Marble Snake

This snake has whitish-gray scales, translucent in places where its underlying veins can be seen. The snake's head is long and has a large lion-like mane of golden fur. Two long sharp fangs protrude from its mouth. Its multi-faceted eyes are red.

Marble Snake (CR 2)

Large Magical Beast
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +1
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision; Perception +11

Speed: 20 feet, Climb 20 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 12, touch 10, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +2 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 25 (3d10+9 plus 3)
Saving Throws: Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1

Offense

Melee: bite +6 (1d6+6)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: whistle

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
18 (+4)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	2 (-4)	10 (+0)	11 (+0)

Base Attack Bonus: +3
CMB +8
CMD 19 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Toughness, Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills: Acrobatics +13, Climb +20, Perception +11, Stealth +5

• Racial Modifiers: +8 Acrobatics, +8 Climb, +4 Perception, +4 Stealth

Languages:

Special Abilities

Whistle (Su)

A marble snake can whistle, gaining the attention of any creature within 50 feet that hears it. All creatures (other than marble snakes) with the area must succeed on a DC 11 Will save or become entranced. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same marble snake's whistle for one day. The save DC is Charisma-based. An entranced victim walks toward the marble snake, taking the most direct route available. If the path leads into a dangerous area, that creature gets a second saving throw. The effect continues for as long as the marble snake whistles and for 1 round thereafter. An entranced victim is effectively dazed (cannot attack, but can defend). If an entranced opponent is attacked, the effect is immediately broken. A bard's countersong ability allows the entranced creature to attempt a new Will save.

Ecology

Environment: Any Land
Organization: solitary or pack (2-4)
Treasure: standard


The marble snake, unlike normal snakes, adapts very well to its environment, hence it can be found just about anywhere, though underground encounters are rare. The marble snake prefers sunlight and warmth to the cold and darkness of dungeons and caverns and most often makes its lair in high, sunny altitudes. Typically an encounter is with a single marble snake. In instances where more than one is encountered, they will a mated pair and young. A female marble snake is usually only encountered during mating season (when she lays 1d10 eggs). Marble snake eggs are milky-white with gray-brown flecks. An egg can fetch up to 5 gp on the open market.

A typical marble snake is 10 feet long and can grow to a length of 20 feet. Marble snakes are generally non-aggressive creatures, though if cornered, threatened, or hungry, they attack on sight. A marble snake opens combat with its whistling and attacks relentlessly those that fall under its sway.

Credit The Marble Snake originally appeared in the First Edition module B3 Palace of the Silver Princess (© TSR/Wizards of the Coast, 1981) and is used by permission. Copyright Notice Authors Scott Greene and Erica Balsley, based on original material by Jean Wells.