Steel Serpent Question

[Erit]

The Poisoner's Stance has me a bit confused, as it implies—to me—that one might need the poison use ability, or else risk somehow affecting themselves if they try to use any of the venom/prana/etc strikes from the discipline. I realize that's probably not the RAI behind this, but if someone could confirm it one way or another for me I'd be most grateful.

[Dr_Dinosaur]

I don’t think you risk poisoning yourself using (for example) Dizzying Venom Prana. The bit about preparing a spiritual poison is mostly flavor text (though I could see arguing that poison immunity blocks it), and the effect is automatic on your next attack, as with most boosts.

Poisoner Stance seems meant to allow you to stack normal poison on too of your “poison” maneuvers

[Elricaltovilla]

Sting and prana maneuvers are not poison and you never risk poisoning yourself with them. They are included in the rules text of poisoner's stance to clarify that they benefit from the stance's DC increase.