Ophidiopathy
Ophidiopathy is the permanent supernatural condition of exhibiting serpentine abilities and physical traits. Individuals afflicted with ophidiopathy are often referred to as "serpentfolk" or "yuan-ti," after the ancient Teroan culture that collapsed and went into hiding during the Early Mithril Era. Ophidiopathy is typically passed from parent to offspring, though it can also be contracted through a transmutative ritual.
Originating among a community of human exiles in the deep jungles of Ancient Teroa, the yuan-ti came to formulate a culture and philosophy centered around ophidiopathy as the embodiment of physical and spiritual perfection. This drove them to pursue the veneration of Huxenotihuatli, a serpent goddess and manifestation of the Unspoken Valdra. Through the worship of the Great Old One, these ancient humans learned how to induce ophidiopathy, through the use of ritual cannibalism, human sacrifice, and bathing in snakes and blood.
At one time, yuan-ti were unified under a single political entity and culture and had settlements across Holos ' tropical equatorial zones. However, during the 5th Century of the Mithril Era, their empire experienced a rapid decline before all but vanishing from the historical record. Today, the yuan-ti are often assumed to be a separate race of monstrous folk by most mortals. However, most experts agree that the surviving yuan-ti communities have become fractured and have either developed their own distinct cultures or have integrated into other mortal populations.
The severity of ophidiopathy varies from individual to individual but over time these variations have coalesced into several specific permutations. In yuan-ti societies, these permutations have become codified into a rigid caste structure, with individuals who display more severe ophidian mutations considered closer to the divine and thus greater in social status.
Transmission & Vectors
Hereditary Transmission
The most common means of transmitting ophidiopathy is through sexual reproduction. Ophidiopathy is passed down from parent to child, though symptoms of the condition usually don't manifest until several years after birth. Because variables in the intensity of ophidiopathy can result in multiple permutations, specifics of yuan-ti reproduction vary from caste to caste. Mating between castes always results in offspring of the lower caste parent, which encourages an endogamous culture. Female yuan-ti typically lay clutches of between 2-6 eggs, though reports of live births are not uncommon. Yuan-ti ahueyzatlii are able to reproduce with humans, though insemination between yuan-ti and mortals is rare. The offspring of these unions are always yuan-ti purebloods, though they are often ostracized in yuan-ti society for being born of "weaker stock."Ritual Transmission
The method of ritual transformation from human to yuan-ti remains a closely guarded secret among surviving yuan-ti societies. Yuan-ti very rarely permit outsiders to join their communities, as most regard non-yuan-ti as nothing more than future slaves and sacrifices. Additionally, these rituals are tailored specifically for human anatomy, with non-humans often dying horrific deaths mid-transformation. Typically, these rituals only have the resources to transform an individual into a yuan-ti of the pureblood caste, though transformations resulting in moxazatlii or even sixavatlii have been rumored. Occasionally, a yuan-ti community will perform the ophidiopathy ritual upon an unwilling subject. These rituals need less material and no human sacrifice—though a large amount of reptile blood is required. In these circumstances, the victim of the transformation becomes what is known as a histach or broodguard. Histachii have significantly lower intelligence than other yuan-ti and are created for specific tasks as opposed to for social advancement. Yuan-ti can increase the intensity of their ophidiopathy through a similar ritual. However, the cost and time of performing such rituals are prohibitively expensive for most yuan-ti. As a result, the majority of yuan-ti never undergo the physical and social transformation. Every instance of the ritual must be modified to suit the individual undergoing the ordeal, and requires many rare herbs, exotic magical substances, and one or more humans to be sacrificed and eaten as part of the procedure. The most difficult of these rituals is the Qotoxiyekoatextli or "anathema apotheosis", a painful rite which transforms a yuan-ti of a lower caste into an laxeotikaztl. The specifics of this ritual are a closely guarded secret, though legend says that it requires dozens of human sacrifices as well as the blood of an adult hydra in order to be successful. The ordeal is said to be extraordinarily painful for the subject but those that achieve anathema status to transcend to demi-godhood.Symptoms
Appearance
No two yuan-ti look the same, with substantial variation in physical traits even between family members. While ophidiopathy does not draw from one specific species or group of snakes, most individuals bear a resemblance to a specific species. Scales colors range from highly camouflaged greens and browns to vibrant reds, blues, oranges, and yellows. These colors can also appear in a variety of patterns from solid, to stripes, to dappled or reticulated. Among the higher castes, heads also reflect specific species of snakes, such as hooded cobras, slender pythons, snub-nosed, horned adders, and triangular vipers. Metabolism
Additionally, the process of contracting ophidiopathy appears to change the metabolism of the subject. Pureblood yuan-ti have much the same digestive system as humans, though they have some added gut bacteria which can help aid in processing hair and bone from uncooked or live prey. However, more severe cases of ophidiopathy appear to result in the subject losing their ability to process certain fibers, particularly those found in plants such as grain and root vegetables. This usually forces the subject to adopt the diet of a snake or similar obligate carnivore. Moreover, this change in metabolism impacts how yuan-ti are able to regulate their body temperature. The more severe the ophidiopathy is in a subject, the more they appear to require sources of heat in order to regulate their own internal body temperature. By contrast, purebloods and some malisons with less extreme instances of ophidiopathy can tolerate cooler temperatures, with purebloods actually having a mesothermic metabolic rate. Aptitude for the Arcane
As a side effect of the magical nature of the ophidiopathy transformation, yuan-ti of the malison caste and higher are able to obtain inherent magical abilities. These include the ability to polymorph into large snake as well as entrance mortals with suggestion charms. Many yuan-ti priests take this aptitude for magic further still, allowing them to gain access to dark invocations of demonic or otherworldly powers.
No two yuan-ti look the same, with substantial variation in physical traits even between family members. While ophidiopathy does not draw from one specific species or group of snakes, most individuals bear a resemblance to a specific species. Scales colors range from highly camouflaged greens and browns to vibrant reds, blues, oranges, and yellows. These colors can also appear in a variety of patterns from solid, to stripes, to dappled or reticulated. Among the higher castes, heads also reflect specific species of snakes, such as hooded cobras, slender pythons, snub-nosed, horned adders, and triangular vipers. Metabolism
Additionally, the process of contracting ophidiopathy appears to change the metabolism of the subject. Pureblood yuan-ti have much the same digestive system as humans, though they have some added gut bacteria which can help aid in processing hair and bone from uncooked or live prey. However, more severe cases of ophidiopathy appear to result in the subject losing their ability to process certain fibers, particularly those found in plants such as grain and root vegetables. This usually forces the subject to adopt the diet of a snake or similar obligate carnivore. Moreover, this change in metabolism impacts how yuan-ti are able to regulate their body temperature. The more severe the ophidiopathy is in a subject, the more they appear to require sources of heat in order to regulate their own internal body temperature. By contrast, purebloods and some malisons with less extreme instances of ophidiopathy can tolerate cooler temperatures, with purebloods actually having a mesothermic metabolic rate. Aptitude for the Arcane
As a side effect of the magical nature of the ophidiopathy transformation, yuan-ti of the malison caste and higher are able to obtain inherent magical abilities. These include the ability to polymorph into large snake as well as entrance mortals with suggestion charms. Many yuan-ti priests take this aptitude for magic further still, allowing them to gain access to dark invocations of demonic or otherworldly powers.
Treatment
As it is a supernatural condition enabled through a divine connection to the Old Magic, there is no cure for congenital ophidiopathy. Some have speculated that individuals that undergo a ritual transformation can reverse the curse's physical and spiritual effects through curse removal spells if they are performed shortly after the initial ritual. However, no known documentation of said reversal exists.
Weaker forms of ophidiopathy, such as those of the histachii, are considered more susceptible to curse removal spells. This is likely because they are performed on unwilling victims and thus do not have a sympathetic bond to the subject. However, as with most powerful transmutation magic, the curse must be removed within 24 hours of the initial transformation in order for the spell to be effective. After this period only the fabled wish spell can reverse the ritual's work.
Sequela
Ophidiopathy varies in intensity and severity. These variations have coalesced over time into several specific permutations, with the least extensive being that of the pureblood mutation and the most extensive being that of the anathema mutation. Among the yuan-ti, these permutations have become the foundations of a social caste system which remains in most modern yuan-ti societies to this day.
Ahueyza (Pureblood)
Most yuan-ti make up the ahueyza or pureblood caste. These individuals, called ahueyztlii, look largely human with only a few ophidian traits, such as forked tongues, venomous fangs, patches of scales, slit pupils, or unhingable jaws. Most also exhibit slender or willowy frames that conceal heightened reflexes and muscles. In yuan-ti societies, purebloods are often looked down upon, for they are physical reminders of the yuan-ti's "imperfect ancestors." Most purebloods work as hunters and slave overseers, though many aspire to serve as spies or soldiers so they might prove their worthiness and become accepted by the higher castes. They are highly feared by many mortals as duplicitous and tales of their treachery can be found throughout the tropical realms of Holos. Moxaza (Malison)
The moxaza or malison caste have the greatest range in physical appearances. Most malisons, called moxaztlii, either have the head and shoulders of a snake and the body of a human or the upper body of a human and torso lower body of a snake. Some rare malisons exhibit the body, head and legs of a human but one or more serpents in place of arms. In yuan-ti societies, malisons form the middle caste, often serving in specific social, cultural, and religious roles. Sixava (Abomination)
The sixava or abomination caste is nearly wholly serpentine, with only their burly, scale-coated chests and arms reminiscent of their human past. Abominations, called sixavatlii, are capable of swiftly slithering on their bellies before coiling to strike or slithering up right when carrying equipment or weapons. In yuan-ti societies, abominations typically form the highest caste and are the leaders their communities. Laxeotikan (Anathema)
The rarest and most revered of all yuan-ti, the laxeotikan or anathema caste display a similar overall body plan to that of an abomination. However, unlike an abomination, anathema—called laxeotikaztlii—have multiple heads emanating from a cluster of vertebrae above the shoulder. Each head forms a hive mind-like intelligence, allowing them to solve complex problems while pursuing the same goal. However, their transformation also removes much of their empathic minds, causing them to be even crueler than the average yuan-ti. Their bodies are nearly immortal and are all but immune to aging. Histach (Broodguard)
Histachii are hairless scaled-covered bipeds with bloodshot eyes and a forked tongue. They often appear emaciated, as they are often only fed left-over rotting meat and barely considered yuan-ti. Histachii have significantly lower intelligence than yuan-ti and are quite malleable, making them excellent guards and typically serve the community as "egg-watchers." They are also sterile, meaning that other yuan-ti must create them from captured humans in order for the caste to survive.
Most yuan-ti make up the ahueyza or pureblood caste. These individuals, called ahueyztlii, look largely human with only a few ophidian traits, such as forked tongues, venomous fangs, patches of scales, slit pupils, or unhingable jaws. Most also exhibit slender or willowy frames that conceal heightened reflexes and muscles. In yuan-ti societies, purebloods are often looked down upon, for they are physical reminders of the yuan-ti's "imperfect ancestors." Most purebloods work as hunters and slave overseers, though many aspire to serve as spies or soldiers so they might prove their worthiness and become accepted by the higher castes. They are highly feared by many mortals as duplicitous and tales of their treachery can be found throughout the tropical realms of Holos. Moxaza (Malison)
The moxaza or malison caste have the greatest range in physical appearances. Most malisons, called moxaztlii, either have the head and shoulders of a snake and the body of a human or the upper body of a human and torso lower body of a snake. Some rare malisons exhibit the body, head and legs of a human but one or more serpents in place of arms. In yuan-ti societies, malisons form the middle caste, often serving in specific social, cultural, and religious roles. Sixava (Abomination)
The sixava or abomination caste is nearly wholly serpentine, with only their burly, scale-coated chests and arms reminiscent of their human past. Abominations, called sixavatlii, are capable of swiftly slithering on their bellies before coiling to strike or slithering up right when carrying equipment or weapons. In yuan-ti societies, abominations typically form the highest caste and are the leaders their communities. Laxeotikan (Anathema)
The rarest and most revered of all yuan-ti, the laxeotikan or anathema caste display a similar overall body plan to that of an abomination. However, unlike an abomination, anathema—called laxeotikaztlii—have multiple heads emanating from a cluster of vertebrae above the shoulder. Each head forms a hive mind-like intelligence, allowing them to solve complex problems while pursuing the same goal. However, their transformation also removes much of their empathic minds, causing them to be even crueler than the average yuan-ti. Their bodies are nearly immortal and are all but immune to aging. Histach (Broodguard)
Histachii are hairless scaled-covered bipeds with bloodshot eyes and a forked tongue. They often appear emaciated, as they are often only fed left-over rotting meat and barely considered yuan-ti. Histachii have significantly lower intelligence than yuan-ti and are quite malleable, making them excellent guards and typically serve the community as "egg-watchers." They are also sterile, meaning that other yuan-ti must create them from captured humans in order for the caste to survive.
History
What little information we have comes to us largely from a combination of legends and art work taken from Old Temekan, which seek to explain the origin of a people they referred to as the Tsakhit. These Tsakhit are believed to have been colonists from the original yuan-ti empire in Teroa who settled the Niru Delta region in Nioa during the earliest centuries of the Mithril Era.
According to Temekanian sources, one of these groups revering Valdra was located in Teroa and made up of humans, the youngest of the mortal peoples. These mortals called Valdra, Huxenotizhuatli,1 or "The Serpent-That-Dwells-Below." Created by the gods and watched over by the wise coatli, these humans built great stone palaces, hewn crystal blades of shadowglass, and were among the first to work metal into tools.2 Many of them admired the snake above all creatures, seeing perfection in its flexible form and cold, calculating intellect. They came to develop a philosophy the separated thought from the heart.
This was in contrast to the teachings of their protectors, the coatli. The feathered serpents preached that knowledge without compassion is useless to all but the individual. Huxenotizhuatli's followers called these feathered serpents soft and without flexibility of thought. So the coatli banished them, hoping that they would learn the merit of altruism in the darkness of the jungle. And the people of the city called them yuan-ti, meaning "The Proud Ones."3
Soon Huxenotizhuatli's harbingers taught her followers the secrets of the Old Magic, spells long considered forbidden by their old coatli masters. With this newfound power, the followers of Huxenotizhuatli constructed their own civilization of mighty temples and floating gardens. Yet such power requires payment and so the Great Old One demanded sacrifice. The followers of Huxenotizhuatli made war on their former neighbors, taking many captives. They brought them to the high altar and offered their blood to the snake god. They ate of their victims' flesh and writhed in charnal pits with living serpents until they were transformed into the image of their patron. Freed from the limitations of their human bodies, the yuan-ti used their new forms to conquer new lands and create a new empire dedicated to the Serpent Below.4
From here, records indicate that the yuan-ti spread out across forest and plain, conquering many tribes and demanding tribute from the terrified people of Teroa. They even crossed the seas and set up colonies in Hakoa and Nioa, where their armies would plunder the land for wealth and slaves. These colonies acted as bases from which the yuan-ti could send their armies to demand tribute food, ore, and slaves. One such colony is believed to have been the aforementioned Tsakhit people attested to in the Old Temekanian legend.
The wealth of the empire grew, allowing the ruling elite to focus on further perfecting their ophidian forms. Huxenotizhuatli taught the humans how to take on aspects of the snake, but the cost of the change was high, requiring many sacrifices for each person to be transformed. Entire households of slaves in one city-state were killed and eaten to create the first yuan-ti, and once the news of how to perform these rituals spread to other leaders, the call for slaves to fuel the process increased. As the Huxenotizhuatli began to demand more and more sacrifices, the yuan-ti stepped up their raids on bordering settlements to meet this need.
The physical and magical prowess of the yuan-ti empire allowed them to retain their holdings for several hundred years but then many of their colonies and raids begin to abruptly stop. Many reasons for the decline of the yuan-ti have been proposed, with the most likely cause being a combination of drought, plague, attacks by enemies (including dragons and coatli), and slave uprisings. By 1000 ME, little records remain of serpent people raids and the spread of Valdra-worshipping cults slows dramatically. Only a few centuries later, the Great Exodus of Man began, allowing for humans to slowly begin populating the rest of Holos .
Hapatra Vizier of Poisons by Tyler Jacobson
Type
Supernatural
Children
Origin
Divine
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired & Congenital
Rarity
Rare
Affected Species
by Anna Helme
In moxazatli, ophidiopathy can manifest as fused serpents in place of arms. These serpents can be used to manipulate objects and have limited independent thoughts.
by coffeepotcat
A glyph of Valdra in her ancient yuan-ti form—Huxenotizhuatli
by Andrea Piparo
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