Nightsiren

Urobracis melanicalvum - Armtailed Dark Lier

Basic Information

Anatomy

This quadrupedal Primate is around 5' 4" tall. It's arms are long and lean yet extremely powerful able to lift a fully grown adult with the assistance of its prehensile tail. It's arms are around 5 feet in length giving it a wingspan of about 12 feet total. It has jet-black fur covering nearly its entire body except its face, hands, and feet which are a dark tan color. It has a well-built chest and its legs are much too small to handle the entirety of the creature's weight so it often uses its arms and tail for locomotion. Its 6-foot tail is covered in thick fur and can support the entire weight of the creature by itself if it wraps it around a tree limb. This creature has sharp teeth that are used to tear flesh off of any of its prey. Its long spindly fingers sport 1-inch claws which it can use to attack and slice into both plants and other animals.

Genetics and Reproduction

Not much is known about the reproductive habits of the Nightsiren as it is very rare to see more than one at a time. Hunting parties have encountered groups before but they all were female, the much larger and more aggressive sex.

Ecology and Habitats

Nightsirens live mainly in the large trees of jungle environments but have been reported in some of the largest temperate forests. They are a completely arboreal species and are very rarely seen on the ground. They use their long tails and powerful arms to swing between trees. They have been seen in groups hanging upside down by just their tails. One can easily spot an area where Nightsirens are as they will leave compression rings around tree branches and trunks due to the strength of their tails.
They can move exceptionally fast in the tree tops, often outpacing someone running on the ground.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Nightsirens are carnivorous in diet. They feast mainly on larger forest-dwelling species but have been known to hunt Humanoids alone in the forest. They will often imitate the cry of a child or call out for help in a person's voice whilst wrapping their tail around the trunk of a tree. They will then reach down with their long arms and put the creature or person into the tree. Once in the tree, they will climb up to a large branch and wrap their tail around the creature suffocating them or smashing their head into the tree as they begin to eat the creature.

Behaviour

Due to their ambushing nature, they are always listening to other creatures' sounds and attempting to replicate the sounds. If one is in the forest and hears sounds repeating over and over it is likely a Nightsiren practicing its ensnaring calls. It has been reported that they will listen on the outskirts of towns sometimes replicating the call of a mother to their child in an attempt to lure the child into the forest where it will steal them away. This sadly is not an uncommon occurrence. These creatures if cornered will let out a loud screech which has the power to knock over a fully grown man as well as paralyze them temporarily. They will often just try to escape rather than take advantage of such a situation. They are quick to retreat if attacked as they would likely have no trouble finding another easier meal.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

This creature has excellent hearing it can make out an animal sound from nearly half a mile away. It uses its innate magic to imitate the sounds of different animals to hunt and trap them. It can also imitate the voice of Humanoids. It also can make extremely loud amplified with magic which allows it to temporarily stun its prey.
Nightsirens have been witnessed casting more complex spells by imitating spellcasters but they often react in fear as they do not seem to understand the power they hold in their words.

Civilization and Culture

Common Myths and Legends

Some say that the children stolen by Nightsirens are turned into a Nightsiren themselves if they do not return by the time of the next full moon. It is said the Nightsirens hold a ritual to transform the child into a young Nightsiren.
Many people believe that Nightsirens are a bad omen, bringing death to those who are old. As the young who never got to grow become jealous and put hexes on those.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Voxorian

Scientific Name

Urobracis melanicalvum