Sirens are a species of winged, aquatic humanoids that typically dwell near rocky sea cliffs. They are famed for their beautiful voices, which they use to sing haunting lamentations, captivating listeners and transporting them to a bygone age. Sirens typically experience fluctuating moods from one day to the next, ranging from extreme joy and hope for the future, to extreme sorrow and pessimism. No matter how a siren feels, she expresses her emotion through song.
Legend of the Sirens#
The sirens once lived on a great expanse of shoals in the Cerulean Gulf, where they built a city of brilliant white limestone. Its towering spires and pillars thrust out from the rocky waters, allowing the sirens to fly or swim as they pleased. They lived here in joy, singing praises to Sydon, who governed the oceans. Sydon heard this from his throne in Praxys and scowled. “Were they truly grateful, they would not build their towers to rival mine.”
When the sirens learned that Sydon was displeased, they were heartbroken. They dismantled their towers and composed new melodies—songs of repentance—which once more carried on the winds to the ears of the Titan. He was unmoved. “Were they truly repentant, they would not sing so brazenly, but they would go meekly and offer the proper sacrifices in place of songs.”
This time, the sirens were utterly stricken. They had believed that their songs were cherished by the gods. Their voices were stilled, and in the ensuing silence, the brilliance of the city faded into shadow. Stone foundations cracked, and pediments grew heavy. The pillars collapsed, and the city of the sirens sank deep into the ocean, swallowed by churning waters. Even its name was forgotten. Centuries passed in silence. Eventually, a new song began—an endless lamentation for the city that now sleeps on the ocean floor.
Ocean Lovers#
Sirens are not amphibious, but they are well-adapted for living in and around water. Iridescent scales cover many parts of their body, and their taloned hands and feet are excellent for fishing. They live in small flocks along the shores of the ocean. Siren artwork, poetry, and architecture emphasize their special relationship with both the clouds above and the sea below.
Mournful Singers#
Every siren is born with an abiding sense of sorrow that never fades—a soul-crushing grief caused by the loss of her ancestral home. From an early age, sirens learn to sing the ancient songs of their lost city, which evoke heart-wrenching memories of a time that will never come again.
Winged Messengers#
Sirens have broad, feathered wings growing out of their backs, which allow them to fly like birds. For this reason, sirens are often employed as messengers, tasked with conveying satchels of written letters from one city to another. However, a siren can only fly when her heart is filled with light. On such days, her songs are bright and joyful, no matter what manner of message she carries. Thus the saying, “A siren in good spirits may yet carry ill news.”
Siren Names#
Sirens have names that sound lyrical and sad. They are ancient names, carried down from generation to generation, and each is associated with an ancestral song. Sirens choose their own names when they come of age, selecting one from the song that moves them most deeply.
Male Names: Alovar, Celeus, Everean, Gaiar, Helean, Inareus, Leiro, Meiar, Nerean, Oren, Reilan, Taeren
Female Names: Alovarea, Celea, Everea, Gaia, Helena, Inarea, Leira, Meia, Nerea, Orena, Reilana, Taerena
Siren Traits#
- Creature Type: Fey
- Size: Medium (slightly shorter than humans, with a wingspan
- of about 6 feet)
- Speed: 30 feet
As a Siren you have the following special traits.
Enthralling Voice**.** You have Advantage on Performance and Persuasion checks made with your voice. Additionally, your powerful lungs allow you to hold your breath for up to 1 hour.
Wavering Emotions**.** Whenever you finish a Short or Long Rest, choose one of the following options based on your feelings of joy or sadness:
Flight. Your joyful feelings grant you a Fly Speed of 30 feet. You can’t use this speed if you are wearing Medium or Heavy armor.
Song of Sorrow. Your sorrowful feelings carry in a song with a powerful effect on anyone who hears it. You can cast each of the following spells once without expending a spell slot and regain the ability to do so again when you finish a Short or Long Rest, provided you are of the appropriate level: Charm Person (character level 1), Enthrall (character level 3), and Hold Person (character level 5). When cast in this way, a creature with the Deafened condition automatically passes its saving throw against the spell.
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells if you do not have the Spellcasting feature. If you do, you can use the same spellcasting ability as your Spellcasting feature instead.
