Goa'uld (3.5e Race)

Goa'uld

Goa'uld are a race of sentient snake-like parasites. At first sight the Goa'uld may appear squishy and underwhelming on their own, and their true physique also reflects this. Because of this, they will usually invade and take control of the body of another, though may optionally choose to form a symbiotic relationship with the being they inhabit. Goa'uld can normally understand the bodily functions of their host with ease, but even though they have a very high versatility in regards to keeping their host alive, they can die very quickly if left onto their own devices.

Personality

Goa'uld are a parasitic race of snake-like entities. The Goa'uld enter the body of, then taking control, other sentient lifeforms, although a few will allow a symbiotic relationship with the being they inhabit. They will use any method they can to gain power, aspiring to control all existence. They will often create guilds, religions and cults, or infiltrate them, even posing as gods if possible. When they cannot use their authority, they use manipulation to cause others to give them information to take over. They are cold-blooded, never showing mercy unless they can use it.

Physical Description

They are serpentine. Born white-pink, as they age they become blacker and grow flaps of scales, similar to a cobra hood, that extend from the top of their head to a short ways down their necks, and a smaller one on the bottom that help them crawl. Their eyes are red. When they inhabit another being, depending on the point of entry, the host will usually have an entry either have a scar in their throat, or on the back of their neck. The host's eyes can also be made to glow from the whites whenever control is assumed.

Relations

The Goa'uld do not like to be equal to anyone, and do not get along with anyone unless it's a cover for their mission. Since very few know how to spot them, they are often considered a member of their host's race. During exceptional circumstances in which the Goa'uld's true form is discovered they may feel subdued, and will cooperate until they know with confidence that they can overwhelm their captors.

Alignment

The Goa'uld are usually evil, but a few are good. Goa'uld are ambitious and thus can be any alignment with the exceptions of lawful neutral and true neutral.

Lands

They feel most comfortable in the lands of their host, assuming they have one. Otherwise they can inhabit most lands on their own. While it is possible a great ruler can be under the control of a Goa'uld, they do not have a land belonging primarily to their own kind.

Religion

Almost all Goa'uld are Atheists, though they can be converted with effort. They do not have any religious organization of their own.

Language

They have their own language, Goa'dul, but they do learn Common as well as whatever languages their host speaks.

Names

The Goa'uld often do not have a name, preferring to use the name of a deity or that of its host.

Racial Traits

• -4 Strength, +2 Intelligence, +4 Charisma: A Goa'uld is not particularly muscular in comparison to a normal serpent. However its natural instinct is to fool the more powerful creatures around it, thus making it a very convincing speaker.
• Animal (Outsider): While the Goa'uld have adapted to their current environment well, they are nonetheless alien in design.
• Tiny: As Tiny creatures, Goa'uld gain a size bonus of +2 to AC and attack modifiers, +8 bonus to Hide checks and a -8 size penalty to Special attacks.
• The base land speed of a Goa'uld is 10 feet unless residing within another body, in which case the Goa'uld adopts the speed of its host.
• Racial Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate are always considered class skills. Additionally, anytime an opposing Sense Motive check is made to determine whether your host body is being controlled or manipulated you gain a +5 circumstance bonus to your check.
• Parasitic Control: (Ex) A Goa'uld thrives by taking over the body and mind of another being. If the Goa'uld successfully enters the body, it effectively becomes the immediate host, gaining with it the stats and memories of the target. However, any Skills bonuses learned through this will lose up to 3 points when leaving the host's body if it would cause the loss of muscle memory (e.g., leaving the body while below 0 HD). The Goa'uld will survive even when the host's body is on the brink of death, and will keep the knowledge of its hosts.
• Extremely Weak: the Goa'uld have only 3/4 their carry weight after all other modifiers, due to being serpentine.
• Automatic Languages: Goa'dul, Common
• Bonus Languages: None
• Favored Class: Sorcerer.

Vital Statistics

Table: goa'uld Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
N/a	N/a	N/a	N/a

Table: Goa'uld Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
N/a	N/a	N/a	N/a
The age stats are that of the host

Table: Goa'uld Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	1' 0"	+1d4	5lb.	× (1d6) lb.
Female	1' 0"	+1d4	5lb.	× (1d6) lb.

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