Homebrew Yuan-Ti Halfblood Species Details

Arvin watched the woman out of the corner of his eye as she settled at a table two down from his, her back to the wall.  When she flicked a finger impatiently for ale, the barkeep hurried to her side, setting a mug in front of her.  He took her coin quickly, jerking his hand back as she reached for the mug, then bowed and backed away.  The woman lifted the mug to her lips, tipping it until the egg inside the ale slid into her mouth, then swallowed it, shell and all, with one quick gulp.  A forked tongue flickered as she licked her lips appreciatively.

— Lisa Smedman, "Venom's Taste"

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the yuan-ti malison that leaves the cult of their home to travel the world alone.  Whether they mean good or ill, to travel openly is to play with their lives.  A yuan-ti malison does not leave it's place among other yuan-ti without good cause and they can be a powerful force, but common wisdom teaches a simple truth.  Only fools would trust them.

Children of Sseth

Like all true yuan-ti, halfbloods were created millennia ago by the sarrukh, in magical, controlled breeding experiments combining humans, serpents, and sarrukh themselves.  They were as varied in size and shape as humans, but unlike their pureblood cousins, malisons bore a much closer resemblance to snakes they worshiped.  Malisons bear claws on their hands and lizard-like feet as well as a far more significant adornment of scales.  Their teeth come to pointed fangs which can add an insinuated threat to even the slightest smile.  Like tieflings, Malisons possess thick, prehensile tails, four to five feet long which they use to hold rudimentary items or distract a target or victim.  It is not uncommon for their tails to flit around slightly when they are agitated or impatient.  Their eyes are those of a snake's--a vibrant green with flecks of silver--the pupil a narrow slit.  Their skin tones range from ruddy browns to pale greens, with some seeming to shift their skin color when seen at different angles.  Malisons do not all possess hair, but those that do always have universally dark, typically black hair. 

Destined for Greatness

Raised in the hierarchical structure of the yuan-ti, halfbloods took their orders from the more power abominations, but they arrogantly dealt orders to their lesser pureblood cousins.  Halfbloods were often priests in the temple of Sseth.  More intelligent than purebloods, they were often captains and elite troops in any yuan-ti army.  A halfblood was raised from birth to take their place within this structure and their own self-importance is fed to them from the moment they hatch.  Malisons are perpetually plotting and gauging their advantages and disadvantages in any situation.  A halfblood with a goal is a dangerous creature indeed, for they possess the single minded determination and cold blooded ruthlessness to achieve it.  For a halfblood, power is simply waiting for them to take it. 

Yuan-Ti Halfblood Names

Halfblood names are often inspired by the serpent-like tongue and bone structure they are born with.  Their names do not carry any specific significance or denote any particular importance relative to their place in society, as they rely on their physical superiority to make that statement for them.

Male Yuan-Ti Halfblood Names: Mihleel, Ssholushlul, Thutothul, Zuksotuh, Heszeshah, Eksash, Tilkahsill, Ssolkis, Etshuil, Aklil

Female Yuan-Ti Halfblood Names: Neska, Szultla, Zselkeha, Nestis, Utuhsui, Ulshi, Sshuhtlass, Zselka, Zalah, Ahla, Omei, Akhui

MET WITH DISDAIN

The yuan-ti have earned the enmity they bear from many of the other races across the civilized lands.  They are not welcomed and face the risk of outright hostility directed at them if they travel openly without attempting to conceal their nature.  Whilehalfbloods are functional individuals, meeting one that was not operating as an arm of the cult of Sseth is virtually unheard of.  They are born with the mark of the snake god and carry his power with them wherever they do tread. 

Yuan-Ti Halfblood Traits

Yuan-Ti Halfbloods, despite their disparate appearances, shared several common abilities with all yuan-ti.

Magic Resistance

You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Yuan-Ti halfbloods mature similarly to humans, but live even longer than their pureblood cousins.

Size

Halfbloods are generally around the same size and build as humans.  Your size is Medium.

Speed

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

Darkvision

Thanks to your sorcerous heritage and serpentine origins, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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 are able to cast Animal Friendship without limit, but only with snakes. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Suggestion spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

A Serpent's Tooth

Your claws and fangs are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes.  If you hit with them you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier with your claws and piercing damage of 1d6 + your Strength modifier with your bite.

Poison Immunity

You are immune to poison damage and the poisoned condition.

Prehensile Tail

A yuan-ti halfblood has a long, flexible tail that can be used to pick up or carry objects. It cannot wield weapons, but it allows them to pick up a small, unattended object or retrieve a stowed object carried on her person as a bonus action.  This item cannot weigh more than 10lbs. (4.5kg), and it is incapable of fine manipulation needed for tasks such as writing, picking a lock, or performing somatic actions needed to cast spells.  Additionally, while this tail can hold a spellcasting focus, it cannot use that focus, nor can it use magic items such as wands.  This tail cannot used ranged weapons such as daggers. 

Chameleon

More snakelike than their pureblood cousins, halfbloods are able to shift the color of their skin and scales to mimic those of their surroundings, making them harder to see.  When actively attempting to hide, a halfblood can use this camouflage to gain advantage on any stealth check when they are not moving.  They can use this ability once and it is available again after a long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Abyssal, and Draconic.