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The Serpent is a living manifestation of magic. It has no corporeal form, and inhabits the worlds of all suns, although it is closely tied to the Invisible Sun. Those of us that call upon the Serpent are called serpentkin or, derogatorily, serpent cultists.
We do not see ourselves as cultists or worshippers. To us, the Serpent is not a god, but much more. It is the source of all that is, to us, important. The Serpent is magic, and being kin to the Serpent, knowing the Serpent, and walking with the Serpent are to be truly and directly connected to magic.
Despite common associations with snakes and evil, the Serpent is not necessarily a sinister force. By some standards, it may be dark and cold, but it is not directly associated with demons or the Nightside Path, and because it is a creature of the suns, it abhors the Dark and the creatures of that void. That said, many who walk the Nightside Path associate their magic with the Serpent.
Background: I learned of the Serpent first in whispers, and then, after I sought more information, I eventually came upon the truth somewhere—likely a place of great lore and magic. Some serpentkin claim to have been schooled by the Serpent itself in their dreams.
Appearance: Whenever a serpentkin calls upon any of their powers, the translucent head and hood of the Serpent—in this case, a dark green cobra—appears like an aura around them.
Character Arcs: The following character arc ideas are particularly appropriate for followers of the Serpent.
✦✦ Serpentkin stick together. When one is in need, others feel compelled to help. (Aid a Friend.)
✦✦ Learning more about—and perhaps even communing with—the Serpent is of utmost importance. (Learn.)
Path to Joy: The following events may bring me Joy.
✦✦ The Serpent blesses me by making one of my enemies disappear mysteriously when no one is looking.
✦✦ I use the changeries to make myself look more like the Serpent in some significant manner.
Path to Despair: The following events are likely to cause me Despair.
✦✦ A powerful and important spell is countered or dispelled (not just resisted).
✦✦ The Serpent does not heed my call, and I must discover what I have done wrong before I can use my abilities again.
✦✦ The Serpent shows me visions of my own demise in my sleep.
Forte Abilities: I have access to the following abilities, as long as I start with one of the first ones (my choice as to which) and then select more, following the path indicated and spending Crux to do so.
Bite of the Serpent
Bite of the Serpent
Level: 2 (+1 die)
The head of the Serpent appears and attacks a close creature, inflicting 2 points of damage and injecting venom that hinders the victim’s next action.
Color: Red
Voice of the Serpent
Voice of the Serpent
Level: 3
When I call upon the soothing voice of the Serpent, it adds 3 bene to my Interaction pool.
Color: Blue
Speed of the Serpent
Speed of the Serpent
Level: 3
When I call upon the blinding speed of the Serpent, it adds 3 bene to my Movement pool.
Color: Green
Hypnotic Gaze of the Serpent
Hypnotic Gaze of the Serpent
Level: 4 (+1 die)
I make my eyes the Serpent’s eyes, granting myself the ability to make a close creature freeze for as long as I do nothing but stare at them. If they or I am attacked, or even roughly jostled, the effect is broken.
Color: Blue
Scales of the Serpent
Scales of the Serpent
Level: 5 (no cost)
The scales of the Serpent manifest around me, granting me +2 Armor permanently. Not an action.
Color: Invisible
Mind of the Serpent
Mind of the Serpent
Level: 5 (no cost)
The Serpent’s mind becomes part of my own. I permanently add 4 points to my core Qualia stat, to be distributed among my refined pools. Not an action.
Color: Blue
Slithering Serpent
Slithering Serpent
Level: 7
Calling upon the knowledge and power of the Serpent, I can slither between the folds of the worlds, slipping into a random location in a world whose existence I am familiar with. Alternatively, I can move up to 1,000 miles (1,600 km) in the world in which I currently stand. For every 2 additional points I spend from my Sorcery pool, I can take one being with me.
Color: Green
Breath of the Serpent
Breath of the Serpent
Level: 8 (+2 dice to cause people to fall unconscious)
I breathe out a cloud of mist that fills a large area. The mist obscures vision, but more important, all within the cloud (other than myself and close allies I designate when I call upon this power) fall unconscious. The mist persists as long as I remain within the cloud, but it does not move with me and is subject to the wind and other conditions.
Color: Blue
Coils of the Serpent
Coils of the Serpent
Level: 9
I am embraced and entwined in the coils of the Serpent. Its raw mystic energies infuse me. All my spells are enhanced by +2 dice. Sometimes, while within the coils, I gain mystic visions about the future, the past, or whatever the Serpent wishes me to see.
Depletion: When the sun next rises or sets
Color: Indigo
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