Sirens

Sirens are creatures of magic and mischief. They are spread across the Nexus, but have a high concentration in Astaressa. As a species they are known as flirtatious, sensual and seductive, and highly dangerous.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Sirens are humanoid creatures that mainly dwell in the sea, but have been known to venture onto land. Being a magical race, it seems that there is some magical assistance in helping Sirens transition from breathing underwater to breathing onland. There are gills on the sides of their neck and under their ribcage to help with underwater oxygen processing. When on land these gills seal up and they respirate like humans do. Like fish or snakes, their "skin" is made up of shimmering scales that glimmer in sunlight. Depending on the color of the scales, they can be mistaken at first glance for jewels. Should a Siren be captured and/or killed, their scales are removed and sold to be used as decoration. Some ship captains have belts that they decorate with the scales of the Sirens they have killed either in battle, or through malicious hunting.
Sirens have webs between their fingers that help them paddle through water. Their fingers are very long and thin, which allows for more webbing. Fingernails are sharp, almost like claws, to allow for extra slashing. Their feet are long and narrow, with long toes that also have webs between them. Toenails are also claw-like, giving them another set of weapons to use.
Their teeth are incredibly sharp and are used as ripping and tearing instruments. Sirens are violent fighters due to their teeth and nails. Siren hair is similar to humans and, being a vain race, they are loathe to rid themselves of it.
Sirens have the ability to make themselves appear like humans (see Siren Transition for more details). The color of their scales dictates what their eye color will be.

Genetics and Reproduction

In the early days of the Sirens' habitation on Astaressa, male sirens would impregnate the female sirens, who would carry fetuses to full term before giving birth. However, through some magical experimentation and a desire to have a family with any kind of romantic partner, Sirens have developed a way for all couples to have children. They developed a way for males to impregnate other males and carry fetuses to full term, and females to impregnate females and carry to full term. Same-gender couples are just as common as opposite-gender couples in Siren cultures. Sirens and their partners (whether Siren or otherwise) are very secretive about how this method is carried out, and the general impression is that the act of creating and bearing children is an incredibly sacred part of Siren relationships.
Another sacred part of Siren relationships is the actual act of mating. In Siren romances, partners bite each other to taste the other's blood and leave a mark that basically says "This one is mine." However, there is a caveat to this.
In Siren culture, your Bonded is believed to be the individual a Siren is supposed to be partnered with for the rest of their lives. Bonded's blood is supposed to be completely tasteless, which alerts you to their status as your destined partner. To Sirens every creature's blood as a taste, including other Sirens. A lack of flavor is a major clue to finding their life partner.

Ecology and Habitats

Sirens prefer living underwater, but some have adapted to a part-time life on dry land. These Sirens need to be near a source of water and/or hydrate more frequently than humanoids. Scales can get dry and itchy if unmoisturized for too long.
Underwater habitats are usually built out of shipwrecks or natural underwater formations. These habitats are used mostly for sleeping, not for living in and visiting. The open sea is their home, these living quarters are more like private rooms or suites.

Dietary Needs and Habits

"It is a common misconception among humans that we require their meat to survive. This is untrue, but an entertaining idea all the same, so we do not deny it. After all, theirs is a tender and sweet meat with a variety of flavors depending on the area you take from. ...
"What we truly need to survive is blood. Meat sustains us, gives us energy and strength, but blood is what makes us live. Just as smaller streams and rivers feed the larger ocean, we too feed on the river of life flowing through every living creature. We are the ocean: we must have the lesser rivers and streams feed us so that we may continue to exist."

"On Consumption" by Sonora Palmer

Sirens hunt in packs to get their food. Blood is their main food source, though they do enjoy meat, and they favor taking it from the neck. There have been stories from survivors of Siren attacks that, should the opportunity present itself, Sirens will eat the heart to get the best of both tastes. A captured Siren offered some insight into their dietary preferences, which was written down in all its gory detail to educate the morbidly curious.

Additional Information

Social Structure

A matriarchal society, females are more powerful and more beautiful than their male counterparts.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Captured Sirens are often used as sexual slaves and/or sources of decoration - their scales, beautiful and jewel-like, are used to accessorize or decorate.

Facial characteristics

Eyes are always golden, with cat-like slits. These slits expand during hunting and in the dark, and contract in intense light. Their teeth are wickedly sharp and hard to ignore once you notice them.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sound waves travel faster through water, and Sirens are extremely sensitive to these waves. They don't hear sound so much as feel it. Underwater they can hear the tiniest of sounds from hundreds of miles away. On land they don't have quite the same capabilities, but they still feel sound waves better than other humans and humanoids.
Because they are sensitive to sound, Sirens are also able to pick up on vocal cues that most humans and humanoids miss. Changes in vocal tone or volume, quivering or breaking, etc., are nearly impossible to hide from a Siren.
Sirens have magical control over water and are nearly impossible to surprise when in the water. They can sense movement in the water and use the water's own energy to manipulate it to their own purposes.
Another magical trait of Sirens is their magical voices. The magic makes their voices captivating and entrancing, keeping the non-Siren target(s) completely under the Siren's control. They will obey any command given to them, including harming themselves or others. Very rare cases of humanoids throwing off this enchantment have been heard of under different circumstances. Being startled out of the reverie, such as being hit hard enough in the head, can temporarily allow the target to regain some control of themselves. There are some individuals that are completely immune to Siren magic, but it seems to be under very specific circumstances. In Siren culture it is believed that one's Bonded is completely immune to the Siren allure. If a Siren's target is their Bonded, they cannot enchant them. They would still be able to be enchanted by another Siren, however.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Sea-Speak is less of a language and more of a collection of sounds. There is no written or phonetic alphabet, it's passed on through word of mouth. It can be learned by non-Sirens, but it is much harder to do.

Historical Figures

The Twins of Atlantis were lost before the magical world's destruction. Rightful heirs to the Atlantean Siren kingdom, their loss was mourned for centuries to come. However, the younger twin was eventually discovered on Astaressa, ruling over her people from a small prosperous kingdom. The older twin has not been located, but legend says that he is a wanderer that travels to all the worlds that his people escaped to.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Sirens have a very long lifespan, especially compared to other species they may want to mate with. A Lifemate bonding ceremony is considered a formality within their own culture, but it's a necessity in interspecies relationships. The process of a Lifemate bonding involves the romantic partners consuming a portion of each other's blood. In interspecies relationships, this means that the inherent magical traits in the partners' blood is shared between both of them. For example, a longer lifespan, access to different types of magics, etc.

Origin/Ancestry

Atlantean

Lifespan

~100 to approx. ~200 years; longest lifespan recorded is ~500

Average Height

5' 4" - 5' 6"

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Very colorful, mostly jewel tones (royal purple, deep red, emerald green, etc.) but other variations are possible. Fingernails and toenails are also gold.

Related Myths

• Atlantis