Ecology of the siren

In Greek mythology the sirens were three nymphs granted the power of flight by Demeter to find her daughter Persephone after Hades “abducted” her. They had beautiful voices that lured sailors to their deaths. Odysseus was the only man to survive hearing their song, which provoked them into committing suicide.

In fantasy gaming they’re fuckable. Despite being human-headed birds. I find it all a bit silly, but what are you gonna do?

I’m not making too major changes to the siren formula. Given how specific their shtick is, there really isn't much else that I could do with them.

• Sirens are a type of nymph, with whatever baggage that entails.
• Sirens aren’t limited to female. They include the avian equivalent of satyrs too.
• Sirens are shapechangers, able to assume any combination of human, bird and fish.
• Seaweed sirens are part of the same race as sirens. Go figure.
• Sirens aren’t nice. Predatory, even. Why do you think they lure sailors to their deaths?

"The Mermaid Song" ©2009 GENZOMAN

© Square Enix

Links

• http://dailybestiary.tumblr.com/post/59073269410/siren
• http://dailybestiary.tumblr.com/post/124798448593/seaweed-siren
• http://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast246.htm
• http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EnthrallingSiren
• http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SirensAreMermaids
• http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Seirenes.html
• https://web.archive.org/web/20160625173807/http://www.colorado.edu:80/Classics/exhibits/GreekVases/essays/200637tsirens.htm