Homebrew Ythrak Yuan-Ti Species Details

Descendents of Lillends, Yuanti seek to live in harmony with unspoiled nature. Many modern yuan-ti in the realm of Akhalla concede that the needs of the great enterprise demand some development and exploitation of natural resources; to this end, influential coteries of yuan-ti seek the power, wealth, and notoriety to establish colonial concerns in the name of the Akhallan Supremacy, hoping to draft covenants requiring the preservation of areas of great natural beauty and splendor. Where firbolg live in harmony with nature and dwarves seek to improve upon nature's design, yuan-ti wish for the eternal cycle of life to continue through their calling; the destruction of old, powerful establishments to make way for new growth and new life. A thousand year old oak tree smothering a half-acre of forest floor must be felled to allow for a new generation of plants and animals to thrive. An alpha predator denuding the countryside of food sources must be hunted to allow for new predators to grow and flourish.

Physical Characteristics

Yuan-ti undergo starting metamorphoses throughout their lifespan. A newly born yuan-ti appears similarly to a newborn tiefling; physically perfect, but with a light dusting of minute scales around the eyes, jaw, and ears. All yuan-ti possess a sinuous grace, lithe bodies, and dexterous hands suited to artistry and music. A physically mature yuan-ti tends to stand between 5 and 6 feet tall with the tight, compact musculature of a gymnast or dancer. All yuan-ti possess reptilian features; nictating membranes, vertically slit pupils, hinged fangs, a blunt snout in place of a nose, and vestigial or entirely missing ears. As they grow and develop a yuan-ti shifts further from typical humanoid into a beautiful, winged, serpentine hybrid form. A fully grown, mature yuan-ti appears nearly identical to their lillend precursors, possessing a powerful, muscular tail, scintillating iridescent scales, and a pair of wings covered in bright plumage. Yuan-ti born with physical defects and handicaps are given special consideration and honor among the coterie if they survive to adulthood. Their cold blooded nature influences their choice of habitat; most yuan-ti are found near the volcanic lands of northern Akhalla or in the steamy rainforests along the southern border.

Culture

Life is a contest for survival from birth for all yuan-ti; driven by a fanatical need to gain power, strength, and consume that which has come before, young yuan-ti possess a singular drive and focus which often leads them down dangerous, destructive paths. Ascendancy among yuan-ti follows a complex moral and sociological framework known as Climbing the Willow; yuan-ti accept that they belong within the natural cycle of nature and that all creatures seek to grow in power throughout their natural lifespans. Coteries of yuan-ti are ruled by the oldest, most influential individual known as the Paragon; yet the Paragon must ceaselessly maneuver and oppose the younger generation's rise, accepting that one day they will be cast down and destroyed by a younger rival. Yuan-ti hold no personal grudge against those who would do them harm; it is simply the way of survival to seek your rise and the fall of those who would oppose you. Yuan-ti find great beauty in the dichotomies of life; composing a beautiful sonnet to accompany the death of a close friend, admiring the beauty and grace of a great predator as it snuffs its latest prey, and paying homage to the storm which smashes a ship upon the rocks. Yuan-ti prize great cunning, diplomacy, strategy, and all things possessed of market beauty and grace. Yuan-ti coteries and the Paragons who represent them strongly oppose the establishment of the Administratus Servitorum and their undead labor force. They are most often found among the Seeker, Creator, and Administrant castes; though some particularly ambitious yuan-ti seek acclaim through service as scouts and war leaders in the Guardian caste. The Paragon of each coterie serves as a member of the Core Détente, managing and guiding the coteries' interests and influence in the realm and beyond.

Ythrak Yuan-Ti Traits

Descendents of Lillends, Yuanti seek to live in harmony with unspoiled nature.

Ability Score Increase

All Ythrak races receive either a +2/+1 bonus or +1/+1/+1 to the attributes of your choice.

Age

Yuan-ti reach maturity in 8 years. A yuan-ti paragon can live as long as 80 years.

Disposition

Yuan-ti tend to be mercurial and passionate, driven by their relatively short lifespans and intense social pressure to survive and thrive. Though capable of quick action and irrational behaviors, most yuan-ti adapt a strategic outlook to life and achieving their goals. It's all well and good to destroy that which comes before, but even better to survive said destruction themselves. Political and social capital are invaluable to yuan-ti, allowing them to magnify and bring to bear forces beyond their own capability. Many particularly cunning yuan-ti adopt artistic, languid demeanors to cause their allies and enemies alike to underestimate their resolve and capability.

Size

Yuan-ti stand between 5 and 6 feet tall and weigh between 120 and 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You speak Akhallan and Sylvan.

Gift of the Muse

You gain proficiency in one musical instrument of your choice and gain an Exceptional quality example of this musical instrument. When using this instrument to support yourself during downtime you earn enough to support an Aristocratic lifestyle (10gp/day). When offering to entertain for members of the High Détente, High Administrant, and High Seeker castes you begin with a starting attitude of Friendly rather than Indifferent. Entertaining for these individuals as a means of support doubles your income earned through your Performance checks. You must possess at least one clean set of Exceptional quality clothes to entertain for members of this status.

Venomous Kiss

As a bonus action you may secrete a highly specific venom from special glands located in your mouth. You may use this venom to coat a single weapon or piece of ammunition, lace a liquid such as a potion or drink, or coat an area of your exposed skin such as your lips or hand. You may use this ability a number of times per long rest equal to 1 + your Constitution modifier. The target of this poison must make a Constitution saving throw equal to 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus or suffer the following effects:

Injury: Target creature gains the blinded and deafened conditions for a number of rounds equal to 1 + your Constitution modifier as discordant waves of sound and visual synesthesia overwhelm their senses. Creatures affected by this ability can make a saving throw at the end of their turn to end the effect.
Ingested: Target creature gains the paralyzed condition for a number of minutes equal to 1 + your Constitution modifier. During this time they are wracked with lustful euphoria and ecstasy, writhing and moaning unintelligibly. Creatures affected by this ability can make a saving throw at the end of their turn to end this effect; ending the effect early in this way bestows one level of exhaustion.
Contact: Target creature gains the charmed condition and their attitude toward you is increased by one step for a number of rounds equal to 1 + your Constitution modifier. Creatures effected in this way are not aware of the nature of this change.

Discern Weakness

You may determine a creature's capabilities through close observation and interaction. You may use a bonus action at the conclusion of 1 minute of constant observation of a single creature to determine one of the values in the table below. You may use this ability a number of times per long rest equal to 1 + your Wisdom modifier.

	Least	Lesser	Average	High	Highest
Saving Throw	0-1	2-3	5-6	7-8	8+
Hit Points	1-10	11-30	31-80	81-150	150+
Class Levels / CR	0-3	4-9	10-14	15-18	19+

Rapturous Transformation

You transform as you age and mature, gaining the following benefits:

Level 5: You gain a natural bite attack which deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier piercing damage. When dealing damage with a bite attack you may expend a use of your Venomous Kiss racial ability as a free action.
Level 10: Your legs merge into a single, powerful tail. You gain advantage on Strength ability checks to oppose forced movement so long as you are in contact with a solid surface. You gain advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to grapple and you no longer need a free hand to initiate or maintain a grapple, but your movement speed is reduced to 0 when grappling in this fashion. When grappling using your tail you may make a constrict attack which deals 1d8 + your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage on a successful hit.
Level 15: You gain a set of brightly feathered wings granting you a fly speed of 50 feet. When grappling with your tail only your walking speed is reduced to 0.
Level 20: You no longer need to sleep but must eat and drink eight times the normal amount. You no longer require Medicine checks to expend hit dice and may expend Hit Dice equal to half your level as a bonus action. While playing a musical instrument, singing, or dancing you regain a number of hit points per hour equal to your Constitution modifier.