Snakefolk Malison
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 creatures somewhere between the two extremes: individuals who mostly resemble humans, but possess several very inhuman limbs.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Malisons are the most varied of the snakefolk, with the entire caste being sectioned into three categories. The Tlahualli have humanoid torsos and limbs, but a snakes head atop their shoulders. The Tlamati have a humanoid upper body, but have a serpentine tail instead of legs. Finally, the Tlacahi are have human features, but have a pair of snakes instead of normal arms.
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. Most malisons can live well over 100 years before dying of old age.
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. This results in malisons rarely being seen outside their cities, only leaving when they must take personal action within a certain endeavor.
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.
The Malison Caste act as the scholars and priests of snakefolk society. They are tasked with advising the Abominations, keeping historical and religious events, performing rituals and rites, and issuing commands from Abominations to the Purebloods. In addition to this, female Malisons are tasked with birthing the eggs of all snakefolk and teaching the children when they hatch, though the actual raising is left to the purebloods.
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.
Facial characteristics
Tlamati and Tlacahi malisons resemble Harelian humans, with sharp noses and eyes of green, hazel, and orange. While they can grow hair, males are unable to grow facial hair of any kind. Meanwhile, Tlahualli have the facial features of a snake.
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. This is especially true for malisons, as they are tasked with keeping records of their cities and being scholars in general.
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. In addition, malisons will often have titles that denote their role or duty in snakefolk society.
Gender Ideals
Malisons are the only caste in which gender-specific duties or positions can be found. The highest positions of the Tlamati are held only by females, while the highest Tlacahi are all males. Also, female malisons of all kinds are chosen to carry and birth eggs.
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 Medius
Lifespan
100 - 120 years
Average Height
5'6 - 6'1 (Tlahualli and Tlacahi)
Average Weight
150 - 190 lbs (Tlahualli and Tlacahi)
180 - 250 lbs (Tlamati)
Average Length
8'0 - 10'6 tail to head (Tlamati)
Average Physique
Most malisons are fit, as their physiques are meant to embody the strength of both humans and snakes. Regardless of type, malisons are much stronger than the average human.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
A malison's "human" skin is usually tan and coppery, further matching the Harelian humans. In addition, their scaled limbs have saturated colors, perfectly matching the variety of snake the malison is related to.
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