Vrael

The **Vrael**,(pronounced 'Vrile' / V-raël) or **Serpent-folk**, are an ancient warm-blooded race of snake-headed reptilian humanoids that once controlled a vast empire across a distant continent, in the time of The Forgotten Age.

They claim that their Empire was defeated by the *(then aggressive)* Zahn-tahet Naxus Empire, but they evaded total extermination by retreating into the the jungles of the Mainland. It is thought by many Vrael historians that the Zahn-tahet took many of their kin prisoner and experimented on them, resulting in what the Vrael now refer to as Forsaken Vrael, sometimes regarded as **Chaos Made Flesh.** These degenerate serpent-folk are thought to exist across all continents, and are bestial-like creatures prowling the underground ruins of their ancient cities. They do not possess the cunning, intelligence and magic of their ancestors. For **Vrael**, killing the monstrous **Aapoph** is a difficult, yet necessary calling.

However, a few true **Vrael** remain. These highly intelligent specimens lay plans for their people's return to arcane supremacy, and the triumph of their rejuvenated civilization. Their faith in the wisdom of their elders is paramount.

   Rumours of an ancient Vrael city known as Estorea, far across the desert in the South Western reaches of the Mainland are at present unconfirmed. However, tales of a former glorious empire are regularly told by the Vrael citizens of Summerwilde, in taverns and in the streets, as a means to visitors and travellers. There are whispers that the former Vrael capital contains magical items, gold and other treasures beyond the wildest dreams of Vari's bravest adventurers. None that have ever found Estorea have returned to tell the tale, and people love to speculate why. For some, it is a city filled with cannibal Vrael known as Appophis that wish to consume their kin, to others (and the far more likely scenario) simply does not exist.￼

**Vrael** are sinuous humanoid creatures with the heads and tails of snakes and wickedly taloned hands and feet, similar to that of a Dragonborn. Their bodies are covered in fine, elastic, tough and colourful serpentine scales. The average Vrael stands between five and seven feet tall and weighs from 100 to 140 pounds. They can command their bodies to a great degree, see in the dark, speak languages which would seem unpronounceable by their mouth, and easily adopt unusual accents and speak complex arcane words. All Vrael have lightweight but hardy bones. So bound to the ancient arcane ways of the world, that Vrael all have a natural ability to cast magic and an innate resistance to magical effects. Due to their serpent-like nature, they have an immunity to poison. Their jaws are elastic to the point that most adult Vrael could instantly swallow a halfling whole. Some **Vrael** have been known to live for upwards of 300 years, though this is quite rare. The average life expectancy is usually around a century.

**Aapoph Vrael** are considered monsters by most, they are muscular and hunched, standing four to six feet tall and weighing between 180 to 220 pounds, and sometimes having extra limbs, heads, and tails. Some even take on more snakelike appearances, having no limbs at all.

[For the sake of game statistics a Vrael would use the Yuan-ti D&D race, though the weight, height appearance are different.]