The Lamia is an order of chimera. Lamiae possess human and serpentine traits, subsist primarily on blood, have feminine characteristics, and prefer to prey upon males. Many species of Lamia can shapeshift into 3 other forms: that of a beautiful woman, a nightmarish, draconic creature, or a gigantic snake. When posing as humans, they are clad in at least one large, snakeskin garment.

The Lamia is separated into three distinct families based on their locomotion. Hellenistic Lamiae run on all fours; the Topsell's Lamia runs on two large front paws and two back hooves. Classical or Anguipedal Lamiae wobble and jerk around on a pair of independent serpents. The Abraxas Lamia are the most pragmatic and least aggressive of their kind. Gorgon Lamiae have the upper half of a human woman and the lower half of a giant snake; some grow additional serpentine traits.