Serpent

Serpents are large, predatory beings, who prowl the great oceans of the spheres. They slither through the waters, always looking for an opportunity to feed, as their massive bodies require an equally massive amount of food to avoid starvation. Thus, serpents are by nature opportunistic and exploitative, never letting a chance to feed slip away if they can help it. Serpents rarely get along with each other outside of mates, as they represent a source of competition, but serpents sometimes align with smaller races that can offer them more as help than dinner.
On the hunt, serpents use their great maws to tear prey into chunks or use their primal magic to blast it into pieces with a variety of elemental shots. More stubborn prey is wrapped in their coils to be crushed to death. They prefer to go all out on the offensive, killing prey before it can strike back.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Serpents have long elongated round bodies, covered in fine scales. A single long fin runs along their back with two relatively smaller fins on the side for steering. Their head is mostly one big mouth full pointed, backwards facing teeth, with an eye on both sides. Their flesh as a rubbery consistency that allows them to endure strong blows and pressure. They are primarily aquatic and have gills on their neck. Their skin is completely waterproof and their bodies easily endure waves or other dangers of the sea. They also exude a natural lubricant that makes them hard to grab. Serpents can survive on land but hates leaving the waters, as it limits their abilities, most of all weakening their natural magic.

Genetics and Reproduction

Serpents mate through sexual intercourse. The female carries the egg in her for a while, before laying it in a secluded spot.

Growth Rate & Stages

Serpents are born ready to hunt and eat, though much smaller prey. The parents will usually keep an eye on them for the year or three, depending on circumstances, before letting the young serpent off to find their own path in life. The serpent will continue to grow until the day they die.

Ecology and Habitats

Serpents live in the ocean, where there's plenty of space. As they grow, they move up to eat larger and larger prey, thus contributing to keeping all stages of fauna in check.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Serpents are carnivores, feeding on a variety of aquatic life. They start out eating small fish and move up to hunting whales on the regular.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Serpents are not very social, outside of small family structures. In fact, serpents can be quite vicious towards one another and have no taboo against cannibalism. There are no recorded cases of serpents dying of old age. Instead, eventually the size works against them, their body demanding more food than they can hunt. Weakened by hunger, these ancient serpents become a veritable feast for other serpents.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Serpents are a species found in any sphere with the water to sustain them

Average Intelligence

Serpents are sapient and despite their often feral behavior, they are observant and calculating.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Serpents have an average sense of sight, smell and hearing.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Serpent names vary a lot, ranging from hissing, guttral utterances to seemingly random words associated with sea life strung together. Some have no names at all, going exclusively by a title.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Serpents often extort ships of food in return for safe passage, an easy source of food for them. Some serpents even set themselves up as guardian of coastal or underwater communities, in return for food.

Scientific Name

Terribilis Anguilla

Lifespan

200 years

Average Weight

63-69 tons

Average Length

13-17 meters

Average Physique

Serpents are strong enough to crush ships in their coils. They swim nimbly for their size and are hardy to boot.