Perilous Gateways
The Winding Serpent
By James Wyatt
The Serpent Sibyl
The Serpent Sibyl: Female half-fiend yuan-ti abomination Ftr5/Sor6; CR 20; Large outsider (evil); HD 9d8+45 (half-fiend) plus 5d10+25 (Ftr) plus 6d4+30 (Sor); hp 182; Init +9; Spd 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft., fly 30 ft. (average); AC 28 (touch 14, flat-footed 23); Atk +24 melee (1d8+8, bite), +19 melee (1d6+4, 4 claws); or +27/+22/+17+12 melee (2d6+16 plus 1d6 fire/19-20, Huge +2 flaming spiked chain); or +23/+18/+13/+8 ranged (2d6+8/x3, Huge +1 mighty (+6) composite longbow with +1 arrows); Reach 10 ft. (20 ft. with chain); SA improved grab, constrict (1d6+10), psionics, spell-like abilities; SQ acid, cold, electricity, and fire resistance 20, poison immunity, outsider traits; SR 16; AL NE; SV Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +18; Str 26, Dex 20, Con 21, Int 20, Wis 22, Cha 24.
Skills and Feats: Bluff +17, Climb +16, Concentration +20, Diplomacy +19, Hide +13, Intimidate +19, Knowledge (arcana) +20, Knowledge (local) +12, Knowledge (planes) +14, Knowledge (religion) +12, Listen +17, Move Silently +12, Search +12, Spellcraft +11, Spot +17; Alertness, Blind-Fight, Dodge, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (spiked chain), Expertise, Improved Critical (spiked chain), Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (spiked chain), Weapon Specialization (spiked chain).
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the Serpent Sibyl must hit with her bite attack. If she gets a hold, she can constrict.
Constrict (Ex): The Serpent Sibyl crushes the opponent, dealing 1d6+7 points of bludgeoning damage, after making a successful grapple check.
Psionics (Sp): Detect poison, alternate form (Tiny to Large viper, as shapechange), chameleon power (+8 to hide), produce acid (1d6 damage by touch), aversion (DC 29 Will save or avoid snakes for 10 minutes).
Spell-like Abilities (Sp): 3/day -- darkness, poison; 1/day -- animal trance, cause fear, deeper darkness, desecrate, entangle, neutralize poison, suggestion, polymorph other, and unholy blight. These abilities are as the spell cast by a 9th-level sorcerer (save DC = 19 + spell level).
Outsider Traits: Darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be raised or resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell can restore life).
Sorcerer Spells Known: (6/8/7/5; base DC = 19 + spell level): 0 -- arcane mark, detect magic, flare, light, ray of frost, read magic, resistance; 1st -- cause fear, mage armor, magic missile, true strike; 2nd -- alter self, Melf's acid arrow; 3rd -- lightning bolt.
Possessions: Huge +2 flaming spiked chain, Huge +1 mighty (+6) composite longbow, 20 +1 arrows, +3 bracers of armor.
The offspring of a yuan-ti abomination and a marilith demon, the creature known as the Serpent Sibyl is a thing of terror. She looks like a large serpent, about 14 feet long, with thick black scales and glowing red eyes. Four humanoid arms, also covered in scales, protrude from her body below her neck. She uses two for spellcasting, while two wield her massive spiked chain. Two great wings, like the wings of a pterodactyl, stretch from her back near her arms.
The Serpent Sibyl believes herself to be a reincarnation of Sseth, the avatar of Set who ruled Serpentes a thousand years ago. Her followers believe so, too. She is coldly arrogant, cruel, and despotic, but she has the ability to inspire her followers -- stirring them with visions of the grandeur of their ancient empires, spurring them on to regain that lost glory. She herself believes wholeheartedly in that vision, and imagines herself ruling a new, grander yuan-ti empire for centuries, just as Sseth did.