To be born a snake

Traditionally the planet of Terra has 12 months and it's time runs pretty much the same as our irl Earth time. (+/- an hour or two at places). This means that the zodiac signs are the same as the ones we can get - Leo, Capricorn, Scorpio, etc.
However in special conditions one can be assigned under Ophiucus, the Snake-bearer, the elusive 13th zodiac sign.

Symptoms

Extremely rarely and without need for any other conditions, a child could be born with patches of different skin on their bodies - snake - like, scaly skin, in either the color of the rest of the skin or in shades of green, brown - and sometimes gray & blue. This skin is just a cosmetic feature, it doesn't affect the future person in any way other than just existing on them, giving them a (pretty cool according to some) pattern. Those patches are never the same.

Before even being to open their eyes, the baby would have a row of small sharp teeth, slightly dented "forked" tongue, longer "tail" (the tailbone wouldn't end at the bum, it can reach all the way to the heels in cases) or a slight greenish-yellow glow to the skin. When the child would start seeing he/she/they would have some kind of heterochromia - including a 3-colored and gemlike /when there's 3 different colors; when the color imitates a gem's cut with its spread in the eye.

In order for a child born with these symptoms to be an Ophiucus the time of birth has to fit between November 29^th & December 17^th . At any other time of the year it's the regular sign with a cool physical look or two.

Cultural Reception

"Snake people" as these individuals are affectionately called are considered extremely lucky and would 9/10 cases posses talent to heal in some kind of sense - most of the times through magic. Even without such ability they'd be welcomed and treated with respect (sometimes even bordering reverence, especially in some cultures) and offered all kinds of free luxury goods.

This behaviour is mainly fueled by a simple (yet not quite understood) magical fact: if they are pleased and happy, generally well-natured, these snake people would bring good luck, good fortune, bountiful harvest and new knowledge and discoveries wherever they go - just by existing in the place. However - should they be angered, annoyed or for some reason made to believe they are hated and the world doesn't want them; if they are scared off or hurt - misfortune would fall upon the individual/group/place that caused the pain. The deeper the hurt - the worse the misfortune.So far in Terra's existance there has been a single case of death caused by an angered snake person.

Type

Magical

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare

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