Serpentfolk Overlord

Large Monstrosity (Serpentfolk), Lawful Evil

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Armor Class 18 (Natural Armor)

Hit Points 187 (22d10 + 66)

Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

CR: 16 (15,000 XP)

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Abilities

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)	17 (+3)	21 (+5)

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Saving Throws Dex +9, Int +10, Wis +8, Cha +10

Skills Arcana +10, Deception +11, Insight +9, Perception +9, Stealth +9

Damage Resistances Poison, Psychic

Damage Immunities Poison

Condition Immunities Charmed, Poisoned

Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 19

Languages Abyssal, Draconic, Infernal, Common, Telepathy 120 ft.

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Innate Spellcasting (Psionics).

The Serpentfolk Overlord’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

• At Will: Detect Thoughts, Minor Illusion, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation
• 3/Day Each: Suggestion, Fear, Hypnotic Pattern, Invisibility
• 1/Day Each: Dominate Person, Greater Invisibility, Wall of Force

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Legendary Resistance (3/Day).

If the Serpentfolk Overlord fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

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Serpent’s Grace.

The Serpentfolk Overlord moves through difficult terrain without penalty and has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks while in dim light or darkness.

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Actions

Multiattack.

The Serpentfolk Overlord makes three attacks, choosing from the following options:

• One with its Serpentine Blade or Venomous Longbow,
• One with its Bite attack,
• One with either Hypnotic Gaze or Spit Venom.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

• Hit: 12 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.
• If the target is a creature, it must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns.

Serpentine Blade (Weapon Attack).

Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

• Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) slashing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

(Weapon Properties: A wavy-bladed, enchanted longsword, infused with dark magic. The blade pulses with green energy, leaving a sickly glow in its wake.)

Venomous Longbow (Weapon Attack).

Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target.

• Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.
• If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. A poisoned target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns.

(Weapon Properties: A wicked, blackwood longbow adorned with golden snake motifs. Arrows fired from it hiss through the air, dripping with venom.)

Hypnotic Gaze.

Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +10 to hit, range 30 ft., one target.

• Hit: The target must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. While charmed, the target is incapacitated and can only take the Dodge action. The target repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Spit Venom (Recharge 5-6).

Ranged Attack: +9 to hit, range 30 ft., one target.

• Hit: The target must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be blinded for 1 minute. The target may repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns.

Shadowstep (Recharge 4-6).

As a Bonus Action, the Serpentfolk Overlord can magically teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space in dim light or darkness.

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Legendary Actions (3/Turn)

The Serpentfolk Overlord can take three legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Slither. The Serpentfolk Overlord moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Psionic Command. A charmed or grappled creature must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or become stunned until the end of its next turn.
• Cast a Spell (Costs 2 Actions). The Serpentfolk Overlord casts a spell from its Innate Spellcasting list.

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Tactics & Combat Strategy

• Master Manipulator: It weakens enemies before combat, using Suggestion, Hypnotic Pattern, and Dominate Person to turn allies against each other.
• High Mobility: It strikes with Serpentine Blade, then Shadowsteps away, forcing foes to chase it.
• Battlefield Control: It separates enemies using Wall of Force, then picks them off one by one.
• Ranged Superiority: If outmatched, it uses Venomous Longbow while maintaining a safe distance.

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Lair Actions (if in its Temple or Stronghold)

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Serpentfolk Overlord can use one of the following lair actions:

• Whispers of the Ancients. All creatures of the Serpentfolk’s choice within 60 ft. must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
• Venomous Mist. A toxic fog fills a 20-foot radius area, lightly obscuring vision. Creatures inside must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) poison damage at the start of their turn.
• Stone Awakens. A serpentine statue animates as a Giant Constrictor Snake under the Serpentfolk Overlord’s control for 1 minute.

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Treasure & Rewards

Possible treasures include:

• Serpentine Blade (Legendary Weapon): +2 longsword, deals extra poison damage and allows one Hypnotic Gaze per long rest.
• Venomfang Arrows (Rare Ammunition): Arrows coated in a powerful venom, dealing extra 3d6 poison damage on hit.
• Ring of the Serpent Lord (Wondrous Item, Very Rare): Grants resistance to poison damage and advantage on Deception checks.

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This serpentine humanoid has bright scaly skin, a long sinuous tail, and a fanged serpent’s head.

Orginally posted on Pathfinder SRD

To the serpentfolk, the pursuit of knowledge and magic is the highest goal. Their legends speak of how humanity rose to power only through the theft of serpent magic, a legend that may form the basis of the hatred toward humanity most serpentfolk harbor. They view themselves as the undisputed masters of magic, be it arcane or divine. Yet despite this, the majority of serpentfolk today are degenerates who have devolved to the point of primeval savagery and have lost much of their magical legacy ‘more civilized serpentfolk generally regard these degenerates with
shame and disdain.

Serpentfolk are 6 feet tall and weigh 120 pounds. Degenerates are only 5 feet tall but weigh 200 pounds. All serpentfolk are quite long-lived, and generally live to the age of 500.

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Serpentfolk CR 4

XP 1,200 NE Medium monstrous humanoid Init +9; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Scent; Perception +10

DEFENSE

AC 18, touch 15, flat-footed 13 (+5 Dexterity, +3 natural) hp 42 (5d10+15) Fort +6, Ref +9, Will +6 Immune mind-affecting effects, Paralysis, poison; SR 15

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft. Melee mwk Dagger +11 (1d4-1/19-20), bite +5 (1d6-1 plus poison) Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th; Concentration +7) At will- Disguise Self (DC 14), ventriloquism 1/day – blur, mirror image, suggestion (DC 16)

STATISTICS

Strength 8, Dexterity 21, Constitution 17, Intelligence 18, Wisdom 15, Charisma 16 Base Atk +5; CMB +4; CMD 19 Feats Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse Skills Acrobatics +10, Disguise +8, Escape Artist +18, Knowledge (Arcana) +9, Perception +10, Sense Motive +7, Spellcraft +9, Use Magic Device +12; Racial Modifiers +4 Use Magic Device, +8 Escape Artist Languages Aklo, Common, Draconic, Undercommon; telepathy 100 ft.

ECOLOGY

Environment any land (usually jungles or underground) Organization solitary, pair, or cult (3-12) Treasure NPC gear (masterwork Dagger, other treasure)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Poison (Ex) Bite – injury; save Fort DC 15; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Strength; cure 2 saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Advanced Serpentfolk

When a serpentfolk gains class levels, several of its abilities increase as well, as detailed below.

• Spell Resistance equals total Hit Dice + 10.
• Poison bite save DC equals 10 + Constitution modifier + 1/2 total Hit Dice.
• When it is 4th level in any class combination, it gains two spell-like abilities usable once per day each: dominate person and major image. When it reaches 9th level in any combination, it gains two more usable once per day each: Mass suggestion and teleport.
• A serpentfolk’s racial ability score modifiers are as follows: Strength -2, Dexterity +10, Constitution +6, Intelligence +8, Wisdom +4, Charisma +6.

Degenerate Serpentfolk

Degenerate serpentfolk possess the same statistics as normal serpentfolk, save for the following adjustments.

• They have no spell-like abilities.
• They lose the +4 racial bonus on Use Magic Device checks, but gain a +4 racial bonus on Perception checks.
• Their natural armor bonus increases from +3 to +7.
• They have the following ability score modifiers: Strength +10, Dexterity +2, Constitution +8, Intelligence –6 (minimum 3), Wisdom +2, Charisma – 4. A typical degenerate serpentfolk’s ability scores are Strength 20, Dexterity 13, Constitution 19, Intelligence 4, Wisdom 13, Charisma 6.

Serpentfolk Elite Guard

Medium Monstrosity (Serpentfolk), Lawful Evil

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Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)

Hit Points 110 (13d8 + 52)

Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

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Abilities

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	15 (+2)	14 (+2)

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Saving Throws Dex +7, Wis +5, Cha +5

Skills Acrobatics +7, Perception +5, Stealth +7, Athletics +6

Damage Resistances Poison

Damage Immunities Poison

Condition Immunities Charmed, Poisoned

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15

Languages Draconic, Infernal, Common

CR: 7 (2,900 XP)

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Innate Spellcasting (Psionics).

The Serpentfolk Elite Guard’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

• At Will: Detect Thoughts, Minor Illusion
• 1/Day Each: Misty Step, Hold Person

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Serpent’s Agility.

The Serpentfolk Elite Guard can take the Dash action as a bonus action on each of its turns.

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Actions

Multiattack.

The Serpentfolk Elite Guard makes two attacks, one with its Venomstrike Blade and one with its Bite attack.

Venomstrike Blade (Weapon Attack).

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

• Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

(Weapon Properties: A wickedly curved blade, made from a dark, glimmering metal. Its edge is infused with toxic venom, leaving a glowing green trail with every strike.)

Bite.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.*

• Hit: 8 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.
• If the target is a creature, it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns.

Poison Spit (Recharge 5-6).

Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 30 ft., one target.

• Hit: The target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) poison damage and become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns.

Hypnotic Gaze (Recharge 5-6).

Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 30 ft., one target.

• Hit: The target must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. While charmed, the target is incapacitated and can only take the Dodge action. The target repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

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Reactions

Snake’s Reflexes.

When a creature within 5 feet of the Serpentfolk Elite Guard misses it with a melee attack, the Elite Guard can use its reaction to make a Bite attack against that creature.

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Tactics & Combat Strategy

• Hit-and-Run Tactics: The Serpentfolk Elite Guard uses its Serpent’s Agility to dash in and out of combat, striking quickly with its Venomstrike Blade and Bite before retreating into the shadows or using Misty Step to reposition.
• Poisonous Attacks: The guard’s Bite and Poison Spit inflict dangerous toxins that can incapacitate or weaken foes, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.
• Hypnotic Gaze: It may use Hypnotic Gaze to isolate key targets from their allies, rendering them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.

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Lair Actions (if in the Temple of the Serpentfolk)

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Serpentfolk Elite Guard can use one of the following lair actions:

• Serpent’s Frenzy. The guard can move up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks and make one Bite attack as a free action.
• Venomous Miasma. A toxic cloud of venom fills a 10-foot radius around the Elite Guard, causing any creature that starts its turn within the cloud to take 5 (1d10) poison damage.

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Treasure & Rewards

• Venomstrike Blade (Rare Weapon): +1 curved blade, deals extra poison damage on a hit and allows the wielder to use Hypnotic Gaze once per long rest.

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Serpentfolk Thrall

Medium humanoid (serpentfolk), Lawful Evil

Armor Class 12 (natural scales)

Hit Points 22 (4d8 + 4)

Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	8 (-1)	10 (+0)	9 (-1)

Saving Throws Dex +4

Skills Stealth +4, Perception +2

Damage Resistances Poison

Condition Immunities Charmed

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12

Languages Abyssal, Draconic, Common (understands but rarely speaks)

Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

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TRAITS

Broken Will. A Serpentfolk Thrall has been conditioned to obey its masters. It has disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened or commanded by a Serpentfolk of higher status.

Poison Resistance. Due to their lineage, Serpentfolk Thralls have developed a mild resistance to toxins. They have advantage on saving throws against poison and resistance to poison damage.

Desperate Survival. If reduced to half its hit points or lower, the Serpentfolk Thrall gains advantage on its next attack roll or ability check as sheer desperation takes hold.

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ACTIONS

Multiattack. The Serpentfolk Thrall makes two melee attacks.

Rusty Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or take 3 (1d6) poison damage.

Cower (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The Serpentfolk Thrall drops to its knees, begging for mercy or seeking to avoid harm. All enemies within 10 feet must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on attacks against it for 1 minute. If an allied Serpentfolk is within sight, the Thrall instead gains temporary hit points equal to its level.

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TACTICS

• The Serpentfolk Thrall fights only when commanded, often acting as fodder in battle.
• If given the chance, it will hesitate before striking a non-Serpentfolk, especially if offered mercy.
• When cornered or sensing an opportunity for freedom, it may turn on its masters in desperation.
• Uses Cower as a survival mechanism when overwhelmed.

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LORE

Serpentfolk Thralls are the lowest caste of their cruel society, comprised of weaker bloodlines, prisoners, and broken warriors who have been stripped of identity and willpower through years of torment. Though they retain their serpentine agility and predatory instincts, most are too afraid to rebel, serving as expendable frontline soldiers or temple laborers. However, deep within their dimmed eyes, some still harbor a faint ember of defiance, waiting for the right moment to strike back against their masters—or flee into the unknown.