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Sirens
Physiology:
Physical characteristics
o Humanoid
o Vertical slitted pupils, eyes various warm shades, (pink, red, purple, orange and all shades in between), usually matches hair. Occasionally can have two different colored eyes. (ie. One orange, one pink) Can see perfectly under water.
o Hair starts off a light, eventually darkening as they get older. (ie. Start with pastel pink hair, darken to rich pink as an adolescent, darken to almost red as adult.)
o Webbed fingers and toes. Small fangs.
o Skin light but darkened by the sun and reflection of the water. Older adults will have very dark skin.
o Natural film develops over time to cover their bodies and protect them while out of water from the weather.
o Air breathers, have lungs but can hold their breath for long periods, (30-60 minutes average, varies per individual). Well adapted to life under water.
o Have the ability to heal quickly. Blood in the water will attract predators.
o Bodies cool by perspiration.
o Able to process saltwater, but their bodies do better with freshwater.
o They need large amounts of water to survive. Their skin will dehydrate and wither if they are removed from full immersion for longer than 48 hours. Death occurs in four days from dehydration. Those unable to swim will reside in freshwater pools. At least one hour of immersion a day is required.
o Clothing not generally worn but occasional jewelry and hair ornaments.
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
o Lifespan is capable of around 200 years, due to predators in the water, most average about 50. The weak and the old are often culled naturally.
o Reproduce as humans, physical copulation required. End stage pregnant females do not spend much time in the water due to predator risk.
o Average 1 child, occasional twins. Triplets unheard of and will normally result in the death of the mother before they come to full term.
o Growth rate as humans.
o Full sexual maturity averages around age twelve to thirteen because of shortened lives.
o 50-75% of their life is spent underwater. Sleeping takes place on land.
Behavior:
Communication:
o Voices shrill shrieks, made for communication under water, (like dolphins or whales). Voice is lethal to most land-dwelling beings. Can communicate above water but normally read body language and gestures.
o Older, highly committed couples can have a bond of sorts and are able to feel the other out if needed.
Social structure
o Small, nomadic groups. Size varies. Average 30-50. Generally reside around islands towards the equator.
o Patriarchal society but generally one committed couple will lead individual groups.
o Neither monogamy, polygamy, heterosexuality or homosexuality is more common than the other.
o All members of the group will breed if they choose but conception is difficult to achieve. (average 5-10 births a year out of every 100 couples)
o Males are very protective of their groups and have been known to fight against other leading males for the safety of their charges. Occasionally territorial if the group does not migrate.
o Individuals looking for mates will often bring them gifts, hunt for them, or otherwise try to bring themselves in their favor. Rivalries are not uncommon.
o Loyalties to the group come before individuals.
o New members will often have to prove themselves before fully accepted into a group.
o War is unheard of, though adjacent groups may have occasional disagreements. No governing structure beyond group leaders.
o Most time awake is spent under water with sunbathing while out.
o Sleep above with groups on large rocks protruding from water’s surface.
o Groups often have many miles between them. Sparse population.
Hunting
o Mostly omnivorous. Will eat vegetation, fish and crustaceans. Diet varies by what’s available where they currently reside. Occasionally they will group up and hunt bigger game such as sharks.
o Depending on the rules of the individual group, may gather communally or individually.
Religion
o Not a way of life, but superstition is common.
o Will make offerings to the planet, (water), in hopes of good fortune.
o No gods but the planet is considered a living being.
Planet, (Ish’talla):
Two suns and two moons surround the planet. Varies occasionally with the seasons. Eclipses of one or both suns are common.
Water
o Covers 75% of the planet’s surface. Saltwater ocean.
o All manner of life from large to small. Many predators.
o Similar to Earth’s oceans, flora and fauna changed slightly.
o Small freshwater pools on rocks from rain.
o Normal tide cycles
Islands
o Smooth limestone jutting above surface, varies in size. Nothing larger than a mile across.
o Many caves and enclosed structures due to water erosion and manual formation of rocks.
o Mostly barren, occasional small plants. Moss-like covering.
Climate
o Tropical: warm and humid, average temperature 95 degrees.
o Rains generally 50% of the time.
Slave trade:
Auction
o Rare. The journey out to their islands is long with very unpredictable seas. Usually sponsored by an individual or group with the promise of large monetary gain.
o Normally the young and the weak are taken because of the difficulty involved in obtaining a healthy adult.
o Special precautions need to be taken to avoid their voices in the way of magical barriers around the ears and masks to stifle any outgoing sounds from the Siren.
o Sirens are chained to prevent escape and kept in shallow containers of water to prevent dehydration.
o They are masked immediately upon capture.
o Once back on land they are scrubbed heavily to remove ‘fish’ odor. This often results in abrasions and wounds from rough handling and lack of cooperation. They are then rubbed down in scented oil to prevent dehydration and make them more appealing to buyers.
o Sold off to highest bidder, (unless auction is previously fixed, which it often is, and put on for ‘show’).
o All Sirens are branded with Family Crest upon purchase. If sold, new crest is branded over old.
Private Acquisition
o Individual charters boat to obtain a Siren for his own purposes.
o Often takes years for a boat to accept because of less gain and high danger. (Individuals normally want healthy adults)
o All expenses fronted by sponsor who will occasionally accompany the boat.
o Rarely more than one Siren obtained, if any at all.
Slave Life
o Varies per individual owner but there are no laws restricting usage of any kind.
o Often used as sex slaves against their wills no matter the age.
o Large status symbol. Owner is seen as high wealth and position if able to obtain a Siren.
o Paraded as pets and legally defined as pets/property. No individual rights.
o If treated well can live entire lifespan.
o Sometimes ‘lent’ to others as favors.
o Sirens cannot get pregnant from anything other than another Siren. Some owners will try to ‘stud’ their slaves out in exchange for a percentage of the money a child will bring in, (despite the fact it is hard for them to become pregnant in the first place). Sirens often to not cooperate so pregnancy is very rare.
o Those who manage escape are quickly caught because of the inability to go without water for too long.
o Often doused in magical, scented oil to prolong time out of water. (can prevent withering and dehydration for several days but will need water immersion in between applications)
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