View source for Yuan-ti

{{Creature
|name         = 
|image        = [[Image:Yuan-ti01.jpg]]
|caption      = Yuan-ti, as depicted in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #365 (2008). Art by James Zhang.
|alt_spelling = 
|alignment    = Usually chaotic evil
|type         = Monstrous Humanoid
|subtype      = 
|source=1e ''Monster Manual II'', third edition ''Monster Manual'', ''Monsters of Faerûn''
|first        = ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]]''
}}
The '''yuan-ti''' are a race of clever reptilian humanoids who mostly dwell in the jungles to the south of the [[Flanaess]]. 

==Ecology==
The yuan-ti are oviparous. Females give birth to a clutch of 3-6 eggs every three months. These are normally left unfertilized and fed to the high priest and his inner circle, though eating yuan-ti eggs is considered sacrilege for anyone of lesser status. The yuan-ti, like the citizens of the [[Scarlet Brotherhood]], are careful in breeding one another for maximum fitness and intelligence, and to ensure that the various castes exist in their proper ratios.

Yuan-ti have a gestation period of about 60 months, with about 30% of their young dying of birth defects in infancy. The yuan-ti do not practice infanticide, but the mutations prevalent in their race often cause their young to die on their own. Their young are raised communally, separated from their parents. 

A yuan-ti hatchling sheds its skin 5-6 times before reaching maturity, which happens in 4 years for purebloods, 6  years for halfbloods, and 8 years for abominations. Rarely, adults may undergo another growth spurt, as a sign of divine favor. Purebloods can live about 2,000 years, halfbreeds 4,000 years, and abominations about 6,000 years. 

===Environment===
Yuan-ti dwell in [[Hepmonaland]] and the [[Amedio Jungle]]. Cities under their control include [[Alocotla]], [[Xapatlapo]], and [[Xuxulieto]]. They may dwell in other places further south as well.

Yuan-ti typically inhabit subterranean complexes, most often originally built by other races, as the lack of hands in so many of their kind makes building difficult. They may also adopt natural caves, or even build tunnels under the cities of other races. They fill their lairs with traps and with corridors too narrow for anyone but snakes to slither through. 

===Typical physical characteristics ===
[[File:Yuan-ti02_TSB.png|thumb|450px|Yuan-ti of Hepmonaland depicted in [[The Scarlet Brotherhood]] (1998).  Art by [[Sam Wood]].]]
[[File:yuan-ti03.jpg|thumb|250px|]]

"The human aspects of the yuan-ti of <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Alocotla]]] have [[Olman]] traits, while their snake parts are predominantly dark green with red or black patterns."{{csb|TSB|47}}

"Unlike their <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Alocotla]]] cousins, the reptilian parts of <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Xapatlapo]]] yuan-ti are predominantly pale yellow or white, with some albino specimens having been reported, the albinism carrying over to their Olman parts as well."{{csb|TSB|55}}

The yuan-ti of [[Ichamamna]] "resemble those from Xapatlapo, but the infusion of [[Touv]] bloodlines has darkened the human elements of some creatures."{{csb|TSB|49}}

The yuan-ti come in several distinct castes or breeds. The three most prevalent, are as follows:

* '''Purebloods''' appear mostly human, with minor reptilian features, such as slitted eyes, a forked tongue, or patches of scales on their skin. They serve as diplomats and infiltrators, pretending to be human, both because of their skill and to avoid yuan-ti of other castes, who look down on them. Keith Ammann, in his 2019 book ''The Monsters Know What They're Doing'', commented of the yuan-ti purebloods that "Yuan-ti have had hundreds of generations to live and adapt on their own, so they'll have the same self-preservation instinct as any evolved species."<ref>[https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_Monsters_Know_What_They_re_Doing/pV6KDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22yuan-ti%22+the+monsters+know+what+they%27re+doing&pg=PA40&printsec=frontcover ''The Monsters Know What They're Doing''] (2019), Keith Ammann, {{ISBN|9781982122683}}</ref>

*'''Halfbloods''' (or '''malisons''' in fourth and fifth editions) are humanoid in shape but have a wide variety of noticeable serpentine features, such as a snakelike tail in place of legs, a complete covering of scales, a hood like a cobra, a snake's head, or snakes in place of arms. Halfbloods serve as warriors and temple assistants.

*'''Abominations''' are almost completely snakelike, with only a few human features, such as arms or a humanoid head. A quarter of the yuan-ti abominations are the ''Shan-Pachan'', with human heads and serpent bodies, who act as high priests. Other abominations include the ''Ma-Yin,'' who are snakelike with human arms, and the ''Ma-Zhi'', who are fully serpentlike. 

In addition to the three main breeds, other breeds have been described as well:

* '''Tainted ones''' are human agents of the yuan-ti who have willingly undergone a ritual of transformation to make themselves yuan-ti, gaining a venomous bite and slight psionic ability. They retain their human appearance but often develop reptilian mannerisms, such as frequently licking their lips or drawing out sibilant sounds as they speak. They first appeared in ''Monsters of Faerun''. 

*'''Broodguards''', also known as '''histachii''', are humans who have undergone the ritual of transformation but have been found unworthy, degenerating into hairless, near-mindless reptilian monsters. The yuan-ti employ these wretches as watchers over egg-broods and other demeaning tasks. They first appeared as the ''histachii'' in ''[[dragmag|Dragon Magazine]]'' #151 ("The Ecology of the Yuan-ti" by David Wellham, 1989).  They also appeared in  ''Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix'' (1990), and then reprinted in the ''Monstrous Manual'' (1993).

*The '''Forgotten''', or ''Yin-Shu'', are humans, half-[[orc]]s, or half-[[elf|elves]] who have yuan-ti blood in their veins due to ancient, unsuccessful experiments. Purebloods can sense them instinctively from up to 100 feet away. Yuan-ti attempt to convince them to willingly embrace their inhuman heritage, transforming them into halfbloods or purebloods using the Black Broth or other foul potions.

* '''Holy guardians''' are a rare breed specifically bred as temple guards; they are also sent on missions to obtain needed goods for abomination priests. Holy guardians are naturally servile and follow their superiors without question. They uniformly have a serpentine tail in place of legs and a snakelike head. They first appeared in ''Serpent Kingdoms''.

*'''Mageslayers''', another rare type of yuan-ti, are bred for the special purpose of battling or hunting down human magic-users, and most of their abilities are magical rather than psionic. Mageslayers have a humanlike head but a snakelike tail instead of legs. They first appeared in ''Serpent Kingdoms''.

*'''Anathemas''' are by far the most powerful and loathsome of yuan-ti, worshiped as divine incarnations of Merrshaulk. They are truly bizarre in appearance, with a body like a 25-foot-long serpent; a pair of humanoid arms with clawed, three-fingered hands; and six serpentine heads rising from its shoulders. An anathema's power dwarfs even that of an abomination, but since they represent such unfettered chaos, they are usually found away from yuan-ti cities, establishing cults that worship Merrshaulk through them. They make a common practice of grafting yuan-ti body parts onto humans and other races for use as personal servants. Anathemas are extremely rare, however, and only a handful are likely to exist on any world. They first appeared in the third edition version of the ''Fiend Folio''.

*'''Ignans''' are another rare subspecies of yuan-ti that dwell in hotter climes of the world, including in volcanoes and on the [[Elemental Plane of Fire]]. Ignans are similar to yuan-ti halfbloods, except they are slightly more powerful due to some of the fire spells they wield. Ignans were first described in ''Monster Manual IV''.

===Alignment===
Yuan-ti are usually both chaotic and evil, though their caste system is fairly rigid and they cooperate well in their schemes. They are no strangers to long-term planning, either, but this only means their superior intelligence allows them to embrace chaos as an ultimate goal and ferment chaos as a means to an end, without falling victim to the weaknesses of disorder. They feel no particular kinship with other chaotic or evil beings, and will be happy to see them destroyed along with everyone else. 

===Yuan-ti drugs===
Humans can be transformed into yuan-ti using a preparation known as the Black Broth, which includes distilled ophidian venom and other ingredients consecrated to the yuan-ti deity. This can only be completed about every 1,000 years, when the stars and planets signify a conjunction between the [[Material Plane]] and the 111th layer of the [[Abyss]]. 

Yuan-ti also create a highly addictive drug called white resin, made from rare herbs and yuan-ti venom. They introduce it into humanoid populations, using the drug to manipulate them. They also use them to control their slaves, but they're reluctant to do this too much, as extended use of white resin can drive humanoids mad, giving them reptilian features that obligate the yuan-ti to care for them after they become too mentally ill to work, due to their reverence of reptilian beings.

''Osssra'' is an oil that, when burned, confers benefits on yuan-ti but acts as a poison to other races. Its smoke is strangely multi-colored. Osssra is described in detail in ''Serpent Kingdoms'', and various "antidotes" to osssra, known as ophiotoxins, were described in ''Dragon'' #355.

== Society ==
[[File:yuan-ti05_anathema.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
In the {{smallcaps|[[World of Greyhawk]]}}™ campaign setting, the yuan-ti are found mainly on the continent of [[Hepmonaland]], where they dwell in several ruined cities. They are said to have been created from the human [[Olman]] by the snake-headed god [[Tlaloc]], whose relationship with Merrshaulk is unknown. Yuan-ti play a significant role in the adventure, ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]]''.

Yuan-ti society as described ''The Ecology of the Yuan-Ti'', ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #151 (1989) was divided into the pureblood, halfbreed and abomination castes. The histachii were described as the progenitors of the yuan-ti. It was necessary for the yuan-ti to acquire human captives to turn into histachii, as breeding between any of three yuan-ti castes resulted only in abominations, while histachii could produce purebloods and halfbreeds.<ref name="Dragon151"/>

In fifth edition, there is no god who patrons the yuan-ti, but the ''Monster Manual'' lists Dendar the Night Serpent; Merrshaulk, Master of the Pit; and Sseth, the Sibilant Death; as their gods, and describes them as a transformed human species who originally viewed snakes as the epitome of logic and stoic behavior, building cults to the serpent gods who gave them the knowledge to ritually breed with snakes, creating their race.  They seek to rebuild their ancient empires through manipulation, such as awe, pleasure and terror, promising wealth and power. They build cults and seek to achieve great power in order to devour and supplant their gods.

The yuan-ti, despite their love of chaos, have a fairly rigid caste system with slaves at the bottom; with purebloods as ambassadors, builders, artisans, and spies; halfbloods as guardians, warriors, and enforcers; and abominations as the mystics, philosophers, generals, judges, and leaders of a yuan-ti nest. 

Yuan-ti society slightly favors males, as only males may be high priests. However, they are too intelligent to not utilize their females' talents, and in non-priestly or reproductive roles females are permitted to do everything that males are. Female purebloods are particularly useful as seductresses in the human world. 

=== Religion ===
The goal of the Yuan-ti, as dictated by their god Merrshaulk, is to bring about the ultimate destruction of the world.

In addition, there is a sub-faction of Yuan-ti, the Vanguard of Sertrous (outlined in ''Elder Evils''), who follow the teachings of the ancient obyrinth Sertrous, sometimes known as the first heretic, who wish to assist him in reconquering his layer of the Abyss.

In ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]]'', the yuan-ti are described as "devout demon worshippers," and their god is depicted as a cobra-headed man (p.6) In ''Dragon'' #151, the (ariental) yuan-ti described there are made to worship a demon lord called [[Sch'theraqpasstt]], who resembles a great, black-scaled winged snake. The article goes on to say that the yuan-ti have turned to other creatures of the [[Abyss]] for power since Sch'theraqpasstt's decline. In ''[[Treasures of Greyhawk]]'', the [[Amedio Jungle]] yuan-ti seem to worship a deity they call Sarthis, vaguely resembling a human with undefined reptilian features. ''[[Monster Mythology]]'' introduced [[Merrshaulk]], who is described as a vast serpent with a human head and stubby forearms, as the yuan-ti patron. Like Sch'theraqpasstt, Merrshaulk is a deity in decline, albeit for separate reasons, and both entities are said to live in the [[Abyss]]. Sch'theraqpasstt is said to have gone mad while attempting to merge with his Abyssal layer, while Merrshaulk is slowly falling into eternal sleep. 

In ''[[The Scarlet Brotherhood]]'' (1998), the yuan-ti civilizations of [[Hepmonaland]] and the [[Amedio Jungle]] are worshippers of the [[Olman]] pantheon led by [[Tlaloc]], a reptilian-headed god of rain.

The yuan-ti of [[Scuttlecove]] detailed in ''Dungeon'' #95 are cultists of [[Demogorgon]].

In addition, there is a sub-faction of the yuan-ti, the Vanguard of Sertrous (outlined in ''Elder Evils''), who follow the teachings of the ancient [[obyrith]], [[Sertrous]], sometimes known as the first heretic. The Vanguard wish to assist Sertrous in reconquering his layer of the Abyss.

The yuan-ti venerate reptiles in general and consider it taboo to slay them. However, they will not take foolish risks to preserve reptilian life.

=== Language ===
''Tlaman'' is the language of the yuan-ti of Hepmonaland. It is mainly derived from [[Languages#Olman|Olman]] with phrases from [[Languages#Touv|Touv]] and the languages of snakes, altered to be best pronounced with forked tongues. It uses essentially the same pictographs as Olman, and an Olman speaker can understand approximately two-thirds of Tlaman.

== Associated creatures ==
There are several reptilian creatures closely associated with the yuan-ti that are not yuan-ti themselves:
* '''Ti-khana''' are reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, and dinosaurs, that have been altered by the yuan-ti. Ti-khana are far more intelligent than the creatures from which they are created, and possess both the psionic abilities and cruel disposition of their yuan-ti creators. They appear more snakelike than their mundane ancestors, appearing somewhat elongated, with venomous fangs. The ti-khana first appeared in the third edition version of the ''Fiend Folio'', with a ti-khana deinonychus showcased as an example. Ti-khana elasmosaurs are also mentioned fleetingly in ''Serpent Kingdoms''.

* '''Ophidians''' are an unrelated race of serpent-people who are nonetheless commonly associated with the yuan-ti. Ophidians are not very intelligent, and are easily impressed by shows of power by yuan-ti, evil [[naga]]s, and [[dragon]]s, whom they frequently serve as willing slaves. Their most potent weapon is their venom, which can change humans into degenerate ophidians. Most ophidians worship their yuan-ti masters as gods.

* '''Ssvaklors''' are a type of serpentine dragon created by yuan-ti using special rituals on a dragon egg, typically that of a black dragon. Ssvaklors are less intelligent than even humans and, like true dragons (a group of which they are not a part), have a breath weapon: a cone of poisonous gas. They are typically green and black in colour. Greater ssvaklors also exist, though they are simply a more powerful version of the "standard" ssvaklor with the ability to spit globs of poison to their foes. Like yuan-ti, ssvaklors' serpentine nature makes them natural swimmers. They are normally met in the company of yuan-ti and are often used as guardians by them. Ssvaklors first appeared in the ''Monster Manual III''.

==History==
In approximately -1100 CY, the high priests of the Olman city-states Alocotla and Xapatlapo made a pact with Tlaloc. In an elaborate ceremony, they sacrificed and devoured one thousand infants, and all who partook of that feast were transformed into yuan-ti. These changes bred true, and yuan-ti continue to rule those two cities to this day, as well as the city of Xuxulieto and elsewhere.

==Publication history==
The yuan-ti were introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''.

=== First edition ===
[[File:yuan-ti01b.jpg|thumb|150px]]
The original yuan-ti castes were the abominations, the halfbreeds, and the purebloods, which first appeared in the adventure ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]]'' (1981),<ref>[[David Cook|Cook, David]]. ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]]'' (TSR, 1981)</ref><ref name="rpgnet1">{{cite web|url=https://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/17/17556.phtml|title=Review of ''Tomb of Annihilation''|work=RPGNet|last=S|first=Antonio|date=5 April 2018|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref><ref name="mwt2">{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dd/20060106a |title=Monsters with Traction, Part 2 |last1=Decker |first1=Jesse |author-link1=Jesse Decker |first2=David |last2=Noonan |author-link2=David Noonan |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |access-date=2007-12-18}}</ref> In the adventure, the characters are hired to find an object taken to a lost oriental-style city, which has been taken over by a cult of snake-worshipers, the yuan-ti, and their servants, the [[mongrelfolk]] and [[tasloi]].<ref name="HW">{{cite book |first=Lawrence |last=Schick |author-link=Lawrence Schick |year=1991 |title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games |publisher=Prometheus Books |location=Buffalo, New York |isbn=0-87975-653-5 |page=101}}</ref> The yuan-ti and its three variant types were all later featured in the first edition ''Monster Manual II'' (1983).<ref>[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Monster Manual II'' ([[TSR, Inc.|TSR]], 1983)</ref>

Yuan-ti history and society were detailed in ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #151 (November 1989), in the "Ecology of the Yuan-Ti", which also introduced the histachii.<ref name="Dragon151">Wellman, David. "The Ecology of the Yuan-Ti." ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #151 (TSR, 1989)</ref>

=== Second edition ===
[[File:yuan-ti02.png|thumb|150px]]
The yuan-ti first appear in ''Monstrous Compendium Volume One'' (1989),<ref>[[David "Zeb" Cook|Cook, David]], et al. ''Monstrous Compendium Volume One'' ([[TSR, Inc.|TSR]], 1989)</ref> and is reprinted in the ''Monstrous Manual'' (1993), along with the abomination yuan-ti, the halfblood yuan-ti, and the pureblood yuan-ti.<ref>[[Doug Stewart|Stewart, Doug]], ed. ''Monstrous Manual'' (TSR, 1993)</ref>

The histachii yuan-ti appeared for the Kara-Tur campaign setting in the ''Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix'' (1990), and is then reprinted in the ''Monstrous Manual'' (1993).

A psionic variation of the yuan-ti appeared in ''The Complete Psionics Handbook'' (1991).<ref>[[Steve Winter|Winter, Steve]]. ''The Complete Psionics Handbook'' (TSR, 1991)</ref>

=== Third edition ===
The yuan-ti appears in the ''Monster Manual'' for this edition (2000), including the abomination yuan-ti, the halfblood yuan-ti, and the pureblood yuan-ti.<ref>[[Monte Cook|Cook, Monte]], [[Jonathan Tweet]], and [[Skip Williams]]. ''Monster Manual'' ([[Wizards of the Coast]], 2000)</ref>

The broodguard yuan-ti, the human broodguard yuan-ti, the tainted one yuan-ti, and the human tainted one yuan-ti for the Forgotten Realms setting appeared in ''Monsters of Faerun''.<ref>[[James Wyatt|Wyatt, James]] and [[Rob Heinsoo]]. ''Monstrous Compendium: Monsters of Faerun'' ([[Wizards of the Coast]], 2001)</ref> The pureblood yuan-ti and the tainted one yuan-ti were presented as player character races in ''Races of Faerûn'' (2003).<ref>[[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K.]], [[Matt Forbeck|Forbeck, Matt]], [[James Jacobs|Jacobs, James]], [[Eric L. Boyd|Boyd, Erik L.]] ''Races of Faerûn'' ([[Wizards of the Coast]], 2003)</ref>

The broodguard yuan-ti and the tainted one yuan-ti appeared as templates in ''Savage Species'' (2003).<ref>[[David Eckelberry|Eckelberry, David]], [[Rich Redman]], and [[Jennifer Clarke Wilkes]]. ''Savage Species'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)</ref>

The yuan-ti was detailed again in ''Dragon'' #305 (March 2003), in "Venom and Coil: The Secret Life of the Yuan-Ti".<ref>[[Robin Laws|Laws, Robin]]. "Venom and Coil" Dragon #305 ([[Paizo Publishing]], 2003)</ref> The yuan-ti abomination, the yuan-ti halfblood, and the yuan-ti pureblood are presented as player character races in this article.

The yuan-ti anathema appears in the ''Fiend Folio'' for this edition (2003).

The broodguard yuan-ti, the human broodguard yuan-ti, the tainted one yuan-ti, and the human tainted one yuan-ti appeared again in ''Ghostwalk'' (2003).

==== v3.5 edtion ====
The yuan-ti appears in the revised ''Monster Manual'' for this edition (2003), including the same variations from the previous ''Monster Manual''.

Psionic versions of the yuan-ti abomination, the yuan-ti halfblood, and the yuan-ti pureblood appear in the ''Expanded Psionics Handbook'' (2004).<ref>[[Bruce Cordell|Cordell, Bruce R.]] ''Expanded Psionics Handbook'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2004)</ref>

The yuan-ti broodguard, pureblood yuan-ti, and tainted one were presented as player character races for the Forgotten Realms setting in ''Serpent Kingdoms'' (2004).<ref>[[Ed Greenwood|Greenwood, Ed]], [[Eric L. Boyd]], and [[Darrin Drader]]. ''Serpent Kingdoms'' ([[Wizards of the Coast]], 2004)</ref> This book also included the yuan-ti holy guardian and the yuan-ti mageslayer.

The abomination cult leader yuan-ti, the halfblood deceiver yuan-ti, the yuan-ti ignan, and the pureblood slayer yuan-ti appear in ''Monster Manual IV'' (2006).<ref>[[Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel|Kestrel, Gwendolyn F.M.]] ''Monster Manual IV'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2006)</ref>

The yuan-ti wretchling for the Eberron setting appears in ''Secrets of Xen'drik'' (2006).

=== Fourth edition ===
The fourth edition ''Monster Manual'' mentions three types of yuan-ti, offering a total of five creatures. The origin of the yuan-ti is never discussed, but their patron is confirmed as Zehi]. It offers the yuan-ti malison sharp-eye, the yuan-ti malison incanter, the yuan-ti malison disciple of Zehir, the yuan-ti abomination and the yuan-ti anathema.<ref>[[Mike Mearls|Mearls, Mike]], [[Stephen Schubert]], and [[James Wyatt]]. ''Monster Manual'' ([[Wizards of the Coast]], 2008)</ref>

=== Fifth edition ===
[[File:Yuan-ti05_pitmaster.png|thumb|150px]]
[[File:yuan-ti05.jpg|thumb|150px]]
The yuan-ti appears in the fifth edition ''Monster Manual'' (2014), featuring the yuan-ti pureblood, the yuan-ti abomination, and three types of yuan-ti malisons. ''Volo's Guide to Monsters'' (2016) offers additional information, further introducing yuan-ti anathema, yuan-ti broodguards, three variant malisons (the mind whisperer, the nightmare speaker, and pit master), as well as detailing the structure of yuan-ti religion and society and giving the traits for Yuan-ti Pureblood player characters.

The yuan-ti are involved in the adventure ''Tomb of Annihilation''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/06/02/neverwinters-tomb-of-annihilation-mixes-dd-dinosaurs-and-undead-on-july-25-for-pcs/|title = Neverwinter's Tomb of Annihilation is D&D, dinos, and the archlich Acererak|date = 2 June 2017}}</ref>

==Creative origins==
The yuan-ti were created by [[David Cook]] in ''Dwellers of the Forbidden City''. 

== Licensing ==
The yuan-ti are considered "product identity" by [[Wizards of the Coast]] and as such were not released under its "Open Gaming License" for the d20 System.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.d20srd.org/faq.htm |title=Frequently Asked Questions |accessdate=2007-02-23 |publisher=D20srd.org}}</ref> As they are legally owned by the company, permission from Wizards of the Coast would be required to use them in other games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-monsters-copyright/|title = These Monsters Are Legally Owned by Dungeons & Dragons (So You Can't Steal Them)|date = 24 May 2020}}</ref>

==Other media==
Yuan-ti play significant roles in various Dungeons & Dragons computer games. In ''Neverwinter Nights'', a Yuan-ti is one of the four creatures the player must recapture to create a cure for a disease that is rampant across the city. They also play a major role in ''Icewind Dale'', where they are ruled by a marilith named Yxunomei. In ''Icewind Dale II'' they are a late game enemy who have overrun the town of Kuldahar and must be repelled, back through the portal they arrived in, as well as being present in the 'Dragon's Eye' cave system.  There is a side quest that involves a yuan-ti researcher who requires help in modifying the histachii transformation to retain his mind so he may examine the yuan-ti at close quarters.  Yuan-ti appear as the main villain group in the expansion ''Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir''.

Yuan-ti also make appearances in ''Baldur's Gate II''. The '''sarrukh''', the creators of the yuan-ti, are also the primary antagonists of ''Neverwinter Nights''.

Yuan-ti also appear in the ''Dungeons and Dragons Miniatures Game''.

Yuan-ti also have a full region series of side quests in the Ringing Mountains in ''Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager''.

==In popular culture==
In 2019, a student applying to college inadvertently listed himself as a yuan-ti.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/dungeons-and-dragons-race-college-application/|title = Man Accidentally Applied to College as Dungeons and Dragons Race|date = 30 December 2019}}</ref>

==Reception==
TheGamer.com in April 2021 listed the yuan-ti pureblood as #2 on their list of "10 Most Underrated Races That Are Better Than You Think".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-underrated-races/|title = Dungeons & Dragons: 10 Most Underrated Races That Are Better Than You Think|date = 9 April 2021}}</ref>

CBR.com listed the yuan-ti pure blood as #5 on their list of "Top 10 Playable Species In D&D".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/dd-best-plyable-species-ranked/|title=Top 10 Playable Species in D&D, Ranked|date=16 March 2020}}</ref>

[[Bill Slavicsek]] and [[Richard Baker]] called the yuan-ti "classic D&D monsters", and ranked the massive yuan-ti anathema as number ten among the best high-level monsters, speaking from a fourth edition view.<ref>{{cite book | title=Dungeons and Dragons fourth edition For Dummies | chapter=The Ten Best High-Level Monsters | first1=Bill | last1=Slavicsek | first2=Richard | last2=Baker |date=2008 | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | isbn=978-0-470-29290-7}}</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.cmc.net/~rtaylor/greyhawk/gods/merrshaulk.html Russ Taylor on Merrshaulk].
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuan-ti Yuan-ti on Wikipedia].

== References ==
=== Citations ===
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
*Babbit, Michael, and Chris Jones. ''The Slayer's Guide to Yuan-Ti.'' Swindon, England: Mongoose Publishing, 2003. 
* Collins, Andy. "Yuan-ti." Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003. Available online:[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/eo/20031207a]
*[[David Cook|Cook, David]]. ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1981.
*[[David Cook|Cook, David]], ''et al''. ''Monstrous Compendium Volume One''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
*Greenwood, Ed, [[Eric L. Boyd]], and Darrin Drader. ''Serpent Kingdoms''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
*[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''Monster Manual II''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
*[[James Jacobs|Jacobs, James]]. "[[Porphyry House Horror]]." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #95. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002.
*[[James Jacobs|Jacobs, James]] and Richard Pett. "Savage Tidings: The Market is Bad." ''[[dragonmag|Dragon]]'' #355. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2007.
*Laws, Robin. "Venom and Coil." ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #305. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2003.
*[[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K]]. ''[[The Scarlet Brotherhood]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 1999.
*Stewart, Doug, ed. ''Monstrous Manual''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
*Wellman, David. "The Ecology of the Yuan-Ti." ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #151. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
*[[Wyatt, James]], and Rob Heinsoo. ''Monstrous Compendium: Monsters of Faerun''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
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[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Humanoids]]
[[Category:Races]]