According to the Yuan-Ti, Virestria was born from the first snake that crawled out of the primordial ooze at the dawn of time. As this serpent consumed the flesh of the lesser creatures around it, it gained wisdom and power, eventually shedding its mortal form to become the Serpent Queen, a divine entity that now guides the Yuan-Ti in their quest for dominance. Lizardfolk elders tell a different tale, claiming that Virestria was once a mortal queen who ruled over a vast swamp kingdom. She was known for her ruthlessness and ability to manipulate her enemies. It is said that she made a pact with Krevor, offering her body and soul in exchange for becoming his servant. Upon her death, she was reborn as a divine serpent, forever ruling over those who are cunning and merciless.
Virestria, often called the Serpent Queen, is a Lesser Fragment revered among the Yuan-Ti and Lizardfolk of the Savage Lands. She is perceived as the embodiment of tactical cunning, battlefield deceit, and the relentless pursuit of power. Virestria is depicted as a sinuous, snake-like woman with scales that shimmer in hues of emerald and gold. Her eyes are said to glow with an eerie, hypnotic light, capable of bending the will of lesser beings. To her followers, she represents the ultimate power that comes not just from brute strength but from manipulation, strategy, and the art of striking when the enemy least expects it.
Worship of Virestria involves ritualistic acts of sacrifice, primarily through the offering of captured enemies or traitors. These sacrifices are often bound and left in secluded swamps, where they are consumed by venomous serpents, symbolizing Virestria's will being carried out. Her most devout followers, particularly Yuan-Ti priests, engage in bloodletting ceremonies where they infuse their own blood with poison and drink it, believing it brings them closer to their goddess. Another common practice is the ritualistic shedding of skin, where followers adorn themselves with the scales of snakes, believing it strengthens their connection to Virestria.
Virestria's symbol is a coiled serpent devouring its own tail. This represents the endless cycle of death that gives birth to more servants of hers, as well as the constant vigilance required to maintain dominance. The symbol is often carved into the flesh of her followers or tattooed in intricate patterns across their bodies.
Virestria has been known to manifest during great wars or when her followers are on the verge of annihilation. One of her most famous appearances was during the Battle of the Sinking Marshes, where a horde of Lizardfolk and Yuan-Ti were cornered by a rival orc tribe. As the battle seemed lost, Virestria appeared in a massive, snake-like form, slithering through the battlefield and turning the tide by unleashing a poisonous mist that decimated the orc forces.