Yahru is a type 1 yuan-ti malison who serves as Ras Nsi’s spymaster in the Fane of the Night Serpent. He is a political manipulator who thrives on intrigue rather than direct combat, using information as his primary weapon.
Role and Tactics
Yahru interrogates captured prisoners within an hour of their confinement in area 8, asking questions about their mission. Based on the prisoners’ demeanor, he deliberately plays Ras Nsi and Fenthaza against each other: if captives respond angrily or arrogantly, he brings them to Ras Nsi; if they remain calm and civil, he escorts them to Fenthaza. He enjoys these political games and uses prisoners as pawns in the power struggle between the two yuan-ti leaders.
When Yahru obtains information that could benefit either superior, he chooses which one to share it with, deliberately maintaining and exploiting the tension between them.
Characteristics
Yahru abhors physical combat and values his two bodyguards (NE male Chultan human gladiators) too much to risk their lives unnecessarily. He prefers gathering intelligence over fighting. Unless provoked, he attempts to extract information from characters while revealing as little as possible himself.
Location
Yahru is normally found in area 17 (the sauna), where he sheds his skin—a process that can take up to an hour. He uses scented ointments from jars beneath a large heated oval stone to keep his skin supple. He dislikes being disturbed during this process and orders yuan-ti purebloods to leave immediately, though he may require enslaved characters to apply ointment to expedite the shedding.
Information He Possesses
If facing death with his bodyguards defeated, Yahru will trade information for his freedom. He knows:
- Ras Nsi commands Omu’s yuan-ti, but his authority is fragile
- Fenthaza, the high priest, is Ras Nsi’s chief rival
- Ras Nsi suffers from an incurable magical disease
- Ras Nsi has made a pact with the lich Acererak, who built a tomb beneath Omu marked by an obelisk (Yahru can provide directions)
- Acererak killed Omu’s nine gods and enslaved the city’s humans and minotaurs to build his tomb
- The temple’s layout and defenses