Title image © Sulfur Dorviler-Thierry

HEY DUNGEON MASTERS!!!

• Are you looking for an evil race for your campaign?
• One that is both interesting and distinct from other evil races?
• Or are you running a campaign in the tropics or in a place involving courtly intrigue?
• And you want to scare the ever-living sh*t out of your players?

Then do I have JUST the race for you... 

THE YUAN-TI... the "snake people" of the Dungeons & Dragons mythos.

Let's talk about them. 

Since Volo's excellent 11 pages takes 30min at least to fully absorb (not to mention I had to read it 3 times), I figured there was need for a comprehensive, but simplified "spark notes" version. 

The goal of this post is to help you build a campaign around he Yuan Ti as your main bad guys faction/mob, use them in combat, and role play them as NPCs. 

And yes, players, if you REEEEAAALLY want one as a player character... I have some tips for you too!

Table of Contents

• Who Are the Yuan-Ti?
  • Yuan-Ti 5e Lore
  • Yuan-Ti "Gods"
• Yuan Ti Culture
  • Yuan Ti Behavior and Patterns
  • Yuan Ti Strongholds
• Yaun Ti Monster Variants
  • Yuan Ti Pureblood
  • Yuan Ti Malison
  • Yuan Ti Broodguards
  • Yuan Ti Abominations
  • Yuan Ti Anathema
• Yuan-Ti in Combat

Who Are the Yuan-Ti?

The yuan ti are the ancient "serpent folk" in the D&D universe with chaotic evil alignment. They have a variety of physical snake-like features and have a cold, intellectual view of the world. Out of a sense of superiority, they enslave, sacrifice, and plot their return to imperial glory/world annihilation. 

Yuan-Ti 5e Lore

There are two theories for the origins of the yuan ti: 

1. Previous Editions of DnD: They were bred as an experimental slave race by an ancient reptilian race known as the sarrukh, and they sought to build upon their broken empire when their masters fell.

2. Volo's Guide to Monsters: The yuan ti were early humans that chose to transform into evil snake people in exchange for knowledge and power from evil snake gods. 

Since the Volo's version is both Wizards of the Coast 5e approved and waaaay better, let's expand on it... 

The yuan ti were originally humans, one of the first humans ever. To summarize it as much as possible, they took inspiration from snakes, divorcing the "logos" (intellect/rationality) from the "pathos" (emotion) and "nous" (spirituality/instinct). While setting this cultural course caused them to advance in technology faster than their peers (ex: development of steel, arcane knowledge)... it also caught the eyes of evil serpentine deities. These deities corrupted the yuan ti, tempting them with transforming into a higher snake-like form in order to lead them into debauchery, enslavement, human sacrifice, and cannibalism. 

How Is a Yuan Ti Created? 

Though a hideous and horrifying combination of magical rituals, human sacrifice, and cannibalism... all while sitting in a basin of writhing snakes. A similar ritual is needed for any yuan ti ascending to a higher, more snake-like form. The primary obstacle in this process is the exorbitant cost of the priests, slaves, and material components. 

Yuan ti are also created via breeding. The female yuan ti hatch eggs, but take no part in raising the young. When yuan ti mate, the lower common denominator in terms of "snake-like essence" is always the result. And pure bloods can reproduce with humans, but the offspring is always a pure blood yuan ti. 

How Did the Yuan Ti Fall? 

Just like the Roman Empire, Volo's states that the empires of the yuan ti fell due to numerous reasons: 

• enemies catching up technologically
• attacks from dragons and nagas
• famine and drought
• outside invasion
• civil war
• lethargic responses from deities
  

In response, the yuan ti abandoned their empire and retreated to their underground fortress cities beneath their ziggurats. For over a thousand years they have occupied their ruins, and though they will never field conquering armies again, their ambitions remain as great as ever. 

Yuan-Ti "Gods"

Ok, the parentheses are a bit misleading... their gods are active dnd gods... but it is the yuan ti idea of these gods being THEIR gods that is strange. Yuan ti do not worship, devote to, or adore their deities the same way other races do. This is more an "acknowledgment" of divine wisdom and power, reflected in regular sacrifice and constant prayer.

While there are numerous minor serpent gods/spirits yuan ti can pray to, they are considered quaint in comparison to the three official deities: 

1. Dendar the Night Serpent: Without question, this is the incomparable and almighty yuan ti BBEG. Born from the nightmares of the earliest conscious beings, the fear and nightmares of all living things fuel her power. Though she was cast down and shut behind iron doors beneath the earth, she is similar to Jörmungandr "The World Serpent" from Norse mythology: she is destined to burst forth, shroud the world in darkness, and consume creation (MrRhexx has an AWESOME video detailing how his might indicate a rebirth of creation).

2. Merrshaulk: Supposedly born from a fragment of Dendar, Merrshaulk was the most significant divine being responsible for nurturing and tempting the yuan ti into utter evil. So much so that his very essence has become synonymous with the fate of the yuan ti: as the yuan ti were defeated and retreated from their empire, Merrshaulk fell into a deep slumber and is only periodically roused by his faithful malison warlocks.

3. Sseth: Dendar is locked up... Merrshaulk is asleep... and a power vacuum perfect for a crafty minor god to insert themselves as the "new god" is presented. Sseth introduced himself to the struggling yuan ti in the twilight of their empire. Reports conflict: some say he appeared as a naga, some say he deceived the yuan-ti as an avatar of Merrshaulk. Regardless, he benefits from the majority of current yuan ti sacrifice and prayer.

© Lada Da

Yuan Ti Culture

Yuan Ti Behavior and Patterns

Spoiler alert... they are evil a$$h*les... which means they exhibit/do the primary evil behavior/things other evil races in DnD do:

• a sense of superiority
• lack of long-term romantic commitment
• enslavement

But what makes this evil race so interesting is that this is where similarities to orcs, goblins, drow, and gnolls end. They have several key racial distinctions:

Severe Superiority Complex: They are one of the first races... and they know it. They believe their serpent form is merely a physical reflection of their inner superiority. Anything that cannot kill them (i.e. "threats") and is not a yuan-ti is considered simply "meat" and isn't even worth speaking to. 

High Class: Here's the issue: they aren't totally wrong. They ARE extremely intelligent and crafty. They DID discover magic before just about everyone else. They DID build a massive empire. Their art and architecture IS beautiful and impressive. Their plots ARE patient and sophisticated. Their mannerisms ARE elevated and refined. As snooty, arrogant, and lofty as high elves can be... so are the yuan ti. I would say that the noblest of drow houses would feel like Gatsby level "new money" to the yuan ti. 

Strict Caste System: While the yuan ti place themselves in a separate category above all other races, within their own race there is a clear, rigid hierarchy. The more snake-like physical features one has, the more power, authority, and privilege you have. We'll discuss the varieties in depth in a moment, but the order is: 1) anathemas, 2) abominations, 3) malisons, 4) purebloods, and 5) broodguards. 

Dampened Emotions: Volo's is a bit contradictory here, and I want to make yuan ti distinct from lizard folk, so I will say that while the yuan ti feel some emotion, it is minimal and often repressed. They feel joy when they are gluttonous, disgust when forced to interact with other humanoids, and hope when they pray. But beyond that, they think emotions are unfortunate realities best ignored, not necessary components of an authentic self. 

Hedonistic Debauchery: Part of having a massive empire of slaves that is one of the richest the world has ever seen is excessive enjoyment of the pleasures of life. While he yuan ti did not neglect their intellectual and occult pursuits, they also drink the finest wine from the finest goblets after the finest orgy in the finest ballroom. 

Emphasis on Fear and Torment: Even in their current weak form, the yuan ti sill raid. But they are not concerned with gaining wealth, gaining land, or killing... they want to enslave and instill fear. Their deities relish it, and a scared slave is far more useful than a rebellious one. 

Survival at All Costs: The yuan ti were almost wiped out, and that leaves an impression on the consciousness of a species. They will not do anything that puts their survival at risk, and they will sacrifice whatever or whoever it takes to survive, starting with the least snake-like yuan ti if necessary. 

Espionage and Infiltration: They cannot conquer with the direct force of powerful armies. Instead, they conquer by corrupting from within by using asymmetric warfare. The most human-looking purebloods are trained to infiltrate the highest levels of human society and steer their leadership and institutions in a direction favorable to the yuan ti. 

Cults and Manipulation: While some purebloods target the elite, others form cults among the plebs. These cults pray on the vulnerable with populist religious lies: perfection on this side of eternity, blessing self indulgence, and deliverance from guilt without turning away from evil. They tighten their grip on the most zealous with promises of ritual to become yuan ti themselves.

Yuan Ti Strongholds

I say "strongholds" because yuan ti really don't have "cities"... more like "small, hidden, fortified temples/towns." They are almost always deep in wild jungles in the well-maintained psuedo-ruins of their former capital cities (if an adventuring party traveled throughout all the Forgotten Realms, they would likely never see a yuan ti city coming over the horizon). 

But what do they look like? There is conflicting commentary in Volo's... on the one hand, it says that they were driven underground and their cities ripped down to the studs... elsewhere it says that they live above ground in the well-maintained ruins of their capitals, complete with walls, fountain squares, and small districts. 

Regardless, the center of a yuan ti stronghold is always a "pyramid temple" (ziggurat) for five reasons: 

1) They are fortified

2) They are the center of the religious functions

3) They are magically warded to prevent infiltration

4) They are appropriately leveled for their caste system society

5) Ziggurats were designed by their yuan ti ancestors with snakes in mind. There are small holes for snakes to slither freely about the structures.

That said, any yuan ti settlement hidden in humanoid society is extremely modest and normal by comparison. They may have a secret temple cult that is ornate, but their homes would be par for the course of whatever class and culture they reside in. 

What Real-World Cultures Inspired the Yuan Ti 5e Aesthetic? 

Yuan ti names and design seem to be a mix of Egyptian, Aztec, and Indian Buddhist art and architecture. Basically cultures in hot and tropical climates that build pyramids and/or featured snake motifs on their temples and imperial palaces.

© Lada Da

Role Playing a Yuan-Ti

The culture shaped by their evil devotion shapes their behavior as well. So with those racial distinctions in mind, let's explore how a DM would role play the average yuan ti, starting with some guidelines provided by Volo's:

• They are snake-like... so... yeah... fluid, snake-y movements make sense.
• They are sophisticated, and thus would have advanced customs and manners.
• They are spiritual, magical, and philosophical... and as such, an education would be evident whenever they speak.
• They try to avoid speaking to anyone of another race, and always dignify one another with formal discourse, even when speaking to lower castes.

That said, Volo's Guide to Monsters provides a few nuggets of info that reveal a robust yuan ti role play perspective: 

1. They have "abandoned their humanity."
2. "They understand emotional connections in a detached, intellectual way, and recognize that these feelings in others can be exploited..."
3. They "put little value on humanoid lives" and feel "superior to humanoids, in the same way that a human can feel superior to chickens or rabbits—in a manner of fact, completely objective way."

In other words... they are akin to SOCIOPATHS.

Also known as "antisocial personality disorder."

Unlike humans, where being a sociopath is a disorder cause by early trauma, chemical brain changes, and perhaps some genetic influence... this "fantasy APD" is 100% innate to the yuan ti; it is essential to who they are as a species, the primary reason why they are an evil race.

So with that in mind, here are some antisocial personality disorder behaviors you can use to role play a yuan ti: 

• Never feeling shame or remorse for harming another humanoid
• Using charm and wit to manipulate others
• Ignoring the truth, morality, or the law
• Constant and unflinching hostility toward humanoids
• Frequent and excessive use of drugs or alcohol
• Lacking commitment or affection in personal relationships
• Unable to tolerate boredom, this fueling their creative, political, or intellectual pursuits.

All that said... there is a major exception in all of this.. and that is when purebloods are undercover. The most human-looking purebloods will infiltrate humanoid societies, sometimes even forming families, with the goal of sabotaging from within. 

These yuan-ti are trained to suppress their annoyance, disdain, and disgust of all other species. Players would find them charming, pleasant, well-spoken and well-read. But any player with extraordinary insight would find the presentation hollow, with a hint of bitterness beneath every word. 

Yuan Ti Monster Variants (The Yuan-Ti Caste System)

Ok... by now I have mentioned purebloods and broodguards... and finally I can explain what all those things are: different types of yuan ti. I will list them in order from most numerous to least numerous in yuan ti society. I will also state what "tier" they are in in the yuan ti caste system. 

Yuan Ti Pureblood (Tier 4)

The most numerous and human-looking of the yuan-it. Despite having only minor ophidian traits like patches of scales, pointed teeth, slitted eyes, or a forked tongue, the purebloods are just as their name state: 100% yuan ti. 

Being the most fundamental yuan ti, the 5e monster manual details some of the basic features of the species, which are shared by all yuan ti: 

• Darkvision (60ft, see in dim light as bright light)
• Poison immunity, both damage and condition
• Abyssal, Common, and Draconic languages (don't know why they know Draconic... they are snake people, not dragon people... so I would homebrew that away and just give them their own unique language).
• Innate spellcasting for the Poison Spray and Suggestion spells
• Animal Friendship for snakes only
• Magic resistance (advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects).

While treated like second-class citizens within yuan ti strongholds, they are the tip of the spear and backbone of the yuan ti ambitions of reclamation and grandure, performing all the extensive spy and assassination work that dominates contemporary yuan ti "foreign policy." 

Yuan Ti Malison (Tier 3)

The next step up is Malisons. Why are they higher on the caste? Simple: they look and act even MORE snake-like. Due to the sheer amount of variety within the class, I am assuming they are the second most numerous caste. Their superiority to the purebloods is represented by the following features: 

• Increased ability scores, AC, and HP
• Special attacks based on physical changes
• Shapechanged (can polymorph into a medium snake)
• Multiattack

Technically there are five different types of malisons, but some have unique rolls in yuan ti society, resulting in EIGHT different malison stat blocks. Volo's justifies this by explaining that their more advanced, snake-like form creates an even greater desire to advance in the yuan ti caste system, compelling them to pursue religion more than any of the other castes. 

• Type 1: Human body with snake head (MM pg. 309). Additional bite attack.
• Type 2: Human head and body with snake arms (MM pg. 309). Additional, weaker bite attacks with arms.
• Type 3: Human head and upper body with serpentine lower body instead of legs (MM pg. 309). Bite and constrict attacks added.
• Type 4: Human form with one or more serpentine tails (VGtM pg. 96). Same as type 1, but no poison damage.
• Type 5: Human form, but covered in scales (VGtM pg. 96). Same as type 1, but no poison damage.
• "Mind Whisperer": Type 1 variant (VGtM pg. 204). Warlocks of Sseth especially adept at the manipulation of factions.
• "Pit Master": Type 2 variant (VGtM pg. 206). Cautious, methodical Merrshaulk priests focused on human sacrifice.
• "Nightmare Speaker": Type 3 variant (VGtM pg. 205). Cruel patrons of Dendar that torture their captive and nurture their terror and nightmares.

Yuan Ti Broodgaurds (Tier 5)

Broodguards are humans that were given a nasty drink that gave them scales, made them mindless, and increased their strength. They cannot use weapons and instead attack with a non-venomous bite and claws. They are obedient beasts that do one thing only: guard eggs and yuan-ti establishments.

Yuan Ti Abominations (Tier 2)

Most yuan ti societies have a family or two of abominations at most. Save for a strong human torso, these creatures have all but adopted the snake form. While they are powerful warriors (3 attacks), they are the masterminds behind the decades-long schemes and plans of the yuan ti, as well as the keepers of the most precious divine revelations and essential rites.

Yuan Ti Anathamas (Tier 1)

The extremely rare creme de la creme of the yuan ti race. These six-headed serpents are snake in every way save for two strong, humanoid arms. They are nearly double the CR of Abominations and are considered demi-gods by their fellow yuan ti. They have four attacks, expanded innate spellcasting, an aura, damage resistances, blindsight, and both a climb and a swim speed. They are ageless tyrants that rule with an iron fist and are the only ones yuan ti are willing to follow into open, limited warfare. Its conquests are motivated by gaining plunder and slaves to achieve godhood and not by the restoration of past glory. 

Bonus - Slaves: There are not very many yuan ti and they are a slave society. Depending on a yuan-ti underground city's wealth, size, and accessibility to the civilized world, they might have a few slaves or be vastly outnumbered by them.

Is There Anything Else a Yuan-Ti Can Do?

Yes! Page 98 of VGtM details special traits and action options dungeon masters can add to yuan-ti, providing a variety of ways to buff, flavor, and distinguish yuan-ti from one another and other evil races. 

So... What Does the Average Yuan-Ti Look Like?

In most blog posts, I would put appearance near the top, but the staggering variety of yuan-ti forced me to discuss it here. Because long story short... it depends! It depends on what snake they are emulating. It depends on their caste. It depends on their abilities and roles.

In fact, Volo's guide is so aware of this that all of page 97 is devoted to all the physical variations within the yuan ti race. It has random tables for body type, skin color, scale color, scale pattern, tongue color, eye color, head shape, and malison lower body and arms.

Is There a Yuan Ti Playable Race?

Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse has a yuan ti playable race (check it out here). It has all the distinctive features of purebloods: darkvision, poison resistance, innate spellcasting, and magic resistance. Though DMs night need to homebrew a bit: these are EVIL creatures through and through... the only way for them to be redeemed is to become LESS yuan ti, which is probably the opposite reason the player wants to make a yuan ti character! Furthermore... not sure how great it is to have an emotionless sociopath at the dnd table... 

Yuan-Ti in Combat

And... as always... I conclude the yuan ti's brief survey of monster combat by forwarding you to one of the GOAT's... Keith Ammann's The Monsters Know What They Are Doing. He has two posts on using the yuan ti in combat encounters... here and here. But if you just want a cheat sheet for combat with yuan ti, here are some bullet points you can follow:

• They are smart and strategic; no reckless charging or battle in a blind rage.
• They want to capture, not kill, player characters... to use them as sacrifices or slaves (though any player character determined "fearless" will be immediately killed).
• Any yuan ti that has Suggestion will attempt to use it on player characters to stop a battle before it starts.
• They will use bite attacks and a variety of poisoned weapons until every player character has disadvantage on all attack rolls and ability checks.
• Before they use melee, they will severely weaken the party with long ranged weapons (longbows).
• Once battle is nearly at an end, the malisons will Dash forward and constrict player characters (grappled condition).
• If the anathemas or abominations are even remotely in danger of being killed, the yuan ti will try to retreat.
• They have no problem sacrificing slaves, broodguards, or even purebloods like pawns in order to obtain victory.

In summary, yuan-ti often work together in ambushes, using their immunity to poison and spellcasting abilities to create chaos while maintaining a clear, methodical approach to ensure victory.

Conclusion: Why Should You Use This DnD Monster?

My only guess as to why they are not more popular would be that all the interesting aspects of their culture would be hidden from the player characters. Most yuan ti societies would flee or enslave adventurers... there isn't really a good opportunity for discovery or dialogue unless you interrogate a captured pureblood spy. But in my opinion, this can be fixed by exacerbating the tensions within the yuan ti caste system, having players interact with NPCs that escaped their clutches, or coming across old tomes written in the ages of yuan ti empires.

Because overall, yuan-ti make excellent antagonists! They are a secretive and highly intelligence race that brings a mix of intrigue, danger, and horror. You can use them to weave multi-layered plots that take players from royal halls to back alley cults to ancient jungle temples, providing plenty of opportunity for all three pillars of gameplay. There are well over a dozen stat blocks to choose from to keep combat from growing stale.

In other words... because they are freakin' awesome. 

And can I end with a hot take?

They are more interesting than the Drow!

Riley Rath

Riley is a freelance tabletop games copywriter, content writer, and marketer based out of Spokane, WA. When not playing or writing about board games or DnD, he is busy with family, hiking, cooking, and gardening... very hobbit-like for a 6'4'' dude.