Lamia

Lamia is a divine figure worshipped by the old pagan cults.

## Background

### History

Few records of the snake-cults remain, and those that do have gone untranslated. A piece of information that continues to be known however is the belief that a figure called Lamia was the one who gifted humanity magic. This conflicts with the more accepted view that humanity was taught magic by the Giants, emissaries of the Gods. In fact, she belongs to an entirely separate (and largely forgotten) pantheon. Still, it is believed that Lamia herself may still exist in the world, residing underground in one of the many labyrinths that were constructed in her honor. Among those who claim to be in contact with her include the Nagas, and the Lindworm Yawn. If this is true, whether she is an actual earthbound deity or just an ordinary monster is unknown. The former is certainly possible, as when the crusade to purge the old gods from the mortal plane occurred, it is conceivable that one or two had been missed. Either way, Lamia has still yet to show herself.

### Followers

Lamia is one of the original lesser gods, primordial entities who poured their essence into earthbound forms, allowing them direct contact with their followers. Before the arrival and eventual greater popularity of the more powerful gods, Lamia, like many of her contemporary deities, was worshipped by humans. To help aid in her functions, Lamia created a servitor race in her likeness. They had the heads of women, but the bodies of snakes, and were called Nagas. Nagas still remain in the world today, hidden away in dark pockets of the world. Nagas are intellegent and formidable spellcasters.

### Role and Worship

How Lamia 'gifted' humanity with magic is hard to decipher from old tablets and scrolls, but the Nagas have helped to fill in the gaps where needed: "In the times before written tongue, Lamia communed with man, and staved his inherent thirst for knowledge. Bestowing to him ink and quill, parchment and symbols, she taught them the power of the written word, especially of the enchanted variety. Unfit to be used in mundane scenarios though, this 'magic' was only most potent when worshipping Lamia herself. Only then could one channel such an otherworldly power; and when her followers lost devotion, their abilities waned, along with their populace. Now we, most loyal, remain in full servitude, possessing skills that have alluded humanity for a millennia." Despite this information they have divulged, the Nagas wish not to go into detail on how one goes about worshipping this deity.

### Labyrinths and Shrines

Many subterranean dungeons were once the hallowed grounds of worship for many pagan cults. It can be difficult to identify their purpose, or what cult inhabited it, as they have gone abandoned for many centuries, and some are more distinct than others. It is believed that some where constructed with the sole purpose of worship, or as repositories of information. Some particularly sprawling complexes however are more likely to have once been entire underground compounds, with lodging as well as sacred rooms dedicated to worship, hoarding knowledge, and wealth. Which one Lamia supposedly resides in is also unclear; the lairs of cults once dedicated to her can be identified through pottery, and ornate carvings on walls of women with the lower-halves of snakes, as well as other serpent related reliefs. Dungeons in which she was worshipped are typically stained with residual magic, having a profound effect on the natural creatures that may wander inside and make their homes there. Animals such as bats or rats are transmogrified, and behave aggressively and erratically, a well-observed effect anywhere magic has been extensively practiced.

### Relics and Artifacts

Many foolish adventurers and thieves have wandered into these dungeons in search of valuable items, always with disastrous results. Gold and other such treasure is usually tainted by the black magic that still persists in the atmosphere below the ground. This can lead to them turning into monsters over time, and anyone the ill-gotten treasure is passed onto will certainly have the same effect. If a scholar enters these labyrinths in search of old records to study, it is always recommended that he does not take what he finds, and always leaves it where it was found. Some particularly sought after relics are the Wands of Lamia, the very staves that were used in magical incantations by priests of the cults centuries before. It is believed by would-be spellcasters that well-used wands and staves are more powerful than fresh ones, allowing for enhanced magic. This is likely untrue.