@Meddler: Regarding a quote you said
"Someday, yes. Soon, no. One of the big problems we hit and need to solve was how we'd animate his(Ao Shin) long, serpentine body and how that would be treated in gameplay (how does it act when he turns, which bits are targetable etc)."
I know someone who needs similar treatment
When you figure out how to animate Ao Shin's body, please give Cassiopeia the same treatment. Her slither is awkward looking.