Elder Serpent

Perhaps the mightiest resident of Pangaea is the spirit known as the Elder Serpent. This fearsome beast is so huge and monstrous that even the largest carnosaurs flee in horror from it. The creature resembles a dragon, and many shapeshifters are convinced that it's a Wyrm Incarna, perhaps even a new facet of the Wyrm. Mokolé do not share this view; they respect the Elder Serpent, though they don't worship it. Some of the savage tribes of Pangaea do, though, depicting the beast in cave paintings and crude sculptures.

The Elder Serpent lairs high in the tallest volcanic mountains of Pangaea. No shapeshifter has thus far reached its lair, though many (foolish) shifters long to battle and slay the creature (impossible). However, the Serpent has occasionally approached Changing Breed visitors to Pangaea. The sheer size and presence of the monster are such that even the bravest shapeshifter must make a fox frenzy check or run howling in terror.

==Character==

The Elder Serpent demands, that shapeshifters do favors for it. These favors often have to do with the thwarting of Weaver manifestations in other spirit realms. Occasionally, though, the Serpent has asked shapeshifters to undertake a mission against manifestations of the Wyld. The Star Gazers postulate that the Serpent might be a manifestation of the Wyrm as it was in the primordial days, before it was corrupted. If so, the Star Gazers say, the Serpent might be trying to teach the Changing Breeds that, just like the Wyrm, the Weaver and Wyld could be growing too strong and unchecked. As a Balance Wyrm, the Elder Serpent is trying to preserve the balance among all the Triat. Most other shapeshifters scoff at this idea. To them, the Elder Serpent is but another manifestation of the Wyrm. Nonetheless, a surprising percentage of shapeshifters do as it asks: Not only does it promise them favors (such as the teaching of rites) in exchange, but the Serpent is just so awe-inspiring and powerful that one cannot help but do its bidding.

Shapeshifters who dare to refuse the Serpent's demands are unharmed... the first time. However, the Serpent orders them to leave Pangaea, telling them that should it cross their paths again, it will slay them. Wise visitors heed this warning; foolish ones tend to disappear.