Broodkin

## Description:

The Broodkin, called Wid-Set in their serpentine language, are a Magically engineered subrace of Wad-Thet, created by their serpentfolk ancestors to infiltrate human societies and topple them from within; Broodkin are the youngest subrace of reptilianfolk to date, being created via Wad-Thet Magic some hundreds of thousands of years ago. Broodkin are physically very distinct from all of their fellow subraces and were designed to be indistinguishable from normal humans. As such, Broodkin are treated as second class citizens by the rest of Wad-Thet society, and are often relegated to positions of manual labor, agriculture, and servitude when not actively participating in a mission for their masters; when forced to fight, Broodkin are commonly wielded as cannon fodder by their masters, and are frequently housed outside Wad-Thet temples in villages to create both a facade of humanity and an extra layer of defense. Due to their poor treatment by Wad-Thet, Broodkin often take their frustrations out on the only reptilianfolk treated worse than them: Lizardfolk. Broodkin prefer warmer, humid climates, and deal poorly with extreme cold. They can grow to human heights and are generally similar in weight, with slimmer, leaner builds and greater flexibility than normal humans.

Broodkin have shifting pupils; they appear humanlike when calm or ambivalent, but anger will shift them into the more predatory configuration of a snake. Broodkin eyes can be yellow, green, or blue, and are often lighter, paler colors than other races. Broodkin hair is commonly black or brown, and their skin can range from humanlike shades of beige or brown to more yellowed or greenish tints of tan; Broodkin skin is, in fact, a very thin layer of tiny scales which appear like normal skin until placed on close-up scrutiny. Broodkin can be born with forked tongues, and while this can serve to harm their infiltration capabilities, Broodkin with forked tongues are proud of this small serpentine feature. While the mouth of a Broodkin may initially appear humanlike, they can choose to reveal the true extent of their unnaturally wide mouths, which carve through both cheeks, and the large fangs that can extend behind their human teeth.

Broodkin, being difficult to distinguish from normal humans, are often considered beautiful at first glance; the Magical eugenics and mutations employed to produce Broodkin make them pretty, to help dissuade close examination and improve their chances of success in missions. However, should someone get close enough to a Broodkin to distinguish their scales or notice their shifting pupils, the Broodkin goes from attractive to monstrous very quickly; particularly skilled warriors and veterans of Wad-Thet conflicts can identify a Broodkin by sight alone, even from a distance, by looking for the subtle uncanny features present in Broodkin physiology. Not even other Wad-Thet or Lizardfolk consider Broodkin attractive as a result of their inhuman values, and so Broodkin are often left to breed amongst themselves.

What Broodkin lack in genuine beauty they make up for in cunning intelligence. Either through upbringing or Magical manipulation, Broodkin excel in social situations and stealth; Broodkin have minds for schemes and wit and are known for their devious intelligence being put to good use against the enemies of Yid'Sseht. Broodkin lack wisdom, however, and are often blind to the evils done to them by their fellow serpentfolk; they remain ignorant to the lower class they occupy within Wad-Thet culture, and few manage to break free of these chains. Broodkin intellect provides them the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies easily; they may lack the innate Magical abilities of their fellow Wad-Thet, but can understand humanoid devices and wield their weapons with greater ease than their more arrogant and stubborn cousins.

Broodkin reproduce identically to other Wad-Thet via internal insemination of eggs which are then laid in a Wad-Thet temple and guarded until they hatch. Broodkin are born with a striking resemblance to normal human children, and some Wad-Thet Temples choose to replace human babies with Broodkin as a means of absolute infiltration. Broodkin reproduce at roughly the same rate as humans, and produce only one (1) egg per insemination versus the other Wad-Thet subraces' clutches of offspring. Broodkin can live upwards of one hundred (100) to one hundred and twenty (120) years, although Magic can be used to extend this lifespan slightly, providing a maximum lifetime of two hundred (200) years; Broodkin physiology was purposely designed with natural death in mind, their bodies created to break down towards the end of their lifespans to prevent Broodkin elders from growing too powerful and overthrowing other Wad-Thet leaders.

### Personality:

Wad-Thet Broodkin are taught and trained from birth to mimic and kill humans; they are raised in a strange hybrid culture which includes Wad-Thet values and humanoid practices combined with strict education regimes to provide the skills necessary to complete their missions well. Individual Broodkin may have particular leanings towards or against specific mission types, fighting styles, or jobs like every other sentient humanoid race, but, like other Wad-Thet, are taught that everything they do must somehow contribute to the ultimate goal of their people: venerating and pleasing Yid'Sseht in the hope that he will provide the power needed to take over the world. As a result of this lifelong indoctrination, most Broodkin despise humanity and are driven to eradicate them wherever they are found, even if that task requires a lifetime's worth of effort.

Broodkin are notoriously patient and rational beings. Their training and expertise in espionage rewards a level head and slow temper, and so most Broodkin reserve their fury for the heat of battle or the moment of an assassination; emotional instability leads to mistakes, which are not tolerated by their Wad-Thet superiors. Broodkin can develop either inflated egos or a poor sense of self-worth depending on their personal reaction to their upbringing; some Broodkin develop inferiority complexes or megalomania and must exert authority over anyone and everyone they can, while others become submissive and quiet, concealing their upset and emotions until they can take it out on an unruly slave or enemy combatant.

Broodkin are notorious for taking and keeping slaves, much like their Wad-Thet masters. The Broodkin are known to treat their slaves poorly in comparison to even other Wad-Thet subraces, in order to exert control over someone else like their masters control and belittle them. Thanks to their humanlike appearances, Broodkin are often the faces of Wad-Thet slave operations and front businesses, responsible for managing a Temple's public resources and ensuring that slaves continue to make their way to the Temple grounds. Broodkin treat other Wad-Thet with intense respect, lest their overlords decide to dole out punishment for perceived insults.

Broodkin are rarely given the option of luxury; their Wad-Thet masters may live in Temples bedecked in gold and silk finery while the Broodkin live beyond the bejeweled ziggurat walls, working on farms and living in wood cabins or in caves. Those Broodkin who manage to receive missions which take them far-afield from their Temple often fall into debauchery rather easily, obsessed with experiencing the things their masters forbade. As such, urbanized Broodkin tend to operate brothels or drug dens, or frequent these establishments themselves; Broodkin have an interest in the wealthier side of life that their masters hoard for themselves, but Broodkin discovered to be disrespecting their sacred mission in favor of meager mortal pleasures are punished severely. The Wad-Thet are masters of torture, almost at the level of the Drow, and are experts in suffering of all kinds. Art plays a minimal role in Broodkin societies; they have an eye for creative pursuits thanks to their humanlike psychologies, but rarely have the time or resources to produce any songs or carve statues. Other Wad-Thet subraces are tasked with the creation of important tapestries or murals venerating their god.

Broodkin are slightly paranoid, although not as much as their other Wad-Thet counterparts. Broodkins' abilities to hide amongst humanoid societies leaves them less suspicious of others, knowing that they can always flee and fight another day if they are betrayed. Broodkin are taught to listen to their elders and to the other, more "blessed" subraces of Wad-Thet, and so are generally trusting of their companions; Broodkin are always on the lookout for ways to get one up on other humanoids, however, and will still seek to backstab or kill as many humans as possible.

### Abilities:

Like other Wad-Thet, Broodkin possess serpentine features that give them the edge of normal humans in combat. Broodkin retain the wide snakelike mouths and venomous fangs of other Wad-Thet subraces, but can retract their fangs to conceal their true natures. Broodkin venom is not designed to kill but to impair, cause hallucinations, and leave targets open to suggestion (*Note: JPCU scientists believe that Wad-Thet venom is the main ingredient in Wad-Thet Control Serum, although additional testing is needed*). Broodkin also retain the enhanced sense of smell and night vision of other Wad-Thet and are generally faster and more flexible than humans. Broodkin are, however, less physically capable than humans, and are weaker on average, relying on underhanded tactics to beat larger foes.

Broodkin possess no special talent for or innate abilities with Magic, although many are taught the ways of Illusion or Enchantment Magic as a means of improving their espionage and disguise capabilities. Broodkin are rarely allowed to learn openly offensive Spells, another way of making sure that they remain subservient to the Magic-wielding Wad-Thet subraces.

Broodkin are physically weaker and less durable than average humans. Their speed allows them to compensate for this some, but most Broodkin learn from an early age to avoid open conflict. Additionally, it is believed that special forms of Wad-Thet Magic music is capable of hypnotizing and controlling Broodkin, a method of manipulation akin to snake-charming used to quell Broodkin revolts.