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A deadly threat on [[Karasuthra]] and, to a lesser degree, [[Brux]], the aeserpent (also known as darkstrike or deathstrike) is a deadly predator that lurks the darkest areas of the [[Beastlands]].  This snake is thought by many to be in some way vampiric or magical in nature, as dangerous as it is.  However, this animal is purely natural, if ravenously efficient at hunting.
{{Creature}}
A deadly threat on [[Karasuthra]] and, to a lesser degree, [[Brux]], the aeserpent (also known as darkstrike or deathstrike) is a deadly predator that lurks the darkest areas of the [[Beastlands]].  Many think this snake to be in some way vampiric or magical, but this animal is purely natural, simply ravenously efficient at hunting.


 
This beast is thought by some sages to originate from a plane other than the Beastlands — a natural assumption given the Beastlands' nature. Though some suspect the Lower Planes on first impression, the lack of an evil nature to the aeserpent makes this an unlikely possibility.  The theory given most credence is that the aeserpent was of some prime world but was (likely) hunted to extinction due to the extreme danger of the species, leaving them only in the Beastlands; while it's possible that they in fact do exist on some yet-lost Prime, they've never been reported anywhere outside the Outer.
'''Aeserpent:''' AC 3 (-1 in darkness); MV 18; HD 7; THAC0 13; #AT 1; Dmg 2d4+1; SA Venom, swallows whole; SD Invisible in darkness; MR Nil; SZ L (20' long); ML Steady (11-12); Int Low (5-7); AL TN; XP 2000.
 
 
This animal is thought by some sages to originate somewhere other than the Beastlands, with the Lower Planes being the most common theory; the [[Abyss]] especially.  However, the lack of an evil nature to the aeserpent makes this an unlikely possibility.  There are two theories most commonly given as the likely origin of the aeserpent.  The first is that the aeserpent was a creature once on some prime world, but hunted to extinction there due to the extreme danger of the species, leaving aeserpents only in the Beastlands.  The other is that the aeserpent merely "migrated" to the Beastlands from some other realm, finding that plane more suited for its survival and either dying out in its original home or simply abandoning it.


==Appearance==
==Appearance==


The aeserpent is a massive snake, fully 20 feet long, covered with a deep black skin, the only interruption its glowing yellow eyes.  Prefering the darkness where their abilities are most usable, aeserpents can be found in most parts of Karasuthra, and rarely in the darkest sections of Brux, lurking in the grey mists of that layer.
The aeserpent is a massive snake, reaching fully 20 feet long in adulthood, covered with a deep black skin interrupted only by its glowing yellow eyes.  Preferring the darkness where they find themselves most at home, aeserpents can be found in most parts of Karasuthra, and rarely in the darkest sections of Brux, lurking in the grey mists of that layer.
 
These snakes are most often found alone, though occasionally in mated pairs.  Mated aeserpents are fervently protective of one another, gaining +1 to attack and damage if acting to protect each other, and fairly clever for animals at that, quite able to lure even humanoids into ambushes or traps, exploiting the natural landscape to arrange an encounter with quicksand, landslides, or other such events.  After having mated, the female aeserpent will eventually lay a clutch of 1d8 eggs, which the two animals protect as devotedly as one another.  After the eggs hatch, however, the newborn aeserpents are abandoned to make their way on their own.
 
==Abilities==


Aeserpents are quite adept at hiding in the darkest spots, effectively invisible in deep shadow or darker conditions.  Further, aeserpents striking from the darkness gain a +2 modifier to the surprise rolls of opponents.
These snakes are most often found alone, though they occasionally will be encountered in mated pairs.  Aeserpents mate for life, and are fervently protective of one another. ''Mated aeserpents will gain a +1 morale bonus to attack and damage when fighting together.'' Further, they're fairly clever for animals, quite able to lure even humanoids into ambushes or traps and often exploiting the natural landscape to arrange an encounter with quicksand, landslides, or other such hazards.  After having mated, the female aeserpent will lay a small clutch of up to 8 eggs after about 8 weeks' time, which the two animals protect as devotedly as one another.  After the eggs hatch, however, the newborn aeserpents are abandoned to make their way on their own; as aeserpents are not territorial, there is little conflict between parent and child after the latter reach maturity.


The feeding process of an aeserpent is two-fold, and requires both the special capabilities of this animal.  Before prey can be digested by an aeserpent, it must first be poisoned.  An aeserpent releases its venom on a successful bite, and should its target fail a saving throw vs. poison, it begins to feel the effects immediately.  The victim immediately begins feeling an excruciating pain, as its body begins comsuming its own blood at a rapid pace, leading to death for the individual in 2d6 rounds.  However, this can be prolonged.  A poisoned victim has a 5% chance per point of intelligence of realizing what is happening to them, and how to stave off death; consuming the blood of others, so as to gain the oxygen, water, and nutrients the only way their altered body can now take it in.  Both ''slow poison'' and ''neutralize poison'' can be used to slow the immediate alteration or remove it completely, respectively, but the damage incurred by the body's consumption of its own blood remains, with the individual having only 1d12 hit points remaining after the alteration is removed.  This damage cannot be healed naturally; magic must be employed to restore the victim's blood.
==Reference==


The second capability, though less directly horrific, is still a danger when facing an aeserpent.  After having poisoned its prey, it can swallow that prey whole and begin the process of digestion either after they fall or upon a natural 19 or 20 to hit.  If the victim is still alive when swallowed, they can only use piercing or slashing weapons no longer than two feet to cut their way free, and they die twice as fast from the poison as they otherwise would.
* {{cite|Planes of Conflict - Monstrous Supplement|pp. 2-3}}


[[Category:Blood]]
[[Category:Darkness]]
[[Category:Darkness]]

Latest revision as of 17:53, 27 April 2017

Statistics
Pathfinder

A deadly threat on Karasuthra and, to a lesser degree, Brux, the aeserpent (also known as darkstrike or deathstrike) is a deadly predator that lurks the darkest areas of the Beastlands. Many think this snake to be in some way vampiric or magical, but this animal is purely natural, simply ravenously efficient at hunting.

This beast is thought by some sages to originate from a plane other than the Beastlands — a natural assumption given the Beastlands' nature. Though some suspect the Lower Planes on first impression, the lack of an evil nature to the aeserpent makes this an unlikely possibility. The theory given most credence is that the aeserpent was of some prime world but was (likely) hunted to extinction due to the extreme danger of the species, leaving them only in the Beastlands; while it's possible that they in fact do exist on some yet-lost Prime, they've never been reported anywhere outside the Outer.

Appearance

The aeserpent is a massive snake, reaching fully 20 feet long in adulthood, covered with a deep black skin interrupted only by its glowing yellow eyes. Preferring the darkness where they find themselves most at home, aeserpents can be found in most parts of Karasuthra, and rarely in the darkest sections of Brux, lurking in the grey mists of that layer.

These snakes are most often found alone, though they occasionally will be encountered in mated pairs. Aeserpents mate for life, and are fervently protective of one another. Mated aeserpents will gain a +1 morale bonus to attack and damage when fighting together. Further, they're fairly clever for animals, quite able to lure even humanoids into ambushes or traps and often exploiting the natural landscape to arrange an encounter with quicksand, landslides, or other such hazards. After having mated, the female aeserpent will lay a small clutch of up to 8 eggs after about 8 weeks' time, which the two animals protect as devotedly as one another. After the eggs hatch, however, the newborn aeserpents are abandoned to make their way on their own; as aeserpents are not territorial, there is little conflict between parent and child after the latter reach maturity.

Reference

  • Planes of Conflict - Monstrous Supplement, pp. 2-3
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