I have always viewed PCs to be capable of deviating from the norms of whatever race or culture they come from in any campaign. You could play a Yuan-ti that is more in line with what is typical of their culture or decide that your Yuan-ti is different for any number of reasons.
Ambition and power might not necessarily be about emotions, it might also be considered pure survival in that kind of society.
That is a good point. Yuan-tis may not traditionally be emotional beings, but they are intelligent ones. They can be practical and understand the necessity to behave and adapt to whatever society they are blending into. They may be willing to play the good guy in public to ensure their personal endeavors are not being interfered with. Yuan-ti Purebloods are said to be excellent spies and can be very charismatic.
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"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Ambition and power might not necessarily be about emotions, it might also be considered pure survival in that kind of society.
The quotes from Volo's guide confuse me, they say feed themselves from emotions, and then say that they feel superior to humans and disgusted by them, aren't those pride and disgust (emotions)?
I feel its better to say that the Yuan-ti lack empathy but can still express or feel emotions on a personal, selfish level. I'm not sure if that's an acceptable way of viewing it but its how I personally rationalize this.
I feel its better to say that the Yuan-ti lack empathy but can still express or feel emotions on a personal, selfish level. I'm not sure if that's an acceptable way of viewing it but its how I personally rationalize this.
So they are basically hide there emotions and are big self centered, noted.
I draw my inspiration for Yuan-ti from Spock from Star Trek.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
I DMed a game with them as the big bads etc. and play them very on the level of Spock or the Commander from Brooklyn 99 in that they have emotions but they are on a intellectual level and are in complete control of them. As such they don't have 'feelings' and don't understand concepts like being upset so they tend to be blunt, rude and downright cruel as they don't understand the concept of hurting someones feelings. They can however come across as emotional in their actions -eg having a dislike of something but its always on a 'cold' basis - eg they don't 'love' but may want someone in a way that looks like love but is actually about ownership and furthering their own goals. Number 1 is that whatever they do always puts them and their kind first as all others are lesser beings.
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Alberta Banana@TheRealAlberta: Good News! I finally brought Zangief back from the Dead :D :D :D Also I'M A LITCH FOR REAL! Downside may have ruined 60% of Athas in the process... sigh... I'll fix it tomorrow. LVL20 Litch, Sorcerer King of the Second Banana Age of Athas, Survivor of the Tomb of Horrors, Backwards Spellcaster, Undead Warlock Patron to Jane with a army of Simulacrum clones.
I DMed a game with them as the big bads etc. and play them very on the level of Spock or the Commander from Brooklyn 99 in that they have emotions but they are on a intellectual level and are in complete control of them. As such they don't have 'feelings' and don't understand concepts like being upset so they tend to be blunt, rude and downright cruel as they don't understand the concept of hurting someones feelings. They can however come across as emotional in their actions -eg having a dislike of something but its always on a 'cold' basis - eg they don't 'love' but may want someone in a way that looks like love but is actually about ownership and furthering their own goals. Number 1 is that whatever they do always puts them and their kind first as all others are lesser beings.
I DM a game where Yaun-Ti are a prominent in the background and a PC heritage. I follow the model of intellectual conceptualization @ElMuggs describes. If you spend a lot of time around reptiles, arachnids or insects in the real world, it is easy to start projecting feelings upon them then they will do something that quickly reminds you they are not human, yet clearly sentient. I try to present this style to the race and their dealings within and outside of their tribes, clans, and race. The lore ideas that they tend to have a very low birth success rate and that intermingling between the sub-types tends to lead to "lower" types, (i.e. Malison & Pure-blood only birth Pure-blood), I attribute to each clans extreme isolation. I present both hatch and live birth as existing with two to five year gestations as well as the lore ascension rituals, because it gives a harsher edge to their otherness and - magic - .
Regarding reasons for joining a party:
Imagine the clan that long believed they were all that was left of the once mighty Yaun-Ti empire find some new knowledge alerting them of the possible existence other clans. Would reuniting the disperse clans enable the Yuan-Ti to establish a new empire? Have the serpentkin been too complacent; perhaps licking their wounds for too many generations? Maybe understanding the outside world would be a step in reasserting the Yuan-Ti . Maybe the pure-blood has been offhandedly assigned to "find our kin" and sees it as an opportunity to prove their right to a trial of ascension. Maybe a cult of Zehir or Merrshaulk has spread through some area of your realm and the pure-blood has been sent by order of the clan leader to seek them out due to a vision or other hook.
Anyway, just my thoughts.
Given real world history and how often cultures create their own stories about others they've never met, its too easy to imagine a heavily self centered people growing from an isolated faction of "We used to be" to a dominant world power only to fall again or to adjust to a new understanding of their actual place in the realms ascending to the heights and depths of the gods ("good" and "evil"; "lawful" and chaotic").
Greed, ambition, and a healthy dose of caution. These are what drive the seemingly emotionless yuan-ti, and may drive them to become adventurers.
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All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
Lots of characters in fiction have no emotions, but have motivations.
Spock's motivations were science and exploration.
The Robot from Lost in Space was programmed to protect WIll Robinson from danger.
Often, I think an unemotional creature will have more singularity of purpose. They won't get distracted by feeling fearful or tempted. Could be a good race for a paladin.
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What keeps them going?
I don't think they are pure emotionless, even their pride and superiority self seeing are basically emotions.
I have always viewed PCs to be capable of deviating from the norms of whatever race or culture they come from in any campaign. You could play a Yuan-ti that is more in line with what is typical of their culture or decide that your Yuan-ti is different for any number of reasons.
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
Why would they want rewards and change? This plays with their emotions to be powerful.
That is a good point. Yuan-tis may not traditionally be emotional beings, but they are intelligent ones. They can be practical and understand the necessity to behave and adapt to whatever society they are blending into. They may be willing to play the good guy in public to ensure their personal endeavors are not being interfered with. Yuan-ti Purebloods are said to be excellent spies and can be very charismatic.
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
The quotes from Volo's guide confuse me, they say feed themselves from emotions, and then say that they feel superior to humans and disgusted by them, aren't those pride and disgust (emotions)?
I get the confusion.
I feel its better to say that the Yuan-ti lack empathy but can still express or feel emotions on a personal, selfish level. I'm not sure if that's an acceptable way of viewing it but its how I personally rationalize this.
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
So they are basically hide there emotions and are big self centered, noted.
I draw my inspiration for Yuan-ti from Spock from Star Trek.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Maybe the pc can feel emotions. That's what made them a pc, not NPC on the side. Because they are special but don't necessarily like it.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
I DMed a game with them as the big bads etc. and play them very on the level of Spock or the Commander from Brooklyn 99 in that they have emotions but they are on a intellectual level and are in complete control of them. As such they don't have 'feelings' and don't understand concepts like being upset so they tend to be blunt, rude and downright cruel as they don't understand the concept of hurting someones feelings. They can however come across as emotional in their actions -eg having a dislike of something but its always on a 'cold' basis - eg they don't 'love' but may want someone in a way that looks like love but is actually about ownership and furthering their own goals. Number 1 is that whatever they do always puts them and their kind first as all others are lesser beings.
Alberta Banana @TheRealAlberta: Good News! I finally brought Zangief back from the Dead :D :D :D Also I'M A LITCH FOR REAL! Downside may have ruined 60% of Athas in the process... sigh... I'll fix it tomorrow.
LVL20 Litch, Sorcerer King of the Second Banana Age of Athas, Survivor of the Tomb of Horrors, Backwards Spellcaster, Undead Warlock Patron to Jane with a army of Simulacrum clones.
I DM a game where Yaun-Ti are a prominent in the background and a PC heritage. I follow the model of intellectual conceptualization @ElMuggs describes. If you spend a lot of time around reptiles, arachnids or insects in the real world, it is easy to start projecting feelings upon them then they will do something that quickly reminds you they are not human, yet clearly sentient. I try to present this style to the race and their dealings within and outside of their tribes, clans, and race. The lore ideas that they tend to have a very low birth success rate and that intermingling between the sub-types tends to lead to "lower" types, (i.e. Malison & Pure-blood only birth Pure-blood), I attribute to each clans extreme isolation. I present both hatch and live birth as existing with two to five year gestations as well as the lore ascension rituals, because it gives a harsher edge to their otherness and - magic - .
Regarding reasons for joining a party:
Imagine the clan that long believed they were all that was left of the once mighty Yaun-Ti empire find some new knowledge alerting them of the possible existence other clans. Would reuniting the disperse clans enable the Yuan-Ti to establish a new empire? Have the serpentkin been too complacent; perhaps licking their wounds for too many generations? Maybe understanding the outside world would be a step in reasserting the Yuan-Ti . Maybe the pure-blood has been offhandedly assigned to "find our kin" and sees it as an opportunity to prove their right to a trial of ascension. Maybe a cult of Zehir or Merrshaulk has spread through some area of your realm and the pure-blood has been sent by order of the clan leader to seek them out due to a vision or other hook.
Anyway, just my thoughts.
Given real world history and how often cultures create their own stories about others they've never met, its too easy to imagine a heavily self centered people growing from an isolated faction of "We used to be" to a dominant world power only to fall again or to adjust to a new understanding of their actual place in the realms ascending to the heights and depths of the gods ("good" and "evil"; "lawful" and chaotic").
Greed, ambition, and a healthy dose of caution. These are what drive the seemingly emotionless yuan-ti, and may drive them to become adventurers.
All hail the great and mighty platypus.
Resisting is simply standing in front of the tide and pushing at it. Even if you endure at first, you will eventually break down. Adapting, by contrast, is turning into a fish.
-me
Rangers are not underpowered. They’re just exploration-oriented.
My homebrew setting: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/94809-wakai-a-setting-inspired-by-japanese-folklore-and
This account is kinda old and I haven’t used it in a while
Lots of characters in fiction have no emotions, but have motivations.
Spock's motivations were science and exploration.
The Robot from Lost in Space was programmed to protect WIll Robinson from danger.
Often, I think an unemotional creature will have more singularity of purpose. They won't get distracted by feeling fearful or tempted. Could be a good race for a paladin.