Yuan-Ti

The Ancient Race of Snake-Men

The Yuan-Ti were once the most dominant race on the planet. Overthrown thousands of years ago by the Elves, the Yuan-Ti withdrew to their secret bastions, both in the wild places on the surface and below the earth in the Underdark. They wait there, in their temples and towers, for the day that they will be able to take control of "their" world again.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Yuan-Ti are vastly varied in appearance. The Purebloods appear to be regular, albeit thin, humans, with strangely colored skin and a scaly texture, with yellow, snake-like eyes. Malisons are a sort of half-breed between the purebloods and the abominations, with some humanoid features and a wide variety of snake-like appendages and features. Abominations, the most "common" Yuan-Ti and the top caste and leaders of Yuan-Ti society, are almost wholly snake-like, with snake-shaped heads and serpentine bodies. The only thing that separates these giant snake-men from simple snakes are their two (or more) arms, cunning intelligence, and magical prowess.

Genetics and Reproduction

Yuan-Ti Purebloods can reproduce like other humanoids, but Malisons and Abominations reproduce like traditional snakes: they lay eggs, and a male fertilizes them.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

12 INT

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

The Cult of Yig, Father of Serpents

Average Technological Level

Steampunk Renaissance.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Yuan-Ti, Common, Abyssal, Infernal, Deep Speech

Common Taboos

Most Yuan-Ti are utterly evil, and have no real qualms about anything other races find taboo.

Historical Figures

King Hsss, Sserpentor the Conqueror,

Common Myths and Legends

See Myths and Legends.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

All other sentient races besides (possibly) the Deep Ones, Illithids, and Sahuagin universally despise the Yuan-Ti. The only exception to this are the snake-cults of Stygia, who revere the snake-men. Most countries execute a Yuan-Ti on sight, or when found as a pureblood spy.

Scientific Name

Homo ophiophagus hannah

Lifespan

500 years

Average Height

Purebloods: 5' 5" to 6' 3". Malisons: 5' 8" to 6' 8". Abominations: 7' to 8'.

Average Weight

Purebloods: 80 to 180 lbs. Malisons: 120 to 250 lbs. Abominations: 200 to 400 lbs.

Average Length

Abominations: 8' to 12' long

Average Physique

10 STR, 12 DEX, 10 CON

Yuan-Ti purebloods can be played as player characters. As such, they have a +1 level adjustment (when starting a game at levels 1-5), and the following statistics:
Medium Monstrous Humanoid
+2 INT, +2 WIS, +2 DEX, -2 STR
Darkvision 60ft
+1 natural armor bonus
Languages: Common and Yuan-Ti. In addition, Yuan-Ti can learn any non-secret languages as bonus languages with a high INT score.
Spell Resistance: A Yuan-Ti Pureblood has spell resistance equal to 6 + their character level
Poison Resistance: A Yuan-Ti Pureblood has a bonus to saves vs. poisons equal to their HD.
Scent: Can use the Scent ability
Spell-like Abilities: At-Will--Detect Poison. 1/Day--Charm Person, Cause Fear, Darkness.