Homebrew Serpentfolk - Watered down Yuan-Ti or Lizardfolk

[Angel Tarragon]

I want to create a homebrew race of Serpentfolk, but I'm not sure what to base them off. And I don't want them to have a level adjustment. Think of the as Half-Human-Half-Snake. Physically they resemble humans except for their scales. Also, I don't know: Can snakes filter oxygen out of the water? If so, how can I present this race as air and water breathers without the LA?

Also the race should get a Dex bonus, as snakes are extremely agile and fast. Would it go against letting them have a base land speed of 40 without an LA? Also, what other racial features should I add? I'm also thinking about letting them take a feat to inject poison into their foes on a successful bite attack. Also, what about poison resistance? Should it be equal to a dwarf’s or should I just make them immune to organic poisons?

All help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DaveStebbins]

In the 3.5 updated version of Death in Freeport (Death in Freeport Revised), Green Ronin present a +0 LA Serpent Person. If you want to check it out, the PDF version of the module is available at RPGNow.

Basically, the +0 LA Serpent person is a degenerate, stupid, shadow of the race's former glory. As a PC race they would get +2 STR, +2 CON, -4 INT, -4 WIS, -2 CHA, base move equal to a human (but favored class barbarian, which improves that for any BBN classed individual), a swim speed of half that, a poisonous bite and a few other things. You could easily substitute +2 DEX for STR or CON.

Those members of the race which survived relatively intact have a +1 LA. They get-2 CON, +2 INT, +2 CHA, favored class sorcerer and a limited shapechange ability (among other things). The flavor text says they have fangs but never use them in combat, so I would lose the poison for them as well. Again, if you want +2 DEX, I would make it a straight sub for both the bonus INT and CHA. If you want to simulate their quickness without the ability score, you could give them improved initiative as a racial ability. Lose the shapechange and you have a +0 LA (IMO).

Snakes can't filter oxygen from water, they are air breathers to the best of my knowledge. Some species can hold their breath for a very long time (to us) but they still need to surface to breathe. Also, if you want them to be cold blooded, you could restrict them to warmer climates; perhaps even give them additional weaknesses associated with low temps or cold-based attacks. This could be a way to balance out powers which have them on the edge of being a +1 LA race.

-Dave

 

[Nifft]

I've got some OGL Snake People which you're free to use. They're an all-open-mechanic reinterpretation of the Yuan-Ti, which are compatible with the Expanded Psionics Handbook and 3.5e generally.

They can be found here:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=92578

-- N

 

[Tonguez]

Heres the Ophidian snake-men from the WotC site

use it as a base, but remove the 'create spawn' ability, make them weaker, and cold vunerable (double damage from cold based attacks).

Also rather than a swim speed (as you seem to indicate above) just give them a natural +4 bonus to Swim skill ...

 

[Angel Tarragon]

What part of no level adjustment don't you guys understand?

 

[Nifft]

What part of no level adjustment don't you guys understand?

Gosh, now I really want to help you! Well done!

-- N

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Okay, I'm sorry for that little outburst. I really am. I guess I should just keep more of an open mind. Again, I'm sorry.

 

[DaveStebbins]

Yeah, be careful whom you paint with broad brush stroke comments. I actually tried to give you ideas for making +0 LA snake men, or adjusting existing snake-men to +0 LA.

You're welcome.

 

[Aaron2]

Also, I don't know: Can snakes filter oxygen out of the water? If so, how can I present this race as air and water breathers without the LA?

Snakes don't have gills. If they did they would be eels and "sinister eel-man" just isn't intimidating enough. Sea snakes can stay underwater for several hours by slowly absorbing oxygen from air that they swallowed.

What I would do if I were you is to create a base +0 LA snake make with few powers. Say +2 Dex, -2 Wis*, a save vs poison, and maybe a really weak poison bite (DC 8 or so). Then I would create three monster classes. The first would only be a few levels and would just bump up his basic snake powers; Str bonus, improved bite save DC etc. The second would be the Snake "Mastermind" type with improved intelligence and other mental stats plus some mythical snake powers like a hypnotic stare etc. The last one would be a more physically snake-like hybrid with increased physical stats, diminished mental stats and, possibly, eventually becoming Large sized with a snake tail replacing his legs. In all the classes, the character would be more snake-like (color, scales, shedding skin etc), as he gained levels. Ever see that movie "Ssssssssss"?


Aaron

*"he's more scare of you than you are of him"

 

[Gez]

If they did they would be eels and "sinister eel-man" just isn't intimidating enough.

You're going to make someone cry.