Lore:Lamia

Lamias
	A Lamia (ESO)
Type	Race (Beastfolk)
Range	Black Marsh, Cyrodiil, Hammerfell, High Rock, Valenwood; Coldharbour
Appears in	Daggerfall, ESO

"The time has come to demonstrate the true power of my kind. We are not simply monsters who eat children! We are so much more."
—Tzik'nith^[1]

Lamias (or Lamiae) are a species of amphibious reptilian beastfolk. They have a serpentine appearance, with the torso of a woman and the tail of a snake. Despite appearing to be exclusively female, it is assumed they are hermaphroditic or sexless.^[2]^[3] They are incredibly protective of their eggs, though it has been claimed they later abandon them and leave the immature Lamiae to fend for themselves.^[2]^[4] Found in various parts of Tamriel, they can live in water or on land, although they rarely venture far from the water, and are known to take up residence in abandoned ruins. Some desert Lamias also reside in Hammerfell.^[3]^[5] Lamias are larger than most other mortal races, and according to one unconfirmed fable, are capable of interbreeding with them.^[6] They appear to be cold-blooded and are known to lounge in the sun.^[7]

HistoryEdit

Lamias have had little impact on history due to their primitive nature and hostile attitude towards the people of Tamriel. Notably, the Lamias of Tempest Island took part in the Lamia Invasion of 2E 435,^[8] and a group of Lamias are thought to have fought against Molag Bal in 2E 582 during the Tamrielic invasion of Coldharbour.^[1]^[9]

Circa 2E 582, Malazar, the Celestial Serpent, recruited Lamias to serve as footsoldiers in his army. They fought alongside the Scaled Court when the Undaunted assaulted the Serpent's stronghold of Sanctum Ophidia.^[10]

Behavior and DietEdit

Despite being reviled as monsters, Lamias are an intelligent species; they can speak Tamrielic, can cast powerful magic, and adorn themselves with jewelry. In combat, they rely on debilitating shrieks and powerful claws that drain an opponent's stamina. Curares can also summon spectral Lamias.^[11] They are said to possess a hypnotic gaze called the Lamia Mesmera.^[12] They seemingly have their own religion, venerating entities known as the Egg Mother and the Great Egg.^[1] Lamias choose not to erect permanent structures or cities of their own, instead preferring to occupy the ruins left behind by man and mer.^[7] They can also be encountered living underwater.^[13] Groups of Lamias are often led by a queen.^[14]

Lamias eat their prey whole, resulting in a distended stomach while they slowly digest. They have been known to prey on people,^[7]^[15] often being accused of eating children.^[16]^[1]