Media

Media is a Medusa, a subspecies of Lamia with snakes for hair. Their gaze is said to turn creatures into stone, but in reality they possess no such ability. However, their gaze does seem to be very keen, and their glare makes living creatures unable to move, as though they indeed have been turned to stone. This is not due to any malicious intention on their part, however, but simply due to the fact that they have poor eyesight (They only appear to be glaring as they are only trying to see more clearly). Due to this most Medusae wear glasses. Alternatively, Medusae wear glasses even when their eyesight is perfect as they believe adorning eyewear will help soften their "piercing visage". Medusae fangs do secrete a mild neurotoxin that will temporarily paralyze those they bite. While their hair looks like live snakes growing out of their heads, a Medusae's "hair" is actually a mass of tentacle-like organs that have no bones, organs, brains or capacity for pain. If one was to cut the "heads" off of one of these "snakes", the "snake" would grow back but since it looks painful Medusae rarely cut their "hair". Due to the shape and size of these "snakes", Medusae are tragically troubled by the fact that they can't change their hairstyle. Their culture is based on the value of knowledge, intellect and monetary value; although physical ability is a factor, they value an individual's intelligence and economic ability more highly over their physical appearance. However, the species also harbor a hidden romantic streak; favoring reading/writing poetry and sharing diary entries with their intended lovers.