#a coldblooded predator

[filii-devoratrix]

T ʜ ᴇ C ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴛ ᴜ ʀ ᴇ ' s F ᴏ ʀ ᴍ

  As described earlier [ via intro and the actual character page ], Zelia has the upper torso of a human woman. From her waist down however, in the place of legs is a large serpent's body and tail. Primarily, this is how she will appear and more specifically so in her den/nest [ usually located in dense forests or caverns -- kept vague for interaction purposes ]; or otherwise her place of "residence" per se.

Seeing as she does not have a job in the primary setting I have set up for her, a place of residence may be assumed as an abandoned vacation home, cabin, warehouse, or even a home she had infiltrated and eaten the inhabitants of.

  Zelia was not always a lamia however, and therefore is capable of taking a human form. This process takes time [ and is dually painful ] -- usually when her skin is shed and is limited in length. Depending on how well fed she has been prior and leading up to that time will estimate the length at which a mortal form may be taken. It is known and or noted that it cannot be held for longer than a week [ which then becomes painful and depletes her energy ]. The longest Zelia has remained in such a form apart from one attempt which lasted the span of a week, she has only ever taken the body of a human for a maximum of forty-eight hours.

[filii-devoratrix]

A P ᴀ ʀ ᴛ ɪ ᴄ ᴜ ʟ ᴀ ʀ A ᴘ ᴘ ᴇ ᴛ ɪ ᴛ ᴇ

   Zelia does not show a preference in gender when it comes to devouring children. Nor does she choose specific traits or physical qualities. Her meals are generally random. However, on some occasions, she may be drawn to abducting those with dark hair as they bear that similar resemblance to those of the children she had lost. This is not a regular thing and therefore cannot be regarded as a pattern or preference.

  She does not however, find those past the age of twelve appetizing. * By then their mentality is too mature and they are beyond the age of those which she had birthed.

* Zelia had four children in all; only one of which that lived to the age of eighteen.

  When children are not an option or other means to obtain them are necessary, she does however prefer the company or use of men [anywhere from the age of nineteen onward]. Most of them fall prey to the lamia sooner or later as well -- as they are only kept for as long as they are needed.* Since the loss of her partner [mate], she has not kept another.

* Once a partner is found, the lamia are fiercely loyal and only engage in intimate or sexual acts with their mate. As the species is fairly rare, finding someone capable of surviving a mating with a lamia or otherwise with stamina and mutual loyalty is difficult. This too may play into the reasoning in which Zelia devours the children of others.

[filii-devoratrix]

F ᴀ ɴ ɢ s O ғ G ʀ ᴇ ᴇ ᴅ & N ᴇ ᴇ ᴅ

The Lamiai (Lamia) is a child-eating daemon with a serpentine tail in place of legs.

x | x

  With my particular Lamia, her devouring children is not so specifically centered around the killing of her own [to keep from taking directly from the mythology] so much as it is her inability to keep or have children.

  Lamia are a rare species and therefore it is that much more difficult for Zelia to reproduce or have children of her own. The way that she does/they do now is in creating despair for mothers in turn for their own. Children are abducted or devoured on sight [usually in the safety of darkness -- night]. There are of course, other specifications that tie into a woman becoming a Lamia however which continues to keep their kind scarce.

  With such, Lamia are capable of reproducing through intercourse; however, it is an extremely painful [mostly for the partner - especially if mortal] and extensive process. Most of the time, the other does not survive or otherwise the children do not post birth.*

  Children from those of infants up into the early preteen years [no older than 12] are preferred. Each Lamia is different in its methods, but Zelia herself may on occasion keep the children and care for them as a mother. A glamour is used to otherwise deceive or enchant the children into thinking her as their respective mother[s]. Her voice may also be altered in small ways to mirror that of the children's previous parent [but only if she has heard them speak]. She will then cater to, dote on, and otherwise nurture the children prior to consuming them. Some are given mercy whereas others are not. This may be due to favoritism in memory of children lost or simply due to the nature/cooperation of the juvenile.

Her appetite is ravenous and seemingly endless. In late spring to early summer however, her digestion settles and slows. Basking for prolonged periods of time in the heat after a meal also creates a lethargic state and otherwise allows anything digested to break down more slowly.

Come the winter season however, with the cold, it is more difficult for her to move or brace the cold. Instead, the children are brought to her by a man [whom she has either taken as a "mate" in some sense of the word or has been enchanted/hypnotized]. If this is not possible, then she will instead, lure men to her place of residence/hiding to "keep her warm" instead. Most of which, wind up becoming meals in due time.

* The aforementioned in regards to the children not surviving birth may be due to a curse placed upon her. -- Still working this bit out.