The Iron Serpents

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This notorious bandit group, known as "**The Iron Serpents"**, was a clandestine coalition of cunning Yuan-Ti Purebloods and resourceful Kobolds. They gained infamy throughout the region for their audacious raids on villages and settlements, leaving a wake of fear and destruction in their path.

## Description

### Appearance

**Branding:** The Iron Serpents' emblem, a coiled iron serpent encircling a dagger, symbolized the deadly precision of their strikes and the stealth with which they operated. This ominous mark, painted in black on the doors of raided homes and stolen goods, served as a harbinger of imminent danger and a testament to the group's ruthlessness.

## General Infomation

### Notable Raids

The bandits' notorious raids, including the one on Eldergrove, revealed a deeper connection to Serpenthorn. Symbols resembling the ancient serpent's scales adorned the scenes of their crimes, adding a layer of mystique to their sinister agenda. The Iron Serpents' actions left a scar on the village, setting the stage for a clash between their twisted motives and the resilience of Eldergrove's survivors.

### Diety

The Iron Serpents, driven by an insatiable devotion, worshiped Serpenthorn as if it were a deity, elevating the ancient serpent guardian to the status of a god in their eyes. The cult-like reverence for Serpenthorn permeated every aspect of the bandit group's existence, influencing their actions, rituals, and even their very identity.

## Clan Information

#### Leader's Nickname

The Coilmaster, a powerful Yuan-Ti with a deep connection to serpents, the enigmatic leader of the Iron Serpents, served as the conduit between the bandits and their perceived deity. With a deep connection to snakes and a mysterious aura that hinted at a divine link, the Coilmaster embodied the serpent god's will in the eyes of the bandits. Their identity remained shrouded in secrecy, adding an air of mystery to the bandit group.

### Modus Operandi

Under the leadership of the enigmatic Coilmaster, the Yuan-Ti Purebloods orchestrated well-planned heists and ambushes, while Kobolds played crucial roles as scouts, trap-setters, and foot soldiers. The combination of serpentine cunning and Kobold ingenuity made The Iron Serpents a formidable force in the criminal underworld.

#### Role of Kobolds

Kobolds, the industrious and subservient members of the group, played diverse roles within The Iron Serpents. They served as scouts, gathering vital information, trap-setters, creating deadly surprises, and foot soldiers executing the Coilmaster's orders with precision. Together, the Yuan-Ti Purebloods and Kobolds formed a deadly coalition, each contributing unique strengths to the overall operation of The Iron Serpents. This combined force of serpentine cunning and Kobold ingenuity made them a formidable and fearsome presence in the criminal landscape.

## Serpenthorn

**Serpenthorn**, an ancient and mythical serpent deity, stood as the guardian of a powerful and enigmatic artifact hidden within the depths of the Forgotten Grove. This colossal creature embodied the essence of both divine power and primordial chaos, its serpentine form winding and coiling with majestic grace.

The guardian serpent's scales, iridescent in shades of emerald and obsidian, caught the light in a mesmerizing dance of colors. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly radiance, casting an ethereal luminescence that pierced the shadows. Crowned with majestic, antler-like horns that twisted with regal elegance, Serpenthorn's mouth, filled with razor-sharp fangs, opened to reveal an abyssal darkness within.

Serpenthorn's divine aura was palpable, and its mere presence evoked a sense of reverence and fear. It moved with sinuous and deliberate grace, leaving a trail of arcane energy in its wake. The serpent's connection to the forces of nature was evident as vibrant plant life blossomed in its wake, and creatures of the wild seemed to pay homage to the majestic guardian.

Legends spoke of Serpenthorn's dual nature, embodying both creation and destruction, chaos and order. As the guardian of the artifact hidden within the Forgotten Grove, Serpenthorn's purpose was to protect this source of power and mystery. Its enigmatic gaze pierced the veil of reality, suggesting an awareness that transcended mortal understanding.

The artifact itself, concealed within the heart of the Forgotten Grove, held the key to untold secrets and potential. Serpenthorn, with its divine duty, guarded this ancient relic against those who sought to exploit its power for nefarious purposes. The serpent's presence added an air of mythical significance to the Forgotten Grove, turning it into a sacred and mystical realm where the boundaries between the divine and the mortal blurred.

### Death of Serpenthorn

In a decisive turn of events within the Forgotten Grove, Bastian and Lyra, a determined party of adventurers, successfully confronted and vanquished the guardian deity Serpenthorn. Serpenthorn, an ancient serpent with the divine responsibility of safeguarding a mysterious artifact hidden in the heart of the Grove, yielded to Bastian's resolute efforts. With the deity's defeat, the artifact now rests in the possession of the victorious adventurer, altering the landscape of the sacred realm. This historic event marks a significant chapter in the Grove's narrative, signifying the end of Serpenthorn's era as the guardian and highlighting the emergence of a new order shaped by mortal agency.