Ancestry: Yuan-Ti
Yuan-ti were originally humans who transformed themselves into serpent folk through ancient rituals. Most yuan-ti were corrupted into monsters by those rites, but some yuan-ti instead became a new people who mix characteristics of humans and snakes. Yuan-Ti once built grand temples and cities in the jungles of old, living under a strict hierarchy of power, but after years of prosperity, their reign over the jungles was toppled by their own uncontrolled rivalries and spycraft that nearly destroyed them entirely. After a long recovery, Yuan-Ti now integrate into other cultures, often forming organized groups to find autonomy under other's rules. They remain rarer than most people
Yuan-ti manifest their serpentine heritage in a variety of ways. Some might only have serpentine eyes, others might have whole body parts that are scaly and serpentine.
Yuan-Ti Traits
Ability Score Increase. One ability score of your choice increases by 2, and another by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Age. Yuan-Ti mature at the same rate as humans and have lifespans similar in length to theirs.
Alignment. Yuan-Ti are devoid of emotion, tending towards neutrality.
Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
Size. Yuan-Ti match humans in average size and weight. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 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.
Poison Resistance. You are resistant to Poison damage.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Abyssal.
Heritage: Pureblood
The Pureblood are Yuan-Ti who appear most human and are able to blend into other societies the best, but still have slight tells that give away their true nature. Being closest to humans, Purebloods generally have a greater sense of morality than other Yuan-Ti, but still tend towards neutrality.
Purebloods are almost indistinguishable from humans, with slight ophidian characteristics: a forked tongue, snake eyes, a snakelike nose, or some other snake-like feature.
Serpentine Diplomat. You know one additional language of your choice.
Serpent 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.
Heritage: Ophidianite
The Ophidianites are Yuan-Ti with serpentine features dominating their body. They are the most emotionless of Yuan-Ti, viewing the world like a large game with the goal of forwarding their own goals and maybe someone else's.
Ophidianites appear either mostly or purely serpent-like, partly or fully covered in scales. Their lower halves are serpent tails, which they use in combat to constrict their enemies. They typically hold their heads and torsos off the ground while moving, but they can increase their speed by lowering their bodies and using their hands for extra propulsion.
Constrictor. You can use your powerful tail to grapple creatures. While you are grappling a creature using your tail, you can use a bonus action on your turn to deal 1d4 Bludgeoning damage + your Strength modifier to it.
Venomous Fangs. Your bite is a natural weapon, which counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. You add your Constitution modifier, instead of your Strength modifier, to the attack and damage rolls when you attack with this bite. It deals 1d6 Poison damage on a hit.
Prestige Ancestry: Yuan-Ti Anathema
Yuan-Ti Ophidianites who devote themselves to dark serpent powers sometimes rise through the ranks of their followers to become spiritual leaders, believing they are destined for godhood. Their quest for godhood might lead it to perform a ritual that, if successful, transforms it into an even greater form: a Yuan-Ti Anathema.
The Anathema are often the head of crime families and leaders of dark followings, considering themselves demigods on the path to greater divinity. An anathema's most loyal followers see it as the pinnacle of the serpentine form, an unbelievable improvement on the nearly perfect Ophidianite.
Prestige
The Yuan-Ti Anathema is a Prestige Ancestry. It can be taken after character creation at any point when you would receive a Feat in place of taking a regular Feat. A character must meet the following prerequisites to do so:
- You must have a Constitution score of 16 or higher.
- You must be at least 8th level.
- You must have the Yuan-Ti ancestry with the Ophidianite heritage.
- You can't already have a Prestige Ancestry.
Your DM might allow you to ignore the Constitution Modifier prerequisite, and may allow you to take this Prestige ancestry at 1st level.
Regardless of when you gain this ancestry, its features modify or add onto your base ancestry's. If a feature is present on both the prestige ancestry and the base ancestry, you take the version of the feature in the prestige ancestry. If you gain more than one prestige ancestry, you use the newest version of any feature it has that you previously gained.
Anathema Traits
Immortal. Anathemas don't age, allowing them to pursue their goals until the end of days.
Multiple Heads. You have multiple heads, giving you advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on saving throws against being Blinded, Charmed, Deafened, or Frightened.
Flurry of Bites. You have six heads, which you can use to make a flurry of bite attacks. Make an attack with your Venomous Fangs. On a hit, you deal 3d6 Poison damage, instead of the Poison damage normal for your Venomous Fangs.
Snake Commander. You can cast the Animal Friendship spell at will, provided you target a snake.