[Creature Lore] - Mana Serpent

[BakedPotato 343]

 

Origin

A peculiar creature discovered lingering in the lands of Aevos, though it is possible they existed in previous continents but were simply never discovered. Though if they did exist in previous continents, they must have hid quite well compared to now. Mana serpents can be discovered quite easily if one knows where to look, but a person could just as easily be startled by these slithery creatures.

 

What exactly these creatures are is not quite clear, though magi who have studied these snakes have formed a hypothesis. The common belief is that they are simply regular snakes who have evolved and adapted to the realm which grows ever more magical. With mana mice becoming more prevalent with the lack of a natural predator, one can assume these serpents stepped up to the challenge. The mana mouse rich diet likely having an unusual effect on their biology.

 

 

 

Creature Summary

These serpents come in a wide variety of shades and sizes. Their length can be anywhere from a mere six inches to a total of three feet. Their eyes tend to be a stark black in contrast to their usually brightly colored scales. The fangs on these creatures are quite useful for hunting mana mice, but aren’t sharp enough to hurt a descendant. Being biten might leave a mark though would be barely noticeable, inflicting little pain or damage. The snake knows this as well and will often nip playfully or to show affection. Their scales though often take on a crystallized form similar to foci crystals. These gem-like scales are dotted along the serpents body and will never coat the entire snake. If a mana serpent were to have its entire body covered in these crystals, the snake would find it would have a hard time slithering around. When serpent snakes shed their skin they will leave these small crystals behind and regrow new ones, though the old ones would find their concentration of mana quickly fading without being able to rely on nutrition from the snake's food. This would mean left behind gems would have little use outside of decorative purposes.

 

Their behavior is quite similar to their mundane counterparts, except for the fact that they enjoy basking in places rich with mana. While they are often found near and around obelisks and tears or other places rich with mana it is also not uncommon for them to be found in other places with high concentrations of mana. They will often lurk near an obelisk, enjoying basking in its radius similar to lizards basking in the heat of the sun, and startle unexpecting magi by mere accident.

 

Their physical biology is designed for hunting mana mice. Their fangs secrete a toxin that is only effective against mana mice and does absolutely nothing to any other creature, magical in nature or not. The toxin would quickly sap a mana mouse’s strength, making it easy prey. Despite mana mice being their main source of food, that is not all these magical snakes consume. Outside of mana mice, they do not tend to hunt critters or creatures, instead relying on plants, vegetables, or fruit as a secondary source of nutrition.

 

Mana serpents are docile creatures, shying and fleeing from fights even when attacked. They will never fight back and will only ever make attempts at getting away.

 

 

Taming

Taming these unique creatures is much harder for the mundane compared to magi adept in the void. Though that is not to say it is entirely impossible for one to tame a mana serpent without possessing the ability to wield the void. All one would need to do is regularly feed the snake its favorite food, mana mice, and handle them gently, showing the creature much love and care. It is recommended to try to tame a mana serpent in the presence of a mana rich area such as the radius of a mana obelisk. Eventually, the snake will latch onto their new owner if shown the proper treatment and care. For magi though, the process is much easier. Showing it the same love and care anyone else would when trying to tame the snake, the mage would slowly and gently pour their mana into the serpent like they might when creating arcanium. This would feed the serpent similarly to providing it mana mice except the mage is using their own magical abilities to supply it. The process requires much less mana compared to creating something like arcanium and doesn’t even require the presence of an obelisk though one is still recommended. A mage should also be careful to not overfeed the snake with their mana lest they wish the serpent to grow ill. The mana serpent would quickly grow familiar with the mage who fed it their mana, becoming much quicker to trust their newfound owner. Once tamed mana serpents are incredibly loyal creatures though they expect the same loyalty from their owner. Should someone mistreat their new pet it will usually run off and leave them. If a mage has tamed the mana serpent via feeding it with their mana, the next time the serpent sheds its skin, their new coat of scales will take on a similar look to their new owner’s aura. Tamed mana serpents cannot be tamed by a different person due to their incredibly loyal nature unless the mana serpent is mistreated and abandons their owner.

 

Once tamed the snake would easily be able to follow orders of their master though would be unable to perform more complex tasks a normal pet snake would be incapable of doing. The snake would also not be able to break its true nature, never performing tasks that would require it attacking or fighting someone or something else. 

 

In the case of magi who have tamed the snake through the more magical process would find this creature has another use. A mana serpent would have the benefits of an arcane focus when coiling around or resting upon some part of the mage’s hand. The snake would not be able to hide under clothing or be disguised, following all rules normal arcane foci might. This ability is derived through the gem-like scales that form along the snake’s body that act akin to focus crystals as well as the mana stored within their body.

 

Redlines:

Spoiler

- Cannot be used to metagame information such as discovering places rich with mana. (examples such as obelisks or tears.)

- Mana serpents are able to follow orders a normal snake would and complex tasks would be impossible.

- Cannot be used in crp or used to attack. Even if ordered to by their master the snake would simply not listen. Will not fight back if attacked either.

- Mana serpents that are being used as an arcane focus follow all redlines of [Magic Lore: Arcane Focus].

- Mana serpents that are being used as an arcane focus require an item to represent them as well as properly emoting their existence. They can not suddenly exist when crp starts if their existence was never acknowledged previously.

- Mana serpents cannot be stolen from others unless the snake is being mistreated which would result in them abandoning their owner anyways

- Mana serpents cannot be used to attack, harm, or eat other players' mana mice.

- Being a mana based creature, druids are able to communicate with them but not will them to do as they please. These creatures will not respond to the commands or demands made by a druid and should be considered uncooperative to their attempts.

- If a mana serpent is struck with thanhium, null arcana, abjuration, or anything else anti-magic then they would lose their ability to act as an arcane focus for the rest of combat or [1 ooc] hour but would do nothing else. [ex: Stabbing them with a thanhium weapon would still likely kill them, but the properties of thanhium only prevent them from acting as an arcane focus.]

 

Credit:

NorthTitan & Creete - Mana Mice Lore

[Creete 451]

They are gonna try to eat my sweet baby mana mice, but I'm here for it.

 

+ 1

[PanicZealot 230]

"I will add two of them to my menagerie of pets"

 

[Forgefire 57]

Crystalline magic snake. When have I looked at my zoo of a house and thought, "I need more gem animals"?
Literally every day. +1