Lady Voluptia

Lady Voluptia – The Silk Viper

History

Lady Voluptia descends from one of the oldest and wealthiest Aj'Snaga dynasties, House Zhyrass, known for its unchallenged rule over vast, fertile estates and its control of an impressive number of slaves. Her family's lands extend from the inner shores of the Triton Sea to the basalt plains of the D'Hroha Peninsula. Lady Voluptia's house was among the first to systematically exploit slaves imported from the Yellow Sails, placing them in the luminous crystal mines and mushroom farms that form the heart of Mazur's economy. This earned the family immense wealth and influence, leading them to sit on councils closest to the crown. Voluptia herself, from her youth, displayed uncommon intelligence and unscrupulousness. Educated in the arts of rhetoric and diplomacy, she quickly learned to use her beauty and mellifluous voice as weapons sharper than any sword. Legend has it that as a teenager, she had already ensnared lovers among the ranks of the commanders of the Scale Phalanx and the richest merchants of Mazur, obtaining information or favors from each. Behind the curtains of this sumptuous life, however, Voluptia was initiated into the forbidden mysteries of the Cult of the Ancients, and in particular the cult of the serpent god Ygg, the Devourer of Cycles, a chthonic entity who promises absolute power to those who serve him. In the vaults of her palaces, amidst subterranean crypts and gardens of luminescent mushrooms, Voluptia officiated secret rituals, sacrificing slaves and strangers to curry favor with the deity. Her secret faith, which no one can connect to her without concrete proof, fuels her ambition: to oust Queen Arafdalia and ascend to the throne as the living embodiment of Ygg's will.

Character and Personality

Lady Voluptia is a master of dissimulation. Publicly, she appears as an elegant noblewoman, refined in her manners, with impeccable taste in the arts, fashion, and public celebrations. She is a constant presence at imperial banquets and performances in the Krataion, often sitting next to the Queen herself, with whom she maintains a seemingly cordial and loyal relationship. But behind that silken mask lies an ambitious woman, cold and calculating as a serpent. Every word she utters, every smile she offers, is calculated. Voluptia has a natural inclination for manipulation and can push others into action without them realizing it. Her true skill lies in feigning innocence and necessity: an advisor who never seems to contradict, yet shifts public opinion, or the will of a noble, in her favor. She is a woman of refined yet cruel pleasures: she loves conversing with artists and poets, but delights in watching gladiatorial games where slaves are slaughtered, betting on the outcomes with icy coldness. In the dungeons of her estates, she indulges in rituals of sacrificial torture, not out of sadism, but out of devotion to Ygg, whom she considers the only true lord destined to rule. In public, she appears as a noble mother of the people, bestowing gifts and aid, distributing food and riches in exchange for the devotion of her slaves and peasants. In private, she considers them mere pawns, fuel for her rise to power.

Relationships and Conflicts

With Queen Arafdalia: Voluptia presents herself as a loyal ally, praising her qualities and supporting her decisions. But she secretly plots to undermine her authority. She knows she cannot openly challenge her, so she prefers to operate in the shadows, slowly building a network of supporters. Some suspect that the recent unrest and rising crime in Mazur are rooted in her intrigues.

With the Mystikì: She employs informants within the powerful organization, corrupted through rich bribes or promises of influence. Some say even a couple of Kathartai (purification priests) from the Sanctuary of the Pure Bloodline have been secretly seduced by her promises. However, the Mystikì as a whole does not look kindly on her, and an open investigation could bring her down.

With the Slavers of the Yellow Sails: She is intimately linked to the slave trade. Voluptia obtains the finest specimens for her holdings and provides political protection to the captains of the Yellow Sails in exchange for a percentage of their trade. It's likely that part of her economic influence derives from this partnership.

With Rival Nobles: She is feared and respected. Some try to imitate her, others hate her and accuse her of keeping "too many secrets." However, no one dares to attack her directly, knowing that her revenge would be inevitable.

Abilities and Powers

Beyond her intelligence and political influence, Lady Voluptia possesses true powers deriving from her bond with the god Ygg:

Hypnotic Voice: With just her words, she can enchant those who listen (similar to -suggestion-).

Serpent's Bite: In situations of extreme danger, Voluptia reveals the traits of her devotion to Ygg. Her hands transform into scaly claws, and a venomous bite inflicts severe damage and paralyzing poison.

Dark Allure: Anyone who gazes at her for too long risks falling into a state of obsessive admiration (similar to empowered -charm person-).

Chthonic Evocation: In her rituals, she can briefly call upon a serpentine avatar of Ygg, an abyssal creature to fight at her side or terrorize her opponents.

Poison Immunity: As a priestess of Ygg, she is immune to all toxins.

Possessed Items

The Veil of Goldscales: A thin robe woven from golden threads and tiny serpent scales blessed in her rituals. It grants advantage on Persuasion and Deception rolls, as well as magical protection (+2 to AC).

Dagger of Ygg: A black ivory blade that leaves wounds that do not heal easily. In rituals, it is used for sacrifices, but in battle, it deals necrotic damage in addition to its normal slashing damage.

Ring of a Thousand Eyes: A ring studded with shining crystals that allows her to communicate telepathically with her informants, and in some cases, to briefly see beyond mortal gaze.

Cup of Infinite Blood: A chalice used in rituals. When filled with blood, it never empties until its entire contents are drunk: the blood becomes poison or a healing potion, depending on the ritual.

Conclusion

Lady Voluptia is the perfect veiled antagonist: she doesn't directly clash with the adventurers (at least not immediately), but manipulates them, observes them, and uses them. She is a figure who can seduce, frighten, and betray, and her secret cult of the god Ygg poses not only a political, but also spiritual and cosmic threat. With her captivating beauty and dark powers, Lady Voluptia embodies the archetype of the temptress serpent, ready to wrap herself around the throne and crush it until she makes it her own.

Lady Voluptia, Matriarch of the Serpent

-Humanoid medium (human), chaotic evil-

Base Statistics

Armor Class: 18 (Reinforced ritual robes + active infinite hide)

Hit Points: 210 (28d8 + 84)

Speed: 30 ft.

Strength: 12 (+1)
Dexterity: 16 (+3)
Constitution: 16 (+3)
Intelligence: 18 (+4)
Wisdom: 20 (+5)
Charisma: 22 (+6)

Saving Throws

Wisdom +10, Charisma +11, Constitution +8

Skills

Deception +11, Persuasion +11, Religion +9, Intimidate +11

Resistances

Poison and necrotic damage

Immunity: Poisoned

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft.

Passive Perception 15

Challenge Rating (CR): 15 (13,000 XP)

Special Traits

Priestess of Ygg

Voluptia casts spells as a 14th-level Cleric. Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (DC 18, +10 to hit with spells).

Typical Prepared Spells:

Cantrips: thaumaturgy, toll the dead, poison spray, guidance

1st level (4 slots): command, bane, inflict wounds, sanctuary

2nd level (3 slots): mirror image, spiritual weapon, hold person

3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, bestow curse, dispel magic

4th level (3 slots): blight, banishment

5th level (2 slots): insect plague, dominate person

6th level (1 slot): blade barrier

7th level (1 slot): finger of death

-Infinite Skin (Ritual)

If activated before combat, Lady Voluptia gains:

+2 AC (already included)

Regenerate 10 HP at the start of each turn if Has at least 1 HP

Slashing Resistance

Breath of the Serpent God (Recharge 5-6)

Area Attack: 30-foot cone of poison. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take 8d6 poison damage and be poisoned for 1 minute. A successful save takes half damage and no conditions.

Dark Cult Aura

Creatures within 20 feet of her must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw at the start of their turn or act as if under Bane until their next turn. Followers of the Cult of Ygg are instead inspired and gain advantage on attack rolls.

Actions

Multiattack Attacks

Voluptia can make two melee attacks or one spell and one melee attack.

Serpent Whip

-(Magic Melee Weapon)-

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.

Damage: 2d8 + 3 bludgeoning + 2d8 poison.

The target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be dragged 10 ft. toward you.

Serpent's Kiss (1/day)

Poisonous Curse: A target within 30 ft. must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take 1d10 poison damage/turn for 1 minute. You can repeat the saving throw each turn.

Legendary Actions (3 per round)

Lady Voluptia can use 3 legendary actions, choosing from the following options:
1. Hypnotic Murmurs: A target within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the end of the next turn.
2. Whip Strike: Make an attack with the Serpentine Whip.
3. Darkness of Ygg (2 actions): Summon an aura of serpentine darkness (as a 20-foot -darkness-, centered on her).

Magic Items in Possession

Cup of Infinite Blood: Can transform blood into a potion of healing, poison, or potion of invisibility.

Ring of a Thousand Truths: Allows you to cast -Contact Other Plane- once per day without a spell slot.

Shadow Serpent Cloak: Grants advantage on Stealth checks and resistance to necrotic damage.

Narrative Use

She can be faced as the final boss of a story arc, protected by her slaves, acolytes, and summoned serpents.

She can also be encountered outside of combat, as a political manipulator and subtle adversary.

Her rituals are events that must be stopped: if the PCs fail, summons and curses can change the entire campaign.

Current Location

Mazur, the Subterranean City

Ethnicity

Aj'Snaga Serpents

Children

Belief/Deity

Cult of Ygg, the Serpent God

Aligned Organization