One of the most dangerous Beasts there is, Delirium Serpents are well-known for being hard to kill. Their
venom also is extremely dangerous as it causes a
delirious state. But what makes them the most infamous is where they resemble the worst of us: Their willingness to hunt its prey slowly and kill more than it needs to for its own nourishment.
Habitat
The Delirium Serpent lives in plains where it can catch plenty of sun. This need for direct sunlight fortunately means it rarely enters forests and has never been found in the rainforest. Having to deal with it there would make it better to simply burn the forest down instead. One of its most famous habitats are the
Claridon Plains, where both
Wayfarers and
Orks have developed ways of dealing with them.
Physical Details
Delirium Serpents are long snake Beasts, with an adult length between 8 and 13 metres. They can reach up to a diametre of half a metre, with a multilayered scaled covering that makes them hard to injure with slashing and piercing weapons. It takes significant strength to slash through their scales, while for piercing tridents and hayforks are advised: The additional prongs allow for more stability and less glancing stabs. It is advised to stab near the head or at the tail, though, to be harder to bite.
Usability
The serpent's venom is used by many at the
Frontier as both a meat tenderizer and recreational drug. Physicians have also discovered that some patients can be treated with powdered venom, which has convinced some countries to allow the venom inside their borders, but only under strict regulation. Its scales are used for making various types of armour, its skull for helmets, its fangs for assassin weaponry. Its meat is good to eat, as long as it's properly tenderized.
Nature
These Beasts will hide in bushes, tall grass, and terrain fissures. This allows them to sneak up on their prey. Wayfarers are trained to be on the lookout for signs. Fortunately they are solitary hunters, which allows for very careful solo hunting in return.
In combat, the serpent will focus on inflicting lengthy wounds on its prey, with venom sprayed inside it. They will fight defensively and withdraw once they feel they are in danger, or have injured their prey enough. Next, they will follow their prey's trail until the prey falls down. If this leads them to a nest, or for example a settlement of people, they will attack as many as they can and kill excessively. This is why all Wayfarers must take great care when returning from a Delirium Serpent habitat, so that they return to a defensible position and not a place where the Beast can slaughter.
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