Snake, Giant
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Description:
Giant snakes are terrifying and dangerous, and come in a variety of lethal forms. Some are venomous, some are constrictors, and others can attack from the water or even traverse walls. They are also prolific and can be encountered in a wide range of environments, from desert plains and woodlands, to rivers and swamps, to caves, caverns and mines, giant snakes are a constant threat.
Individual giant snakes are only ever interested in their next meal - never the one after. As such, their strategy is always to attempt to envenom or entangle and take one victim. They never want to try to defeat an entire group of enemies. They will always attempt to identify the weakest and smallest and focus on incapacitating it and dragging it off to be eaten somewhere safe.
Variants:
All giant snakes are fast, and all will use their speed and their ability to outmanuever their opponents to lethal advantage. While standard giant snakes are typically interested in prey that is weaker and smaller than them, they are still dangerous to anyone not prepared for a fight. Larger constrictors and venomous subtypes are entirely comfortable with the idea of engaging prey that is large and confident. Their strategies involve attacking from positions of advantage, and overwhelming prey with constriction or venom.
Standard Giant Snake
The standard giant snake is neither venomous, nor constricting, and as far as 4 to 5 meter long snakes go, is relatively harmless. They are generally interested in small prey; rabbits, dogs, chickens, and occasionally a sheep, goat or pig. Cattle are too much trouble for them, and lumbering humanoids with metal weapons and armour and torches are just not worth it unless they are very hungry. That said, they will defend themselves, and farmers who pay taxes and are sick of losing livestock will demand that the authorities send someone to deal with the problem. Adventurers have to get their start somewhere, after all.
Giant Anaconda
Giant anacondas are constrictors who live mainly in and near the water. They are not venomous, but they are strong, fast and tough, and can swim at incredible speeds. They can sense their prey from movements in water, and they attack with surprise from underwater, unless their target has the Blind Fighting perk. They always attempt to entangle, and to pull their taget underwater while applying Strong Constrict damage every turn. This is usually pretty quick and effective.
Giant Cobra
Giant cobras have a deadly venom that they can apply not only by biting, but by spraying at prey - though spraying the venom costs them a point of Resolve. In addition, they have a strangely hypnotic way of moving. Giant cobras will always attempt to close rapidly on prey and then Enthrall them by opening their beautiful hood and displaying for a moment - often rendering their victims helpless - before striking with a Cheap Shot of sprayed venom or a bite, and then a quick retreat out of range to the let the venom do its work. Few have looked into the seductive eyes of a hungry giant cobra and lived to tell the tale.
Giant Python
Similar to their aquatic counterparts, the giant anacondas, giant pythons are constrictors. They prefer to focus their efforts on a single target, entangling them, and then applying Strong Constrict damage every turn until the target goes limp and allows itself to be swallowed. While they do not have the advantage of being able to strike unseen from the water, they are larger and more powerful and can bring their victims to a quicker end.
Giant Ratsnake
Like standard giant snakes, giant ratsnakes are neither venomous nor constricting, and they prefer smaller, easier prey, but their ability to snake along steep, vertical and even inverted surfaces, and even to do so at high speeds using their Wall Run perk, make them extremely dangerous ambush predators.