Sea serpent

There are many, many species of Serpents, each with their own special abilities, evolution, history, and ecological niche.

Serpents are notably different from their snake relatives. Serpents live entirely in water, they lay hard-shell eggs, most have the ability to use low amounts of magic, they possess higher intelligence then snakes, they may have scaly webbed spines protruding from the middle of their backs, are warm-blooded (kind of), and they live a very long-long time. They appear more like our myths of Asian dragons than snakes.

## Sea Serpent

Sea Serpents originated in the greater Central Lakes region. They are very large and feared by most who encounter them. They are known for knocking over ships and devouring those who were unlucky to be a victim. Sea serpents are pretty rare due to their size, and most prefer to tackle other large mega-fauna, but humans may sometimes be victims. Sea Serpents show signs of using low magic, but it is debated whether they can be considered intelligent and sentient. There are two variant species which each reside in their own lake.

### Sea of Hope Variety

Closely related to the New Ocean variety and closest relative of the River Serpents, The Sea of Hope Variety is known for its intelligence and magical ability, the most mystical of all the Serpents. The Sea of Hope Variety is also the smallest of the Sea Serpents, reaching a maximum length of ~7 meters. The Sea of Hope Variety are greenish-grey with lines of dark blue and white underside.

### The New Ocean Variety

Closely related to the Sea of hope variety, the New Ocean Variety is mostly known for being the creepiest looking out of all the serpents having long sharp crooked teeth, large spines, and a devilish/goblin shark appearance. It is unknown what the New Ocean variety looks so different. The New Ocean Variety is substantially larger than it's cousins in the Sea of Hope. The variety can reach an average length of 8 meters and 12 meter Sea Serpents are not unheard of. They tend to be black with a white underside and lines of dark blue near the tail.

### Northern Oceans Variety

Closely related to the Ocean Depth Variety. While serpent sizes are smaller in the large Lakes due to competition for space, in the vast void of the Northern Oceans, sea serpents reach horrific lengths. These serpents are few and far between due to their tremendous size of 45 meters on average. The main prey of these Arctic Mega Serpents are Lordwhales and the organisms that follow such creatures, the consumption of which can keep one satisfied for weeks at a time. In the absence of other mega-fauna, these sea serpents may turn on each other, or sometimes venture close to the surface to prey on unfortunate travellers. Fortunately, due to their size, these serpents never wander close to the shallow oceans.

They tend to be white in colour with grey streaks across their body. Their predatory nature also means that they're covered in many scars

### Ocean Depth Variety

Closely related to the Northern Oceans Variety, the Ocean Depth Variety are very similar but lack eyes and live almost exclusively in the far depths of the ocean. Not much is known about them, and the only information about them has been from when the few times a corpse has washed up on shore. The low frequency of this compared to other Sea Serpents and other aquatic fauna suggests that they may be longer lived, although this could jsut be consequence of the variety dying in their far away habitat.

The Ocean Depth Variety is unique, tending to be albino lacking any kind of pigment, although some may be tinted grey.

## River Serpent

River Serpents originated on the western continent specifically in the Sea of Hope. Being driven out due to competition, the weaker/smaller Sea Serpents would move into the smaller rivers of the Western Continent. River Serpents are generally smaller, have less magical ability, and live shorter lives but retain the threat that Sea Serpents pose. They come in a variety of colours.

### Swamp Variety

The Swamp Variety (also called the Pygmy Serpent) are the smallest of all the serpents, and are often mistaken for snakes. They are both poisonous and venomous. They range from 2 to 3 feet. They are mostly dark green in colour with dark brown/orange stripes. some may have red colouring around certain parts of their bodies. The Vast Variety and Urban Variety of Serpent occupy the place of the Swamp Variety in the swamps of The Vastness.

### Vast Variety

The Vast Variety of Serpents are not a common referential to the collective species, but instead refers to the species of Serpent found in The Vastness, a long stretch of rainforest from the western Sea of Hope to the far western savannah. The Vast Variety is more like it's original ancestor than the majority of Serpents. A Vast Serpent stretches on average from 7-10 metres long. Their habitat is primarily the canopy layer of the trees near caves. Vast Serpents do still require water like their fellow Serpents, albeit less, and receive this in two ways. The Serpent will lay on top of the canopy, absorbing the water from the rain. Once roughly every eight days the Vast Variety will venture down into their nearby cave to bathe in the water for hours before moving back into it's normal habitat. The Vast Variety prey on birds flying above the trees. To avoid detection they are coloured either a dark brown or light green, to fit the colours of the bark and leaves of most trees in The Vastness. The Vast Variety's most famous feature is their long tongues, reaching in a straight direction for up to on average forty metres. This has been experienced first hand by Calains who gather water from puddles while journeying outside their settlements. Vast Serpents prefer to bathe in puddles if closer than their caves, and will grab anything that interferes with this with their tongues, engulfing them whole. This evolutionary fear of missing out water and need to observe the skies for their next meal are what has led to Vast Serpents developing eight eyes on each side of their head, a development unheard of on standard reptiles. This is the only magical thing about them unlike other serpents. Vast Serpents seem to have little advantages other their fellow Serpents apart from ease gathering food and defending themselves, leading to questioning on how they evolved to what they are today.

### Urban Variety (Migou)

The Urban Variety of Serpents are found in The City of Stilts, home to the Sial of Calai. They are better known in Calai as Migou. They range from 3-6 feet. The Migou are commonly found slithering around The City of Stilts and it's waterways. Migou are not considered domesticated, however they can bond with a person, and from then on act like a pet, closest in behaviour to a dog. Migou while wild eat small scraps of food, generally left out by Sial, who believe that feeding Migou brings good luck, and that their presence is vital to the continued existence of the city. This is not wrong, as the Migou are shown to have remarkable intelligence, using their body to easily push levers and move small objects around without needing to be asked. They do not only share intelligence with their fellow Serpents, also having their magical ability. This magic is known in Sial as Stilmik, or Silent Magic, the ability to move soundlessly and disappear, seemingly from the fabric of reality, responsible for Migou seemingly appearing and reappearing out of thin air. This magic is utilised by those who bond to Migou, being able to use their abilities . Migou are often found sleeping or relaxing in the sun on piers, or in Migou Dens constructed for them by wealthy households as a status symbol. Migou come in a variety of bright or pastel colours.

## Serpentine Relatives

### The Reynic Peoples

The Reynic Peoples, also known as the Reynas-fow'l, are a humanoid species, possibly descended from Sea Serpents as detailed in one of their creation myths.

## The debate of Eastern Serpents

Serpents are rare in the Eastern Continent, with those that do being descendants of the Northern Ocean Variety. There may be "False" Serpents in the East which appear like Serpents, but current studies lean in the direction that they do not share any recent ancestors.

## Cultural Importance

Many Water related spirits take the form of River Serpents in the Kejuinam religion of the Okumā people.

People of Namatkore have many stories of Sea Serpents ravaging ships and killing those aboard.

In Nolghas culture, few are ever seen since Northern Sea Serpents tend to stay in deep ocean, but some of their myths say that these leviathans would bring about the near end of the world.

The Seshanite chief god and goddess, Sesh and An, are said to have the true forms of a Sea Serpent and River Serpent respectively. They are sometimes depicted as such in fresco art and statues.

To the Reynas-fow'l, The Sea Serpents are seen in a myriad of views. Most branches of their religion see them as demons that call the Ocean home, other sects believe them to be a physical manifestation of their Creator God, Ao'ogcha, while some believe them to be the parents of the Reynic people's ancient ancestors. Even with all of these varying interpretations, all agree that these Great Snakes will someday bring about the end of the world, by growing so big that the oceans will flood the Lands, killing all. Only way to stop the end is for the heroes of old to cull the snakes, by stealing their scales and turning them into eels.

## Genetics

It is believed that all Serpents came from the Sea Serpents which in turn came from some kind of reptile relative, most likely a species of aquatic snake.

The Northern Ocean Variety and the Ocean depth variety possess a gene that allows them to produce anti-freeze like compounds in their blood. This along with being warm blooded and magical allows them to survive most of the perils of colder environments. Some varieties can interbreed, leading to some hybrids, but this is an rare due to their adaptations keeping them in the climates suitable for them.