OSR Class: Serpent Chirurgeon

My party recently took a mauling at the combined hands/fangs of an animated statue and reanimated giant spider, and decided that a little bit of time off to heal up was needed. They had recently come across a permanent but ever changing tent fair on the highway near to the forest they were exploring and decided to head through there to see if there was anyone who could help. As luck happens, they came across a group of monastic healers from the Serpent Lodge, who are skilled in the medicinal arts both in a material and supernatural sense. I came up with the idea on the fly and though that it might make a good class.

While Magic-Users gain a broad spectrum of powers from the Abyss that underpins reality through wild experimentation and a slight hint of madness, Serpent Chirurgeons are members of monastic lodges that venerate the aspect of the serpent. Through stoic meditation and secretive teachings, they harness their powers in order to gain closer communion to their sacred ideals.

Credit, Raphael Lacoste

SERPENT CHIRURGEON

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SAVES
As Cleric (see below).

HIT DICE
As Cleric.

ADVANCES
As Cleric.

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SKILLS
A Serpent Chirurgeon starts with a Medicine skill of 3-in-6.

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SPECIAL
Serpent Chirurgeons are not, strictly speaking, Clerics. They are not chosen by Ilan Magir and it is somewhat indifferent to their presence. All Serpent Chirurgeons have the following abilities and powers.

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Serpent Tongue
A Serpent Chirurgeon can understand and speak with snakes, taking +2 to reaction rolls with them. They can communicate with other serpentine and reptilian creatures but this is subject to a successful language roll, the difficulty of which will vary depending on how closely related the subject is to a snake and other factors (like whether the creature is magical or not) as determined by the GM.

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Coldblood
A Serpent Chirurgeon's connection to Ilan Magir affords them a measure of protection against poison and venom. Their Save vs Poison is rolled with advantage.

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Healing Arts
A Serpent Chirurgeon automatically passes Medicine skill rolls when tending to a wounded character who is resting in a safe, comfortable location for a full day.

Credit, Irina Ivanova

Powers
A Serpent Chirurgeon can safely use their powers a number of times per day equal to their level (like Magic-Users in the Vaginas are Magic supplement for LotFP). They can attempt to use their powers past their normal limits but must Save vs Magic when doing and they run the risk of displeasing Ilan Magir.

A Serpent Chirurgeon begins play with 2 of the below powers, roll 1d12 twice to determine them. Upon levelling up they must suffer a venomous snake bite and commune with Ilan Magir in a feverish trance - they may choose from a power below but suffer -2 to total HP, otherwise they roll randomly. Duplicate results may be rerolled.

1. Draw Venom - The Serpent Chirurgeon draws the poison out of an afflicted target with a touch. The target of this power instantly recovers from any poison or venom (not disease). The Serpent Chirurgeon must Save vs Poison as the venom is drawn into their blood, if they fail they fall unconscious for 1d6 hours.

2. Gift of Ilan Magir - The Serpent Chirurgeon lays their hands on the target and heals 1d8+1hp.

3. Naja's Maw - The Serpent Chirurgeon spits caustic venom at a sighted target within 50'. The target takes 1d4 damage and must Save vs Poison or be blinded for 1d6 Turns.

4. Trust in Me - The Serpent Chirurgeon sways and sings to a target within 60' in a lilting, hissing voice. The target must Save vs Magic or fall under the total control of the Serpent Chirurgeon for 1d6 rounds.

5. Constriction - Invisible bands of force wrap around a target within 60', who takes 1d4 crushing damage per caster level. The target must Save vs Paralysis or be locked in place for 1d6+1 rounds.

6. Serpent Eye - The Serpent Chirurgeon's eyes roll back in their head. When they roll back they bear the slitted pupils of a snake. The Serpent Chirurgeon can see infrared emissions in total darkness for a number of minutes equal to twice their level. This is not true night vision.

7. Great Shedding - The Serpent Chirurgeon meditates on an image for an hour after which their skin sloughs and peels off, leaving the Serpent Chirurgeon as an identical copy. The effect lasts for a number of hours equal to the Serpent Chirurgeon's level, although during the last 20 minutes their skin will start to peel and flake. This power does not affect size or body shape.

8. Distension - With a sickening crack and wet tearing, the Serpent Chirurgeon's jaw, intestinal cavity and oesophagus distend far beyond their normal limits. While this power is active, the Serpent Chirurgeon gains an extra 3 encumbrance slots - items stored in them do not count as encumbering. It takes a full Round to ingest or excrete an object. This power lasts for 24 hours - anything still inside will be violently ejected when it ends, potentially causing massive damage. Small enemies can be devoured whole if suitably restrained or overpowered. The Serpent Chirurgeon is visibly distended when carrying items inside them.

9. Split Tongue - The Serpent Chirurgeon's tongue elongates and splits clean in two. For the duration of this power they can determine truth from falsehoods provided that they taste the air around a speaker. This power lasts for a number of minutes equal to twice the Serpent Chirurgeon's level.

10. Bed of Sand - As the snakes of the desert bury themselves beneath the sands to hide from predators and prey, so too does the Serpent Chirurgeon blend into the environment around them. This power allows the Serpent Chirurgeon's appearance to take on the colour and texture of a nearby surface and conceals them from view. They can still be detected by magic, thorough investigation or someone bumping into them. This power lasts as long as the Serpent Chirurgeon concentrates.

11. Serpentine Dart - The Serpent Chirurgeon hurls a stick at an opponent within 50'. Mid-flight, the stick transforms into a snake that will latch on to the target and pump it full of a lethal venom. The target takes 1d6 damage and must Save vs Poison with disadvantage or suffer an additional 1d8 damage.

12. Scaleskin - The Serpent Chirurgeon touches the target and hard, metallic scales sprout from their skin. The target's AC is increased by 2 for as many Rounds as the Serpent Chirurgeon has levels.

Credit, Jack Rothwell

ILAN MAGIR'S DISPLEASURE
Roll 1d10 when the Serpent Chirurgeon attempts to exceed their daily limit and fails their Save vs Magic. Unless otherwise stated, the effects last until the next day.

1. "Cursed above all cattle..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon's legs are fused together, reducing their movement speed to 10'.

2. "Blood so febrile..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon is reduced to a maximum of 1hp as their blood roils and burns within them.

3. "Turned from the path..." - 1d8 venomous serpents materialise within 50' and attack. Their poison is lethal (Save vs Poison or die).

4. "Run little prey..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon's soul is pulled from their body and cast into a twisting labyrinth where they are pursued by a terrifying force. Their body lies in a catatonic state, occasionally a small snake wriggles out of their clothes.

5. "Rattle rattle rattle..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon's every step is echoed with a hissing rattle. Stealth is impossible and random encounters occur on a 3-in-6.

6. "Caught in my grasp..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon's torso is held in an iron grip, allowing only shallow breaths. They must Save vs Paralysis at the slightest exertion or pass out for 1d4 minutes.

7. "Sluggish and cold..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon suffers a -4 DEX penalty until they are heated for an hour. The penalty will return if they get cold again, which will happen naturally after 30 minutes away from an adequate heat source. Torches and lanterns don't count, but a campfire does.

8. "Misguided and foolish..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon's WIS and INT suffer a -4 penalty.

9. "Unseeing and lost..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon is struck blind.

10. "Unloved and unwanted..." - the Serpent Chirurgeon takes a -4 CHA penalty and all party reaction rolls suffer a -2 penalty.

Credit, Christian Benavides

IN YOUR GAME
This class has a direct link to some sort of supernatural entity that grants them power - in my games it happens to be a serpent but the class abilities can be reskinned with relative ease to suit whatever aspect you decide is appropriate. What is relatively concrete is the class' skill at healing - they are designed to provide the party with a reliable and ongoing source of care when healing up after battles.

In mechanical terms this class has some handy tricks to alleviate poison damage and even provide some (rare) magical healing, while also having some decent direct damage and utility in stealth and social situations (if such situations involve snakes).

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IN EGRADUS
The mountain valleys of Solum Ven provide a cool respite from the burning desert. Small cities and settlements dot the mountainsides and bask in the cool air. Though they are far from the life-giving waters of the sacred river Ven and the majesty of Oso Didan, the valleys hold their own wonders. Chief among these are the Serpent Lodges, hermetic societies of healers who straddle the boundaries between life and death.

While the snake is feared and hated by many cultures on Izoa, the valley polities hold it in high regard as a being of wisdom and truth. Its venomous bite means that the snake holds the power to bestow death as it wills, but rarely does it do so. This demonstrates wise and fair judgement and renders serpents worthy of veneration. The valley polities idolise the snake as the Ilan Magir and fattened, drowsy serpents line the steps and halls of their marble temples.

The Serpent Lodges, led by the Insan Magirs, venerate these aspects of the snake - regarding it as a creature of healing and rebirth. The ouroboros is their symbol, the eternal serpent representing the continuity of life. The Serpent Lodges devote their dispensation of sage counsel, stoic advice and acts of healing to their serpentine god. Their reputation as counsellors and healers does not mean that the Serpent Chirurgeons, as they are known, are weak and toothless - as the snake strikes swiftly and without mercy, so do they have the power to eliminate those who would do them harm with ruthless, cold-blooded efficiency. There are many ways to cure ills, sometimes with tender words and healing poultices, and sometimes with a sharpened blade.

EDIT: Wording and missing text for Great Shedding.