The Vesler Snake

Opening the book to the second section, you read:

 The Vesler Snake

Rumoured to live in distant swamps on another continent, the vesler snake,
also known as the one-eyed snake, has one of the most toxic venoms of any
land bound creature.  Used by alchemists and assassins of yore, just one
nick of a blade coated in the venom is said to render the victim paralyzed,
if not dead.  Those who have survived encounters with the vesler snake's
venom are often left blinded or retain partial paralysis.  Reliable
information on the snake is difficult to find, as the vesler was hunted
into near extinction, not only for its potent venom but also for its
beautiful blue shimmering blue scales, which are highly prized and priced
by any knowledgeable on the subject.