Leannán Sídhe

The **Leannán Sídhe** (lee-ah-NAHN SHEE), colloquially known as **Muses**, are an ancient lineage of Fay Folk who can trace their ancestry back to the original Nine Muses, the Immortal sisters who were once worshipped as goddesses of inspiration and the arts.

## Appearance

Leannán Sídhe are beings that appear like their elven cousins, down to their ancestral trait of pointed ears. However, because of their Immortal heritage, you will never find an ugly leannán sídhe among them. This is where the similarities end, however. You see, each leannán sídhe possesses different physical traits that depend on which of the original Nine each of them descends from.

### Calliope

Leannán Sídhe descended from Calliope, the eldest of the Nine Muses, and Muse of Epic Poetry, sometimes called Calliopian Muses, tend towards being the most muscular of the leannán sídhe. Their eyes tend to be in different metallic shades, usually golden, silver, or platinum, and their hair is typically similar, appearing as if strands of metal grow from their head instead of hair.

### Clio

Leannán Sídhe descended from Clio, Muse of History, sometimes called Clian Muses, tend towards being attractive in a  somewhat plain looking way. The most distinguishing feature of this lineage is their bright eyes the color of amber.

### Erato

Leannán Sídhe descended from Erato, Muse of Romance and Love Poetry, sometimes called Eratan Muses, are the most beautiful of all leannán sídhe, and that's saying something. Whether feminine, masculine, or something in between, whatever the skin tone, the most distinguishing feature of this leannán sídhe lineage is hair as red as roses. Lighter skinned members of this lineage will typically have robin's egg blue eyes, while those with a darker complexion will typically have golden or hazel eyes.

### Euterpe

Leannán Sídhe descended from Euterpe, Muse of Music, sometimes called Euterpian Muses, tend towards having physical characteristics that resemble musical instruments; for example, possessing arms that double as flutes, or a harp-like appendage growing from their lower backs like tails and connecting to their upper backs.

### Melpomene

Leannán Sídhe descended from Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy, sometimes called Melpomenian Muses, are typically seen with gray, watery eyes, turned down at the corners, giving them a permanently sad look; they also have black hair that's often disheveled.

### Polyhymnia

Leannán Sídhe descended from Polyhymnia, Muse of Hymns, sometimes called Polyhymnian Muses, tend towards being the most serious-looking of the leannán sídhe. Their faces, when not hidden behind veils, tend towards being lean and angular, with dark gray eyes, pointed chins, high cheekbones, and lips that seem to be permanently pursed, as if constantly telling everyone to "shush".

### Terpsichore

Leannán Sídhe descended from Terpsichore, Muse of Dance, sometimes called Terpsichoran Muses, tend to be the most graceful of the leannán sídhe. They tend towards being lean and lithe, with muscular legs, honed by lifetimes of dancing.

### Thalia

Leannán Sídhe descended from Thalia, Muse of Comedy and Pastoral Poetry, sometimes called Thalian Muses, are often the most rustic-looking of their kind, in a charming way. They typically possess green eyes with prominent laugh wrinkles in the corners, and their hair is typically straw-like in color and texture. Even when not smiling, contained laughter does tend to turn the corners of their mouths up, so they appear to have permanent smirks.

### Urania

Leannán Sídhe descended from Urania, youngest of the Nine Muses, and Muse of Astronomy and Astrology, sometimes called Uranian Muses, are typically the most alien looking members of the leannán sídhe. They typically possess black hair, large eyes the color of the night sky, and bluish-green skin, with points distributed throughout that sparkle when they catch the light.