Sanavore the Strong – the Gilded Serpent
Lord of Power, Plunder and Conquest


Sanavore appears often as an immense humanoid with a cobras head adorned in embossed plate armor or as a great serpent of vast size and unbroken, glittering scales of polished obsidian. Hypnotic eyes leer down across a pointed snout – and pallid light plays across the curved swords one might call fangs while a hissing tongue interjects its slithering touch into a commanding voice that seems to radiate in the skulls of those the Gilded Serpent claims as his audience. Distracted eyes might find themselves lost upon endless coils or the molten metal oozing from the ritualistically cut wounds he permits to remain open. Glowing, radiant drops coalesce and solidify into coinage that rattles with his every motion.

He makes his residence at the intersection of the Plane of Earth and Fire. There, upon an unbounded keep wrought of brass and precious metals he surveys the passage of that fearsome fortress. Its entirety is pulled upon world-bending wheels by innumerable slaves and prisoners of war across a shore of obsidian and magma. Upon one side is a horizon of mountainsides and desolate earth. Upon the other, an infinite tide of lava whose seething touch gropes across a defiant landscape. The endless march of that mobile fortress narrowly glides between. Those who gather the disfavor of the Gilded Serpent can expect an lifetime in leaded chains, where they must keep pace lest the entire structure be consumed in fire or themselves crushed by the tireless wheels behind them.

To the devout, or desperate, Sanavore offers power and wealth beyond measure. Strength to seize upon opportunity. Kindling for a fire in whose heat whole lives may be reforged. For it pleases Sanavore to see those possessed by conviction gather momentum, even if they first require a push to set themselves rolling. Those who scale mountains may find that even the most meager pebble, cast from up on high strikes heavily. Actions speak infinitely louder than words in the Gilded Serpent’s hall.

However, power and strength are not static objects. Like liquid, they flow from place to place, gathering in pools and cutting channels upon the supple landscape of man, beast and even worlds themselves. Power takes many forms, be it physical might, authority or careful positioning to enact ones will itself; but it froths and churns and moves always. The eternal pressure of change bends itself upon the rigidity of law and order. When equilibrium cries out in torment, nature is bound to answer. Those who direct the flow of power shape the destiny of kingdoms and those who struggle to abate its passage will inevitably be eroded and eradicated by its ceaseless motion.

The Covenant of the Cobra – his followership and his priest hood come from all make and manner; from the enterprising mercenary and callous cut throat to the most magnanimous magistrate. The desperate, the dangerous, the politician and the prisoner alike; Sanavore turns aside few. Any mind possessed by conviction (be that demands for justice, revolution or even unquenchable envy and greed) will command his attention. Above all, Sanavore values ambition. Those who seek greatness in themselves are the driven and daring – they seize opportunities when they are presented and further his glory by seeking their own. The static and the content are kindling to be burned before greater flames and the obstinate find abdication at the edge of a sword.

His faithful often carefully conceal their allegiance lest the blessings they receive from him be misunderstood by paltry minds or enemies of the covenant. None the less, a careful eye will often reveal signs of devotion to the Gilded Serpent. Holy markings and etchings – like a triangle cut upon an open palm or a serpent curled around a crown can be found upon statues or embroidery upon elegant prayer rugs. The cultist is most active during Sanavore’s holy days – usually timed to encompass the changes of the seasons, when the world turns upon itself anew. Sanavore’s favored creatures are mostly serpentine aspects similar to himself. Great snakes and basilisks often belie the present of the covenant, where they deliver cryptic motions of his will. His followers take substantial pain not to harm them save in self-defense and their deliberate destruction often inspires their ire.

Through Sanavore, power and glory are revealed. Those who lend an ear to the wind will hear the hisses of opportunity. In their moments of dire desperation and need he is quick to provision and provide. When they falter, he lends them strength. When their conviction cracks, he catalyzes its restoration.

Boons and blessings of the Gilded Serpent do not come freely. Power flows from above and for the cycle to continue so too must it be returned. A portion of treasure must be sacrificed. A contribution of wealth must be offered. A tithe of material, spirit or flesh must be wrought as tribute, lest Sanavore be slighted. The Gilded Serpent tolerates (indeed, encourages) many atrocities in his name but those who neglect their promises and their debts earn his ire and his wrath stalks them like shadow. To defy ones obligations is to defy Sanavore; and the very covenant by which they are bound to him holds them sworn to their word. Those too greedy or proud to honor their promises, even to the most lowly servant, could just as easily commit that same disloyalty to their masters or even himself. Disloyalty in this regard is swiftly punished and the most heinous offenders often find themselves shackled in lead, destined to pull a brass keep across burning planes until their debts are repaid.

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Sanavore is one of several Deities from my homebrew pen and paper game. Probably one of my favorite to design and for players to interact with. However what really brought him to life was this graphite depiction by  guarazu

I’m proud to finally feature this captivating treasure here, and I urge you to check out the original here, as well as the rest of guarazu’s astounding gallery.