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620_96566_SerpentKingdom3.indd 1 5/11/04, 11:57:14 AM Sample file TABLE OF CONTENTS

Slavery ...... 57 The Insidious Plot ...... 137 The Scaled Races...... 58 Slithering into a New Area...... 137 Contents Dwellings ...... 58 Into the Open ...... 138 Introduction ...... 4 Sarrukh Characters ...... 58 PCs in the Middle...... 138 Abbreviations ...... 4 Magic of the Sarrukh ...... 59 Avenging Snakes ...... 138 What You Need to Play ...... 4 Deities of the Sarrukh...... 59 Religious Differences ...... 139 The Progenitors ...... 5 Sacrifi ce ...... 59 The Old Trick ...... 139 Scaleless Ones ...... 5 The Fragmentation Orders of the Faith ...... 139 Scaled Ones ...... 5 of the World Serpent ...... 59 Snake Companions...... 139 The Insidious Threat...... 6 Relations with Other Races ...... 60 Familiars ...... 140 The Ideal ...... 6 Sarrukh Equipment...... 60 Secret Organizations ...... 140 Covert Control ...... 6 Sarrukh Encounters ...... 60 Major Yuan-ti NPCs ...... 140 Pil’it’ith...... 60 Zstulkk Ssarmn...... 142 Chapter 1: Yuan-Ti ...... 8 Nhyris D’Hothek ...... 143 Overview ...... 8 Chapter 6: Monsters ...... 62 Description ...... 8 Amphisbaena...... 62 Chapter 9: Feats...... 144 Purebloods ...... 8 Deathcoils ...... 63 Feat Descriptions ...... 144 Halfbloods ...... 8 Dinosaur ...... 64 Abominations ...... 8 Ceratosaur ...... 64 Chapter 10: Equipment ...... 148 Anathemas ...... 9 Pteranadon ...... 65 Armor ...... 148 Other Yuan-ti Subraces ...... 9 Stegosaurus...... 66 Weapons...... 149 Racial History...... 9 Jaculi...... 66 Special Substances ...... 149 Outlook ...... 9 Lizard King/Queen ...... 68 Poisons ...... 149 Yuan-ti Society ...... 10 Lycanthrope, Wereserpent ...... 69 Lizardfolk Poisons ...... 149 Yuan-ti Characters ...... 17 Mlarraun...... 70 Yuan-ti Poisons ...... 149 Purebloods ...... 17 Muckdweller ...... 71 Osssra ...... 149 Tainted Ones and Broodguards ...... 17 Naga ...... 72 Magic Items ...... 151 Magic of the Yuan-ti...... 18 Banelar Naga...... 72 Weapons ...... 152 Deities of the Yuan-ti ...... 18 Bone Naga ...... 73 Rings ...... 153 Sseth, the Slitherer Supreme ...... 19 Sample Bone Naga ...... 74 Wondrous Items ...... 153 Relations with Other Races ...... 20 Faerûnian Ha-naga...... 75 Major Artifact Descriptions...... 153 Yuan-ti Equipment ...... 21 Iridescent Naga ...... 76 Yuan-ti Grafts...... 154 Yuan-ti Encounters ...... 21 Nagahydra ...... 77 Acquiring a Yuan-ti Graft...... 154 Ready-to-Use Villains and Allies...... 21 Nifern...... 79 Chapter 11: Spells ...... 155 Sarrukh (Progenitor Race) ...... 80 Chapter 2: Nagas...... 24 Serpentfl esh Golem ...... 81 Chapter 12: Prestige Classes ...... 159 Overview ...... 24 Snakes...... 83 Ancient Master ...... 159 Description ...... 24 Dung Snake ...... 83 Coiled Cabalist ...... 161 Racial History...... 25 Glacier Snake ...... 84 Fang of Sseth ...... 162 Outlook ...... 26 Reed Snake ...... 84 Master of Vipers ...... 163 Naga Society...... 26 Sewerm ...... 85 Naga ...... 165 Naga Characters...... 26 Tree Python ...... 86 Serpent Slayer...... 166 Magic of the Nagas...... 27 WhipsnakeSample ...... file ...... 87 Naga Deities ...... 27 Chapter 13: Adventures ...... 168 Tren ...... 87 Other Deities Venerated by Nagas...... 28 Black Viper Altar...... 168 Yuan-ti Holy Guardian ...... 88 Relations with Other Races ...... 28 Adderposts...... 171 Yuan-ti Mageslayer ...... 90 Naga Equipment ...... 28 Sarrukh Ruin ...... 177 Naga Encounters ...... 28 Chapter 7: Realms...... 92 The Defi led Temple Ready-to-Use Villains and Allies...... 28 Hlondeth (City of Serpents)...... 92 of the World Serpent ...... 181 Isstosseffi fi l (Land of the Lost Sea) . . . . . 95 Chapter 3: Lizards ...... 32 Appendix ...... 186 Lapaliiya ...... 98 Asabis ...... 32 Historical Eras of Faerûn ...... 186 Najara...... 104 Firenewts ...... 35 Deities of the Scaled Ones ...... 187 Okoth ...... 113 Khaastas...... 38 Samarach...... 116 Lizard Kings...... 41 Serpentes ...... 118 Tables Troglodytes and Trens...... 44 Surkh ...... 122 Table 9–1: New Feats ...... 145 Lizard Race Encounters...... 47 Tashalar, The ...... 124 Table 10–1: Armor ...... 148 Chapter 4: Hidden Folk ...... 49 Thindol ...... 128 Table 10–2: Exotic Weapons ...... 149 Ophidians...... 49 Other Holdings...... 132 Table 10–3: Special Substances ...... 149 Pterafolk ...... 50 Chultengar, The ...... 132 Table 10–4: Poisons...... 150 Ilimar ...... 132 Table 12–1: The Ancient Master ...... 160 Chapter 5: Sarrukh ...... 54 Kethid ...... 132 Table 12–2: The Coiled Cabalist ...... 161 Overview ...... 54 Lhesper...... 132 Table 12–3: The Fang of Sseth...... 163 Description ...... 54 Nagalands, The ...... 133 Table 12–4: The Master of Vipers. . . . . 164 Racial History...... 54 Peaks of Flame ...... 133 Table 12-5: The Naga Overlord...... 165 Outlook...... 56 Slitherswamp, The ...... 133 Table 12–5: The Serpent Slayer ...... 167 Sarrukh Society ...... 57 Skullport...... 134 Deities of the Scaled Ones ...... 188 Relationships ...... 57 Deities of the Scaled Ones (Continued) . 189 Life Cycle...... 57 Chapter 8: Yuan-ti Campaign ...... 136 Racial Traits Table 1 ...... 190 Organization ...... 57 DMing to a Storyline ...... 136 Racial Traits Table 2 ...... 191

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620_96566_SerpentKingdom3.indd 3 5/11/04, 11:57:26 AM fl avors, they usually reply to direct questions with cryptic re- marks such as, “Crawling evils never sleep.” focuses primarily on the mysterious, scaled creator race known as the sarrukh—and the three major races its members bred and modifi ed into their present forms from more primitive ancestors: lizardfolk, nagas, and yuan-ti. Various other monsters and races native to Toril, including the hroughout recorded history, the humans of asabi, ophidians, pterafolk, tren, and troglodytes, are also exam- TFaerûn have feared the Scaled Ones—those ined in some detail. sentient snake and lizard races whose cultures, magic, weapons, cities, and visible accomplishments rival those of humanoids. Fireside terror tales tell of slithering death, Abbreviations unblinking eyes, and fangs in the night, and a few even hint To facilitate the use of the many and D&D at the serpentfolks’ fell plans to enslave all other races and books, Serpent Kingdoms references the races, feats, and other breed them like cattle. Some people scoff at such “darkshadow design elements introduced in those books. Each reference is talk,” but the wisest sages warn that these fears have a solid indicated by an abbreviation. foundation. Some few even claim that it’s too late toSample be afraid file because undercover enslavement already exists in many of FF— Faerûn’s proudest cities. For—FORGOTTEN REALMS Merchants in Waterdeep and the Silver Marches readily Mon—Monsters of Faerûn trade rumors of nagas and snake-headed humans who rule MM— southern cities, and of jungles “down there” aswarm with many- MM2—Monster Manual II headed snakes as long as barges. But in Calimshan, the Vilhon PG—Player’s Guide to Faerûn Reach, and more southerly lands, talk of the Scaled Ones is far Rac—Races of Faerûn more guarded. All across Faerûn, those who live closer to the Sav— fabled reptilian cultures tend to be far more reticent to speak of SK—Serpent Kingdoms them aloud than those who live farther away. Und— Although farmers and stay-at-home crafters in most of Una—Unapproachable East Faerûn’s human-dominated realms know nothing of the Scaled Ones beyond the tales told in taverns, many far-traveled folk are convinced that malevolent serpent beings are at work behind the What You Need to Play scenes—they’re just not quite sure where or how. Even traders To use this sourcebook, you need the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® who frequent the southerly lands are loath to speak directly of Player’s Handbook, ’s Guide, and Monster Manual, such creatures lest they draw undue attention to themselves. plus Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn, and the FORGOT- Though merchants are quick to warn inexperienced servants TEN REALMS® Campaign Setting. Many references are also made in and traveling companions about odd-smelling smoke (especially these pages to Races of Faerûn, Player’s Guide to Faerûn, Magic of if it has a green or purple hue), strange piping sounds arising Faerûn, Monster Manual II, Expanded , Book from cellars and sewers, and wines or sweets tainted with exotic of Vile Darkness, Savage Species, and Fiend Folio.

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superior intellect and tactical sense, they forged the land empires The Progenitors known as Isstosseffi fi l, Mhairshaulk, and Okoth—vast realms Toril has been home to reptilian creatures of both the serpent (leg- wherein they enslaved, bred, and experimented upon other crea- less) and the lizard (limbed) kinds ever since the mists lifted from tures. The sarrukh dwelt in fortresses, kept thousands of slaves, the newly formed continents. Sages believe that before the coming and built a culture the like of which has never been seen since. of dragons, much of Faerûn’s dry land was dominated by creatures Eventually, however, the empires of the sarrukh met the inevi- that some humans called Thunderers—lizards ranging from a few table fate of all empires—they slipped into decadence and were inches in length to the size of the biggest oceangoing ships that ultimately swept away by foes from within and without. humankind has since constructed. Amid this fl ourishing profusion Today, some thirty-six thousand years later, the sarrukh are of reptiles were certain kinds of sentient lizards and snakes that very rare but not quite extinct. The few that are left remain as developed societies, mastered magic, and eventually built empires. aloof from the rest of Toril as their ancestors were at the height In this ancient time, the lizard people known as the sarrukh of their power. In fact, most beings in modern-day Faerûn have rose to become the dominant race of Faerûn. Through their never even heard of them.

Scaled Ones and Scaleless Ones Serpent Kingdoms uses several terms to denote various kinds SERPENT CONSTRUCTS of scaled and nonscaled creatures. For the purpose of this The term serpent constructs includes all of the following crea- book, these terms are as defi ned below. Dragons, though they tures from the books published for the D&D game. are powerful reptiles, are not considered Scaled Ones. Bronze serpentMM2, iron cobraFF, necrophidiusFF, serpent- fl esh golemSK. Scaleless Ones SERPENTS The term “Scaleless Ones” includes all humanoids and monstrous The term serpents includes all of the following creatures from humanoids that do not fall into the Scaled Ones category. the books published for the D&D game. AmphisbaenaSK, constrictor snakeMM, deathcoilsSK, death- Scaled Ones fangRac, dire snakeMM2, dung snakeSK, fl ame snakeFF, fl ying snakeRac, giant constrictor snakeMM, glacier snakeSK, Ice ser- This encompasses all creatures in the following subcategories. pentMon, jaculiSK, legendary snakeMM2, mlarraunSK, reed snakeSK, sewermSK, shadow aspFF, tree pythonSK, two-headed adderFor, SCALYKIND viperMM, whipsnakeSK, winged viperFor. The term scalykind includes all creatures with theSample reptilian file subtype, as well as the following creatures from the books SERPENTFOLK published for the D&D game. In addition to creatures with the Snake Blood feat (see Feats in AsabiMon, braxatMM2, dragonkinMon, fi renewtMon, frost salaman- FORGOTTEN REALMS Campaign Setting) or a yuan-ti graft, the derMM2, khaastaFF, koboldMM, lizard king/queenSK, lizardfolkMM, term serpentfolk includes all of the following creatures from pterafolkMon, sarkrithFF, stingtailMon, trenSK, troglodyteMM. the books published for the D&D game. Rangers in the FORGOTTEN REALMS Campaign Setting may average salamanderMM, banelar nagaSK, banelarMon, bone select scalykind instead of a creature type or organization as naga templateSK, bone nagaMM2, couatlMM, dark nagaMM, a favored enemy. Faerûnian ha-nagaSK, fl amebrother salamanderMM, guardian nagaMM, iridescent nagaSK, marilithMM, nagahydraSK, noble LIZARDS salamanderMM, ophidianFF, sarrukhSK, spirit nagaMM, ti-khana The term lizards includes all of the following creatures from templateFF, wereserpentSK, yuan-ti abominationMM, yuan-ti the books published for the D&D game. The category includes anathemaFF, yuan-ti broodguard templateMon, yuan-ti brood- all dinosaurs and hydras. guard templateSav, yuan-ti halfbloodMM, yuan-ti holy guardianSK, AllosaurusMM2, ankylosaurusMM2, basiliskMM, ceratosaurSK, yuan-ti mageslayerSK, yuan-ti purebloodMM, yuan-ti tainted one crocodileMM, cryptoclidusMM2, deinonychusMM, elasmosau- templateMon, yuan-ti tainted one templateSav. rusMM, giant crocodileMM, giant lizardMM, hydraMM, lizardMM, Rangers in the FORGOTTEN REALMS Campaign Setting may megaraptorMM, nifernSK, pack lizardFor, pteradonSK, quet- select serpentfolk instead of a creature type or organization as zalcoatlusMM2, riding lizardFor, seismosaurusMM2, shocker a favored enemy. lizardMM, spinosaurusMM2, spitting crawlerFor, triceratopsMM, tyrannosaurusMM, yrthakMM.

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The creations of the sarrukh, however, still fl ourish in many makes them an insidious threat to humanoids. To the yuan-ti, parts of Faerûn. The most notable of these are the yuan-ti, the direct or indirect control of other beings is the Sacred Way of nagas, and the lizardfolk, but horrifi c (and thankfully rarer) Sseth—the only proper way to deal with other races; whereas to reptilian monsters with strange shapes and deadly powers have nagas, it is both prudent and the most favored style of behavior. been sighted by intrepid adventurers across the continent. Many The yuan-ti developed a special terminology to indicate the of the nagas and yuan-ti experiment on themselves and other exact status of Scaleless Ones with whom they have contact. creatures just as the sarrukh did on them, in hopes of granting The tsaa olo are potential slaves (usually human, though this themselves and their servitors even greater powers. term can be applied to any Scaleless One—and sometimes even The ever-expanding humanoid infl uence on Faerûn has done to other Scaled Ones, as a term of contempt). The hasssar are little to check the spread of the Scaled Ones, and even those creatures currently being infl uenced or conquered, and the sslin that lack the means and desire for self-improvement persist (and are controlled servitors or slaves. sometimes fl ourish) in remote areas. The Thunderers and other The Scaled Ones’ attempts to gain control over a humanoid ancient, primitive kinds of Scaled Ones were hunted nearly to culture include a high degree of covert activity. Both nagas and extinction by dragons, but a few such creatures still survive in yuan-ti dwell among humans, subtly infl uencing and enslaving remote jungle areas and on offshore islands. them through magic, drugs, and controlled servitor creatures, Though vast empires controlled by Scaled Ones no longer including the altered humans known as tainted ones. Rulers and exist on the surface of Faerûn, sentient serpentfolk and scalykind other powerful individuals, such as mighty wizards, are usually are not the rare perils that humans would like to believe they the fi rst targets in a given culture, since control of such persons are, nor are they confi ned to tombs and ruins. Through spies and makes domination of the rest of the community simpler. direct infl uence, the covert reach of the Scaled Ones extends to Most of the time, these techniques are used so subtly as to surprising places—including the glittering hearts of Faerûn’s be unnoticeable. Indeed, a tired or uninquisitive humanoid visit- wealthiest, busiest cities. ing a settlement controlled by serpent creatures may not notice Illustration by Joel Thomas anything out of the ordinary at all. More alert travelers might experience a feeling of being watched or notice an odd local The Insidious Threat custom—seemingly practiced by everyone—of perfuming the Neither the sarrukh nor their most capable creations are stupid. body with strongly scented oils. Though they view humanoids as weak, stinking, ugly, edible cattle, Merchants who become aware of serpent infl uence either avoid they also recognize that the Scaleless Ones are swift and intelligent, the affected places altogether or try to trade with the local citi- breed rapidly, and can rise to nearly any challenge. Indeed, humans zens for whatever drugs, herbs, and venoms they can obtain. The in particular are perhaps the most adaptable of all the races of serpent creatures controlling the servitor humans may offer the Faerûn, making them dangerous but valuable slave material. desired goods eagerly in order to take control of the merchants or Thus, though most yuan-ti and nagas in Faerûn today view expand their infl uence to areas beyond their direct control. humans and their kin as potential food and slaves, they realizeSample that Neitherfile yuan-ti nor nagas are foolish enough to show their these creatures also constitute their most dangerous foes. Energetic true forms openly in any human settlement they don’t control. and widespread, humanoids are too numerous to be confronted Thus, when dwelling in or visiting humanoid-dominated settle- openly, but too useful and powerful to be allowed to fl ourish freely. ments, most sentient serpent creatures remain hidden—either Indeed, the races spawned by the sarrukh are always seeking to behind walls in countryside compounds that they control as expand their infl uence among humanoids, usually in subtle ways. absolute rulers, or in slither-tunnels built into the walls of settlements. Such passages almost always link up with other tunnels and cellars into a large network of underground routes The Ideal that are diffi cult for humanoids to traverse. Sewers, disused In a perfect serpentfolk-controlled community, humanoids would and expanded burial catacombs, and storage cellars under hu- eagerly serve as slaves, watching for perils that could endanger their manoid cities (particularly in the warmer parts of Faerûn) are serpentine masters and acting swiftly on their own initiative to deal also favored dwelling places for Scaled Ones who are interested with such threats and warn their masters of danger. Furthermore, in humans. the controlled humanoids would willingly offer themselves as sac- The Scaled Ones are patient, ever-present, and ruthless. Their rifi ces to the snake-god Sseth and live only to give pleasure and advance is often very slow and subtle, extending over generations contentment to their masters. In practice, however, Scaled Ones of humans. Often, they seek to change local beliefs and attitudes know quite well that no such “perfect” community can exist because so that service to (and even worship of) yuan-ti or nagas comes by their very nature slaves are weak and imperfect creatures. to be seen as right, proper, and even holy—regardless of which human deities are locally venerated. Wise Scaled Ones never rush to act openly. Rather, they patiently await just the right Covert Control moment to strike. When they do make their moves, they enact The drive to dominate is characteristic of the Scaled Ones’ cul- precisely the best strategy with cold calm to achieve the maxi- tures, and this need, more than any other facet of their society, mum possible effect.

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