Serpent Blooded

An image of Apophis, the Egyptian Great Serpent. Used to represent the full power of those that are serpent blooded.

Those that are serpent blooded are classified beneath the superhuman category. Due to having the characteristics of an animal, there are many common behaviors, weaknesses, etc. among these individuals. These powers can be inherited from two serpent blooded parents. Each get their specific attributes, however, from the most common species of snake in the region they were born in. For example, a serpent blooded born in India would have the attributes of the Indian cobra. Note: They *are not* born in eggs, and are instead in a regular human embryo.

## Appearance

They have the appearances of a regular human, albeit with longer canines, occasional scales (of their designated snake species), and slit-pupil eyes.

## Behavior

Serpent bloods have individual personalities, but they will normally have the alignment of chaotic neutral. They aren´t specifically aggressive, but can be violent when agitated or enraged.

## Powers:

There is a common set of abilities for each serpent blood, but there are differences based on the species. They all have an energy bank of sorts. When using an ability, they expend some energy. If all the energy in the bank has been used, a serpent blooded cannot use their abilities. The bank needs to be recharged through sleep and general relaxation. As for the abilities themselves, normally, a serpent blooded can:

* **Shed Skin:** The skin can be shed to reveal a completely new layer. For instance, if a serpent blooded were to shed their skin upon receiving a scratch, the layer underneath would be unaffected and would be as though the scratch never happened. This can happen only once a week, however, because each layer of skin needs to be regrown as it is shed.
* **Grow Fangs:** They are already born with unnaturally large canine teeth, particularly on the top half of their jaw. They can, however, grow the fangs out even longer to do a multitude of things, such as when biting into something.
* **Morph:** Serpent blooded have the ability to even mutate their legs into a thick tail of the species of snake they derive from. An example of this would be a serpent blooded of a rattlesnake species turning their legs into a scaly tail with a rattle at the end. They move using this tail as any snake would.
* **Produce Venom:** Only the serpent bloods from a venomous snake species can produce venom. They will have a special gland in their oral area which produces it, to be ejected from their fangs when enlarged.
* **Enhancing:** Serpent bloods can pull on a burst of speed and strength when needed, though only a certain amount of times per day. The burst will decay slowly over time.
* **Scale Up:** Serpent bloods can harden their skin for protection (useful if they´ve shed their skin recently). Their skin will become scaly and hardened. The scales will absorb most damage taken, but not entirely protect. The scale shape, size, and pattern will differentiate based on the species of serpent blooded.
* **Transformation:** All serpent bloods can transform into a larger, stronger, and more powerful version of the snake species they derive from. This doesn´t happen often, though, and only if the serpent blooded hasn't used any abilities in a while. Think of this as an ultimate of sorts.

## Weaknesses

Serpent bloods do have weaknesses. For starters, they have the above mentioned ¨power bank.¨ The bank gets larger with age and use of abilities, however. Serpent bloods have a special and subtle bond with the earth, especially those from a burrowing snake species. The more they are away from the ground, the weaker they become. An example would be if a serpent blooded were to go on a plane. Over time, they would get dizzy and light-headed, then they would faint and even die eventually. Serpent bloods are actually not immune to venom, not even those that produce it.

## Known Species

There are many types of serpent bloods, as there are many species of snakes. The known ones are listed below:

* **Naja:** Those who originate in and around the Indian subcontinent are known as the ¨true¨ cobras. When in their ultimate form, they have a hood and the ability to scare away certain organisms, especially animals. They have a potent venom.
* **Eunectes:** Those who originate in and around the South American continent (specifically tropical areas) are known as anacondas. When calling on a burst of enhanced speed and/or strength, they are even stronger and can utilize this ability more often. They do not have venom, and instead, when killing, use pure strength to strangle the opponent.
* **Crotalus:** Those who were born in the more desert-like areas of the United States region are known as the ¨pit vipers.¨ When turning their legs into a tail, they have a rattle at the end which is used to intimidate. In gatherings, the rattles are used like maracas!

## Known Users

There are hundreds of serpent bloods scattered around the world. Only a few are specifically documented below:

* **Radha**: Also known as Ra, Radha is a serpent blooded Naja from India. She is 16 years old and is proficient in using both her abilities and cutlery of any kind (swords, knives, etc.).