Yuan-ti Anathema (/juˈɑːn-tiː əˈnæθɪmə/)
The Thing That Should Not Be
The creature looks like a multi-headed snake with two arms. The creature has six giant snake heads that converge into a pair of broad shoulders with two muscular humanoid arms, and a torso flowing down into a serpent's long tail. The fingers on the creature's hand have monstrously long claws.
Yuan-ti malisons who become priestly devotees of a particular god-be it Sseth, Dendar the Night Serpent, or Merrshaulk-often rise through the ranks to become spiritual leaders among the serpent folk. These priests perform sacrificial rites to appease their vile gods.
Yuan-ti Anathema. A yuan-ti abomination's quest for godhood might lead it to perform a ritual that, if successful, transforms it into an even greater form: a yuan-ti anathema. This ritual demands the sacrifice of hundreds of snakes and requires the abomination to bathe in the blood of its enemies. The transformation is quick yet painful.
Not all yuan-ti are eager to see one of their own become an anathema, since anathemas brutally subjugate their lessers for their own evil ends.
Not Quite Divine. An anathema considers itself a demigod on the path to greater divinity. It demands obeisance from weaker yuan-ti and uses every resource at its disposal to launch small-scale wars against its neighbors. Each conquest brings new slaves and sacrifices, as well as glory and riches, that the anathema thinks it needs to achieve true divinity.
An anathema's most loyal yuan-ti followers see it as the pinnacle of the serpentine form, an unbelievable improvement on the nearly perfect abomination. Its devoted human followers think of it as "divine flesh in a mortal body," and cultists serving an anathema tend to be more bloodthirsty and self-sacrificing in its presence.
Immortal. Anathemas don't age, allowing them to pursue their goals until the end of days. Truly powerful ones can grow to rule multiple yuan-ti cities and bring entire regions, including humanoid realms, under yuan-ti control.
The Mighty Menagerie fought one in a strange tower (prison) in Toril.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Yuan-ti anathemas were the result of a ritual that transformed a yuan-ti abomination into a larger, more powerful and more aggressive creature.
Description
Anathemas were immortal and considerably larger than abominations, with claw-like hands and six snake heads.Ecology and Habitats
Ecology
The ritual that transformed an abomination into an anathema was cruel and painful, involving the sacrifice of hundreds of snakes and requiring the abomination to bathe in the blood of its enemies. Some yuan-ti disliked the idea of creating a new anathema because they were far more aggressive and brutal leaders than abominations. By means of grafting, anathemas were able to attach or replace body parts, transforming both humanoids and monstrous humanoids into creatures resembling yuan-ti. This complicated process was extremely painful for the victim and was demanding on the anathema. Each modification took up to an hour and required the full concentration and focus of the anathema for the graft to be successful. Common grafts included adding or replacing a victim's legs with a reptilian tail, replacing a victim's teeth with poisonous fangs, replacing a victim's arm with a prehensile appendage that ended in a snakes head or replacing a victim's skin with scales. After a graft, the anathema was exhausted and required rest. The anathema was vulnerable while in this state as they were unable to defend themselves physically, use any spells or innate abilities or engage in any task that was mentally or physically demanding. Anathemas created the special potion that transformed humanoids into broodguards and tainted ones.Behaviour
Combat
Anathemas avoided melee combat when possible, preferring to leave such matters to their yuan-ti followers. While their minions attacked an enemy, anathemas remained a safe distance behind but close enough to attack with their magical and psionic abilities. If they were forced into one-on-one combat, in addition to using their powerful abilities, they grabbed onto an opponent and constricted them, crushing the life from them. They also attacked using their fangs, delivering a powerful poison.Additional Information
Social Structure
Society
Anathemas were incredibly rare and held a unique position in the usual yuan-ti caste system. Anathemas did not live among other yuan-ti, as their presence within a yuan-ti city was so powerful it lead to societal and structural collapse. As a result, they lived alone outside yuan-ti settlements. As anathemas were usually considered divine beings of Sseth, other yuan-ti organized cults around a anathema. Sometimes an anathema thought of itself as the living avatar of an elder god or even a new god entirely. Anathemas were considered by their followers to be the pinnacle of the yuan-ti race.Uses, Products & Exploitation
Harvesting
Instructions
Instructions: The creature looks like a multi-headed snake with two arms. The creature has six giant snake heads that converge into a pair of broad shoulders with two muscular humanoid arms, and a torso flowing down into a serpent's long tail. The fingers on the creature's hand have monstrously long claws.
| DC | Item | Description | Value | Weight | Expiration | Crafting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Yuan-ti Blood (7 vials) | Yuan-ti's were originally created through foul sorcery and ritualist sacrifice, and that dark magic runs thick in their blood. The blood is used by spellcasters specializing in transmutation and alchemists creating polymorph potions. | 2 gp | 1 lb. | 7 Days | Potion of Poison Immunity (HHH2) |
| 15 | Yuan-ti Venom (3 vials) | The vemon of yuan-ti are all the same, but some are able to inject more of their poison than others, causing more damage. When the poison is extracted, it quickly loses its potency, but can be refined to last longer. Refining the Poison: Once the venom is extracted, an alchemist (or someone proficient in the poisoner's kit) can spend 1 day and 100gp worth of material to create Yuan-ti Poison (DC 14 Poisoner Kit or Alchemist Supplies check). Yuan-ti Poison (Injury): A creature can use an action to coat 1 melee weapon, or 3 pieces of ammunition with this poison. The poison lasts for 1 minute, or until the poison successfully affects a target. A creature successfully hit must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. This poison usually sells for 200gp, but the poison is often considered an illicit good (and may not be sold to normal vendors). | 50 gp | 1 lb. | 14 Days | - |
| 20 | Yuan-ti Anathema Heart | An anathema's heart beats with a dark arcane energy, and is the source of its ophidiophobia aura. The heart is a red bulbous mass of flesh and veins, surging with invisible arcane energy. Sorcerers, transmutation specialist, and artificers have an interest in this creature's organ. | 750 gp | 6 lb. | 2 Days | Anathema Device (HHH2) |
| 25 | Anathema Spine | The long spine of an anathema is made of hundreds of vertebrae. Each vertebrae contains trace amounts of arcane power, making the entire spine a valuable commodity among spellcasters. | 2500 gp | 45 lb. | ∞ | Staff of Split Control (HHH2) |
This kind of creature may have quite some coins on their person This kind of creature may have a decent-sized hoard nearby.
This creature produces 2-12 pieces of Harvested Meat, weight of 4 lb each. DC: 5, Expire: 1 day, Value: 2 sp each. The meat of many monsters is considered vile and distasteful. Monstrosities and aberrations, in particular, may have tainted blood or rancid tasting meat. Dungeon Master's discretion.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Abilities
Anathemas had the innate ability to duplicate the effects of animal trance, cause fear, deeper darkness, entangle, haste, neutralize poison, suggestion, polymorph other and unholy blight spells three time a day; blasphemy and unholy aura once per day. Anathemas were able to change their form into a viper of various sizes. They also had the ability to camouflage themselves and anything they carried to blend in with their surroundings. During melee combat, while holding onto an enemy, anathemas could excrete a powerful acid from their skin. Anathemas were able to cause fear of snakes to any creature within 30 ft (9.1 m). They had an excellent sense of smell and due to their six heads, were able to see in multiple directions at once. This made it nearly impossible to sneak up on an anathema without magical or psionic aid. Anathemas were able to regenerate any damage inflicted by a weapon.Civilization and Culture
Historical Figures
Notable yuan-ti anathemas
Phelriss: an anathema who lived around the upper parts of the Nagaflow and was venerated as a god by a cult of dark and spirit nagas.Sources
Source(s):
- Mike Mearls, et al. (November 2016). Volo's Guide to Monsters. Edited by Jeremy Crawford, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 95, 202. ISBN 978-0786966011.
- Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 271. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, Matthew Sernett, Chris Thomasson, and James Wyatt (April 2003). Fiend Folio. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 193. ISBN 0-7869-2780-1.
- Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, Matthew Sernett, Chris Thomasson, and James Wyatt (April 2003). Fiend Folio. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 194. ISBN 0-7869-2780-1.
- Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 119. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
- Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
- Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, Matthew Sernett, Chris Thomasson, and James Wyatt (April 2003). Fiend Folio. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 215. ISBN 0-7869-2780-1.
- Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 133. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Animalia, Monstra, Bestial/Humanoid, Scaled One (Yuan-ti, Anathema)
Origin/Ancestry
Monstrosity (Beast/Humanoid Scaled | Yuan-ti, Anathema)
Lifespan
Immortal
Conservation Status
There is no protection for such creatures, and are often hunted when discovered.
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
5E Statistics
Yuan-ti Anathema
| Size | Huge |
| Type | Monstrosity |
| Tag(s) | Shapechanger, Yuan-ti |
| Alignment | Neutral Evil |
| Challenge Rating | 12 |
General Information
| Vision | Blindsight, Darkvision |
| Language(s) | Abyssal, Common, Draconic |
| Favored climate | Tropical |
| Favored terrain | Forests, Underground |
Appearance
| Average length | 25' |
| Eye color(s) | Yellow |
History
| First appearance | Fiend Folio, 3rd Ed. |
Session Reports
See Also: Yuan-ti_anathema on Forgotten Realms Wiki