviour of the Siobkun and the Impirator, the priesthood of the Golden Serpent worship, the Golden Serpent. The Necromantic Serpent trains the priests who preach within Gold Viper territory, spreading the word of the greatness of the Gold Serpent. They work closely with the next great house, the healers.
The House of Ezzohcoatl, or the Scale of the Blooded Serpent, is by far the largest and most influential of the Gold Viper's scales. While every Great Scale has scales of its own, Ezzohcoatl is the only one whose scales are large enough to merit being listed (They won't be here). The Blooded Serpent trains the Healers that the Gold Viper is known for, training both their own members and those of other houses. The Golden Serpent has a very tight-lipped approach to their healing practices. Every planet and force in Laran has medics who know how to bandage and clean wounds, but it's the Blooded Serpent that has developed prosthetics, the most powerful disinfectants, surgery, everything of the like. Ezzohcoatl near never comes to blows with Nahuallocoatl, as the healing techniques that the Gold Viper is famous for require both the priest of the Necromantic Serpent and the Healers of the Blooded Serpent.
The House of Tilmahcoatl, or the Scale of the Cloaked Serpent, is the smallest of the Great Scales, not even fulfilling the size requirements to qualify, but for the essential service, they provide the Gold Viper. The Cloaked Serpent is the intelligence wing of the Golden Serpent, they who track down spies, root out traitors, and hunt down defectors. Tilmacoatl is the only reason that Yolilitzcoatl has managed to retain its monopoly on advanced medical practices, as every time an operative, a powerbase, or an entire Scale defects, it is the job of the Cloaked Serpent to hunt down the traitor and exterminate them, along with any data they revealed. Tilmacoatl works closely with the Laka of Rift Influence, as due to a long-standing agreement, the Intelligence Wing gets access to most of Tilmacoatl's data in return for aid scrubbing any released confidential Yolilitzcoatl from existence.
The House of Tomicoatl, or the Scale of the Serpent of Coin, is another smaller house, barely qualifying as a Great Scale if not for their role in internal management. Despite its autonomy, the Gold Viper must still follow Larani precepts, such as the implementation of Subliminal Coding and education. As such, Tomicoatl, while considered a Great Scale, rarely plays with the politics at hand, being allowed in and out of everyone else's territory so they can see to the functioning of the house. Due to their role as the internal beurocracy, the head of the entire House of Yolilitzcoatl is considered the Head of this scale, with the actual head acting as a second in command. Being a member of the Serpent of Coin means immunity while conducting work, but it also means that one is heavily restricted in any power-grabbing moves they can make, as if a significant number of Tomicoatl's members decide to take a side in a house war, much of the Gold Viper would fall apart.
The House of Iztacoatl, or the Scale of the White Serpent, is where most of the experimentation of the house comes from. While every house provides a bit of everything, just to keep the internal economy stable, the newest techniques, methods, and technologies tend to come from the White Serpent, the R&D department of the Golden Serpent. Due to this, they are often conducting internal purges to root out spies and traitors to and from other houses.
The House of Teocoatl, or the Scale of the God Serpent, is the main diplomatic wing of the Gold Viper. They coordinate the medics and doctors traded to other houses and powerbases and are in general the most stable branch. The external operatives tend not to mess with the God Serpent as it could jeopardize their own positions. They also maintain a decent amount of protection from the Vipers working within the House as killing the wrong diplomat could completely jeopardize the Golden Serpent's standing.
The House of Miquizcoatl, or the Scale of the Skull Serpent, is less a house more a regular powerbase with extra authority. Another of the more stable positions in the Gold Viper's Hierarchy, the Skull of the Serpent is the head of the Golden Serpent's military, navy and army combined. Every internal faction pays a due to Miquizcoatl, acting as the sort of fee to stay within the Golden Serpent's Hierarchy. The Skulled Serpent uses these troops as the policing force, making sure internal wars don't get too destructive, and whenever the house is called on a military campaign, these troops are the ones sent out. This position is the most closely monitored of all the internal seats, as a biased Serpent's Skull could very well swing the balance of power in the house for years. The Skull of the Serpent is without a doubt the title with the slowest turnover, as any failed and identified assassination attempt on the current Skull can damn a house to expulsion from the House. This house also receives most of the tribute given to the Viper in return for doctors.
The House of Nahuallocoatl, or the Scale of the Necromantic Serpent, is the Dynasty of priests. One of the things that sets the House of the Golden Serpent apart from other Great Houses of Laran, is it's religion. While many other Lati are recognized as having achieved mortal godhood, such as the Saviour of the Siobkun and the Impirator, the priesthood of the Golden Serpent worship, the Golden Serpent. The Necromantic Serpent trains the priests who preach within Gold Viper territory, spreading the word of the greatness of the Gold Serpent. They work closely with the next great house, the healers.
The House of Ezzohcoatl, or the Scale of the Blooded Serpent, is by far the largest and most influential of the Gold Viper's scales. While every Great Scale has scales of its own, Ezzohcoatl is the only one whose scales are large enough to merit being listed (They won't be here). The Blooded Serpent trains the Healers that the Gold Viper is known for, training both their own members and those of other houses. The Golden Serpent has a very tight-lipped approach to their healing practices. Every planet and force in Laran has medics who know how to bandage and clean wounds, but it's the Blooded Serpent that has developed prosthetics, the most powerful disinfectants, surgery, everything of the like. Ezzohcoatl near never comes to blows with Nahuallocoatl, as the healing techniques that the Gold Viper is famous for require both the priest of the Necromantic Serpent and the Healers of the Blooded Serpent.
The House of Tilmahcoatl, or the Scale of the Cloaked Serpent, is the smallest of the Great Scales, not even fulfilling the size requirements to qualify, but for the essential service, they provide the Gold Viper. The Cloaked Serpent is the intelligence wing of the Golden Serpent, they who track down spies, root out traitors, and hunt down defectors. Tilmacoatl is the only reason that Yolilitzcoatl has managed to retain its monopoly on advanced medical practices, as every time an operative, a powerbase, or an entire Scale defects, it is the job of the Cloaked Serpent to hunt down the traitor and exterminate them, along with any data they revealed. Tilmacoatl works closely with the Laka of Rift Influence, as due to a long-standing agreement, the Intelligence Wing gets access to most of Tilmacoatl's data in return for aid scrubbing any released confidential Yolilitzcoatl from existence.
The House of Tomicoatl, or the Scale of the Serpent of Coin, is another smaller house, barely qualifying as a Great Scale if not for their role in internal management. Despite its autonomy, the Gold Viper must still follow Larani precepts, such as the implementation of Subliminal Coding and education. As such, Tomicoatl, while considered a Great Scale, rarely plays with the politics at hand, being allowed in and out of everyone else's territory so they can see to the functioning of the house. Due to their role as the internal beurocracy, the head of the entire House of Yolilitzcoatl is considered the Head of this scale, with the actual head acting as a second in command. Being a member of the Serpent of Coin means immunity while conducting work, but it also means that one is heavily restricted in any power-grabbing moves they can make, as if a significant number of Tomicoatl's members decide to take a side in a house war, much of the Gold Viper would fall apart.
Culture
The Gold Viper is infamous in Laran for taking the Lati's culture of backstabbing, betrayal, and power-hungry ambition, and turning it to fifteen. In the last decade, the Gold Viper has had three times as many house leaders, and the Head of a scale's term generally lasts a few months at most. The current head of Yolilitzocatl is extremely abnormal, having held the seat for a year and a half. Keoveka has somehow managed to survive over two thousand assassination attempts. Their attempts to crack down on the constant assassinations and powerplays have been taken as a challenge by most within the House, the frequency of assassination attempts only increasing as they continue to survive.
Aside from the murder, the House of Yolilitzcoatl believes in the Cult of the Feathered Serpent and follows most of its doctrines, most notably, the belief that healing the sick keeps the world moving, but to keep the two gods balanced, an equivalent number must be slaughtered. In the old days of the Coatl this was done through human sacrifice, but as Laran slaughters enough people in its endless wars to keep the two gods balanced, the Gold Serpent focusses on healing.
Meta: For more imagery, imagine the Aztecs, replace most of the blood sacrifices with healing miracles, and add snake people and political trachery. There you go.
Aside from the murder, the House of Yolilitzcoatl believes in the Cult of the Feathered Serpent and follows most of its doctrines, most notably, the belief that healing the sick keeps the world moving, but to keep the two gods balanced, an equivalent number must be slaughtered. In the old days of the Coatl this was done through human sacrifice, but as Laran slaughters enough people in its endless wars to keep the two gods balanced, the Gold Serpent focusses on healing.
Meta: For more imagery, imagine the Aztecs, replace most of the blood sacrifices with healing miracles, and add snake people and political trachery. There you go.
Public Agenda
The Gold Viper's public agenda is to help the Larani Empire survive and thrive by supplying it with healers and medics.
Assets
The Gold Viper controls a sizable chunk of Larani space, controlling many centers of industry, resource production, and culture. However, only the Scale of the Skull Serpent can harness these for the Serpent's overall benefit, as every other scale is busy trying to use their resources to kill one another. All in all, Yolilitzcoatl, if not for their medics, would be an overall drag on Laran as a whole, as this one house controls a good 3% of all Larani territory and wealth, but can't use it for anything other than stabbing itself in its vital organs.
History
Yolilitzcoatl predates Mul-Zamain and was one of the few Dynasties which didn't oppose him during his rise, as such they were allowed to keep most of their assets, as long as the Gold Viper payed him tribute and swore fealty. They lost very little during the Battle of Kaseibeiut, even being able to install a representative of their as Impirator for all of five minutes in the century after Mul-Zamain's death. That isn't an exaggeration, the last and only Yolilitzcoatl Impirator was killed not five minutes after claiming the title, by one of their own no less.
Yolilitzcoatl is too powerful to mess with but too fragmented to get anything done. Once a decade or so, enough of their forces will unite to force one of their members into the seat of Laka, to further the overall interests of the Golden Serpent, before they start trying to kill each other once more. Laka Cairn is the most recent example. Due to it's origins by a foreign Lati, an alien from a different culture who was adopted by into the cult by a Makassi Lati, the Gold Viper developed it's own language and culture, with similar architecture to the rest of Laran but much more vibrant.
Yolilitzcoatl is too powerful to mess with but too fragmented to get anything done. Once a decade or so, enough of their forces will unite to force one of their members into the seat of Laka, to further the overall interests of the Golden Serpent, before they start trying to kill each other once more. Laka Cairn is the most recent example. Due to it's origins by a foreign Lati, an alien from a different culture who was adopted by into the cult by a Makassi Lati, the Gold Viper developed it's own language and culture, with similar architecture to the rest of Laran but much more vibrant.
Demography and Population
In terms of caste makeup, House of Yolilitzcoatl has a 20% Lati population, increadibly high. 30% of the population are slaves and 50% are Lerin.
40% of Viper citizens identify as a man, 42% as a woman, and 18% as anything else.
Racial demographics divide 40% of Yolilitzcoatl's as Coatl, 40% as Human, 4% as Makassi, and the last 16% as anything else.
40% of Viper citizens identify as a man, 42% as a woman, and 18% as anything else.
Racial demographics divide 40% of Yolilitzcoatl's as Coatl, 40% as Human, 4% as Makassi, and the last 16% as anything else.
Territories
Military
The Gold Viper has had, over the millennia, a hundred active legions, most of whom have been wiped out. Currently, 14 of their legions are active, only six of whom are deployed in external operations. Seven more legions can be called in and raised under old banners, and the current leadership has remained stable enough that the Laka Council has allowed them to create a new Legion should they so desire. The Viper's most famous military units are to be outlined here.
The are an old legion, having been established before the The Zamain Reforms. Their success record is unparalleled among all the Gold Viper's Legions, leading to a longstanding agreement between the House leadership to keep them out of internal conflicts. This agreement has persisted for near nine centuries, as the last time the 12th Huitzilopochtli were forced into inter-house matters, several scales were eradicated in one fell swoop. Much of their recent success can be attributed to most every head in the last century leaning into their reputation as an elite legion They have implemented strict training regiments for all potential recruits, and have gained more new members by transferring veterans from other legions than from conscripts and new recruits.
12th Legion Motto: The Rays of the Sun Herald Your Doom
The are just as well known as the Sun-Striders, however for a very different reason. The Fangs of the Serpent can barely go five battles without losing near all of their men. They are the definition of a Pyrrhic Victory, as near always succeed, however, they keep dying. Some heads of the Skull Serpent have tried to send the 56th Itokuatlakan on suicide missions to whittle them down enough to disband them, yet they keep surviving with just enough men, even when they aren't allowed to replenish between missions.
56th Legion Motto: The Many Fall, The Few Succeed
The 76th Legion in itself isn't particularly notable. They have an even success rate and have only ever suffered one Itokuatlakan level Pyrrhic Victory in their near 500 years of operation. Their 3rd Brigade, however, the , has survived and succeeded at a ridiculous amount of suicide missions. They often lose a fair amount of soldiers, but only thrice have they lost more than half in a mission. Due to its already near-autonomous operation, many have debated whether or not to make the 3rd Mikistli its own Special Forces unit.
76th Legion Motto: Persistance
The are an old legion, having been established before the The Zamain Reforms. Their success record is unparalleled among all the Gold Viper's Legions, leading to a longstanding agreement between the House leadership to keep them out of internal conflicts. This agreement has persisted for near nine centuries, as the last time the 12th Huitzilopochtli were forced into inter-house matters, several scales were eradicated in one fell swoop. Much of their recent success can be attributed to most every head in the last century leaning into their reputation as an elite legion They have implemented strict training regiments for all potential recruits, and have gained more new members by transferring veterans from other legions than from conscripts and new recruits.
12th Legion Motto: The Rays of the Sun Herald Your Doom
The are just as well known as the Sun-Striders, however for a very different reason. The Fangs of the Serpent can barely go five battles without losing near all of their men. They are the definition of a Pyrrhic Victory, as near always succeed, however, they keep dying. Some heads of the Skull Serpent have tried to send the 56th Itokuatlakan on suicide missions to whittle them down enough to disband them, yet they keep surviving with just enough men, even when they aren't allowed to replenish between missions.
56th Legion Motto: The Many Fall, The Few Succeed
The 76th Legion in itself isn't particularly notable. They have an even success rate and have only ever suffered one Itokuatlakan level Pyrrhic Victory in their near 500 years of operation. Their 3rd Brigade, however, the , has survived and succeeded at a ridiculous amount of suicide missions. They often lose a fair amount of soldiers, but only thrice have they lost more than half in a mission. Due to its already near-autonomous operation, many have debated whether or not to make the 3rd Mikistli its own Special Forces unit.
76th Legion Motto: Persistance
Technological Level
Aside from the Medical Technologies, which will be outlined in that Sidebar, Yolilitzcoatl is mostly on par, or a bit behind, the rest of Laran. A scientific endeavor with the House of Xulias produced their navy, which maintains mostly the same design of the Larani navy, but instead of being a large synthesized and carved crystal, it is a collection of rocks and stones held together by organic matter, often operating at the same level or slightly above the rest of Laran in this regard.
Religion
The Gold Viper likely has the most stringent control over the religion within their borders. The clergy of the Cult of the Feathered Serpent maintains a strict pantheon, and only approved Lati are allowed to be incorporated into a planet or sectors sect of the Cult. The Devoted are allowed to operate within the Golden Serpent's borders, simply due to their open secret as the Impirator's secret police, but The Imperial Cult is not. Neither is the Senpadida Siobkun, though they don't particularly care as their Saviour has been ingrained in the Feathered Serpent's pantheon since before his death.
It isn't uncommon to find genuinely devout Lati within the Gold Viper's borders, and of course Lerin are near always the religious sort.
It isn't uncommon to find genuinely devout Lati within the Gold Viper's borders, and of course Lerin are near always the religious sort.
Foreign Relations
When it comes to states outside of Laran's borders, the Gold Viper uses Laran's foreign policy. when it comes to internal factions, due to Yolilitzcoatl's monopoly on medical techniques more advanced than bandage and wash the wound, everyone stays on good terms with them.
Agriculture & Industry
While the Gold Viper possesses many Industrial worlds and centers of resource production, much of it can't be harnessed by the House as a whole due to its internal conflicts. As such, most of the resources which supply its central government come from trades with other Dynasties and powerbases in return for doctors and medics.
Trade & Transport
The most important and valuable resource possessed by the House of the Golden Serpent are its Lati, specifically those trained by the Scale of the Blooded Serpent as Doctors, and the Scale fo the Necromantic Serpent as priests. Most of the raw resources given in return for this are shoveled through the Tzaran Streams Starbases as is most trade within Laran.
Education
Due to the Gold Viper's autonomy, they are allowed to have their own education system, although it has to be approved by the Laka of Civil Administration beforehand. This is conducted by the Scale of the Serpent of Coin, many of whom are part of the Cult of the Feathered Serpent, making the House Religion dominate education. The changes they make rarely go beyond instilling extra loyalty to the Gold Viper and to dismiss much of Lati blubbering about reaching divinity, only worshipping a select few, with another few dozen Lati as minor gods, kicking around the panthon.
Infrastructure
The internal infrastructure of the Gold Viper depends on how much combat is going on in an area and how much the scale which owns it cares for internal management. Most maintain a baseline to keep their production up, as, unlike the central house, they don't receive tribute from other Dynasties. Those living in areas controlled by the Scale fo the Serpent of Coin or the Skull Serpent are generally the best off, as neither of those houses are involved in many conflicts with other scales, and both require a higher standard on their worlds to keep things running smoothly.
Mythology & Lore
The mythology of the Cult of the Feathered Serpent centers around the founding Lati of the house.
Meta: As much as I clearly outline it in World Anvil, most of the things that happen before the The Zamain Reforms are shrouded in mystery, only big things are really known, and with the occasional purges of information that happen so the Laka Council can control the narrative, it's hard to gather information. Laka Council can control the narrative, it's hard to gather information. I also draw a lot on Aztec, and Nahuatl myths/iconography in general for this house, so if I got anything blatantly wrong or did something offensive, let me know.
The main three gods worshipped are Quetzalcoatl , literally feathered Serpent, who is usually portrayed as such. Due to the Coatl's ability to partially shift into a snake, most scholars believe that the modern depiction of the Feathered Serpent can be attributed to the Coatl who founded the Gold Viper and their shape-changing abilities. She is generally portrayed as a woman.
The second main god is Cipactli, a non-binary entity of nothingness and everythingness. They are depicted in three forms, as an androgynous human of Motaluanal descent (Native American), a giant eldritch monster said to be a literal incarnation of the universe, or as a Vutinru Dokalqe, as it is said that the founder of Yolilitzcoatl succumbed to Lati Corruption and became one. Most anthropologists believe either Cipactli or Quetzalcoatl to be the form in which the founder of the Gold Viper is worshipped, with the other being either a god from the native Coatl culture of the time or another powerful Lati in the House's history.
The third major god is Mul-Zamain. Not much changes about how he is worshipped here aside from their depiction as gender-fluid, and some small sects beliefs about her being the true founder of the Hosue of the Golden Serpent.
Meta: As much as I clearly outline it in World Anvil, most of the things that happen before the The Zamain Reforms are shrouded in mystery, only big things are really known, and with the occasional purges of information that happen so the Laka Council can control the narrative, it's hard to gather information. Laka Council can control the narrative, it's hard to gather information. I also draw a lot on Aztec, and Nahuatl myths/iconography in general for this house, so if I got anything blatantly wrong or did something offensive, let me know.
The main three gods worshipped are Quetzalcoatl , literally feathered Serpent, who is usually portrayed as such. Due to the Coatl's ability to partially shift into a snake, most scholars believe that the modern depiction of the Feathered Serpent can be attributed to the Coatl who founded the Gold Viper and their shape-changing abilities. She is generally portrayed as a woman.
The second main god is Cipactli, a non-binary entity of nothingness and everythingness. They are depicted in three forms, as an androgynous human of Motaluanal descent (Native American), a giant eldritch monster said to be a literal incarnation of the universe, or as a Vutinru Dokalqe, as it is said that the founder of Yolilitzcoatl succumbed to Lati Corruption and became one. Most anthropologists believe either Cipactli or Quetzalcoatl to be the form in which the founder of the Gold Viper is worshipped, with the other being either a god from the native Coatl culture of the time or another powerful Lati in the House's history.
The third major god is Mul-Zamain. Not much changes about how he is worshipped here aside from their depiction as gender-fluid, and some small sects beliefs about her being the true founder of the Hosue of the Golden Serpent.
The Golden Serpent Heals The Sick As Useless Scales Are Shed
Medical Practices
Most in Laran know the basics of medicine. They know to bandage and clean wounds, that certain salves will help recovery, things of the like. Even the smallest most remote communities tend to have at least one surgeon or witch-doctor. Meta: One can place Laran's med-tech at about Ancient Roman Level. With this lack of medical knowledge, one would expect Laran to be unable to survive in the state it is in, and one would be right, if not for the Gold Viper.The House of the Golden Serpent, through bribery, backstabbing, research, experimentation, and a lot of murder, has created, adapted, and monopolized many techniques and medical practices. They can create everything from prosthetics to even halting Inkallu Corruption. A lot of what they do is based on superstition and religious beliefs, namely those of the Cult of the Feathered Serpent, and the fact that most of their practices don't work without a cult priest lend the propaganda team a lot of credence in declaring their religion to be the true path to follow. A lot of their medics and priests don't actually know a lot of what they're doing, as Germ Theory is, as of 449 PKR, still a faint idea in the back of a researcher's head.
Some of the practices will be outlined here, the illness it treats, and what the priest & medic duo does. The caveat to all of these comes as any mistake in the application, mixtures or chanting could have drastic effects, with repercussions from minor nausea to permanent disfigurement to death. The only tool used throughout every procedure is the blessed thurible, a metal censor filled with incense which has been purified by a priest of the Cult of the Feathered Serpent, usually, the priest who is to use it.
The Spectral Prosthetic is a type of prosthetic that can replace lost limbs. The Doctor, or in this case surgeon, will attach a mock bone network to where the limb should be, and Crysalis generators will be positioned in strategic points. The priest will wave their blessed thurible around, which is filled with incense that relaxes the muscles and mind of any who smell it. This makes it so the muscles and nerves of the area the Prosthetic is being attached to are willing to allow the network and the generated limb to bind, while the mind will adapt around the new presence, believing that the network is a natural part of the body, and extending control of the muscles and feeling in the nerves down to the new limb. The priest and medic will have taken the antidote beforehand to become immune to the effect.
Once the limb is attached, the Cryslais network will begin to generate a spectral, partly transparent version of the limb which was predesigned into the Crysalis. Each of the Crysalis must be synthesized to create the exact measurements needed. The chants of the priest then force the bond created to become permanent.
Most diseases are treated the same way. Once it is identified, the patient must drink a mixture created and mixed with roots and herbs created specifically for that disease. The Patient must then sit in the presence of the priest's incense as they circle the patient and chant an incantation which speeds up and intensifies. and strengthens the mixture, for about an hour. This works better than just drinking a similar but stronger mixture due to the incantation. The initial mixture is always much weaker than it normally would be to fight off said disease as if it is strengthened too much it could completely overwhelm the patient's body, killing them. The intensification of a weak mixture makes the concoction powerful enough to eradicate the disease within an hour, but not powerful enough to kill the patient. Details obviously vary per mixture and disease, and often the patient is left feeling drained and weak after the operation, but they won't be fighting the disease anymore, just recuperating.
When dealing with Lati Corruption, the priest takes the major role rather than the medic. The priest has a series of incantations tailored for the patient, as well as incense, all tested beforehand. During the operation itself, the priest must circle the patient while chanting and wafting their incense from a blessed thurible for an entire day cycle on Otanli, 27 hours, starting at midnight and ending at midnight the next day. The medic's role is less as a doctor and more as a guard, as dark manifestations are known to spring from the patient and attack the priest. They are usually harmless, but the procedures work best if they are killed or captured and removed from the area. At the end of the cycle, the patient will have the progression fo their Inkallu Corruption slowed drastically, usually for anywhere from a year to a decade, depending on how closely the chants and incense were tailored.
When in an emergency situation, or on an operation where the patient is close to death to will be brought there, they must be stabilized. This is done with a combination of the priest and the medic both using their abilities as Lati to lift out the Kali Energy of the patient and bind it above and away from the patient's body, a spectral ball kept close by but separated except for a small string connecting to the patient, to keep them alive. This slows down their vital functions, keeping them slow but stable, as the minimal amount fo Kali Energy connected to their body forces it into a semi-shutdown. This can be done in an emergency by one of them alone and quickly, but it works best when in the presence of a priest's incense.
Founding Date
867 TBP
Type
Geopolitical, Great house
Capital
Alternative Names
House of the Golden Serpent; Healers; Gold Viper;
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Golden; (a) Healer; Vipers;
Leader
Leader Title
Family Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Kratocracy
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
See Laran. Despite their cultural independance and political autonomy, the Gold Viper remains attached and an integrated part of Laran.
Major Imports
While the Gold Viper does have trade agreements with many houses that go beyond the usual doctors and medics, most of their imports come from the trade of specialists out to others. Usually, the trade is raw resources or money, but often enough a specialist will be imported to fill in a gap that the Serpent of Coin has.
One longstanding treaty between the House of Yolilitzcoatl and the House of Zamain was where near a thousand medics were lent out in return for an entire legion, on the caveat that it couldn't be used in internal wars. That treaty still stands, though the legions are rotated every decade.
One longstanding treaty between the House of Yolilitzcoatl and the House of Zamain was where near a thousand medics were lent out in return for an entire legion, on the caveat that it couldn't be used in internal wars. That treaty still stands, though the legions are rotated every decade.
Legislative Body
The Hosue of the Golden Serpent usually adheres to Larani law, though the head of the house has the right to make changes that don't deviate too massively. They are often immediately reverted by their successor so none are worth mentioning, aside from the law the obligates any member of the house to hunt down any defectors. This one ahs never been reverted, as it is essential to retaining the Viper's monopoly on advanced medical practices.
Judicial Body
The current head of Yolilitzcoatl and their powerbase get to judge anything within the house with absolute authority, but they usually take the rest of Laran's stance to these. If Lati have grievances with one another, they can kill each other. It's only their duty to step in and bring the conflict to a court setting if house resources are at risk, though the leeway for this is much looser than the rest of Laran. When it comes to individual citizens, namely Lerin, that situation depends on their ruling Lati's court rules.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Deities
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
State Religion
Internal Faction
Laran, and specifically the Laka Council aren't always happy with the amount of autonomy the Gold Viper has, but they value them as an essential service.
Scientific Pact
Xulias and Yolilitzcoatl work closely together in regards to all scientific advancements but for the Gold Vipers Medical Practices, leading to a close relationship.
Military Alliance
While the Gold Viper is on good terms with all but one faction in Laran, the House of Zamain is one of the few worth pointing out as being especially close, due to the entire legion they have donated for the past few centuries.
Religions Within State
The Gold Viper doesn't have any opinion on the Cult of Zamain, but the Siobkun does like them, as they worship their Saviour.
Religious Differences
While the two don't have any official interaction, Yolilitzcoatl is one of the few houses to explicitly not worship the Impirator, something the Imperial Cult really doesn't like. They consider the Gold Viper to be another branch of the heretics known as the Senpadida Siobkun.
Open Borders
Neither particularly care for one another, but there are no hostilities due to the Gold Viper allowing the Devoted free operation, and the Devoted assisting the Cloaked Serpent in some Intelligence operations.
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