Yuan-ti Empire
Few nations have the dark reputation of the empire of the snake-like yuan-ti. This is well-deserved as this empire is built on the backs of slaves for the benefit of creatures who dine on the flesh of others.
Structure
The yuan-ti have a caste system, much as their kin on other worlds do. This, too is based on the general shape a hatching is born into. That is, however the limit of such similarities, as the caste system determines role, not rank.
Those born with a human-like shape are part of the Spell Caste and are taught magic. Those born with the head of a snake and the body of a human are part of the Steel Caste and trained to fight. Those born almost completely snake-like are part of the Scripture Caste and taught the foul rituals of their religion. A yuan-ti born in any other form is eaten.
All yuan-ti fill the role of mages, warriors, and priests. Any other role necessary for a society to function is carried out by slaves and brood guards. Such people are often cowed with drugs and magic, but fear is also employed heavily to keep order and prevent rebellion.
Status in one's caste is determined by that individual's talent in their field. Each caste is ruled by a primarch who answers directly to Old Father Snake. Ostensibly, the castes are equal in terms of influence, but in practice this is not the case. The Spell Caste has the most influence, followed by Scripture and then Steel.
History
The yuan-ti's history in the Twin Worlds is relatively short. It is recorded in their history that they came from another world, led by Spell Caste members fleeing persecution. Their leader found a way to ascend into a new divine form and became Old Father Snake.
The actual time period that this migration occurred in is somewhat cloudy, however. The yuan-ti didn't use the same calender as the rest of the Twin Worlds, leading to the confusion. It is strongly believed to be after the Third Rising as their historical accounts make no mention of this event.
They encountered humans right away, and in large numbers. These people were enslaved immediately after encountering the snake-folk. According to yuan-ti history, these humans were nothing more than barbaric tribes, but it is sometimes theorized that they had built a civilization that was subsumed by their conquerors.
They built their civilization quickly, despite their harsh surroundings. The first community was their capital of Ssasserass on the northern edge of the continent. they spread southward from there, until they had a sizable empire, stretching all the way to the southern mountains.
The ambitions of the yuan-ti didn't end there. They pushed even futher south, attempting to enslave the whole of Hr'ask'r and beyond. They encountered the ursil city of Rondrak and attacked. Due to the ferocity of their opponents, they were beaten back, but determined, they have continued the war for centuries.
Demography and Population
The only ones counted as true citizens in the empire of the yuan-ti are the snake-folk, themselves. While in theory each caste should have a fairly uniform birth rate, this is not the case. The Steel Caste is by far the most numerous and the Spell Caste is by far the least. It is never openly speculated upon, but dark rumors state that the magic of the Spell Caste is responsible.
The backbone of yuan-ti civilization is the slaves. Human slaves outnumber the yuan-ti by a great deal and many are kept under control through drugs or magic. Those who are not tend to be simple craftsmen or common laborers. Slaves of other races exist, but are rare due to a lack of breeding. An exotic slave is treated as a status symbol.
Territories
The empire of the yuan-ti controls all of the land north of the mountains of Dolrar. This territory is dominated by jungle, just as much of the rest of Hr'ask'r. The difference is the humidity. This leads to the land often slipping into marshland.
Fittingly enough, many reptiles and amphibians thrive in this environment, especially snakes. Other reptilian beasts such as dinosaurs are common as well as such creatures as the dreaded froghemoth. It is said that a species of frog-folk named grungs can be found here, but they are so reclusive that accounts are hard to confirm.
The weather is very stable and tends not to very much season to season. It rains nearly every day, and although these showers are energetic, they rarely last long. In addition to the humidity, this territory tends to be very hot, a trait enjoyed by the local yuan-ti but very few visitors.
Military
The yuan-ti military is manned almost exclusively by the yuan-ti, themselves. The Steel Caste, having the largest numbers and the least specialized skill set makes up the lion's share of this force. The other castes lend their magic to their war effort, but these are generally the least of their caste.
Since especially large numbers of slaves can't be controlled through magical means, it is wildly dangerous for them to be armed en masse. They most commonly serve in small numbers as bodyguards and assassins. In times of desperation, large numbers may be armed and marched in front of the Steel Caste as blade fodder, but this is rare.
Religion
The yuan-ti worship their ruler, Old Father Snake. What this being truly is is unknown to scholars, as he has physical form in the Material Plane but has many of the same powers as a true god, including the granting of divine magic.
The Scripture Caste serves as the priesthood for their religion, frequently offering wealth and prisoners as sacrifices to their dark god-king. They also serve to ensure that Old Father Snake's laws are obeyed, leading to a healthy respect from all yuan-ti.
If a yuan-ti breaks any religious laws, they are brought before Old Father Snake. In a process unknown to all, their snake blood is pulled from them. What is left is a mere human, who is then enslaved as any other human would be. They are most commonly given especially demeaning work as an example to others who would dare to disobey.
Curiously, some slaves also serve as priests and if they perform the proper sacrificial rituals, can even receive spells. These specialized slaves are highly prized for the magic they can bring to bear for their masters. Such individuals are still not seen as anything more than favored pets.
Foreign Relations
The yuan-ti believe that they are destined to rule all "lesser species". They believe this to be all who aren't yuan-ti. To that end, they have been waging non-stop war against the ursil nation of Dolrar in an attempt to enslave the populace and invade the rest of the continent.
The fact that they can't truly invade other nations does not mean that they are safe. The yuan-ti have long sought to destabilize them through more subtle actions. Such nations are often subject to seemingly unrelated criminal activity, never knowing the extent of the threat.
Agriculture & Industry
The yuan-ti live off the labors of others. Everything from blacksmithing, to farming, to assassination, to sex is done by slaves. Most nessessities such as farming and the creation of weapons and armor are done in a few large-scale areas. The owners of the workers often find themselves quite wealthy.
Trade & Transport
The yuan-ti do not engage in open trade with other nations. Some goods are smuggled to and from their territory on a regular basis, however. In particular, a yuan-ti liquor called mind-venom can be found in many establishments across Hr'ask'r.
The intra-empire trade mostly occurs by boat. The Ssvan River runs the length of the empire and has a large number of tributaries branching off from it. This is by far the easiest way to get around as the marshy nature of the terrain makes overland travel difficult.
Education
Yuan-ti eggs are kept and hatched communally. They are forgotten about so thoroughly that bloodlines aren't kept track of at all. As such, young of each caste are raised, trained and educated together. Suitably for their culture, these classes are extremely cutthroat.
The actual quality of education varies by caste, as do their methods. The Spell Caste receive the highest quality education and those who do not meet their impossibly high standards are eaten. The Steel Caste are raised in a very martial manner, but potential troops are rarely wasted. The education of the Scripture Caste is highly secretive.
The education and training of slaves varies wildly based on the duties they are meant to perform. Unskilled laborers and servants are treated as cattle and basically ignored. More specialized slaves like smiths, assassins, or concubines are given extensive training by their fellow slaves before they are allowed to perform their duties.
Founding Date
Early 3rd Age
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Leader
Government System
Theocracy
Economic System
Traditional
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
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