Lamia matriarch

Lamia matriarch
(Creature)
Common Large Beast Humanoid Level 8 Alignment LG NG CG LN N CN LE NE CE Images of lamia matriarchs Source: Monster Core, pg(s). 215 Type Monstrous humanoid (shapechanger) CR 8 Environment Any land Adjective LG NG CG LN N CN LE NE CE Images of lamia matriarchs Source: Bestiary 2, pg(s). 175

Lamia matriarchs are ambitious lamias of vice and indulgence, cursed by the deity Pharasma in ancient times. They are referred to as matriarchs regardless of the gender of the lamia who ascended to the form.

Appearance

From the waist up, a lamia matriarch appears to be a beautiful human woman. Below the waist, her body tapers into a snake's tail that extends several times the length of her torso and is covered completely in snake scales.

Abilities

The cursed touch of a lamia matriarch can drain the wisdom of the person touched. The lamia relate this as them stealing the person's future.

Lamia matriarchs can assume a humanoid form that resembles their upper body in their natural form. Their touch lacks its curse while in this false form.

Habitat and ecology

Lamia matriarchs tend to reside wherever other lamyros can be found, normally away from civilization amongst the beasts and monsters. Lamia matriarchs also possess the ability to take an alternate human form, which allows them to slip unnoticed into humanoid societies. Lamia are creatures of sinful decadence, who love nothing more than blood-thirsty entertainment, gory feasts, and decadent, violent trysts with creatures all too often not of their own species.

Lamia matriarchs are leaders in lamia communities. Either a matriarch or a powerful warrior leads lamia cults or warbands, which typically number between three and six. These cults almost always have the goal of finding a way to undo the transformation that Pharasma punished them with, but so far these attempts lead only to the matriarch's fall. All lamia hate Pharasma for her curse (see History) and normally worship Lamashtu.

History

Lamia of Avalos was a sibyl and leader at the Shrine of the Fateless, one of Golarion's most respected oracles. As devoted worshipers of Pharasma, they warned travelers of events just over the horizon, but became avaricious and began to lie for money. When a beggar came to Lamia of Avalos and paid for a reading about her future, Lamia had a real vision. Instead of reciting this vision, Lamia told the beggar to travel to the deadly Lands of the Horned Serpent. As she finished the beggar melted away, and there stood Pharasma. The goddess cursed the temple, turning all of the oracles there into half-human, half-animal lamia for their lies in her name.