Zehir, the Cloaked Serpent

God of Darkness and Poison

Description

Zehir is the evil god of darkness, poison, and assassins. Snakes are his favored creation, and the Yuan-Ti revere him above all other gods, offering sacrifices to him in pits full of writhing serpents. Aside from the Yuan-Ti, assassins, murderers and even some evil herbologists pay homage to him in the hopes of seeking his blessing for their work.
Following his tenets, Zehir asks his followers to operate under the cloak of darkness, where their actions in his name might be concealed. He desires any kills his followers make be made in his name, as sacrifices to the God of Darkness are on of the primary ways of worshipping him. Finally, as the patron of poisons and snakes, he expects his followers to train themselves in the use of these compounds and to familiarise themselves with these creatures., for both will make them more effective in their devotion.

Tenets of The Cloaked Serpent

• Hide under the cloak of night, that your deeds might be kept in secret.
• Kill in Zehir’s name, and offer each murder as a sacrifice.
• Delight in poison, and surround yourself with snakes.

Piety Abilities

Zehir's Devotee

Piety 3+ Zehir trait
You gain the ability to cast Ray of Sickness with this trait. You may cast this spell in this way a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses after you finish a long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Zehir's Votary

Piety 10+ Zehir trait
You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you are immune to disease.

Zehir's Disciple

Piety 25+ Zehir trait
Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you may choose to add one of the following effects:

• The weapon attack deals an additional 3D8 poison damage.
• The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, or be poisoned for 1 minute. The creature can attempt the saving throw again at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
• The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, or for 1 minute, the creature on deals half damage with weapon attacks. The creature can attempt the saving throw again at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

You may add one of these effects a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses after you finish a long rest.

Champion of The Cloaked Serpent

Piety 50+ Zehir trait
You can increase your Dexterity or Intelligence score by 2 and also increase your maximum for that score by 2.

History

The Prime Millenia

As the other Destroyer Gods began to influence the world, Zehir did the same but in a rather unique way. He taught impressionable people a number of rituals involving snakes, poisons and cannibalism which created the first of the Yuan-Ti race. This new race thrived under his protection and became fervent worshippers. While he did not introduce snakes to the world (that was originally done by Melora, The Wildmother), his domain over poison and the Yuani-Ti naturally expanded to encompass them during this time.

The Age of Ascension

To Be Confirmed.

The Post-Aspect Era (The Era of Restoration)

The Aspect Wars brought the worship of Zehir and his follower further into the light than they had ever been in history. With the wars concluded, Zehir was keen for his religion to fade back into darkness and obscurity. In the years that followed The Aspect Wars, followers of Zehir seemed to disappear from existence and his remaining known places of workshop were left abandoned. While many theorised that the cults which worshiped him simply dissolved at the end of the wars, they were in fact purposely scattered for their own protect, under the guidance of The Cloaked Serpent himself. These days, his worshipper do exist, though they purposely spread themselves thin, with the few organised cults taking great care to conceal themselves from the public eye so they can operate effectively.

Worship

Places of Worship

• Temple of the Silent Fang. A hidden temple of The Cloaked Serpent located in Mistcloak Harbour in Caer Carden.
• The Temple Triad of Zehir. The temples of The Cloaked Serpent located in Orkarthel, Suturi and Tilsini-Vhira.

Notable Worshipers

• Blackblade Venom. The acting bishop of the Temple of the Silent Fang in Caer Carden.

Divine Classification

Destroyer God

Alignment

Chaotic Evil

Current Location

The Sea of Poison, Domain of the Cloaked Serpant

Gender

Male (he/him)

Related Historical Events

• 2,841 - 2,941 AA
  The Aspect Wars
• Sometime After Intelligent Life became Established
  The Influence of The Destroyers

Divine Domains
Death, Nature and Trickery