Large monstrosity, chaotic evil
Armor Class 13 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 97 (13d10+26)
Speed 30 ft. (suggested 50 ft.)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 13 (+1) | 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 15 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Str +5, Wis +4
Skills Deception +7, Insight +4, Stealth +3
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, Common
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. The lamia’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
- At will: disguise self (any humanoid form), major image
- 3/day each: charm person, mirror image, scrying, suggestion
- 1/day: geas
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The lamia makes two attacks: one with her claws and one with its dagger or one attack with her Intoxicating Touch.
- Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (2d10 + 3) slashing damage.
- Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
- Intoxicating Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. The target is magically cursed for 1 hour Until the curse ends, the target has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws and all ability checks.
- Lamia’s Touch (suggested). Melee Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. The target permanently loses 1 point of Wisdom. A greater restoration spell and a long rest restore one point of wisdom.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A lamia is a monstrous creature that combines the features of a human and an animal, usually a lion or a serpent. Lamias are cruel and seductive beings who use their magic and charm to lure unsuspecting victims into their lairs, where they feast on their flesh and drain their life force. Lamias are often mistaken for other creatures, such as naga, yuan-ti, or medusa, but they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Lamias have human-like torsos with no animal traits, such as scales, horns, or fur. Their lower bodies vary depending on their type, but they are always covered with natural armor. Lamias have darkvision and low-light vision, and they can speak Abyssal, Common, and Sylvan.
Lamias are legendary monsters that prey upon travelers or guard hidden places or objects of power. They are mysterious creatures that seem devoted to the spreading of chaos and evil in their dwelling places. They dwell in deserts, ruins, and underground caverns. They are drawn to places of ancient power and beauty, where they use their magic to restore the appearance of former glory. They often collect treasures and slaves to satisfy their greed and lust.
Lamias are highly sexual creatures and mate often with captured males to produce offspring. Lamia offspring are always female and inherit the traits of their mother. Lamias sometimes smell like perfume flowers, so as to attract unwary victims. They wear no clothing or jewelry.
COMBAT
Lamias are cunning and deceptive foes who prefer to avoid direct confrontation. They use their innate spellcasting abilities to create illusions, disguise themselves, charm and manipulate their enemies, and spy on their surroundings. They can also use ventriloquism to create false sounds and distract their opponents. Lamias are not afraid to use their physical abilities when necessary, however. They can slash with their claws, stab with their daggers, or whip with their tails. They can also use their intoxicating touch to curse their victims with a loss of wisdom and willpower.
A lamia uses spells to lure targets to the lamia and then hold them there for the creature to devour at its leisure. Among a lamia’s favorite illusions to cast upon itself are the following: a lovely damsel in distress, a tough but beautiful female ranger, or an elf maiden. At times, it simply may cast an illusion of a lost child in distress or a group of peasants being attacked by a large beast, while hiding itself, awaiting the right moment to attack from the rear.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Lamias dwell in ruined cities or caves, places situated in desert or wasteland areas. These evil creatures are solitary beasts, sustaining themselves on the flesh of those who walk too close to their territories. During lean times, they supplement their diet by stalking game animals. Lamias hardly ever venture more than 10 miles from their lairs.
Lamias are matriarchal and follow the most powerful member of their community, usually a lamia noble. Lamia nobles have the lower bodies of serpents and are more powerful than regular lamias. They are also more ambitious and ruthless, seeking to expand their domains and influence.
ECOLOGY
Lamias are carnivorous creatures who feed on human flesh. They also drain the life force of their victims with their touch, which sustains their magic and vitality. Lamias have a long lifespan and can live for centuries. They are enemies of most other races, especially those who oppose their chaotic evil nature. They sometimes ally with other evil creatures, such as demons, gnolls, orcs, or ogres, but they are always wary of betrayal. Lamias have a deep hatred for sphinxes, who are their ancient rivals and opposites. Lamias seek to destroy sphinxes and their secrets whenever they encounter them.