Nomads

The Nomads are not a homogenous group and are made up of a number of different species.

The first group of Nomads Jake meets are Scaled Miresnakes. Their scales are pitch black and their eyes look entirely hollow with black irises, save for a white slit down the pupil, possibly indicating an ocular skill. Some of the snakes use the polymorph skill, but with no enlightened races on the planet to imitate, it looks quite different than in the wider multiverse. Jake describes them as perfectly regular large snakes, eight meters long, but with two thin arms on each side.^[1] They are led by a six-legged, goat-like creature.

The Nomads are considered a neutral faction of Venus and generally capable of interacting with all the other groups due to essentially being a group of roaming merchants. They are very drawn to Jake, particularly the snakes who are unconsciously able to feel his connection to the Malefic Viper, the Forefather of Snakes.

According to the Chromatic Miresnake Chieftain, the Nomads are not as powerful as the Archnecs or the Venusians, but united, they aren't a threat the other factions can ignore.^[2] The Nomads are somewhat akin to traveling merchants and more or less have a monopoly on the merchant industry as the only faction capable of trading with both the Arachnecs and the Venusians at the same time.^[3]

According to the Chieftain, the Nomads are split into nine groups, each led by a Chieftain who in turn answers to the Great Sea Serpent. Rather than having a permanent home, the Nomads travel from island to island, trading with the more entrenched factions, while Nomad Island serves as meeting point as needed.

The Nomads as a whole have committed to integrating into the Order of the Malefic Viper.

• Deathscale Miresnake
• Great Sea Serpent
• Chromatic Miresnake Chieftain

Jake first encounters members of the Nomads after he is coerced by the Arachnec Archweaver into visiting the Arachnec Nest. The snakes amongst the group are able to feel Jake's connection to the Malefic Viper and are awed by the power they feel pouring through that connection. After being dismissed by the Archweaver, they rush off, presumedly to tell their leader what they'd experienced. Later, when Jake is cornered by the Arachnec and Venusians who have conspired to force Jake into a soul contract, he is rescued by the Great Sea Serpent, the leader of the Nomad faction.

In reward for assisting Jake combined with his own display of motivation and potential to grow his Path, the Great Sea Serpent is granted a visitation with the Viper and given a Divine Blessing.^[4] Having been tasked by his new Patron with protecting the Chosen and helping conquer Venus as part of Jake's expanding sphere of influence, the Great Sea Serpent emerged from the visitation with a fervent desire to help Jake in any way possible. For the time being, this meant helping Jake safely portal off the planet.

After Jake's departure, the Viper continues to use the Great Serpent to spread his influence in Venus. He issues blessings to Nomad tribal leaders who came to pay tribute to the Great Serpent.^[5] When Jake later needs more combatants for the World of the Exalted Prima event, he and Villy concoct a plan to convince the natives of the Minor World to work with Jake and the rest of the Milky Way Galaxy. With the time constraints they have, the duo decide a ritual to invoke the presence of the Malefic Viper would be the best way to convince the dubious natives of the existence of gods and convince them to join the Order of the Malefic Viper, after which, their first order would be to help Jake secure the Exalted Prima's World Wonder for the Order.^[6]

When Jake returns, he is greeted by the Chromatic Miresnake Chieftain and escorted to Nomad Island, a base of operations for the Nomads.^[3] Jake believes the island has been in use for many, many years. The Chieftain estimates that its founding dates back to the first generation of Nomads. Furthermore, the island is considered the domain of the Great Sea Serpent so few dare approach it. On the island, a site has been prepared with magic circles to host the ceremony as soon as Jake finishes building the ritual the Viper has designed.

During the ceremony, Jake introduces the existence of the Malefic Viper to the entire audience. During this display, the Great Serpent and the tribal chieftains serve as both Jake's protection and proof of his claim. The Great Serpent even flares his aura, proving how much stronger he has grown, despite already being at the apex of the populace. He also allows identifications which show anyone who checks that he has a Divine Blessing from the Viper.^[7]