Snakefolk Abomination
Shut away in the muggy jungles that cover southern Ceren and Mahaad, the creatures who call themselves Yuan-Ti have become a constant source of strife and conflict for the "civilized" peoples of Orbith. Indoctrinated to serve an evil deity and corrupt at their very core, few snakefolk are regarded as good people, with even fewer being allowed to publicly accept such praise.
To make matters worse, both "Yuan-Ti" and "snakefolk" are simple catch-all terms for a diverse group of sentient creatures, ranging from simple humanoids to horrific snake-human abominations. This article focuses on the pinnacle of their society, those who have gotten close to the "ideal" form of their god while still being mortals.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Abominations resemble a combination of the Tlamati and Tlahualli malisons: They have a humanoid torso and arms, but have serpent heads and a large serpentine tail in favor of legs. Their entire bodies are covered in thick scales, and even the smallest abomination towers over most other snakefolk.
Genetics and Reproduction
All forms of snakefolk start life as eggs, birthed by specialized malisons and protected within the large temples they call home. Only malisons and abominations are deemed "holy" enough to impregnate the others. Approximately five months after being lain, the eggs will hatch and reveal the form and breed of their inhabitants, which are then separated and raised in a manner befitting their station.
Growth Rate & Stages
Regardless of their form, snakefolk reach maturity by the age of 10, aging at twice the speed of the average human. From this point, snakefolk age differs from caste to caste, with the higher classes having longer, stronger lives in comparison to their weaker kin.
Ecology and Habitats
Snakefolk are most often found in hot climates found in the southern half of Orbith. Their cities are usually hidden away within large jungles or tropical forests, as their cold-blooded biology prefers warm, humid environments.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Snakefolk are carnivorous by nature, and see all creatures not of their kind as potential food. Within their cities, lower-ranking malisons or purebloods are tasked with providing food for the settlements, usually way of trapping and hunting the local fauna.
Biological Cycle
While active all year long, snakefolk are known to shed their skin 2 - 3 times per year. While this is not dictated by the seasons, most snakefolk have one shedding in the month of Primeset, usually as part of a ritual to Saint Anguis.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Snakefolk exist in a caste-based society, with those closer to their vision of perfection occupying higher stations.
Inhabiting the highest caste, abominations are always the leaders of the cities in which they reside. Numbering at most one dozen per city, each abomination has a specific duty or area of command, in which they have absolute control. They only answer to eachother, and even then they each defer to whomever specializes in the current topic.
On rare occasions, an abomination's actions result in some great advance for their people and city. In these times, Saint Anguis and Pestyl bestow the ruling abomination with a mighty boon. This transforms them into an Anathema, an abomination to whom other abominations bow. These demigods are unchallenged in their power, and usually mark a period of greater expansion and hostility from the snakefolk.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Whether they have the means to use it or not, all snakefolk have a specialized poison gland in their throats. When a snakefolk dies, it is customary to remove these glands for use by the remaining population, as the poison is potent and can be kept in a usable state for some time.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
All snakefolk are based in the warmer climates of southern Orbith, with a natural predisposition for the vast jungles of Mahaad and southern Ceren.
Average Intelligence
As part of their culture, all snakefolk are given a relatively fair amount of education. Abominations are given special tutelage by the greatest sages available, resulting in most being incredibly intelligent by human standards.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
All snakefolk are possessed with improved senses, with being able to see in the dark and most having tuned senses of smell and hearing. In regards to magic usage, their magical nature allows snakefolk to use both arcane and divine magic in equal measures.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Snakefolk names are a mixture of Egyptian and Mesoamerican in style. Often, those of the higher castes will have longer names or titles denoting their elevated status. Abominations always have some form of honorific or title, spoken in praise by snakefolk and in fear by the local humans.
Gender Ideals
Beyond certain malison positions being held by specific genders as part of tradition, very little is done to separate genders among snakefolk society.
Courtship Ideals
There is no form of courtship in basic snakefolk society, as there are no marriages and all forms of breeding are treated as sacred practices done only by the upper castes. Relationships occasionally form between members of the same caste, but these are usually hollow imitations of human emotion and connection.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
While they have no language of their own, snakefolk use Abyssal as their preferred tongue, primarily due to their history with the lower planes. However, this dialect is unique in that it is written using a Draconic lexicon, rather than the traditional Infernal. This makes the language almost impossible to read to those who do not understand both.
Historical Figures
The greatest hero of snakefolk society is Saint Anguis, the first Yuan-Ti. Chosen by the goddess Pestyl to embody her ideals of poison and cold perfection, Anguis saw snakes as the ideal form of creature to match his powers. It was he who created and lead the first cults that blended human and serpent flesh, culminating in him "ascending" to the ideal form of Great Serpent. It is this form that all snakefolk desire to embody, though none have managed to replicate the process.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Snakefolk almost never have relationships or breed with other races, as doing so would lower their status as "superior" beings.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Monstrum Anguis Verus
Lifespan
150 - 200 years
Average Weight
250 - 310 lbs
Average Length
12'0 - 15'0
Average Physique
All abominations are easily the strongest of their species. In addition, their large and toned bodies allow them to easily overpower most other creatures.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Being covered in scales, an abominations body can be a variety of colors and patterns. As is common, they usually have a similar design to other snakefolk in their cities. That being said, their fronts and underarms are usually a lighter tone than their outer hide.
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