Isle of Serpents

Isle of the Serpent, illustrated for Ivid the Undying, published in 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 Dominion of the Sea Barons, and one of two not controlled by the Sea Barons' 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."

Geography and climate

The Isle of Serpents is difficult to reach, being surrounded by chalky cliffs that reach 250 feet in height in places, and "its craggy cliffs contain treacherous coastal cave systems."

Ecology

Many breeds of poisonous vipers inhabit the densely vegetated uplands of Serpent Isle.

The island’s temperate climate creates a haven for venomous snakes and poisonous fauna.

Inhabitants

Nagas have been reported dwelling on the island. Whether or not Serpent Isle still has any human inhabitants is unclear.

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 pure Suel blood. 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. 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. The tomb was real, and would come to be known as the "Tomb of Wayward Souls". It was host to a piece of the Rod of Seven Parts.

References

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