Homebrew Yuan-ti (Aquatic) Species Details

The serpent creatures known as aquatic yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient triton empire. Ages ago their Serpent King taught them the sacrificial rituals to honor him, and in turn, he helped them to mix their flesh with that of sea snakes. This ended up producing an insular society of hybrids, who are zealous in their beliefs, and believe their forms to be superior to all others.

Tritons Transformed

The people who became aquatic yuan-ti were one of the original triton civilizations. Their society built beautiful temples of sandstone and forged stone into armor, tools, and weapons. In their ceremonies they paid homage to the Serpent King as the embodiment of the qualities they most appreciated. Unlike their landlike counterparts, the aquatic yuan-ti were not cannibalistic, and sought to become one with nature instead- hence their worship of the sea snake. Unlike land yuan-ti, aquatic yuan-ti accomplished their transformation through rejecting the lush lifestyle of tritons, and instead, submitting themselves to being pawns of the Serpent King, who would reward them with the twisted, serpentine appearance they so craved. 

Freed from the limitations of their triton bodies, the yuan-ti used their new abilities to spread the word of their beliefs and causes, and dedicate their lives to their clans.

One Race, Many Forms

The bodies of all yuan-ti have a mix of triton and snakelike parts, but the proportion varies from individual to individual. 

All yuan-ti can interbreed. Females usually lay clutches of eggs, which are stored in a common hatchery, although live births aren’t uncommon.

The yuan-ti consider non-serpentine humanoids to be unenlightened creatures, barely more civilized than crabs. Although some purebloods are able to reproduce with tritons, most are uninterested in the idea and would do so only if seduction is necessary for a pureblood to preserve a role as a confidant or advisor in triton society. 

The yuan-ti know rituals that can transform an individual into a more powerful type. The cost and time required to perform the ritual is prohibitive, and as a result most yuan-ti never get the opportunity to undergo such a transformation. Every use of the ritual must be modified to suit the individual undergoing transformation, and requires rare herbs, exotic magical substances, snakes, and a hefty sacrifice to the Serpent King as part of the procedure.

Depend on Deceit

Aquatic yuan-ti  are naturally stealthy, and if they can sneak up on enemies, either in an ambush or to murder them in their sleep, the yuan-ti will do so—and they actually prefer these tactics to open warfare. 

Their immunity to poison gives all yuan-ti a tactical advantage in dealing with other creatures. A pureblood serving as a food taster for a royal family could poison a meal and declare it “safe” after taking a bite.

Yuan-ti Personality Traits

d8	Personality Trait
1	I see omens in every event and action. The serpent gods continue to advise us.
2	I am accustomed to simplicity, and am most happy when underwater and surrounded by nature.
3	I prefer to be alone rather than among other creatures, including my own kind.
4	I sometimes become consumed by philosophy.
5	I believe I am religiously enlightened compared to others.
6	I am driven by wanderlust and want to explore all that nature can offer.
7	I am intrigued by decadent humanoid culture, even though I criticize their indulgence.
8	I await the day when we are admired as the most enlightened culture on the planet.

Yuan-ti Ideals

d6	Ideal
1	Greed. I display my religiousness as a sign of my power and superiority. (Evil)
2	Aspiration. I strive to follow the path toward becoming an anathema. (Evil)
3	Unity. No leader shall put personal goals above those of our culture. (Any)
4	Kinship. My allegiance is to my home and culture. Other settlements can burn for all I care. (Any)
5	Inspiration. My actions set an example for all to emulate. (Any)
6	Power. Everything I choose to do is determined by whether it will make me smarter and stronger. (Evil)

Yuan-ti Bonds

d6	Bond
1	I will see our religion rise and, in so doing, win the favor of the serpent gods.
2	I am enamored with the culture and trappings of another society and wish to be part of it.
3	I respect my superiors and obey them without question. My fate is theirs to decide.
4	I have an interest in an unsuitable mate, which I can’t suppress.
5	I respect and emulate a great hero or ancestor.
6	An enemy destroyed something of value to me, and I will find where it lives and kill the offender.

Yuan-ti Flaws

d6	Flaw
1	I feel twinges of lust for wealth, and it shames me that I am imperfect in this way.
2	I put too much credence in the dictates of a particular god.
3	I frequently abstain from food, gold, and other pleasures, but it puts me in a foul mood.
4	I worship a forbidden god.
5	I secretly believe things would be better if I was in charge.
6	If I could get away with it, I would gladly force my beliefs upon others.

Aquatic Yuan-ti Names

Yuan-ti names have meanings that have been passed down through the generations, although spellings and inflections have changed over time.

Some yuan-ti add more sibilants to their birth names to create an exaggerated hissing sound, based on one’s personal preference and whether an individual’s anatomy can more easily pronounce the name in this altered form. An adopted name of this sort is recognized as a variant of the birth name, rather than a unique name unto itself. A yuan-ti might refer to itself by its birth name, by its adopted name, or (especially among purebloods) by a name it borrows from the local populace.

The Yuan-ti Names table provides yuan-ti birth names suitable for any campaign.

Yuan-ti Names

d20	Name	d20	Name
1	Reenae	11	Latauda
2	Lati	12	Sisava
3	Elapis	13	Sitlali
4	Aipys	14	Soakosh
5	Laevis	15	Ssimalli
6	Caedel	16	Baikis
7	Ophios	17	Talash
8	Venus	18	Teoshi
9	Nesalliss	19	Yaotal
10	Olnis	20	Zihu

Yuan-ti (Aquatic) Traits

An oceanic equivalent to yuan-ti who live below the surface of the water.

Amphibious

 You can breathe air and water.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Age

They mature at the same rate as tritons and have lifespans similar in length to theirs.

Alignment

Aquatic yuan-ti tend to think of themselves as superior, but are not as murderous as their land counterparts. They tend towards neutrality, and lawfulness.

Size

Purebloods match humans in average size and weight. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Innate Spellcasting

You know the poison spray cantrip. You can cast animal friendship an unlimited number of times with this trait, but you can target only snakes with it. Starting at 3rd level, you can also cast suggestion with this trait. Once you cast it, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Poison Immunity

You are immune to poison damage and the poisoned condition.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.