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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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There is a Legacy version here.

PFS StandardCoil Spy

Some serpentfolk undergo intense ritual training and practice to improve their innate ability to disguise themselves. These serpentfolk often identify as members of a sinister society known as the Coils of Ydersius, and the most devoted of their number seek out methods of reincarnating into new forms to infiltrate enemy societies even more efficiently. Coil spies train in methods of infiltrating other societies to such an extent that they might be capable of infiltrating a mammalian civilization for years. Though they're expected to work entirely toward the eventual triumph of their people, most Coil spies also find personal pursuits. When Coil spies get caught, it's rarely due to a lack of skill, but rather to their arrogance or recklessness as they pursue their hedonistic desires.

Recall Knowledge - Humanoid (Society): DC 19
Unspecific Lore: DC 17
Specific Lore: DC 14

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Elite are marked in red below.
NOTE: The +2 damage bonus to non-strike offensive abilities (+4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Elite Coil SpyCreature 5

Medium Humanoid Serpentfolk 
Source Monster Core pg. 304
Perception +12; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Languages Aklo, Common, Dwarven, Gnomish, Sakvroth; telepathy 100 feet
Skills Acrobatics +12, Deception +15, Diplomacy +13, Intimidation +13, Occultism +12, Society +12, Stealth +14, Thievery +14
Str +2, Dex +4, Con +1, Int +4, Wis +2, Cha +5
Items hand crossbow (20 bolts), shortsword, spider venom (2), thieves' toolkit
AC 24; Fort +11, Ref +14, Will +12 (+4 status vs. mental); +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 63; Resistances poison 5
Thin of Blood Zyss serpentfolk recover slowly from injuries. When they take physical damage from a critical hit, they gain 1d4 persistent bleed damage. They take a –2 circumstance penalty to flat checks to recover from persistent damage and saving throws against afflictions.
Speed 25 feet
Melee [one-action] shortsword +16 [+12/+8] (agile, finesse, versatile S), Damage 1d6+2+5 piercing plus serpentfolk venomMelee [one-action] fangs +16 [+11/+6] (finesse), Damage 1d6+2+5 piercing plus serpentfolk venomRanged [one-action] hand crossbow +12 [+7/+2] (range increment 60 feet, reload 1), Damage 1d6+2+3 piercing plus serpentfolk venom or spider venomOccult Innate Spells DC 23 (+4 dmg); 4th suggestion; 3rd illusory disguise (at will); 2nd blur (self only; at will); 1st ventriloquism (at will)
Deceptive Reposition [one-action] The Coil spy Strides up to half their Speed and attempts a Feint, in either order.Maintain Disguise A Coil spy can maintain an ongoing illusory disguise as long as they are conscious without having to re-cast the spell; they need only Cast the Spell again to reassume their illusory disguise if they wish to change their appearance or if the active spell is dispelled. Coil spies typically seek privacy when they need to sleep, as an ongoing illusory disguise ends an hour after they fall unconscious.Serpentfolk Venom (poison) Saving Throw DC 21 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d4 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round); Stage 2 2d4 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round)Sneak Attack The Coil spy's Strikes deal an extra 2d6 precision damage to off-guard creatures.

All Monsters in "Serpentfolk"

NameLevel
Aapoph Granitescale6
Aapoph Serpentfolk3
Bone Prophet8
Coil Spy4
Serpentfolk Granitescale6
Venom Caller7
Zyss Serpentfolk2

Serpentfolk

Source Monster Core pg. 302
Before their ancient clash with humanity devastated their civilization, serpentfolk were masters of a sprawling underground empire. Their power was shattered and their god Ydersius decapitated (although not quite slain). The cunning, intelligence, and magical abilities of serpentfolk have diminished from their ancient heights, and most are born without these boons. This is partially the result of cruel genetic meddling among serpentfolk—though the ruling class, zyss, are born with an innate spellcasting ability, their blood runs thin, making them susceptible to wounds. Seen as the failures of the serpentfolk's experiments are the aapophs, who are strong but prone to mutation and lack innate spellcasting.

Today, the central realm of the Darklands retains the old name of the serpentfolk empire that once dominated this region—Sekamina. This name is also the source of the serpentfolk's Aklo title, sekmin, which they are often called in ancient texts. Serpentfolk dominion had declined before ghouls, gugs, umbral gnomes, and other forces. Yet their recent ventures have brought them back to a stronger place in the Darklands. Many serpentfolk sleeping in torpor in secluded vaults have awakened.

Zyss serpentfolk tend toward megalomania, with dreams of returning to their place of dominance. Many of their plans hinge on resurrecting Ydersius, their decapitated god. His headless body still thrashes about, mindless, in the Darklands, waiting to be reunited with his lost skull. Serpentfolk numbers are so small that reclaiming their dominance seems a distant dream, especially since their reproduction is slow. Though a parent can birth a dozen young at once, the gestation period lasts up to a decade, and the likelihood that even one will be zyss is low. There's no telling whether a child will be zyss or aapoph, regardless of parentage. A coveted zyss child is just as likely to arise from aapoph parents as from two zyss, and every serpentfolk colony has someone in charge of sorting the young, identifying the earliest signs of magic in them.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Above the Surface

A small number of serpentfolk settlements dot Golarion's surface, most of them in humid, remote jungles, far-flung islands, or at the mouths of caverns. It's rare for such a settlement to number more than a few dozen serpentfolk. They rely primarily on aapophs to build their power bases, to defend them, and to perform essentially all the practical functions of their society. This includes providing food, crafting goods, and tending to the zyss's every need.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Serpentfolk Magic

Some serpentfolk might have entirely different innate spells. These alternative spells are typically illusions, mental spells, or divinatory magic. Examples, listed by their minimum rank, include: 6th mislead, zealous conviction; 5th mind probe; 4th honeyed words; 3rd dream message, enthrall, mind reading; 2nd invisibility (self only); 1st mindlink, phantom pain. Aapoph serpentfolk lack innate spells.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Zyss Strife

A serpentfolk conclave with just a few zyss is functional, but one with a large number becomes fractious. Cults and societies form, all pursuing their own passions and politics, with scheming and backstabbing running rampant. A powerful priest may be able to bring other zyss to heel, but many zyss question why a priest should be in charge if their god is dead. Thriving on decadence, zyss crave receiving expensive gifts, gorging themselves on massive meals, and pursing arts such as music, poetry, or sculpture.