Lamia, 2nd Variant (5e Race)

Lamia, 2nd Variant

Physical Description

A lamia fighter, by Maximovich Ekaterina

Not to be confused with the sphinx-like creatures of the same name, the lamia are a humanoid race with the upper body of a humanoid and a lower body of a long, powerful, snake-like tail. While most commonly born of a lamia mother and human male, other father races are by no means unheard of, and lamia with elven, dwarven, halfling, tiefling, and countless other humanoid bodies are known to exist. Lamia move by swaying in an upright, undulating "dance", and accelerate by lowering their upper body to quickly writhe forward. lamia clothing is therefore light and concentrated on the upper body, the tail is occupied only by ornaments. The scale patterns vary greatly.

History

Serpentine ancients with a history dating back to the oldest gods, the lamia were gardeners of the primordial world. Great golden cities rose from the living rock, magic and science were molded as one, and early humans sought to emulate the serpent's power with horrific rites. Lamia have a long-standing hatred for the yuan-ti whose rituals lamia consider vile and cruel.

In the modern day, these snakefolk have largely retreated from the world. Practising a simpler, harmonious way of life, they have become equal parts revered myth and scaled bogeyman. Also known as naga, the lamia balance patience and fascination, drawn inexorably to meddle and partake in the fleeting joys beyond their nest.

Society

Lamia live in clans ranging from a dozen to hundreds of individuals, in which the eldest and wisest take the titles of clan elders. Their population is predominantly female with about only %10 being male, thus their society is matriarchal. Lamia are invested in variety, above all things: balance of body and mind, desire and logic, earth and water, world and person. In practice, the search for harmony is seldom smooth. Lamia quickly take to bad habits and addictions and are often enchanted by the exotic novelty of other races, convinced that their life's imbalance is caused by the absence of some vital missing piece.

Their clans and cities are often in harsh environments that most would consider too difficult to develop into a functioning settlement. Lamia clans can be found amid the rolling dunes of the desert, thick swampy marshes and jungles, and underneath airtight reefs or burrowed into sea cliffs.

Young lamia are often enticed to see the world by nothing but the sheer indulgence of two-legged, warm-blooded races with a thousand different songs and spices.

Lamia Names

Naga names are given on birth, and make extensive use of sibilants: harder sounds are associated with female names and are rare even then.

Male: Akalash, Dazhmaar, Dejhasha, Karathresh, Naszjak, Ohraaki, Raksakas, Shahadei, Shalzuuru, Takshaka, Vaszuki, Yamaatha

Female: Azshara, Graathslan, Kiiyoha, Myiah, Maafnasha, Radjavaa, Salmissra, Sthevess, Stheino, Szaalah, Vajz, Yharaali, Zenathaar

Lamia Traits

Serpentine grace, big tail and a nighttime blanket hog.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
Age. Lamia mature at a similar rate to their non-lamia parent, and may live for upwards of two hundred years, although few ever reach their third century.
Alignment. Lamia tend toward neutral alignments owing to their habit of living secluded amongst their own kind, although those that do leave the commune often adopt the alignment of their new homes.
Size. Lamia are slightly taller than humans, measuring 6 to almost 7 feet in height. Your size is medium. The unique anatomy of the lamia, however, necessitates an extra 5 feet of slithering space behind you at all times for your long, muscular tail, which may stretch anywhere from 10 to 15 feet in length when straightened out.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. You also have a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Constricting Tail. Your tail is a natural weapon which you are proficient with, it can be used to make unarmed attacks. If you hit with it, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier. You can use your tail to grapple a creature without occupying your hands and if you hit, instead of dealing damage you can grapple the creature instead.
Mesothermal. Owing to your limited ability to regulate your body temperature, you have disadvantage on saving throws against spells and effects that deal cold damage and have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws made to withstand environments of extreme cold.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.
Subrace. Depending on where you grew up, you are either a Water Snake, Desert Snake or Jungle Snake.

Water Snake

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Aquatic Movement. You can hold your breath for 30 minutes and have a swim speed equal to your walking speed.

Desert Snake

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Venomous. You have advantage on saving throws against poisoned, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Jungle Snake

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Swamp Life. You are accustomed to moving through less than ideal footing. Difficult terrain akin to mud or quicksand does not affect your movement.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 10''	+2d6	400 lb.	× (5) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Lamia character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.

d8	Personality Trait
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

d6	Ideal
1
2
3
4
5
6

d6	Bond
1
2
3
4
5
6

d6	Flaw
1
2
3
4
5
6

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