It is only used as part of a quest to get an item that can be bought in later shops.


With great serpentskin you have the traveler recover faster and get the barheim key sooner I guess. You also get an item.

Without the serpentskin, you have the traveler recover a little slower, and don't get the item, but if memory serves its available in a town about 4 towns from that point or something to that effect. Not a real big loss was my understanding /shrugs.