I created this with the idea of a playable snake-person race. I wasn't really happy with the flavor of the Reptoid race and I wasn't interested in the two snake inspired races from pathfinder, the Nagaji and Vishkayna.
I'm not really looking for feedback, but it is appreciated. Please give me credit if you re-post this or use it publicly.
NPC stat block:
Nahsi CR 1 XP 400
N Medium humanoid (Nahsi)
Init +4; Senses blindsight (heat) 60 ft., Low-Light vision; Perception +2
Defense
HP 20
EAC 13; KAC 11
Fort +3; Ref +3; Will +1
Weakness Cold-Blooded
Statistics Str +1; Dex +4; Con +0; Int +0; Wis +0; Cha +2
Skills Athletics +5, Stealth +10, Survival +5
Languages Nahsian, Common
Other Abilities Muffled
Ecology Environment any (Hesa)
Organization solitary, pair, group (3-7)
Description:
Tall and slender, Nahsi have the head and tail of a snake, but the body of a humanoid with thin pointed fingers. Their entire bodies are covered in fine scales. Their colors range from light tan to a rusty reddish brown, white to black, and lime to forest green. Patterns are just as common as solid colors. Their slitted eyes are that of a serpent as well, with iris colors ranging from yellow to green, red to brown, and even white to black. Unlike typical snakes, they can blink or close their eyes thanks to a reticulated eyelid. The Nahsi are from the planet Hesa, a planet located in the Vast. With the exception of the frozen poles, their planet is comprised of mostly swamplands and rainforests with the occasional desert. Those Nahsi who hail from the desert regions often resemble cobras with a hood on the sides of their heads and necks. Those who are from the rainforests resemble vipers, with pointed scales and slight ridges, extending from their eyes and down the back of their heads, ending about half-way down their necks. Nahsi from the swamplands resemble pythons with bulbous heads and rounded facial features. Prior to the Gap, they were tribal hunters, fighting for their lives against the untamed wilds of Hesa. In the Post-Gap age, they have embraced technology and are now a space-faring race. Traditionally insular, they now wish to learn more about the worlds and cultures around them, often leading individuals to become adventurers.
Racial Traits:
Skilled with their hands, and eager to engage with new cultures, but with limited knowledge, the Nahsi receive the following ability adjustments at character creation.
Ability Adjustments: +2 Dex, +2 Cha, -2 Wis
Hit Points: 6
Size and Type: Nahsi are Medium humanoids with the Nahsi subtype.
Serpent Sight: Nahsi have Low-light vision and Blindsight (heat) 60 ft, and gain a +2 to Perception checks.
Cold-Blooded: Nahsi are cold-blooded and are therefore sensitive environmental temperatures. They take a -2 to Fortitude saves to take no damage due to Hot or Cold environments.
Muffled: Nahsi move very quietly and gain a +2 to stealth checks.
Natural Weapons: Nahsi have a natural bite attack, using their fangs, that deals 1d3 Piercing damage and doesn't count as archaic. Nahsi gain a unique weapon specialization with their natural weapons at 3rd level, allowing them to add 1–1/2 × their character level to their damage rolls for their natural weapons (instead of just adding their character level, as usual). If their fangs ever break, they can be regrown within 1d6 days.
Venomous: When a Nahsi makes a successful bite attack, and the target takes damage from the attack, as a reaction the Nahsi can expose the target to venom. Once a Nahsi has used their venom, they can do so again only after taking a 10-minute rest to regain Stamina Points. A Nahsi is immune to the effects of their own venom.
Nahsi Venom:
Type poison (injury); Save Fortitude (DC = 10 + half the Nahsi’s level + the Nahsi’s Constitution modifier)
Track Dexterity (special); Frequency 1/round for 6 rounds
Effect progression track is Healthy—Sluggish—Stiffened—Staggered—Immobile; immobile is the end state.
Cure 2 consecutive saves
Vital Statistics:
Males are typically 6' to 7' feet tall, weight between 150-200 pounds, and tend to live to 90+2d20 years old. Females are slightly shorter at 5'6" to 6'6" feet tall, they weigh slightly less at 135 to 175 pounds, and live slightly longer than males at 100+2d20 years. The age of maturity for this race is 15 years old.
Subtype Graft:
Nahsi
This subtype is applied to Nahsi and creatures related to Nahsi.
Traits: Low-Light vision, Blindsight (Heat) 60 ft., if the NPC is of the Nahsi race, it also gains the Cold-Blooded, Muffled, Venomous, and Natural Weapons racial traits.
Nice! I was just thinking the other day that there was design space for this kid of species. Well done!
Thanks! Yeah, I agree that there'a a lack of snake representation. Apparently the Yuan-Ti from D&D are a trademarked race. I can't help but wonder if that may be the reason why humanoid snakes aren't as readily available.
AP 21, Huskworld contains Ramiyel's, but that's still only one Ophidian Race.
Ah, I had forgotten about them. I'm not really a fan of the lamia-type ophidians. Plus I feel like the Ramiyel are a little restricted with character customization. You are restricted to female only and it implies they are usually good aligned. I prefer to leave a bit more room for personality and customization. Finally, I'm not really a fan of how most of the ophidians in ttrpgs seem to have at least some psychic abilities. It's not a bad thing, I just don't think it fits in very well with snake-like beings. I prefer my snakes to be dexterous and strong.
But good point about the fact that it's only one race. It really is an area that has potential for expansion. I've also been interested in a sentient ooze race. So I'm glad there's at least a couple (I think?) options at this point.
