Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Senka 07-31-07, 02:26 PM	Where can I find information on the World Serpent, the original deity of the Scaled Ones, besides Serpent Kingdoms? I have also theorised that the World Serpent is on overdeity; is there anything that supports or rebuffs this? -Senka
Gray Richardson 08-01-07, 02:18 AM	There is information on the World Serpent in Powers & Pantheons in the Chult section under the Sseth entry if I remember. Also Monster Mythology, I believe. There is some lore about him in a recent Dragon Magazine, the one about the World Serpent Inn. He may currently abide in the World Serpent Inn, which is itself it's own plane or demi-plane, with transitive features in that it connects to countless other planes and worlds. In ages past what is now the World Serpent Inn may have been the divine realm or plane of the scaly-folk gods, including the World Serpent Inn. It is also a distinct possibility that the World Serpent not only lives in the Inn but rather may be the Inn. The barkeep there, who goes by the name Mitchifer, is very likely an avatar of the World Serpent (although he could just be a proxy or some kind of special servitor). He has friendly face trimmed with a white beard and mustache. But on close inspection the hairs of his beard are myriad, tiny white snakes. The World Serpent is likely not an overgod. Overgods are not worshipped their names are not generally known or spoken, they aren't usually mentioned in myths or legends. Overgods are something beyond mortal ken. The World Serpent was likely a rank 20 greater god, and the head of the pantheon of the Sarrukh for a time, before Merrshaulk and other fragments of his divinity took over and divided the faiths of scalykind.
Old Sage 08-01-07, 03:06 AM	There is information on the World Serpent in Powers & Pantheons in the Chult section under the Sseth entry if I remember.There is indeed. See pg. 84.
Senka 08-03-07, 12:09 PM	Unfortunately, I don’t have Powers and Pantheons, Monster Mythology or the relevant issue of Dragon. I have a download from the WotC website about the World Serpent Inn (a web enhancement for the Manuel of the Planes) and it described Mitchifer, but not his beard. It also referred to “The Owner” of the Inn, who it describes as possible being of “Uber-God status”, which made me think of overdeities. I always thought that the World Serpent ceased needing worship as long as his fragments still got their respect from mortals and that he ascended to something greater when his split into the Reptilian Pantheon. On another note, the House of Serpents trilogy refer to the World Serpent as female and capitalise references to Her. Anyway, thanks for the enlightenment… -Senka
Gray Richardson 08-03-07, 04:02 PM	The World Serpent embodies both sexes. No doubt that many perceive it as female. As a creator god this is certainly appropriate. I have always thought that the World Serpent was a fragment of Chauntea, the goddess of all life in Realmspace, or perhaps that Chauntea is a fragment of the World Serpent. Or more appropriately, the World Serpent is how the Sarrukh view her and Chauntea is how humans see her.
Senka 08-08-07, 02:41 PM	The World Serpent embodies both sexes. That’s what I thought. I never thought of it as an aspect of Chauntea, though…
MarkusTay63 08-09-07, 02:08 AM	I see the World Serpent as two sides to the same coin - the devine feminine and devine masculine. Both represent life on a primal level - Chauntee through birth and all living things, and the World Serpent through destruction and rebirth. One represent order, the other chaos. neither can exist without the other. She is continuation and stasis, he, renewal and entropy. At least, thats my take. ;)
Senka 08-10-07, 02:05 PM	Same here (about seeing the World Serpent as an all-encompassing multi-aspect deity). That’s why I thought it might be an overgod… Anyway, are there any other deities that are aspects of the World Serpent besides those mentioned in Serpent Kingdoms? And is the World Serpent Realms-specific or more general? I thought it was unique for the Realms (as I read about it from SK), but I think the World Serpent In is for generic D&D… And finally, where would I look for more info on Jazirian, the World serpent aspect the couatles worshipped? -Senka
ripvanwormer 08-10-07, 05:15 PM	And is the World Serpent Realms-specific or more general? I thought it was unique for the Realms (as I read about it from SK), but I think the World Serpent Inn is for generic D&D… It's more general. It first appeared in the generic book Monster Mythology. And finally, where would I look for more info on Jazirian, the World serpent aspect the couatles worshipped? Monster Mythology, Planes of Law, and Guide to Hell are the best sources. All 2e.
Senka 08-16-07, 12:47 PM	The only 2nd edition material I have is that from the WotC site, unfortunately. Well, I’ll keep my eyes open for them.