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[[Image:Isle of Serpents01.jpg| | [[Image:Isle of Serpents01.jpg|thumb|350px|Isle of the Serpent, illustrated for ''[[Ivid the Undying]]'', published in ''[[dragmag|Dragon]]'' #206 (1994). Art by [[Dave Sutherland]].]] | ||
The '''Isle of Serpents''', also called '''Serpent Isle''', is an island in [[Spindrift Sound]] in the [[Solnor Ocean]], part of the [[Asperdi-Duxchan chain]]. It is the smallest island in | The '''Isle of Serpents''', also called '''Serpent Isle''', is an island in [[Spindrift Sound]] in the [[Solnor Ocean]], part of the [[Asperdi-Duxchan chain]]. It is the smallest island in the [[Sea Barons|Sea Baronies]], and one of two not controlled by the Sea Baronies' government. It is possibly cursed. | ||
==History== | == History == | ||
Like other southern islands in what would become the Dominion of the Sea Barons, the Isle of Serpents was settled by the [[Suloise]] during the [[Great Migrations]]. The [[Oeridian]]s have always avoided the island, fearing the many poisonous snakes. They even avoid the Suloise ruins on the southern tip of [[Fairisle]] to the north. | Like other southern islands in what would become the Dominion of the Sea Barons, the Isle of Serpents was settled by the [[Suloise]] during the [[Great Migrations]]. The [[Oeridian]]s have always avoided the island, fearing the many poisonous snakes. They even avoid the Suloise ruins on the southern tip of [[Fairisle]] to the north. | ||
{{quoted text|Long ago, the archlich Acererak visited the Isle of Serpents in his search for precious artifacts. Acererak demolished settlements across the island, stealing treasures and killing indiscriminately. He then built one of his infamous tombs near the coast. The descendants of those who survived Acererak’s onslaught remain on the island and are still working to rebuild. Many seek to reclaim the treasures that were stolen from them.|{{csb|VEoR|131}} }} | |||
"Over time, the complex came to be known as the [[Tomb of Wayward Souls]], since explorers would venture inside only to die."{{csb|VEoR|134|}} The sixth piece of the ''[[Rod of Seven Parts]]'' was found there.{{csb|VEoR|131}} | |||
==Geography and climate== | == Geography and climate == | ||
The Isle of Serpents is difficult to reach, being surrounded by chalky cliffs that reach 250 feet in height in places. | The Isle of Serpents is difficult to reach, being surrounded by chalky cliffs that reach 250 feet in height in places,{{csb|Ivid|93}} and "its craggy cliffs contain treacherous coastal cave systems."{{csb|VEoR|131}} There are some places where the "cliffs give way and allow passage inland".{{csb|VEoR|132}} | ||
==Ecology== | == Ecology == | ||
Many breeds of poisonous vipers inhabit the densely vegetated uplands of Serpent Isle, and sea serpents are often spotted in the waters surrounding the island.{{csb|Ivid|93}} | |||
The island’s temperate climate creates a haven for venomous snakes and poisonous fauna.{{csb|VEoR|131}} | |||
== | == Inhabitants == | ||
There were [[human]]s living on the isle before Acererak invaded, and though Acererak decimated the population and destroyed settlements, the descendants of those original inhabitants "have been here for many generations"{{csb|VEoR|131}} and still reside on the island, and continue to rebuild their towns and villages.{{csb|VEoR|131}} Though most outsiders avoid the island due to its reputation, {{csb|VEoR|131}} there are some few who do visit the island, like archaeologists seeking to catalog or recover treasures stolen from locals, and return them to their descendants.{{csb|VEoR|132-134}} | |||
==Bibliography== | [[Naga]]s have been reported dwelling on the island.{{csb|Ivid|93}} | ||
== Features == | |||
In the center of the island are a series of sunken caves guarded by jade statues of a Suloise snake goddess which animate and attack anyone except females of entirely [[Suel]] ancestry.{{csb|Ivid|93}} The identity of the goddess is unclear; she is described as having alien features, short-cropped hair, and slanted, almond-shaped eyes.{{cn}} It has been speculated that this might be an otherwise unknown aspect of [[Wee Jas]].{{csb|Ivid|93}} [[Beltar]], who has a serpentine [[marilith]] aspect, has also been named as a possibility. Finally, the dead goddess [[Ranet]] has been known to employ serpent queens to guard her temples, and Ranet herself may be snakelike in appearance.{{cn}} | |||
== Rumors and legends == | |||
"Legends speak of Acererak’s infamous [[Tomb of Horrors]], a deadly labyrinth filled with monsters and puzzles. Stories state that the archlich created similar tombs to guard precious magical artifacts. One such tomb is located on the isle."{{csb|VEoR|131}} | |||
== References == | |||
=== Notes === | |||
<references group="note" /> | |||
=== Citations === | |||
<references /> | |||
=== Bibliography === | |||
*[[David Cook|Cook, David]]. ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]].'' Lake Geneva, WI: TSR Hobbies, 1981. | *[[David Cook|Cook, David]]. ''[[Dwellers of the Forbidden City]].'' Lake Geneva, WI: TSR Hobbies, 1981. | ||
*[[Amanda Hamon|Hamon, Amanda]], Makenzie De Armas, Ron Lundeen, Patrick Renie, et al. ''[[Vecna: Eve of Ruin]]''. Renton, WA: [[WotC]], 2024. {{ISBN|978-0-7869-6947-0}} | |||
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. | *[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. | ||
* [[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Ivid the Undying]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. [https://greyhawkonline.com/download/16370/?tmstv=1727302323 PDF by William Allman with maps]. Original RTF archived:[http://web.archive.org/web/20081218001449/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Wizards.com]. WGR7 or WGRx | |||
*[[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Ivid the Undying]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, | {{index}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Islands]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:05, 28 July 2025
The Isle of Serpents, also called Serpent Isle, is an island in Spindrift Sound in the Solnor Ocean, part of the Asperdi-Duxchan chain. It is the smallest island in the Sea Baronies, and one of two not controlled by the Sea Baronies' government. It is possibly cursed.
History
Like other southern islands in what would become the Dominion of the Sea Barons, the Isle of Serpents was settled by the Suloise during the Great Migrations. The Oeridians have always avoided the island, fearing the many poisonous snakes. They even avoid the Suloise ruins on the southern tip of Fairisle to the north.
"Long ago, the archlich Acererak visited the Isle of Serpents in his search for precious artifacts. Acererak demolished settlements across the island, stealing treasures and killing indiscriminately. He then built one of his infamous tombs near the coast. The descendants of those who survived Acererak’s onslaught remain on the island and are still working to rebuild. Many seek to reclaim the treasures that were stolen from them."[1]
"Over time, the complex came to be known as the Tomb of Wayward Souls, since explorers would venture inside only to die."[2] The sixth piece of the Rod of Seven Parts was found there.[1]
Geography and climate
The Isle of Serpents is difficult to reach, being surrounded by chalky cliffs that reach 250 feet in height in places,[3] and "its craggy cliffs contain treacherous coastal cave systems."[1] There are some places where the "cliffs give way and allow passage inland".[4]
Ecology
Many breeds of poisonous vipers inhabit the densely vegetated uplands of Serpent Isle, and sea serpents are often spotted in the waters surrounding the island.[3]
The island’s temperate climate creates a haven for venomous snakes and poisonous fauna.[1]
Inhabitants
There were humans living on the isle before Acererak invaded, and though Acererak decimated the population and destroyed settlements, the descendants of those original inhabitants "have been here for many generations"[1] and still reside on the island, and continue to rebuild their towns and villages.[1] Though most outsiders avoid the island due to its reputation, [1] there are some few who do visit the island, like archaeologists seeking to catalog or recover treasures stolen from locals, and return them to their descendants.[5]
Nagas have been reported dwelling on the island.[3]
Features
In the center of the island are a series of sunken caves guarded by jade statues of a Suloise snake goddess which animate and attack anyone except females of entirely Suel ancestry.[3] The identity of the goddess is unclear; she is described as having alien features, short-cropped hair, and slanted, almond-shaped eyes.[citation needed] It has been speculated that this might be an otherwise unknown aspect of Wee Jas.[3] Beltar, who has a serpentine marilith aspect, has also been named as a possibility. Finally, the dead goddess Ranet has been known to employ serpent queens to guard her temples, and Ranet herself may be snakelike in appearance.[citation needed]
Rumors and legends
"Legends speak of Acererak’s infamous Tomb of Horrors, a deadly labyrinth filled with monsters and puzzles. Stories state that the archlich created similar tombs to guard precious magical artifacts. One such tomb is located on the isle."[1]
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Vecna: Eve of Ruin (2024), p.131.
- ↑ Vecna: Eve of Ruin (2024), p.134.
- ↑ a b c d e Ivid the Undying (1995), p.93.
- ↑ Vecna: Eve of Ruin (2024), p.132.
- ↑ Vecna: Eve of Ruin (2024), p.132-134.
Bibliography
- Cook, David. Dwellers of the Forbidden City. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR Hobbies, 1981.
- Hamon, Amanda, Makenzie De Armas, Ron Lundeen, Patrick Renie, et al. Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Renton, WA: WotC, 2024. ISBN 978-0-7869-6947-0
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Sargent, Carl. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. PDF by William Allman with maps. Original RTF archived:Wizards.com. WGR7 or WGRx
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isle of Serpents {Serpent Island, Saernedd} | Place | Island, | Dragon magazine #206 | 34, 36, 38, 40 |
| Isle of Serpents {Serpent Island, Saernedd} | Place | Island, | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 9, 38, 99, 104, 106 |
| Isle of Serpents {Serpent Island, Saernedd} | Place | Island, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 99 |