Pontifex Serpentis monster 154

newmonster    "Pontifex Serpentis"
descr         "The most senior of the Serpent Priests are sometimes elevated to the rank of Pontifex Serpentis.  The ritual of elevation to the post of Pontifex includes commanding a host of smaller Snakes and Serpents to form a bridge across one of the major rivers in Elysium.  If the priest survives he will immediately be taken to the main temple of the Snake Cult, where the newly appointed Pontifex is trapped within the main hall for thirteen months together with the Great Serpent.  Each day a fire is lit by the Pontifex and if grey smoke rises from the temple roof the pontifex is still alive.  Should black smoke rise, the Pontifex is dead and his ashes must be collected.  Should white smoke arise at the end of the thirteen months, the Pontifex will have surpassed the ordeal of the Great Serpent.  The Pontifex will then be freed, ready to rule the cult.^ Exactly what powers the Pontifex wields is hidden in the mysteries of the Snake Cult, but it is said that he can take the shape of a large snake.  Some rumors say that the Pontifex must mate with the Great Serpent in order to create a new Snake, which would explain why so many of the old Pontifices have been devoured by the Serpent."
armor         0
hp            5
str           4
mor           6
mr            8
rank          -1
spellweapon   21 3
meleeweapon   3 135
poisonres     100
human
allitemslots
nametype      6