The beasts that roam the lands of the golden faith have their fair share of fame and infamy. Animals that are valued for their meat, fluids and materials, creatures beloved in use and folklore, and beasts feared for their dangerous ways and voracious appetites. What the people think of hyaenas versus what they think of barbed ogres is well known. It cannot be said that the local flora, fauna and fungi are not appreciated, yet folks can't help but be intrigued by the exotic. The beasts from overseas, in lands far from the Church's reach. Fungal jungles, frozen tombs and rainbow islands of coral, such strange locales fascinate the people and fill them with wonder. What must these lands be like? How do these foreigners live their lives? And what weird creatures can be found there? Tales from travelers, preserved specimens and the occasional live trade grants the people a glimpse, but that only makes the curiosity hungrier. There is a delight in the exotic creatures that are strange, beautiful or dangerous. What else would we fill our pulp novels with? What else would haunt our stories about the monsters overseas? The fascination with the powerful and deadly cannot be denied, and it seems there is extra interest in lethal species that are far, far away. One can afford to be enamored with them when there is zero threat of them tearing your throat out.
One such species of deadly infamy from across the sea is the Lamia and Lampago, whose very visage is enough to turn heads. If it is for beauty or terror, only the viewer can say. Creatures of beastly build, yet their faces have the unsettling structure of man's. Pale naked flesh with the nose and ears, yet possessing predatory eyes and grins that are too wide and sharp. It looks human, but not completely, and that makes it even more striking. No wonder outsiders seeing this species for the first time were stunned by them!
Though they possess different names and different bodies, the Lamia and Lampago are the same species. They have a prominent sexual dimorphism, which has created the female Lamia and the male Lampago. The Lampagoes are the scrawnier, more agile members of the species. Their bodies are covered in coarse fur, with long whipping tails and terrible hooked claws. Meanwhile, the females are big and bulky, their hides coated in keratinous scales and their claws shaped more into sharp hooves. And of course, you cannot ignore the prominent breasts the Lamia possess. They are much larger than the lanky males, and the roles of the two can be easily seen with how multiple Lampago are led by one or two Lamia. These packs are clearly run by the females, who use their size and strength to assert dominance. They call the shots when it comes to social interactions and hunting. When they target prey, the Lampago are sent out first. Their speed and agility lets them chase down food and corral it. Hooked claws let them latch on and slow the flight of their prey, holding them long enough for the powerful Lamia to rush in and land the killing blow. Sharp claw hooves and armored charges topple the struggling meal and then their wide mouths bite down onto the throat. The Lamia are always the first to feed, the Lampago must patiently wait their turn.
For reproduction, the strongest male of the pack is selected for mating. Such choice is made by the Lamia, who shove aside the unworthy. The cubs that are born will be nursed by the Lamia, feeding on Milk until they grow strong. What happens to them once they have grown enough depends on their gender. Young males may remain in the pack for far longer than the females, who are typically driven off. Young Lamias are seen as a threat to the mother's power, but even the juvenile is fine with leaving because they want a pack of Lampagoes for themselves. Young Lampagoes may strike off on their own as well, but there is more of a choice here. Those constantly beaten by the top males for mating rights will try to find new packs to join where they stand a better chance.
Lamia and Lampagoes are seen as dangerous predators in their lands, for their pack nature lets them take on a variety of prey. Man is on the menu, and their numbers can be overwhelming for even the highly trained. The locals view this species as deceptive, for both their hunting strategies and looks. The Lampagoes seek to confuse prey and force them into ambushes or dead ends, using a mix of false strikes and real attacks to get the job done. Hunters that try to slay them may make the mistake in pursuing "wounded" or "scared" Lampagoes, who are actually luring them into a trap. Their human-like faces and unsettling vocalizations also add to their deceptive image, as folks think they specifically look like man to trick them. Their calls sound like the yelling and screams of people, which has led to tales of would-be rescuers rushing right into the jaws of the Lamia. These voices they emit are said to have been stolen from their victims, with claims that they can mimic who they eat. The Lamia are also said to lure humans with seduction, as their womanly visage and large breasts could be seen as appealing. These claims are a bit hard to back up, as it is difficult to separate fact from fiction.
One would find it hard to believe anyone could fall for such a beast, yet everyone has their own unique taste in things. There is a theory, though, that there may be more than looks involved with this supposed deception. Lamia are said to have a potent odor to them, a hefty musk to their body and urine that they use to mark their territory. Some suggest that a Lamia in heat may produce a powerful pheromone in their musk that could possibly rile up humans alongside Lampagoes. Perhaps someone too lost in their thoughts and the moment may make the mistake of following a womanly voice into the wilds, realizing the deception too late when the smile tears out their throat. If this is true, than it would seem more a happy accident than an actual adaptation.
Lamia and Lampagoes are unsettling to many and dangerous, which leads to them being hunted when they start causing trouble. Their hide and hair are harvested for garbs and armor, though they must be thoroughly cleaned to remove the musk. The Milk of Lamias may be collected for ingredients and are said to make a kumis drink that grants a beastly mind to the drunk. Some use it for recreation, some for strange meditation while others claim it a necessary drink for those who wish to transform into an animal. The heads of this species are used in certain magics, rituals and potions as a substitute for a human skull. It is believed that these beasts look so much like man, that one can "deceive" the forces seeking sacrifice with their heads. Such spells seem to still work, though there is a more raw, beastly edge to them. This tie to humanity has also made many wonder the origins of the Lamia. Folklore would suggest they are the product of profane bestiality, or a transformation ritual gone wrong. Some stories say they were a people cursed for their sins, cannibals so savage and gluttonous they became monstrous eaters of man. Of course, they are a real species, and researchers believe that they may have come to be in the space between Eitr and Ichor. See the scales like dragons! See the faces like men! It would seem they arose while the last embers of Eitr faded and Ichor's shine began to take over. Of course, that doesn't stop people from looking at this species and wondering what could have been. Had humanity truly been this close to beasts? Were we always fated to become this enlightened and mighty species, or was it pure dumb luck we were the ones chosen?
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Two concepts that were originally going to be their own thing, til I saw the similarities and decided to fuse em together into one!
