Lamia

Lamia are a species of humanoid Vampires from the Living Planet Gaia in Universalis Primus. They are similar to humans, though their appearances are quite striking. They are known and feared across much of known space as fearsome pirates.

Appearance
Lamia appear to be regular humans with albinism. This gives their skin and hair a startlingly white colour, and their eyes gain either a deep bloody crimson or a lilac blue colour due to the lack of melanin in their bodies. They have larger-than-average canines. After feeding and when embarrassed they have very pronounced blushes.

Habitat
Due to Gaia's relative distance from its red giant star, the Lamia have developed albinism in order to maximise absorbtion of sunlight. As Vampires they can only survive in Qi rich environments, such as their home planet Gaia and other living planets. They prefer cooler climates, and are likely to suffer from heat exhaution and intense sunburn in bright places. Their eyes are also adapted for the dark, and bright light is painful for them.

Background
The progenitors of the Lamia were a group of humanoids on an astral cruise, when their ship, the Darlin' Momma, was attacked by space pirates. While most of the passengers were simply affluent holidaymakers, the Royal Psionics Society were holding a conference on-board and the psions linked minds with the passengers and engaged the pirates. The pirates were defeated by the combined effort of the psions, all save for the captain. When he was cornered, understanding that the passengers and crew had linked minds, he used forbidden diǎnxué techniques in order to rupture their Chakras. Now out of control, both the Darlin' Momma and the pirate vessel crashed to the surface of the planet they had been in orbit around.

Gaia, sensed that the minds of the passengers were linked, and mistakenly assuming them to be a Group Mind similar to itself. It then nourished the Qi-hungry passengers, who had all been made into vampires by the pirate to full health. The passengers established a colony and interbred. Gaia did not possess sufficient material for them to reconstruct the broken ships and as such, they adjusted to permanent life on the planet.

Powers and Abilities
Vampirism: As a race of Vampires, full-blooded Lamia possess all of their powers, strengths and weaknesses.

Psionism: While Psionism is believed to be a totally random ability, the Lamia nonetheless display a higher-than-average tendency towards possessing psionic powers.