Viper/Lore

Viper the Netherdrake is a single specimen of the prehistoric netherdrake species who dwells in the subterranean Nether Reaches, widely feared for their extremely potent poisons and acid exudate.

After a traumatizing experience of captivity from a certain sadistic and dominating practitioner of dark sorcery, Viper swears to reciprocate the suffering that he received by enslaving all magicians in his future menagerie as retribution for his suffering under the bonds of magecraft and those who wield it, while wielding the same powers that contributed to his suffering.

Biography
The unlucky victim of a sadistic sorcerer's attempts to capture a netherdrake as a pet from the sealed luminous caverns of the Nether Reaches, Viper would soon realize that his freedom was the start of his enslavement. Malevolent in nature, Viper hoped to learn from the dark magics of his captor, purposely submitting to his spells to learn them on a practical and painfully physical level.

Although he could endure most of his spells, he soon realized that some of them were too potent for him to deal with. Not wanting to risk his life any longer, he corroded the bars of his cage and spit poison in his captor's eyes before finally setting himself loose upon the world.

Artifact
Years after his escape, the joy that Viper felt from his escape soon faded into ennui. He felt that his existence was hollow due to the fact that his captor still remained in this world. He flew away to take revenge on Pugna once more to ease his trauma, but quickly realized that Pugna was just a part of a bigger problem that he had been missing on. Viper's hollow existence was filled with an evil realization: why enslave his former master when he could enslave all who were just like him? So many magicians like him summon familiars and grant them the blessing of life, only to let them live it all in servitude. And many more immerse themselves in magic for the purpose of controlling others. Viper could not stand the thought of that.

Thus was Viper enlightened. He soared out with a new purpose to enslave all who practice the vile arts of sorcery and keep them like pets in his menagerie of magicians. He has not forgotten Pugna, for he is naught but a pet that he shall soon imprison among the others who are just like him.

Personality and Mannerisms

 * Viper was already a malevolent creature prior to being summoned by Pugna. During his time as Pugna's pet, he was taught by him to be sadistic, but Pugna's ill treatment has also indirectly influenced him to enslave and dominate others—a trait that he inherited as well.
 * Viper is a hypocrite. He dislikes being enslaved and those who enslave others, but he is willing to enslave others and exploit those with the power to control others.
 * Viper is a surprisingly intelligent and inquisitive creature. Magic is a taxing, mnemonic process yet Viper has learned much about magic and spellcasting just by watching his former master while in captivity.

Allies
In Underlords, Viper seems to respect those who disdain magic, such as the. He also seems to be concerned with what Ethreain did to.

Enemies
enslaved the netherdrake and kept him as his pet. He now seeks vengeance against him for the trauma he experienced under his servitude.

Viper is on a crusade against magic and is hostile towards anyone who practices it. In Artifact, he seeks to enslave the sorcerers and. 's powers of enthrallment has piqued his interest, and he wishes to make him the keeper of his menagerie. He also wants to keep the as a pet.

In Artifact, he seems to dislike Kanna and Prellex. He dislikes the former for her mind control powers and sees her mother to be no different from her.

In Underlords, Viper encourages the elemental sisters Rylai and to kill each other.

Likely as a coincidence, Viper seeks to claim the magical city of Weeping Rose, much like his former master Pugna.

Physiology
Viper has the physiology of a typical netherdrake, but what makes him unique among his species is the presence of magic in his poison, likely obtained from enduring the spells of his former master.

He is also one of the few Heroes of Dota 2 to undergo bodily augmentations, having taken such interests from observing his former master's skill in it. Through a combination of the right sequence of spells and a great amount of suffering from tests on himself and many trial victims, Viper has managed to augment his body with a magic hood and a stinger on his arched tail. These augmentations make him confident enough to return to the Nether Reaches to reign as the most poisonous creature alive, but first he must verify the rumors of a secret passage to the now sealed caverns where his kin lives.

Powers
Viper is not a sophisticated Hero. He lacks any kind of versatility or complex abilities—all he can do is exude poison of varying potency and dosages from the orifices of his body. That is not to say that he is not a deadly creature, however. He has learned deadly spells from his master Pugna, including spells that he used for the augmentation of his body and poisons. It's possible that these magics are the same brand that Pugna is versed in: the Arts of Oblivion.

The description for his states that this ability intensifies his already powerful toxic spit. It's possible that Viper's magic enhances his poison breath, hence the mana cost required for its use.

is a much more widespread application of his inborn poison as he spews a large amount of it to create a pool of poison. The lore for this ability describes the potency of his poison: it is so powerful that any fatigue or injury sustained from his poison can be lethal.

The of a netherdrake can exude an infectious toxin to corrode those who are foolish enough to strike him at melee range. Against magical attacks, Viper's exposure to his erstwhile master's magic has hardened his body against it. The description also states that the exuding acid contributes to his magic resistance, possibly cleansing the effects of magic from his body in an acid wash.

The most powerful poison that he can produce, 's lore implies that this poison is a hemotoxin because it is said to spread through the veins and hence the bloodstream. This is the same infection that he used to slay his master.

Friendships and rivalries
Allies meeting Viper
 * vo_dark_willow_sylph_ally_211.mp3  You're not a whole lot of fun to be around, Viper.
 * vo_dark_willow_sylph_ally_212.mp3  Don't be getting any ideas, Jex.
 * vo_dawnbreaker_valora_ally_225.mp3  It's interesting. Your lack of sophistication makes you dangerous.
 * vo_gyrocopter_gyro_ally_01.mp3  Holy shit, it's Viper!
 * vo_medusa_medus_ally_08.mp3  Reptiles rally!
 * vo_monkey_king_monkey_ally_203.mp3 vo_monkey_king_monkey_crown_ally_203.mp3   You're not exciting, Viper, but you sure get the job done.
 * vo_monkey_king_monkey_ally_204.mp3 vo_monkey_king_monkey_crown_ally_204.mp3   You're Viper? Don't look like one to me.
 * vo_pangolin_pangolin_ally_209.mp3  The Netherdrakes do a possess a certain grace, despite all reports.
 * vo_pangolin_pangolin_ally_210.mp3  Am I correct in assuming I should avoid the noxious green puddles left in your wake?
 * vo_snapfire_snapfire_ally_224.mp3  I try to not be prejudiced, but you don't set me at ease, Viper.
 * vo_vengefulspirit_vng_ally_03.mp3  The green shadow takes wing!

Enemies killing Viper
 * vo_batrider_bat_rival_22.mp3 Aw, Viper, and I was gonna take you out for a spin.
 * vo_dark_seer_dkseer_rival_08.mp3 Viper, I've seen your end.
 * vo_dark_willow_sylph_rival_211.mp3  I'm supposed to be scared of a little acid?
 * vo_dark_willow_sylph_rival_212.mp3  You're not a predator, you're a weed.
 * vo_earth_spirit_earthspi_rival_21.mp3 Viper, you fall to Earth.
 * vo_enigma_enig_rival_26.mp3 Gravity brings you down.
 * vo_grimstroke_grimstroke_rival_129.mp3  Your natural talents weren't quite enough.
 * vo_gyrocopter_gyro_rival_03.mp3 And they call me a buzzard!
 * vo_hoodwink_hoodwink_rival_219.mp3  Lot harder to fly with all those arrows in you.
 * vo_life_stealer_lifest_rival_21.mp3 Mmm, Viper…tastes like chicken.
 * vo_mars_mars_rival_143.mp3  Time for a new pair of boots!
 * vo_monkey_king_monkey_rival_203.mp3 vo_monkey_king_monkey_crown_rival_203.mp3   Monkey vs snake. Monkey wins. Monkey always wins!
 * vo_monkey_king_monkey_rival_204.mp3 vo_monkey_king_monkey_crown_rival_204.mp3   Let's see if your poison's good for cleaning off blood.
 * vo_outworld_destroyer_odest_rival_13.mp3 You let yourself get carried away.
 * vo_pangolin_pangolin_rival_211.mp3  Perhaps I must find your homeland. Just one of you wasn't even a challenge.
 * vo_pangolin_pangolin_rival_212.mp3  Your poison is sweet like a summer wine.
 * vo_puck_puck_rival_01.mp3 Green you may be, but I find you tiresome.
 * vo_pugna_pugna_rival_01.mp3 Ah Viper, my erstwhile pet.
 * vo_pugna_pugna_rival_02.mp3 Viper! I wondered where you had gotten to.
 * vo_pugna_pugna_rival_03.mp3 What was it, Viper? Nether Reaches lost their charm?
 * vo_pugna_pugna_rival_04.mp3 Back to the Nether Reaches with you, Viper!
 * vo_pugna_pugna_rival_05.mp3 Viper, here you fly where below you crawled.
 * vo_skywrath_mage_drag_rival_10.mp3 One source of aerial pollution curtailed.
 * vo_snapfire_snapfire_rival_225.mp3  Snake's are flying now?!
 * vo_snapfire_snapfire_rival_226.mp3  Hmm. Should see if there's a reward.
 * vo_stormspirit_stormspirit_rival_13.mp3 You shouldn't have spit into the wind, Viper.
 * vo_sven_sven_rival_09.mp3 Hit the ground!
 * vo_sven_sven_rival_10.mp3 Dirt nap for you!
 * vo_sven_sven_rival_11.mp3 Time to slow down.
 * vo_undying_undying_rival_01.mp3 vo_undying_undying_big_rival_01.mp3  Dead air.
 * vo_vengefulspirit_vng_rival_06.mp3 Your poison shadow is now but a crater.
 * vo_vengefulspirit_vng_rival_01.mp3 Grounded.
 * vo_venomancer_venm_rival_01.mp3 Venom beats Viper!
 * vo_venomancer_venm_rival_02.mp3 Ah, Viper, you might want to invest in some venom.
 * vo_void_spirit_voidspir_rival_121.mp3  You still wouldn't have had a chance had you learned proper magics, but it would have been closer.
 * vo_winter_wyvern_winwyv_rival_07.mp3 These are unfriendly skies for a viper.

Others
 * vo_oracle_orac_prophecies_104.mp3  V is not for visions of victory, but for a victim of a vicious viper.
 * vo_legion_commander_legcom_duelhero_29.mp3 vo_legion_commander_legcom_dem_duelhero_29.mp3  I will bring you down!