Lamia
Lamia are an all-female race of humanoids native to the deserts of northwest Beres, particularly around the large market city of Orethessis, which they founded. Lamia are famous as merchants, with most deciding on their ware of choice from a young age. Lamia are also known for their usage of poison due do their snake ancestry, although it mostly extends only to hunting, or being sold. Most of the species live their entire lives in Orethessis, though the best of their merchants often try their hands all over the globe, either as traveling merchants of setting up shops in other large cities. As a result, lamia encountered outside of the deserts around Orethessis are generally well respected in their chosen trade wherever they choose to sell their goods, which is helped only more by the race's famed trading transparency. It's commonly known worldwide that when trading with a lamia merchant, both sides will leave with the most fair deal possible.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Torso of a female human or elf starting from the hips, with the body of a snake instead of legs. Eyes are usually yellow, with snake-like tongues and fangs. Other characteristics vary by the race of the father.
Genetics and Reproduction
Species reproduces similarly to other humanoids, the only noticeable difference is that all children are female. Species requires a male from another humanoid race to reproduce.
Ecology and Habitats
All Lamia are native to the desert of northwest Beres where they have founded the large market city of Orethessis at its center.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Omnivores, but prefer a more carnivorous lifestyle. Eggs seem to be a favorite among the species.
Biological Cycle
Need to shed at the same cycles as snakes.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Very familial and clan-oriented.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Great sense of smell, thanks to their tongue.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Lamia given names take influence from a wide variety of cultures, but almost all lamia take on the clan name of their mothers, as opposed to the family name of their fathers - even in Romantic households.
Major Organizations
The politics of Orethessis are run by a series of large guilds representing each of the major trade industries, with their individual power and influence varying by the current economics of the city and the number of individuals within their ranks. In order to sell goods within the city, every lamia must join the guild respective to their primary ware of choice.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship ideals among Lamia are polarizing, with different individuals believing in opposite extremes. There are many in the species who don't value courtship at all, seeing males only as necessary for reproduction. However, many others dream of the day when they will meet the person they will raise a family with. In most Lamia clans, followers of these different ideologies are referred to as 'Loners' and 'Romantics', respectively.
Relationship Ideals
Relationship ideals are very similar to and are more or less an extension of the courtship ideals. Those who don't value courtship almost always treat relationships the same way, and are indifferent to their mates as soon as what they see as their 'purpose' has ended. The others, however, typically do the opposite, often marrying their mate and raising their offspring as a combined family.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
All members of the species know both Common and Draconic, and most members choose to learn a language relevant to them personally. For example, those who dream about selling their wares in a dwarven city will likely learn Dwarvish, or those with an elven father might decide to learn Elvish or Sylvan.
Common Etiquette Rules
The most common etiquette observed by lamia is one of their most famous traits: honesty and transparency when trading or selling goods. While merchants from other races might attempt to sneakily make a deal further into their favor, lamia almost universally feel that full honesty - while perhaps leading to less profits in the short term - greatly increase their chances for repeat deals and return customers, which usually lead to greater profits down the line, not to mention a thriving economy. This etiquette is so ingrained into their culture that most lamia can't even wrap their heads around why someone might knowingly make a deal unfavorable to the other party, let alone why someone might scam another - and that's only the lamia who even understand what a 'scam' is in the first place.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
The largest custom observed by lamia is the joining of a guild. Every lamia is required to join a guild, but this requirement rarely becomes an issue. When an individual lamia determines which guild they want to join, the following initiation ceremony and their receiving of their pearl is widely celebrated by others close to them, as it is considered the beginning of their adulthood, regardless of their age.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Lamia require males from other species in order to reproduce so they make sure they keep good relations with other races. This is further emphasized by their high percentage of merchants, as well as their acceptance of foreign merchants within the city.
However, lamia have a unique relationship with kobolds in particular, with whom they share the city of Orethessis. To many outsiders the kobolds might seem like a lower caste than their lamia peers, but that isn't the case. While the lamia are absolutely favored in the relationship, it is still a cordial partnership between the two races. Kobolds by nature revere dragons and any races that descend from them, and lamia are no exception. Unlike true dragons who often treat kobolds as slaves, the lamia are taught from a young age to treat the kobolds amicably, not only because they assist so much, but also because they are well aware that the success of the city of Orethessis relies on the balance between the lamia and kobolds. This is furthered due to the kobolds excelling at many tasks that the lamia struggle with due to their serpentine biology, such as mining, digging and scouting. While a subservient society such as this is par for the course for kobolds, the respect and appreciation they receive from the lamia are unusual for their race, which only motivates the kobolds more.
Lamian inter-species relations continue further within Orethessis with The Ranking, which is done by an independent committee of elder kobolds and foreign-born residents. By using such a committee, the lamia remove all potential bias in the decision, but they also show faith in the non-lamians of the city by essentially placing the fate of entire economy of Orethessis in their hands.
Origin/Ancestry
Draconic
Lifespan
Lifespan of the species tends to correlate with the race of the father of each individual.
Geographic Distribution
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