Siren

Official artwork

## Reference

Compare to Finfolk, another cryptid classed as the ancient predatory amphibian Labrynthodontia.

Along with the finfolk, the **sirens** (*Seiren anthemoessa*) represent a surviving member of class Labyrinthodontia, which flourished in the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. This group of early proto-amphibians is considered extinct by most branches of modern science. Indeed, it may yet be discovered that the sirens are actually a more advanced form of Labyrinthodontia, and have become another class altogether. Determining this would require resources that can be obtained only by introducing the sirens to mainstream science, and we just don't think mainstream science is ready for that sort of commitment.

Like all known members of Labyrinthodontia, sirens are metamorphic, and change forms over the course of their lives. They are not therianthropes: they do not shapeshift, but rather, gradually and irreversibly transform. Unlike the finfolk, they never fully become fish. This is probably for the best.

Sirens are considered critically endangered in the modern world, having been hunted to near-extinction by both members of the Covenant and independent hunters who got tired of having all their boats sink. While some sirens are perfectly pleasant individuals, it is easy to understand why members of fishing communities may be less accepting.

## About

Sirens belong to the class Labyrinthodontia, and are technically considered to be distant relatives of the amphibians. They are nonetheless fully endothermic, and are capable of regulating their own body temperature at all stages of their lives. Unlike their relatives, the finfolk, they are not cross-fertile with any other known species (save for the finfolk themselves). This does not stop them from trying, as sirens are not fond of the company of other sirens, and have been known to form lasting romantic attachments to members of multiple sapient species.

Infant sirens are indistinguishable from infant humans on all but a genetic level. They experience infant milestones and mature at the same rate as infant humans. They possess oddly compelling voices, but as most people are quick to respond to the tears of a baby or young child, the extent of the compulsion is unclear. It is definitely known that sirens begin to mature into their voices at puberty, when the standard "break" becomes something much more dramatic.

Starting during their early twenties, and continuing progressively, the siren will begin to develop small scales on their knees, hips, and ankles. These will spread, accompanied first by a softening of the joints, and later by fusion of the legs, until the siren has transformed, somewhere around the age of forty, into a classic "mermaid."

Sirens have lifespans of up to a hundred and fifty years, thanks to their unique biology. They give birth to live young, following an eleven month gestation period. They can be affected by diseases which infect both mammals and amphibians, and have experienced drops in population over the past fifty years.

## Appearance

As sea creatures, sirens have slightly different coloring than the human norm, and have been seen to have hair in green, blue, bright orange, and even striped patterns. Their skins are closer to the human range, although dead white and pitch black sirens have been reported. Those who cannot pass themselves off as humans rarely come into contact with the human race.

A siren who has fully transitioned into their adult form will look like something out of a Disney cartoon. Many of them wear seashell bras when coming to beaches, as they find it helps to discredit any and all reports of "mermaid sightings."

## Abilities

The voice of the mature siren is a powerful tool, and can be used to compel obedience of anyone in sight. The compulsion works best on those who are sexually attracted to members of the siren's apparent gender, and does not work at all on cuckoos, Lilu, or Madhura.

## Habitat

The first recorded siren sightings were in the waters near Greece. Sirens today can be found in any coastal waters, if they are found at all.

## Culture

"Just look at what humanity’s doing, now that it doesn’t have anything bigger to keep it from spreading like a plague across the planet. They didn’t learn anything from killing the dragons and the manticores and the **sirens**." -Balance

## In Popular Culture

In Greek mythology, the **sirens** were humanlike beings with alluring voices; they appear in a scene in the Odyssey in which Odysseus saves his crew's lives.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/siren
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirenum\_scopuli