Snakefolk Broodguard
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 will focus on the lowest of the snakefolk, half-breed monstrosities that are considered vile even by their own standards: broodguards.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Broodguards have peculiar anatomies among their kin. Rather than resemble any kind of serpent, broodguards have hunched forms with long limbs and leathery scales. This makes them about as far removed from the Yuan-Ti "ideal" as possible for one of their kind.
Genetics and Reproduction
Rather than be born as with other creatures, broodguards are created through a ritual known by malison taskmasters. When a slave or lower pureblood acts in a manner deserving of great punishment, they are chained within the central ziggurat and fed a toxic concoction of rare herbs, venom, and blood. Over the course of several days, the creature slowly (and painfully) metamorphoses into a broodguard, resulting in their minds being numbed and their loyalties sworn to their captors.
Growth Rate & Stages
Once fully formed, broodguards do not grow or change in any large way for the remainder of their lives.
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.
Broodguards are part of the Servant Caste, one made up of them and slaves. While they are considered higher than slaves, they are still lower than even the lowest pureblood. This, combined with their weak wits, usually sees broodguards in very limited duties. They may find use as body-guards or simple laborers, but they are most commonly found guarding the "broods" of eggs lain by malisons, leading to their name.
Facial characteristics
With heavy brows and prominent lower jaws, broodguards are rarely considered handsome creatures. They can vary from brood to brood, but forked tongues and lower fangs are common throughout.
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
Unlike their educated kin, broodguards are simple-minded and slow. Most speak scarcely, and rarely do they understand complex or layered orders.
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. Broodguards lack the faculties to utilize any form of magic, making them the most "mundane" of their kin.
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. Broodguards, however, rarely have complex names, if at all. Most forget their original names upon metamorphosing, and rarely are they given names by their superiors.
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. This is true for broodguards for one primary reason: their transformations render them a sterile, genderless creature that cannot create progeny of any kind.
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. Broodguards are never taught to write though, so they are limited to basic communication with their taskmasters and those they occasionally guard.
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 Servus
Lifespan
20 - 50 years
Average Height
5'0 - 5'8
Average Weight
120 - 150 lbs
Average Physique
Broodguards are lithe and muscled, making them well suited for physical labor and strength-based activities. This, combined with their long limbs, allow them to creep about with cat-like ease.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The scales of their bodies usually match the scheme of their greater kin, though the broodguards are usually muddier and less bright.
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