The Serpent moves in all the ways of a wolf. Stealthily, so quietly it is almost imperceptible. Yet it is constantly planning—waiting, watching, and scheming, for its next opportunity to pounce.
Wolves are social predators. They hunt in packs, and live in communal structures known as “packs” or “clans”. A lone wolf is an animal that does not belong to a pack, and so is at great risk of being preyed upon by other wolves. A wolf pack’s territory is marked out by a circular area of land known as a “ring”—a ring within a ring within a ring.
A wolf’s life revolves around eating and procreation. Males dominate the pack scene, with the top male often acting as a sort of king or chief. While the alpha male ensures the safety of the pack and protects its territory, his life is not easy. He must keep an eye out for danger and make important decisions about where and how the pack should live. As well as being the largest and most powerful among his pack of wolves, he is also responsible for choosing the next in line to be the alpha wolf of the pack. He is not an easy person to follow.
Wolves are extremely intelligent creatures, and have been known to solve complex mathematics problems and engineering challenges. They have even been known to work together for the benefit of the group, and have been observed sharing food and other resources with their pack members.
Unlike dogs, wolves do not bond with their owners. They do not form lasting connections with humans, and so are often viewed as dangerous or even threatening by those who dislike or fear them. Dogs, on the other hand, are a completely different story. They are very sociable animals and, as a result of their relationship with humans, are able to interact with and form lasting bonds with those around them. Dogs that are raised with a human being tend to be the most lovable and affectionate. They do not pose much of a threat to humans, as they understand that they are part of the same species and so do not eat them. However, they can still be dangerous if they perceive a threat to their pack or owner. This sometimes manifests itself in dog bites, where the animal attacks without provocation or warning.
The Shadow of a Serpent
Let us consider the shadow cast by the Serpent. Usually, we think of shadows as being harmless, but this is far from true. A shadow represents the absence of light or another source of illumination. In the case of the Serpent, its shadow is malevolent, representing the darkness that it seeps into and influences.
The darkness of the shadow represents the presence of chaos and uncertainty. In the physical world, the darkness surrounding the Serpent indicates that all is not well, for there is light enough for the Serpent to be seen. However, its presence in the shadowy underworld suggests that danger is not far off, for there is no light there either. It is an odd sort of place where the dark and light do not mix, and so all who go there do so at their peril. Hence, the saying “May you always walk safely in the dark”. (1)
The Cunning of a Serpent
The Serpent is extremely intelligent, and so is careful not to make the same mistake twice. After observing the weaknesses of its prey and taking its measure, it decides upon a course of action and implements it with great skill. This is what makes it so dangerous—its ability to improvise and to adapt to new situations makes it hard to track and pin down. It is clear from its prey’s behavior that the Serpent is patient and has a vast amount of experience in hunting. It knows exactly what it is looking for and has the ability to discern when the moment is right to strike.
The advantage of being patient is that it allows the Serpent to plot and scheme effectively. It knows that each individual will make a different mistake, and so by observing each one, it can figure out what the defenses are and which tactics to use against its prey. Because of this, the Serpent is considered the epitome of cunning. This quality makes it a great opponent in a one-on-one battle, but also makes it hard to vanquish, for it has a knack for outmaneuvering its foes. A clever Serpent can keep its enemies confused and off-balance for a long time, leaving them vulnerable and easy prey. (2)
The Strength of a Serpent
The Serpent is a strong animal, with a quick temper and a strong will. It is incredibly tenacious and can exert a tremendous amount of force, often tearing its prey apart with its bare hands or the claws of a demon. When fighting for its life, the Serpent is not afraid to use its strength to the utmost to ensure victory. This is why it is often compared to a snake of legend, who was half-human, half-serpent and could assume a form that was either monstrous or human, depending on the situation. The strength of a Serpent makes it almost impossible to match up against in combat. However, even a single bite from a Serpent is considered a lethal injury, for its fangs are long and jagged and inject a poison that is extremely dangerous and debilitating.
The power of the poisonous bite is such that even a full-grown adult can be incapacitated by it. The severity of the damage depends on where the bite is located and how deep it goes. In general, the larger the animal, the more potent the poison, and so creatures such as snakes, spiders, and scorpions are often compared to the devastating effects of a drug overdose in terms of how much they can do. (3)
The Speed of a Serpent
The speed of a Serpent is phenomenal. It can move at great speeds, seemingly impossible for a human to keep up with. No matter how many times it is pursued, the Serpent always manages to outrun its pursuers. This is because the speed at which it moves is a natural defense. Rather than slowing down to avoid detection, a Serpent stays vigilant and so never stops running, even if it has to resort to evasive tactics to avoid its enemies. Hence, it is said that “a swift serpent tears at its prey, whether they be fowl or beast”. (4)
The great advantage of speed for a Serpent is in avoiding conflict. A swift movement makes it hard for an opponent to hit it, and so the Serpent has an excellent chance of survival. This does not mean that it runs away from every confrontation, but when push comes to shove, it will use its speed to dart away and find safety. In the physical world, this is similar to a dodge—the evasion of a situation to keep safe. However, in the shadowy underworld, the ability to outpace an opponent is a win condition in and of itself.
Ultimately, the way that a Serpent moves is determined by how agile its body is and what maneuvers it is capable of, rather than by what type of animal it is. This makes it more difficult to categorize and to describe, because it is not always possible to tell what sort of creature is moving, or even if it is a creature at all. This is why, when encountered, it is better to assume the worst and be on the lookout for treachery rather than try to understand what a Serpent is or does. (5)
The Adaptability of a Serpent
A Serpent is extremely versatile and can assume a shape that is nearly indestructible, using its serpentine body to slither away and find a place of concealment, or to attack its opponent with vicious speed and blind ferocity. When under the influence of darkness, it can turn itself into a horrid amalgamation of human and reptile forms, able to tear its prey limb from limb if need be. (6)
The adaptability of a Serpent is great, but it also makes it more difficult to defeat. A creature as varied and multifaceted as a Serpent can change the rules of engagement, and so the fight often devolves into a battle of wits, for the Serpent is not one to be trifled with. (7)
The Ambiguity of a Serpent
The ambiguity of a Serpent is also something to behold. While some consider a snake to be a creature of evil, it is possible to tame and train serpents, turning them into loyal companions who will provide useful services for their human masters. This is because a Serpent’s true nature is ambiguous, and so people are often surprised by its actions, behaving as though it were either a good or evil creature, depending on their perspective. Their behavior is often baffling and makes it difficult to know what to believe.