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{{Infobox DnD creature
|image=[[Image:Fourtheditionlamia.JPG]]
|caption=Fourth-edition Lamia
|name=Lamia
|alignment=
|type=Magical beast
|subtype=
|source=
|first=
|mythical=[[Lamia]]
|based=
|wizards_image_URL=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG164b.jpg
|OGL_stats_URL=http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/monstersKtoL.html#lamia
}}
''For the mythological being, see [[Lamia]].''


''For other uses of the word [[Succubus]], see [[Succubus (disambiguation)]].''
<br><br>
'''''For the mythological being, see [[Lamia]].'''''
<br><br><br>
''This entry is in the SuccuWiki for the sake of completeness with the Dungeons and Dragons universe.''
<br><br>


In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the '''lamia''' is a magical beast.
In the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role playing game, the '''Lamia''' is a type of fictional monster. The lamia was formerly portrayed in the game as a creature with the lower body of a lion, and the upper torso, arms, and head of a human female. A less common type of lamia, the lamia noble, was depicted as having the lower body of a serpent. The lamia was introduced in the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' game's original ''Monster Manual'' sourcebook, written by Gary Gygax and published in 1977.  The lamia also appeared in second edition and third edition ''Dungeons & Dragons''. In the fourth edition, it was reenvisaged as a swarm of insects.


==Publication History==
===''Advanced Dungeons and Dragons'' 1st Edition (1977-1988)===
[[Image:Lamia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Artwork of a Lamia from the Wizards.com website]]
[[Image:Lamia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Artwork of a Lamia from the Wizards.com website]]
The lamia was first included in the original ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' first edition ''Monster Manual'' (1977) by Gary Gygax.  First edition ''AD&D'' game statistics and a description for the lamia appeared there, along with an illustration by David C. Sutherland III.<ref name="1eMM">Gygax, Gary. ''Monster Manual'' (TSR, 1977)</ref> Published first edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons adventures which included Lamia as adversaries that the players encounter included "The Ruins of Andril", published in ''Dragon'' #81.<ref name="DR81-Melluish">{{cite journal  | last = Melluish| first = Ian| title =The Ruins of Andril: An AD&D adventure for 4-8 characters, levels 8-11| format =  | journal =Dragon  | volume = 8 | issue = 7  | pages =41–56  | publisher =TSR  |date=January 1984}}</ref>


== Stats ==
===''Dungeons and Dragons'' (1977-1999)===
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the lamia, known as the '''lamara''', in ''Creature Catalogue'' (1986),<ref>Morris, Graeme, Phil Gallagher and Jim Bambra. ''Creature Catalogue'' (TSR, 1986)</ref> and the ''Creature Catalog'' (1993).<ref>Nephew, John. ''Creature Catalog'' (TSR, 1993)</ref>


''The following are for the pre-4E Edition D&D Rulesets''
===''Advanced Dungeons and Dragons'' 2nd Edition (1989-1999)===
The lamia first appeared for second edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' in the second volume of the ''Monstrous Compendium'' series (1989), with a black and white illustration.<ref name="MC2">Cook, David, et al. ''Monstrous Compendium Volume Two'' (TSR, 1989)</ref> The lamia's description and game statistics are reprinted in the ''Monstrous Manual'' (1993), with a color illustration by Jeff Butler.<ref name="MonMan">Stewart, Doug, ed. ''Monstrous Manual'' (TSR, 1993)</ref>


*Lamia
The lamia was detailed in ''Dragon'' #192 (April 1993), in the "Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia".<ref>Jones, Spike Y. "The Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia" Dragon #192 (TSR, 1993)</ref> This article also described a relative of the lamia, the '''sa'ir'''.
*Large Magical Beast Hit Dice: 9d10+9 (58 hp) Initiative: +2 Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares) Armor Class: 18 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +7 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16 Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+17 Attack: Touch +12 melee (1d4 Wisdom drain) or dagger +12 melee (1d6+4/19–20) or claw +12 melee (1d4+4)
*Full Attack: Touch +12 melee (1d4 Wisdom drain); or dagger +12/+7 melee (1d6+4/19–20) and 2 claws +7 melee (1d4+2) Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
*Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities, Wisdom drain Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision Saves: Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +7
*Abilities: Str 18, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 12 Skills: Bluff +14, Concentration +10, Diplomacy +3, Disguise +1 (+3 acting), Hide +11, Intimidate +3, Spot +11 Feats: Dodge, Iron Will, Mobility, Spring Attack
*Environment: Temperate deserts
*Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4)
*Challenge Rating: 6
*Treasure: Standard
*Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
*Advancement: 10–13 HD (Large); 14–27 HD (Huge)
*Level Adjustment: +4
 
*A typical lamia is about 8 feet long and weighs about 700 pounds.


===''Dungeons and Dragons'' 3rd Edition (2000-2007)===
The lamia appears in the ''Monster Manual'' (2000) for the game's third edition, with a color illustration by Brian Despain.<ref name="3eMM">Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. ''Monster Manual'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)</ref> The lamia also appears in the revised ''Monster Manual'' (2003) for edition 3.5, with the same illustration.<ref name="3.5MM">Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. ''Monster Manual'', (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)</ref>


===Combat===
The tigerus, a type of lamia, appears in ''Dangerous Denizens: The Monsters of Tellene'' (2003), for the Kingdoms of Kalamar setting.<ref>''Dangerous Denizens: The Monsters of Tellene''. (Kenzer & Company, Wizards of the Coast, 2003)</ref>


Though a lamia is powerful and dangerous in close combat, it has no stomach for a fair fight. It uses its illusion abilities to lure heroes into perilous situations, and then uses its Spring Attack feat to bound out of the shadows and drain Wisdom from its opponents. When it has sapped the will of its victim, it uses its enchantment abilities to beguile and ensnare the unfortunate soul. A lamia forced into physical combat attacks with a dagger in one of its human hands and a pair of lion-like claws.
===''Dungeons and Dragons'' 4th Edition (2008-)===


The lamia appears in the ''Monster Manual'' for this edition (2008), where it is described as a swarm of insects that inhabits the dead bodies of sentient fey (including elves, an elf-like race called eladrin, and gnomes), devouring their internal organs and using the hollowed-out bodies as a disguise. Every single insect in the swarm is formed from the devoured soul of a sentient being.<ref name="4eMM">Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. ''Monster Manual'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)</ref>


===Spell-Like Abilities===
===Pathfinder===
Lamia have also appeared in the ''Pathfinder Roleplaying Game'', which was inspired by ''Dungeons & Dragons''. The ''Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary'' describes lamia as "hate-filled inheritors of an ancient curse", and depicts them as lion/woman hybrids resembling those found in ''Dungeons & Dragons'' prior to its 4th edition. It mentions that serpentine, avian, and other forms of lamia also exist, but does not include game rules for them.<ref>{{cite book|title=Bestiary|series=Pathfinder Roleplaying Game|publisher=Paizo Publishing|date=September 2009|chapter=Monsters A to Z|page=186|editor=James Jacobs|others=Lead designer Jason Bulmahn|isbn=978-1-60125-183-1}}</ref>


*Caster level 9th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.


*At will - disguise self, ventriloquism;
==Description==
The first edition ''Monster Manual'' describes the lamia as having the upper torso, arms, and head of a human female, and the lower body of a beast. A lamia is chaotic evil under the game's alignment system.<ref name="1eMM"/> ''Monstrous Compendium Volume Two'' describes lamias as "half-human, half-quadruped beast hybrids", and notes that while the upper part of a lamia is that of a beautiful human woman, its lower body is that of a beast such as a goat, deer, or lion, and they wear no clothing or jewelry.<ref name="MC2"/> The third edition ''Monster Manual'' does not mention a specific gender for the human portion of a lamia, and its accompanying illustration is that of a male lamia.<ref name="3eMM"/> The 3.5 revised ''Monster Manual'' describes a typical lamia as being about 8 feet long and weighing about 700 pounds.<ref name="3.5MM"/>


*3/day - charm monster (DC 15), major image (DC 14), mirror image, suggestion (DC 14);
===Combat===
 
The first edition ''Monster Manual'' notes that a lamia is "very fast and powerful", and usually armed with a dagger.  A lamia has the ability to magically charm other creatures and use illusions, and it uses these abilities to lure creatures in the game and hold them in place while it devours them, first draining the prey of blood and then feasting upon its flesh.  The book also notes that a lamia's touch permanently drains a creature's wisdom, eventually allowing it to completely control the prey.<ref name="1eMM"/> According to ''Monstrous Compendium Volume Two'', lamia may use illusions to make itself look like "a lovely damsel in distress, a tough but beautiful female ranger, or an elf maiden".<ref name="MC2"/>
*1/day - deep slumber (DC 14).
 
*Wisdom Drain (Su): A lamia drains 1d4 points of Wisdom each time it hits with its melee touch attack. (Unlike with other kinds of ability drain attacks, a lamia does not heal any damage when it uses its Wisdom drain.) Lamias try to use this power early in an encounter to make foes more susceptible to charm monster and suggestion.
 
 
===Skills===
*Lamias have a +4 racial bonus on Bluff and Hide checks.
 
 
 
==Publication history==
The lamia was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
 
===Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)===
The lamia appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977),<ref>Gygax, Gary. ''Monster Manual'' (TSR, 1977)</ref> where it is described as having the upper torso, arms, and head of a human female, and the lower body of a beast, whose touch drains a creature's wisdom.
 
The '''lamia noble''' first appeared in the ''Fiend Folio'' (1981).<ref>Turnbull, Don, ed. ''Fiend Folio'' (TSR, 1981)</ref>  


===Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)===
===Ecology===
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the lamia, known as the '''lamara''', in ''Creature Catalogue'' (1986), and the ''Creature Catalog'' (1993).
The first edition ''Monster Manual'' explains that lamias prefer to dwell in deserts, or places such as ruined cities or caves.<ref name="1eMM"/> ''Monstrous Compendium Volume Two'' states that lamia "seem devoted to the spreading of chaos and evil in their dwelling places".<ref name="MC2"/> The third edition ''Monster Manual'' notes that lamia "take great pleasure in causing suffering", and that they "particularly target those who serve the cause of good for horrible deaths".<ref name="3eMM"/>


===Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)===
===Society===
The lamia and lamia noble appear first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989),<ref>Cook, David, et al. ''Monstrous Compendium Volume Two'' (TSR, 1989)</ref> and are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).<ref>Stewart, Doug, ed. ''Monstrous Manual'' (TSR, 1993)</ref>
According to the first edition ''Monster Manual'', a lamia is always encountered alone.<ref name="1eMM"/> The third edition ''Monster Manual'' adds that lamia may also be encountered in pairs, or in small groups of up to four.<ref name="3eMM"/>


The lamia was detailed in ''Dragon'' #192 (April 1993), in the "Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia".<ref>Jones, Spike Y. "The Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia" Dragon #192 (TSR, 1993)</ref> This article also described a relative of the lamia, the '''sa'ir'''.
===Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)===
The lamia appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).<ref>Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. ''Monster Manual'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)</ref>
===Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)===
The lamia appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).
The lamia noble appears again in ''Expedition to the Demonweb Pits'' (2007).<ref>Baur, Wolfgang, and Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel. ''Expedition to the Demonweb Pits'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2007)</ref>
===Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)===
The lamia appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008). In this book, the lamia is a swarm of insects that inhabits the dead bodies of eladrin (a race of elves), devouring their internal organs and using the hollowed-out bodies as a disguise.<ref>Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. ''Monster Manual'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)</ref>
==Description==
Lamia are centaur-like creatures, resembling animals such as lions, goats and deer, with a human torso and head coming up from where the animal's head would usually be. The upper body is fully humanoid, however, not bearing animalistic features such as scales, horns or fur.


==Characteristics and habits==
==Related Creatures==
Lamias are evil creatures who live in desert ruins. They sustain themselves by eating human flesh. To bring prey to them, they use a variety of abilities, including seduction, disguise, ventriloquism, illusions, mirages, mirror images and other such things, to lure, entice and confuse those who wander into their midst into dangerous situations. When they have secured their victim, they carve a feast out of them with curved daggers. Lamias do not wear any form of clothing or adornment. They seem devoted to chaos and destruction in their native habitats. They never venture more than 10 miles from their lairs. Lamias also have the ability to drain wisdom with their touch.
The lamia noble first appeared in the ''Fiend Folio'' (1981).<ref>Turnbull, Don, ed. ''Fiend Folio'' (TSR, 1981)</ref> The lamia noble appears in the ''Monstrous Compendium Volume Two'' (1989),<ref name="MC2"/> and is reprinted in the ''Monstrous Manual'' (1993).<ref name="MonMan"/> The lamia noble appears again in ''Expedition to the Demonweb Pits'' (2007).<ref>Baur, Wolfgang, and Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel. ''Expedition to the Demonweb Pits'' (Wizards of the Coast, 2007)</ref> The lamia noble is a rarer type of lamia. These beings rule over other lamias and the locations they inhabit. Unlike the more common type of lamia, they have the lower bodies of serpents. Males fight with curved swords and magic, while females only with magic. Lamia nobles are also capable of venturing further from their lairs than other lamias, and prefer to go into urbanized areas in the guise of a human to infiltrate human and demihuman societies. Lamia nobles are given to outbursts of senseless violence. They can speak all forms of human and demihuman language.


One type of rarer lamia is the lamia noble. These beings rule over other lamias and the locations they inhabit. Unlike normal lamias, they have the lower bodies of serpents. Males fight with curved swords and magic, while females only with magic. Lamia nobles are also capable of venturing further from their lairs than other lamias, and prefer to go into urbanized areas in the guise of a human to infiltrate human and demihuman societies. Lamia nobles are given to outbursts of senseless violence. They can speak all forms of human and demihuman language.
==See also==
* [[Lamia]]


Lamias are chaotic evil in alignment.


==References==
==References==
Line 98: Line 71:




== External Links ==
==External Links==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamia_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons) The original source of this article at Wikipedia]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamia_%28Dungeons_%26_Dragons%29 The original source of this article at Wikipedia]

Revision as of 11:28, 12 August 2014

Lamia
Fourtheditionlamia.JPG
Fourth-edition Lamia
Characteristics
Type Magical beast
Image Wizards.com image
Stats Open Game License stats
Publication history
Mythological origins Lamia

For the mythological being, see Lamia.


In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game, the Lamia is a type of fictional monster. The lamia was formerly portrayed in the game as a creature with the lower body of a lion, and the upper torso, arms, and head of a human female. A less common type of lamia, the lamia noble, was depicted as having the lower body of a serpent. The lamia was introduced in the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game's original Monster Manual sourcebook, written by Gary Gygax and published in 1977. The lamia also appeared in second edition and third edition Dungeons & Dragons. In the fourth edition, it was reenvisaged as a swarm of insects.


Publication History

Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 1st Edition (1977-1988)

Artwork of a Lamia from the Wizards.com website

The lamia was first included in the original Advanced Dungeons & Dragons first edition Monster Manual (1977) by Gary Gygax. First edition AD&D game statistics and a description for the lamia appeared there, along with an illustration by David C. Sutherland III.[1] Published first edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons adventures which included Lamia as adversaries that the players encounter included "The Ruins of Andril", published in Dragon #81.[2]

Dungeons and Dragons (1977-1999)

This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the lamia, known as the lamara, in Creature Catalogue (1986),[3] and the Creature Catalog (1993).[4]

Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition (1989-1999)

The lamia first appeared for second edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in the second volume of the Monstrous Compendium series (1989), with a black and white illustration.[5] The lamia's description and game statistics are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993), with a color illustration by Jeff Butler.[6]

The lamia was detailed in Dragon #192 (April 1993), in the "Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia".[7] This article also described a relative of the lamia, the sa'ir.

Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition (2000-2007)

The lamia appears in the Monster Manual (2000) for the game's third edition, with a color illustration by Brian Despain.[8] The lamia also appears in the revised Monster Manual (2003) for edition 3.5, with the same illustration.[9]

The tigerus, a type of lamia, appears in Dangerous Denizens: The Monsters of Tellene (2003), for the Kingdoms of Kalamar setting.[10]

Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition (2008-)

The lamia appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), where it is described as a swarm of insects that inhabits the dead bodies of sentient fey (including elves, an elf-like race called eladrin, and gnomes), devouring their internal organs and using the hollowed-out bodies as a disguise. Every single insect in the swarm is formed from the devoured soul of a sentient being.[11]

Pathfinder

Lamia have also appeared in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, which was inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary describes lamia as "hate-filled inheritors of an ancient curse", and depicts them as lion/woman hybrids resembling those found in Dungeons & Dragons prior to its 4th edition. It mentions that serpentine, avian, and other forms of lamia also exist, but does not include game rules for them.[12]


Description

The first edition Monster Manual describes the lamia as having the upper torso, arms, and head of a human female, and the lower body of a beast. A lamia is chaotic evil under the game's alignment system.[1] Monstrous Compendium Volume Two describes lamias as "half-human, half-quadruped beast hybrids", and notes that while the upper part of a lamia is that of a beautiful human woman, its lower body is that of a beast such as a goat, deer, or lion, and they wear no clothing or jewelry.[5] The third edition Monster Manual does not mention a specific gender for the human portion of a lamia, and its accompanying illustration is that of a male lamia.[8] The 3.5 revised Monster Manual describes a typical lamia as being about 8 feet long and weighing about 700 pounds.[9]

Combat

The first edition Monster Manual notes that a lamia is "very fast and powerful", and usually armed with a dagger. A lamia has the ability to magically charm other creatures and use illusions, and it uses these abilities to lure creatures in the game and hold them in place while it devours them, first draining the prey of blood and then feasting upon its flesh. The book also notes that a lamia's touch permanently drains a creature's wisdom, eventually allowing it to completely control the prey.[1] According to Monstrous Compendium Volume Two, lamia may use illusions to make itself look like "a lovely damsel in distress, a tough but beautiful female ranger, or an elf maiden".[5]

Ecology

The first edition Monster Manual explains that lamias prefer to dwell in deserts, or places such as ruined cities or caves.[1] Monstrous Compendium Volume Two states that lamia "seem devoted to the spreading of chaos and evil in their dwelling places".[5] The third edition Monster Manual notes that lamia "take great pleasure in causing suffering", and that they "particularly target those who serve the cause of good for horrible deaths".[8]

Society

According to the first edition Monster Manual, a lamia is always encountered alone.[1] The third edition Monster Manual adds that lamia may also be encountered in pairs, or in small groups of up to four.[8]


Related Creatures

The lamia noble first appeared in the Fiend Folio (1981).[13] The lamia noble appears in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989),[5] and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).[6] The lamia noble appears again in Expedition to the Demonweb Pits (2007).[14] The lamia noble is a rarer type of lamia. These beings rule over other lamias and the locations they inhabit. Unlike the more common type of lamia, they have the lower bodies of serpents. Males fight with curved swords and magic, while females only with magic. Lamia nobles are also capable of venturing further from their lairs than other lamias, and prefer to go into urbanized areas in the guise of a human to infiltrate human and demihuman societies. Lamia nobles are given to outbursts of senseless violence. They can speak all forms of human and demihuman language.

See also


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
  2. ↑ Melluish, Ian (January 1984). "The Ruins of Andril: An AD&D adventure for 4-8 characters, levels 8-11". Dragon 8 (7): 41–56. TSR. 
  3. ↑ Morris, Graeme, Phil Gallagher and Jim Bambra. Creature Catalogue (TSR, 1986)
  4. ↑ Nephew, John. Creature Catalog (TSR, 1993)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (TSR, 1989)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1993)
  7. ↑ Jones, Spike Y. "The Ecology (Love-Life) of the Lamia" Dragon #192 (TSR, 1993)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. Monster Manual, (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)
  10. ↑ Dangerous Denizens: The Monsters of Tellene. (Kenzer & Company, Wizards of the Coast, 2003)
  11. ↑ Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)
  12. ↑ (September 2009) “Monsters A to Z”, James Jacobs Bestiary, Lead designer Jason Bulmahn, Paizo Publishing.
  13. ↑ Turnbull, Don, ed. Fiend Folio (TSR, 1981)
  14. ↑ Baur, Wolfgang, and Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel. Expedition to the Demonweb Pits (Wizards of the Coast, 2007)


External Links

Retrieved from "http://succubus.net/wiki/index.php?title=Lamia_(Dungeons_and_Dragons)&oldid=28959"